Players: 1
WWF Smackdown
is one of many games released that focuses on the sport of wrestling and
is sometimes featured on Channel 4 on a Sunday afternoon while Channel 5
opt for WCW each Friday evening. To me personally, I don't know a great deal
about the difference as, to me, they both seem like an excuse for actors
to throw each other about a lot and appear to cause a great deal of pain
as a result either with their fists, feet or any household implement they
can get their hands on.
If there's one thing this game isn't short of, it's options on how to play
the game. You can play a whole season, create a PPV (Pay Per View event - for
those not up to speed with the satellite or digital TV revolution), view the
records held for the different WWF belts, or play one of many exhibition
matches.
In the latter, there's several variations including Single Match, Tag Match,
Royal Rumble, Cage Match (yes, you play in a cage and can climb the walls!),
Special Referee (where you can be the one in charge) and Anywhere Fall,
allowing you to move out of the ring and play in the kitchen, backstage,
corridor or a number of different places.
WWF Smackdown contains all 36 characters from the game, each with their own
FMV intro movie including Paul Bearer, The Rock, The Undertaker, Big Show and
my favourites, Tori and Debra ;)
Of course, if you're not happy with any of them you can create your own
superstar. Choose a mask for a head - such as one not dissimilar from the gimp's
in Pulp Fiction - and the breasts of Debra, if that's your
desire.
Graphics, Sound and Playability
The graphics are a bit on the crude side, but each of the participants are
fairly well represented. The whole thing looks and feels more comical than
trying to present a realistic impression of the characters' facial features.
The sound is a bit of slap 'n' tickle from the hunks of meat clambering about
the canvas, or outdoors if you don't like the trappings of four walls, plus
a very loud heavy metal soundtrack. On the downside, it can all get very
overpowering very quickly, but if you don't like your neighbours, this is
the game for you.
WWF Smackdown's biggest problem comes when you actually try
and play the game. Perhaps I'm just bobbins at it, but like an iffy game of
Virtua Fighter, I get more success just banging away at the
buttons because when I do try to position myself and hit someone or make
they go my way, it never works out the way I'd like, which can be very
frustrating as it makes you wonder if you're actually in control of the
character.
Overall
About two-and-a-half years ago I played WCW vs. The World on
my Playstation and to be honest it doesn't feel like we've come much further
forward. WWF Smackdown is a laugh but no more, so not worth a
purchase if you're serious about your games but worth a rental, or getting
on Platinum when it comes down in price if you really must have it in your
collection.
If you're after some more info, you can check out the
official Interplay Website at www.interplay.com
The following is a list of all the The WWE/WWF DVDs and games review online to date :
2002 WWE Raw
