Review: WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 (360)

Since The Rock went off to make movies and Steve Austin became too crippled to perform, wrestling has never had quite the same star quality. Maybe that's our rose tinted glasses, but the roster in Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 lacks sparkle. For some reason guys acting like Hollywood stars hoarded by paparazzi and a strange guy with a giant clock that eats worms just doesn't do it for us. Anyway, less of the moaning about the characters and more about how this is the best Smackdown game to date.

If you go back and play some of the older titles in the series and then jump onto SVR 07 the change in gameplay is astronomical. The fast paced arcade gameplay has all been eradicated and in it's place is something that plays more like the tactical WWF No Mercy and Wrestlemania on the N64. Your opponent will need to be worn down gently otherwise there's more of a chance you'll get hit with a counter. Doing so will require you to get to grips with the all new analogue grappling system. Flicking the right stick in any direction and you'll perform an easy grapple, but holding the RB button while moving the stick will give you a more powerful arsenal.

Yuke's have also this time tried to make the matches seem more like they are in the actual WWE. Hotspots around the arena are used to perform specific moves in that area. For instance you have the ring posts that come in handy when doing massive damage to the head, the announcers table which can be used to perform a finishing move from the top rope and the barricade where you can throw your opponent into the crowd. They're each extremely satisfying and make your move list far larger than it has been before; particularly with the new "ultimate control moves" that allow you to change (and position) your moves from specific grapples with a flick of the stick. All of this however depends on how much stamina your superstar has left.

It is impossible to constantly remain on the offensive, as instead time out must be taken to regain your stamina. Once your opponent has been downed then holding the B button will recharge your batteries, but if you let your stamina deplete far enough, then you'll find your wrestler staggering on the floor leaving him open to attack. As always, moves can be countered, but this time they're harder to pull off; almost too hard for most people. Pressing a specific trigger at the right time (which is highlighted under your momentum bar) counters the move - though it's never as simple as it sounds. The time in which you're given to perform the counter is incredibly short and the best way of doing it is simply hammer the trigger as hard as you can in the hope it works. The majority of the combat is sound; it's just the countering system that needs additional work.

The season mode is the main option for your single player thrills. Just like before, select your chosen superstar and fight through the various storylines in the hope of grabbing the coveted WWE Championship. It's not just a straightforward path, as losing a big match could cause the course of the story to change dramatically. The season needs to be played through multiple times to see everything, and if you fancy going behind the scenes then you can do so in the all new General Manager mode. Here you can take control of either Raw or Smackdown and every week book matches for each event. That's only one area of this mode though, as you still have to set up rivalries, create storylines and (if you wish) trade superstars with the opposing brand. It's certainly an interesting distraction for those who like their Football Manager style games, but one that won't hold your attention for long.

Not without it's faults; the PSP version has constantly been humiliated due to it's stupidly long loading times and while not quite as bad, the loading screens are evident in the Xbox 360 version. Everything from the matches to the winning celebrations must be loaded. The game goes even so far as letting you buy different loading pictures from the WWE shop. It is certainly a problem, but one that isn’t too distracting if you can stand bands like Godsmack constantly playing throughout such moments. Although it's a pretty game with good facial expressions and sweat (sport games new big thing) some animations have been reused from older Smackdown games making the developers seem lazy. Surely now that we're set firmly in the next generation we should be seeing such improvements? Maybe next time.

Other minor faults do exist but that still doesn't prevent Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 being the best wrestling game we've played in a while. Finally listening to fans complaints with previous offerings; it's good to see the series taking a new approach with less of an emphasis on running around the ring like a madman, and more on planning how to wear down your opponent. We're now keenly looking forward to the next instalment, which is something we've haven't done since 2003's Here Comes The Pain.

Rating: 8 / 10

Words by Adam Gulliver