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WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2009 Review
Written by Robert Falcon on Friday, November 14, 2008
Sliders and customization options let you build the WWE roster your way, great new Inferno Match and Road To WrestleMania mode, fun multiplayer.
Most of the game is unchanged from last year's effort, wrestlers and crowd look unfinished, Create-A-Finisher lacks depth.
"Time to play the GAAAAAAAME!" The WWE has once again put the Sony PSP in a chokehold with the release of WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2009. There are a few notable additions that make it better than last year's portable affair, but it still doesn't have enough oomph to make it a must-buy. It's like getting Hornswaggle at your birthday party instead of Kelly Kelly. You're still entertained, but not nearly as much as you could've been.
Let's talk about the new additions. First up is the Inferno Match, which pits opponents against each other in a flaming ring. The high-risk factor involved with this match is what makes it fun, as a wrestler could easily end up with a toasted backside if he isn't careful. There are other match types available, including traditional WWE matches (tag team, exhibition, etc.) and not-so-typical set-ups (the locker room brawl is always good fun). ECW fans can also take part in an Extreme Rules match, if they need the benefit of a chair or another foreign object to win.
Road To WrestleMania replaces the worn-out GM and 24/7 modes, and it's a noble add-on. You direct a handful of wrestlers to their destined WrestleMania match-up, be it Triple H, Chris Jericho or another fan favorite. Week after week, you'll participate in events leading up to that match, including unlikely alliances and "heel turns" that'll keep you on your toes.
For those seeking customization, there are also new Roster Management and Create-A-Finisher modes. Roster is a detailed mode that lets you tweak the WWE line-up any way you want, and you can adjust sliders to enhance or decrease a wrestler's performance. Create-A-Finisher lets you build your own finishing move from scratch from a handful of options. Unfortunately, it's not as detailed as it should be, although enthusiasts will be happy to create a body slam/leg lock combination.
WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw plays well, with grapple moves, reversals, submissions and other maneuvers. Like the previous editions, you can build energy for finishing moves and come back from the brink of defeat. There's not much innovation here, even with the newfound focus on tag-team play. You can participate with up to four other people through local AdHoc play, if you feel like dragging some friends in the ring with you.
The audio is clear, with great voiceovers by select wrestlers (Triple H sounds just as menacing here as he does on SmackDown) and authentic intro themes. The announcers are good, too, although not great. Where the game falls flat is in the graphics. Characters are easy to make out, but they suffer from jagged edges. Some of the faces are wrong, too; Santino Marella resembles a pug for some reason. The rings look all right, but the crowd doesn't get into the matches at all. You could perform in front of cardboard cutouts and get the same reaction.
Overall, this wrestling game has just enough content to make it worth your time, but it could've used a little more sting in its Irish whip. WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2009 has options galore, some of them proving to be prime additions to the franchise. However, THQ needs to go back to the drawing board and give us a better-looking presentation and some innovative new gameplay techniques. It's good, but not quite "that damn good".
