WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (Sony PlayStation 2, 2006)

what i loved about it was the great in game graphics and the extensive plot lines that you control. i also like the great line up of so many modern day superstars that i've never had the chance to play as. what i didnt like was the hard to figure out controls. i mean shure it has a couple in game tips for a couple of moves but it shows nothing for the more extensive moves. i didnt like how they changed the irish whip control from the original, and i especialy didnt like the limited use of a limited amount of weapons. the open crowd aspect is somthing i got really excited about, of which i'll have to explore furthur. the controls for the weapons are even harder then the hard non-weapon moves. i really dont like the grapple system in place, it used the right joystick for any grapple which is easy to get a fraction off from the angle you wanted. the joystick is so out of the way for someone who is right in the middle of giving a big flurry of punches and kicks. i liked how they kept some of the old moves the same like a set up to the finisher kick to the stomache. all in all this game deserves a 3 1/2 stars in my opinion.

I love everything about the game except for the artificial intelligence. The storylines don't adapt as the character changes. For example, I am using Batista in Season Mode, where he has held the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship multiple times. The only reason he has held both is because he keeps getting traded back and forth between Raw and Smackdown. The storyline remains constant every time, until he beats everyone, and gets traded.

I decided to buy the game because I only recently bought the PS2 system from a friend, I'm a wrestling fan of 21 years, it's the most updated game available, and it was selling for 1/2 the shelf price here.

After years of improving Smackdown titles from game to game, THQ and Yukes have taken their first step backwards when going into "Smackdown vs. Raw 2007". The game is not bad by any means; it simply isn't as good as the series' past two entries. It does introduce exceptionally interactive environments in and around the ring, and Ultimate Control System that adds a bit more control, and new mechanics in ladder and table matches that can clearly be seen as improvements. The game brags of a new analog control system, which essentially is more different than better. Unfortunately, the unrealistic weight system and sub-par AI actually have gotten worse, as have the duration of the numerous load screens. The graphics and sound also have deteriorated and experience glitches occasionally. Essentially, if you're a hardcore or ladder match junkie, or you absolutely HAVE to play with Finlay, Kennedy, Lashley, or Umaga, then you might as well pick up SvR 2K7. Otherwise, stick to last year's addition.

The controls are easy to pick up with five minutes of playing the game, which makes vs against two people unfair, whoever gets the person on the ground first can win by just doing the very same move over and over. But that's the only problem I have with the game, a solution to this problem is just teaming up in a tag team and beat the computers senseless, my brother and I play for hours beating on the computers, using the special moves and busting open their faces, wither it be in a cage match or TLC (table ladder chair), royal rumbles, hardcore, or the season mode which can be multi-player. Graphics and gameplay is decent enough for playstation2, I recommend this game to whom are looking for a good two player game. And the music on the game, mostly rock with a few rap songs, sometimes I just let it play and listen to the music for an example its playing now while I finish this review.

This game was as advertised; the commercials I saw for this two years ago painted a picture that made the game seem above and beyond--and it is. The struggle submission thing was something I'd never experience, and makes it a lot more real. The modes are a lot more in depth than the PS1 WWE games I've been used to; the only real cons on this game are the incessant lag screen that are ubiquitous on THQ produced WWE games on Playstation (Nintendo 64 did not have this issue, ironically). And the commentary quickly becomes repetitive in free play. But playing a bit through season mode, it was a lifetime away from the mediocre situations from earlier games. This is great, I can only imagine how great the successors are.