WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009: One Man's Opinion

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/05/2008 by Wil McCombs

I’m a unique breed of wrestling fan.

Let me elaborate. I am not a hardcore fan. I occasionally watch WWE and TNA programming, but usually only small cross-sections of each show. In fact, I could not readily identify all of the WWE and TNA champions without first stopping at Google.com. Shame on me.

Instead, I am more of a cerebral wrestling fan. I tune in for the in-ring action, sure, but I am more entertained by the drama, and the storylines. Skeptical elitists often say wrestling appeals to the lowest common denominator of storytelling. I heartily disagree. There is a special mythology of professional wrestling that -- when properly executed -- is nothing short of magical.

So color me a bit of a wrestling nerd. I enjoy the story and the characters. I enjoy creating unique characters in wrestling games, suffering all of the little details to make certain that my create-a-wrestler’s hypothetical gimmick is true to the blueprint I’ve created in my brain. I have participated in and run e-feds during my earlier years. (For those of you who don’t know what an e-fed is, consider yourself much, much cooler than me.) I have even participated in backyard wrestling “federations” -- videos which I pray are never found by my girlfriend.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009: Featuring Tag teams in a company that...doesn't feature teag teams?

Because of this geekier side, I have a rather unique way of viewing wrestling games. The in-ring action needs to be crisp, but the depth of the surrounding modes and features carries more weight. I enjoy the slobber-knocking antics in the squared circle, but a world championship caliber wrestling game needs to be great outside the ring too. Items like career mode and create-a-wrestler can make sub-par gameplay seem satisfying.

This year, we will be graced with Smackdown vs. Raw 2009. Following last year’s SvR abomination, developer Yukes has two shots at redemption. From my own twisted perspective, here’s an outline of what to expect from Smackdown vs. Raw 2009.

Smackdown vs. Raw 09: Overview

If you are any sort of wrestling game fan then you probably already know that one of this year’s focuses is adding depth to tag-team wrestling. SvR 09 will introduce new tag-match mechanics, the end goal being: make tag-team contests play out in a more “realistic” manner. Some of these mechanics include new tag-team finishers, “hot” tags, shared momentum meters, and even the ability to cheat.

Accompanying this new focus is a tag-team story/career mode, called Road to Wrestlemania. Early reports indicate that this mode can be played with a friend on the same system and online. The initial rumblings are that both the tag and single Road to Wrestlemania modes will boast multiple storylines, depending on the superstar (or type of superstar) you wish to take to wrestling’s promised land.

In wrestling terms, this is when something is about to happen. Look out Rey!

Following on the heels of last year’s custom entrance music feature, SvR 09 is set to take a bold leap forward with the new create-a-finisher system. The system will allow you to combine up to ten animations (you'll also be able to vary the speed of each animation) into a completely customizable move of devastation. Apparently this system also includes a multitude of animations that are not pulled from existing finishers, thus allowing players to create completely unique maneuvers.

The other touted addition to SvR 09 is the Inferno Match. In such a match, flames surround the ring and grow in temperature and intensity as moves are executed in the ring. Once the temperature reaches 500 degrees, you will be able to toss your hapless opponent into the fire -- he will roll around burning a bit until WWE security rushes down to put him out.

Smackdown vs. Raw 09: My Take

To appease those of you who hold gameplay near and dear to your hearts, I will comment. The gameplay does not look much different than last year, at least from the footage I have seen. Therefore, the same clunky mechanics and collision detection issues that were present in SvR 07 and SvR 08 could seemingly still be there. Those of you waiting for a more fluid and responsive WWE title may be kept waiting for yet another year.

Still, my stance is that if the surrounding material is tip-top, average gameplay (and past years’ gameplay has been just that) can be made more than tolerable. The re-introduction of a true story mode is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to giving this game longevity. SvR 07 had a rather interesting story mode, but SvR 08 took a major step back with its groan-worthy WWE 24/7 mode. This year, we will have the choice of both single and tag story modes, each with multiple storylines. While this may not reach my Utopian vision of a choose-your-own-adventure-type story mode, it is a step in that direction, and a huge improvement over last year.

While there are a few things that bother us, Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 could be improved.

With the exception of their impact on the story mode, I am not particularly enthused about the new tag-team mechanics. While tag matches have been in dire need of repair for years, everything I have seen so far is simply shrug-worthy. It may be cool for a bit, but it is far from revolutionary.

The create-a-finisher system is, on the other hand, on the cusp of being revolutionary. I have always had a big problem with my CaWs being restricted to a collection of canned finishers. None of them ever seem to reach my over-the-top hopes. Now, perhaps SvR 09 can come close to reaching my lofty expectations. This system will not be without its limits, however. Those of you hoping to create elaborate submissions or elaborate top-rope finishers are in for a bummer; all created finishers will be performed on a stunned, standing opponent.

The Inferno Match is a yawner in my opinion. It’s a match that probably should have been introduced years ago, when it fit better into wrestlers’ gimmicks (like the Undertaker/Kane feud). It’s also a very linear type of match, in that there is just one way to win. I can’t see this providing any more than a brief, menial thrill. After that, it’s just a throwaway.

My overall opinion, SvR09 boasts enough peripheral depth to pique my curiosity. The multiple storylines for the Road to Wrestlemania mode, if properly and cleverly executed, is right up my alley. The create-a-finisher system while limited, should provide some additional hours of mischievous fun. All in all, SvR 09 could satisfy my particular wrestling game taste.

At this point, what are your guys' thoughts when it comes to SvR 09?

WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2009 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 TCF @ 09/05/08 07:11 PM

i really don't know. TNA was already talking about how they will do tag teams this year when the game is released next week and now all of a sudden SvR is doing the same thing. SvR08 sucked it felt like i was playing SvR07 which was ok but still nothing impressive. now that the competition has a game out they are trying to make better improvements?

will have to wait and see i do know i am getting TNA next week.

# 2 Shadymamba @ 09/05/08 07:32 PM

i dont know if svr has the wwe wrestlers taking part in customizing the game, but when i seen that some of the TNA wrestlers had on the black suits doing moves..I was like now thats a way to go..hey i wont say its great cuz it hasnt come out yet and i havent played it..but that kind of hands on can be something good...hopefully its a good game (TNA) ive played 3 RVS im done with this franchise

# 3 adembroski @ 09/05/08 08:45 PM

SvR08 was horrible. I enjoyed 07, but the game just got clunkier and harder to enjoy. I understand what you're saying regarding the storyline stuff being important enough to put up with average gameplay, but SvR does not have average gameplay, it has poor gameplay. It's not passable enough.

Unless there's a leap in gameplay, I wont be buying it again.

# 4 icepikk @ 09/05/08 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goh


	I used to get really excited for these games but they've been going downhill since HCTP. I think they need to scrap the whole thing and start over.

I agree with goh. I used to love the smackdown games, i was excited all year long waiting to see the new moves or features that the next one was gonna bring. True it has never lived up to No Mercy which many, including myself, feel is the best wrestling game of all time, but I still loved the games. Then they slowly started removing what to me are key things to make room for new features which were lackluster at best. I totally disagree with Wil on what makes a wrestling game great and playable. All the features in the world mean nothing to me if the gameplay sucks. Sure u can have customer entrances with ur own music, a great story mode and matches, but if every match ur using the same few sucky moves, even combining a lot of moves over multiple characters the game will become boring fast. Since WWF Attitude I have based my wrestling game experiences around my CAWs. They are the characters I use and I make the same ones on each new game. I have storylines and backhistory for all of them and have added many over time. So im glad i can customize their looks a lot more now so they stand out from each other, but as the games allow me to do that better and better (except for hair, the hair to choose from is terrible), at the same time its limiting how my characters play. A lot of my characters have overlapping moves cuz they keep removing more and more each year and leaving all the crappy moves. I understand my characters can each have a few of the same moves but its becoming more and more, even when they can do less. I remember when in a smackdown game i had 8 back moves, now only 4, and when i had plenty of front moves and each year i get to pick less moves, making my matches repetitive and boring. Also limiting what moves I can choose for each character is bogus. I dont want a filter telling me what moves I can and cant have for a certain character or with what button configuration I can have them. Let me decide that. We used to get any four moves up down left and right now we have this total control which takes up some move spots, and submissions we have to have a place for and then two different "styles." It makes me have to pick and choose between moves I want even though I should have place for the ones I want but because Im limited I cant give my guys moves Ive had them have as recently as the year before's game! I used to play SD games all year long, now im lucky to wanna play them past the first month and that sucks cuz I really loved these games and looked forward to them. I know TNA isnt going to be all that good cuz being its first game its just getting the feel for things and where it wants to expand but SD is going to be in its what, 10th iteration? It should get the gameplay right. because honestly HCTP was the best, giving me a lot of freedom and choices for moves with plenty of places to put them and a nice story mode. PLEASE THQ focus on the gameplay and allowing plenty of moves without limiting who can use what and maybe I'll be into these again. I own them all and I'd hate to think of the day when I just give up on buying one, itll break my heart, like losing a friend who has gone astray and u feel u dont really even know them anymore.

# 5 TCF @ 09/06/08 12:50 AM

the one thing about TNA is that Midway had access to all the roster members so that is a huge jump over the handful that THQ has for SvR

# 6 blinkfan77 @ 09/06/08 03:03 AM

I agree with a lot of whats been said. Especially in the article. This lame ticky-tacky stuff like the Inferno Match and the backstage brawl that has the same stupid canned, long, boring, repetitive animations that get old and stale after 1 match are getting seriously old and boring.

So what, flames rise up after a few minutes/strong moves. So what the loser rolls around with crappy looking flames on them. It's cool to watch once.

For me, fixing the gameplay mechanics and the weapon interactions is what they need to do. I'm so sick of weapons/tables etc.. and the "sliding" mechanic, where if you walk near something, it just simply slides, rather than being able to do a move ONTO it. Rather than some stupid animation that involves you throwing an opponent on a table first, then you do something. No thanks

Get rid of these lame, gimmicky moves and interactions with the crowd. I don't feel like I'm really involved in the matches when it takes a single button press that goes into some stupid animation with the crowd/barrier that included a new camera angle, further removing me from the experience of me actually performing the moves with the utmost video game gratification.

The developers and producers clearly don't have a genuine feel for what SHOULD be being fixed and what fans really want. A couple new modes and matches that are fun once or twice, isn't going to make me buy this game.

Improved controls, mechanics, graphics, loads of backstage areas, new situations to do moves in, new moves themselves, GETTING RID OF 8 YEARS OLD MOVES!!!! That's what I want to see.

And for gods sake, PLEASE REDO THE HELL IN THE CELL!!!!! I can't tell you how sick I am of the 8 year old animation of falling through the cell and HANGING ON! The old WM game for GameCube had THE BEST HIAC match in any WWE game. I loved playing it because every move you used to put someone through was new, exciting, different looking animation/reaction.

Not to mention Corey Ledesma is the most fake, disingenuous, see through, transparent developer/PR person I've ever seen in interviews. The guy thinks his audience is 10 year olds who just accept all the crap he says. I don't fall for all of his stupid hype tactics that he whips out every year.

This franchise needs a new direction, new staff, new outlook, better community relations, better PR, better goals, higher standards and a better feel for what their consumers really want.

Freshen this game up already!!!!!

# 7 icepikk @ 09/06/08 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkfan77


	I agree with a lot of whats been said. Especially in the article. This lame ticky-tacky stuff like the Inferno Match and the backstage brawl that has the same stupid canned, long, boring, repetitive animations that get old and stale after 1 match are getting seriously old and boring. So what, flames rise up after a few minutes/strong moves. So what the loser rolls around with crappy looking flames on them. It's cool to watch once. For me, fixing the gameplay mechanics and the weapon interactions is what they need to do. I'm so sick of weapons/tables etc.. and the "sliding" mechanic, where if you walk near something, it just simply slides, rather than being able to do a move ONTO it. Rather than some stupid animation that involves you throwing an opponent on a table first, then you do something. No thanks Get rid of these lame, gimmicky moves and interactions with the crowd. I don't feel like I'm really involved in the matches when it takes a single button press that goes into some stupid animation with the crowd/barrier that included a new camera angle, further removing me from the experience of me actually performing the moves with the utmost video game gratification. The developers and producers clearly don't have a genuine feel for what SHOULD be being fixed and what fans really want. A couple new modes and matches that are fun once or twice, isn't going to make me buy this game. Improved controls, mechanics, graphics, loads of backstage areas, new situations to do moves in, new moves themselves, GETTING RID OF 8 YEARS OLD MOVES!!!! That's what I want to see. And for gods sake, PLEASE REDO THE HELL IN THE CELL!!!!! I can't tell you how sick I am of the 8 year old animation of falling through the cell and HANGING ON! The old WM game for GameCube had THE BEST HIAC match in any WWE game. I loved playing it because every move you used to put someone through was new, exciting, different looking animation/reaction. Not to mention Corey Ledesma is the most fake, disingenuous, see through, transparent developer/PR person I've ever seen in interviews. The guy thinks his audience is 10 year olds who just accept all the crap he says. I don't fall for all of his stupid hype tactics that he whips out every year. This franchise needs a new direction, new staff, new outlook, better community relations, better PR, better goals, higher standards and a better feel for what their consumers really want. Freshen this game up already!!!!!

very well put. I agree with all of that.

# 8 CarryTheWeight @ 09/06/08 09:24 AM

The best thing about the SVR series is the CAW mode. Probably the best one out there and the only one out there worth a damn. Hell, I run a CAW league on SVR just because of that reason. SVR, by far, has the best customizability (is that even a word?) of any sports game out there, even if games like Fire Pro and No Mercy had more flexibility.

But, at the same time, I'm still very skeptical of just where the game's going gameplay-wise. It's the "Madden" of Wrestling games after all. THQ and the developers talk every year about how "nothing's been recycled" and how they're "rethinking" the game's various features. Why are we seeing recycled animations from Smackdown 1, then? Why does the game always seem to take "one step forward and two steps back" gameplay-wise?

I like the "struggle submission" system they implemented last year, but I hated how it rendered every submission without an "SS" by its name null and void. I liked the addition of the ECW Extreme Rules Match last year, but when I can't break an announce table by jumping off the top rope or suplexing someone off a ladder, I instantly cringe.

Like 2K5/Madden, it's REALLY sad when games with inferior graphical quality and games on older consoles (DOR and No Mercy) perform much better when it comes down to basics. Sure, SVR still has the best customization around and the most authentic out-of-ring authenticity. But when it comes down to pure wrestling, SVR is junk. The AI fails to act competently, you can still beat opponents endlessly with stomps and irreversable maneuvers on the mat, and its mechanics still belong in a fighting game.

...oh yeah, and don't get me started on the commentary.

SVR2009 looks like more of the same to me. Despite the addition of some new exciting customization (create-a-finisher), I'm still skeptical. And I'll continue to be skeptical until the demo or the game itself releases. Sure, it's still a "buy" for me (I own a CAW league, after all) but I can't help but think it's...well...more of the same.

# 9 VG31 @ 09/06/08 01:09 PM

Has it been announced if you can use any superstar in story mode or are you restricted to a list of like 20 wrestlers like last year?

# 10 CarryTheWeight @ 09/06/08 09:27 PM

goh, even with its quirks on next-gen (less layers on PS3 than 360, and all the blurring) and even after all that's been removed, SVR's CAW mode hasn't been butchered as much as the gameplay. People are still able to make mindblowing creations in there.

On second thought, though, it's still a damn shame. Every point you made is valid. At the very least, we should have more slots for creations. 30 is fine, but 64 would be better. Why can't we have the limit be our own hard drive (or memory card) capacity? And about women bleeding, I think it's more of a rating issue than anything else...if they were to include it, up comes the M rating. Which isn't a bad thing per se, but we'd have to deal with the endless groups of angry kids complaining about why "gamestop won't let me get the game".

Once again, one step forward, two steps back...

# 11 TCF @ 09/06/08 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarryTheWeight


	The best thing about the SVR series is the CAW mode. Probably the best one out there and the only one out there worth a damn. Hell, I run a CAW league on SVR just because of that reason. SVR, by far, has the best customizability (is that even a word?) of any sports game out there, even if games like Fire Pro and No Mercy had more flexibility. But, at the same time, I'm still very skeptical of just where the game's going gameplay-wise. It's the "Madden" of Wrestling games after all. THQ and the developers talk every year about how "nothing's been recycled" and how they're "rethinking" the game's various features. Why are we seeing recycled animations from Smackdown 1, then? Why does the game always seem to take "one step forward and two steps back" gameplay-wise? I like the "struggle submission" system they implemented last year, but I hated how it rendered every submission without an "SS" by its name null and void. I liked the addition of the ECW Extreme Rules Match last year, but when I can't break an announce table by jumping off the top rope or suplexing someone off a ladder, I instantly cringe. Like 2K5/Madden, it's REALLY sad when games with inferior graphical quality and games on older consoles (DOR and No Mercy) perform much better when it comes down to basics. Sure, SVR still has the best customization around and the most authentic out-of-ring authenticity. But when it comes down to pure wrestling, SVR is junk. The AI fails to act competently, you can still beat opponents endlessly with stomps and irreversable maneuvers on the mat, and its mechanics still belong in a fighting game. ...oh yeah, and don't get me started on the commentary. SVR2009 looks like more of the same to me. Despite the addition of some new exciting customization (create-a-finisher), I'm still skeptical. And I'll continue to be skeptical until the demo or the game itself releases. Sure, it's still a "buy" for me (I own a CAW league, after all) but I can't help but think it's...well...more of the same.

really compared to what other wrestling game in regards to the CAW? it had no competition and TNA's game comes out next week and until we get to see that nobody knows how good it really is.

# 12 CarryTheWeight @ 09/07/08 03:06 AM

Well, at least compared to the other WWE titles out there, SVR IMO had the better CAW mode, despite the fact Raw 2 had more customization options (editing existing wrestlers' attire and the robust create-an-entrance) and DOR had the better gameplay of the three (at least IMO). SVR always was the higher end of the three in terms of detail and what you could design. Since it made the jump to every console under the sun, though, you're right. There really isn't anything to compare it to. But for what it's worth, it's incredibly detailed, even with the stuff they took out (layer copying, anyone)?

# 13 countryboy @ 09/07/08 08:53 PM

after last year's fiasco, I can say that I will not pick this up on release day and may not pick it up at all. I got so bored with SvR '08 too quick for me to shell out $60 for a game that is only moderately improved. The create-a-finisher sounds cool and all, but its limitation to only stunned opponents is a big downer as I love to create crusierweights, since I feel its a division that lacks top tier wrestlers.

The tag team storyline and new match antics are again a good idea but long overdue. Especially since tag team wrestling in the "sport" itself have fallen by the wasteside.

Inferno match sounds as boring as a standard cage match or table match. Sounds good and could've been better than what it appears its going to be.

No, I won't be picking this up on release day and will wait for reviews from diehard wrestling fanatics here at OS to see what they say. Until then, its HCTP for me.

# 14 raptors773 @ 09/07/08 10:03 PM

I hope the story mode be better this year cause it was hell of boring in svr 2008

# 15 PlayaHataSupreme @ 09/08/08 08:38 PM

As for Created Wrestlers, they need to get with the program with............

Smackdown! Locker feature!!!

With the ability to share wrestlers online in a Locker-type feature, I'm convinced that is what the people really want in that regard.

2K Sports and EA have implemented this feature, and 2K has it set up so you can DL individual players as opposed to a whole file. Don't see why THQ can't implement the same thing........

Obviously, remove the restrictions of logos and other things that disable online capabilities and other juvenile issues such as the "crotch blur"........... you'd have yourself a heck of a feature and many people geeked up to play with classic wrestlers or simply wrestlers that didn't make the cut, and with much more user friendliness than buying a cumbersome transfer kit.

I wonder if there's some legal issues holding this back from happening......... even then, don't see how EA and 2K can "get away with it" and not THQ. Am I missing something here?

If by chance it's to "protect the kids".......... then shucks, there's not near enough "protection" from the 12 year old potty mouths who would surely be rampant with a game such as this.......... even the ESRB thingie for Madden (rated E) states that the content may vary when you go online............

If that and the ability to place created wrestlers in a season mode (even if it's not the story mode) comes to the game, the out-of-the-ring portion would be EPIC.

Am I missing something as to why these features can't be put in game, especially with the squad's supposed focus to make the game more like a traditional sports game with the addition of overall ratings, game sliders, commentary, and tacking the year on the title like other traditional sports games. Also in said sports games, you can generally make whatever attribute changes you want to existing and created players. Puzzling why they don't want to act like a traditional sports title in that aspect by enabling us to give whatever attribute we want for created and existing characters.

# 16 CarryTheWeight @ 09/12/08 08:05 PM

Here's why divas won't bleed (from the "THQ&A" at IGN.com):

Quote:


	Pedrolovesdivas: Why can't divas participate in all matches? Cory Ledesma: The WWE does not want their Divas to bleed or be put in extreme matches that you would not normally find them in when watching WWE programming. This is why we have put this restriction in our game. We apologize to our fans who are interested in this possibility. However, we feel it is important to keep the authenticity of the WWE brand in tact.

# 17 CWood2 @ 09/13/08 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarryTheWeight


	The best thing about the SVR series is the CAW mode. Probably the best one out there and the only one out there worth a damn. Hell, I run a CAW league on SVR just because of that reason. SVR, by far, has the best customizability (is that even a word?) of any sports game out there, even if games like Fire Pro and No Mercy had more flexibility.

On the CAW topic, I loved '07 for all the hacked saves that got put out that year. But on the PS3, you can't hack and I sorta lost all interest in the game since the created wrestlers were the main draw for me too.

Did they finally do away with some of the glitches like the crotch blur and the inability to put logos and whatnot down the entire leg, etc?

EDIT: Just read your posts on page 2 ... that's a bummer. Thank God for the japanese imports.

# 18 CarryTheWeight @ 09/13/08 01:12 PM

Crotch blur is still there but you can put logos down a wrestler's legs if you wanted to...you'd just need to split the logo or text in half where the "torso" body part ends and where the "legs" body part begins...

...thinking about it more in detail, I don't like it one bit. The entire body should be fair game and not "split".

"Blurring" has annoyed me a lot in SVR, especially since the PS2 version removed it a few years back. It's pointless, even with attire, since a lot of WWE wrestlers have designs in those areas. Hopefully 2009 will address these issues. Hopefully. Knowing THQ, though, it'll probably take four more years.

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