THQ's latest in a remarkably long line of a wrestling games, WWE Day of Reckoning 2, comes at just the right time for me, and helps take the slightly bad taste away that was left by my last experience of console wrestling, the disappointing WWE Wrestlemania 21 on Xbox. Having said that it doesn’t really innovate in any particular way, it’s just a fun, authentic and good looking grappler that does just about everything you’d expect, with a couple of new additions to the game’s mechanics…
When designing WWE DoR2, the plan was to pick up the game's storyline right where they left off in the last instalment (just as WWE's TV programming continues its storylines night after night), and it works – if you’re a fan of the WWE both on TV and console then you’ll feel right at home with this game, and there really feels like there’s some continuity building in the series. You can’t help but notice the tweaked graphics engine, that is slicker, cleaner and more solid than before - some of the likenesses are truly uncanny. Smart presentation (well, loud, glitzy and authentic anyway) has always been part Yuke’s WWE games, and this year it’s better than ever with neat menus accurate characters and detailed backdrops. The new character editor is also noticeably better than before, with some new additions.
Part of the game’s new mechanic is the importance of your wrestler’s stamina. Now both your player and the opponents can tire during a match, which means considerably more strategy than before – “strategy in a WWE game?” I hear you say – well yes, this new feature means strategy aplenty actually. There’s also a new ‘submission gauge’. I didn’t really “get” this at first but, this new addition is also useful and strategic. When a player gets an opponent in a submission move, they get several options available to them (C-stick). ‘Submit’ (Up-C) concentrates extra pressure on a weakened body part, ‘Drain’ (Right-C) obviously drains the opponent's stamina, ‘Rest Hold’ (Down-C) takes a breather and increases the player's stamina, and ‘Taunt’ (Left-C) takes from your opponent's crowd momentum pool. Your opponent can predict your submission hold, and then get the chance to counter or cancel your move – it’s neat system. There are also loads of unlockable moves and new arenas to purchase in the WWE Shop Zone.
Multiplayer is well catered for (up to 3 others), with plenty of match types (hardcore matches, cage, bra and panties, Royal Rumble, three-way, ladders, tables and chairs, kitchen sink etc. etc.) to keep you playing with your buddies when the career mode gets tired (and that’ll be a while). Multiplayer games play well, within the usual limitations and can be highly entertaining and ahem… competitive.
With a massive selection of WWE superstars and even some legends who aren’t currently on the roster like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart and good old Mick Foley this game should appeal to a wide age group of WWE gamers too.
All in all this is an enjoyable and polished title (the AI could still do with some work) that does everything you could ask from it. This Gamecube franchise still lacks the impact and raw playability of the PS2’s Smackdown series, but if you can’t grapple with that fact then this is an instant must-buy for any Gamecube owning WWE Fans.
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