WWE All Stars
Fun.
If I was to review THQ’s new WWE All Stars in just one word (and God do I wish I could get away with that!), I would use the word fun!
THQ has been making WWE games for as long as I can remember (well, WWE and WCW before that I suppose). Each game in the series has become more realistic, more graphic. Each has had more and more options, more customisation and more match types. And do you know what? Each has lost a little something as it has become bigger. Until I played WWE All Stars I never realised this. Each iteration of the WWE games has lost a little bit of its fun.
If you look back at the old WWE / WWF games in the arcade or on the home consoles like the SNES, they were arcadey, had special moves and were just a blast to play.
But I am getting ahead of myself. What is WWE All Stars. Basically it is a game that asks the question “What If?”. What if Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in his prime took on Rey Mysterio Jr. What if The Ultimate Warrior had gone head to head with Shamus. What if Hulk Hogan had… oh wait he has literally wrestled everyone…. But you get the idea!
Old School Michaels Off Cage
The first thing that strikes you about WWE All Stars is the graphical style. Gone are the ultra realistic models of the Smackdown vs. Raw games. What we have here are big, brash and bright caricatures of the wrestlers. Even larger than life than they already are in real life!
They same can be said for the move sets. Bigger is better here. No ultra realistic animations for your wrestlers signature moves. Oh no. These moves are huge. With people flying into the air and huge colourful explosions as you hit the move. The simple Leg Drop becomes immense! Elbow drops from the turnbuckle turn into glorious displays of anti gravity acrobatics. I could go on forever.
As for game modes, there are a couple of ways to play. The first way is through your standard exhibition matches. Here you can set up several match types (1-on-1. Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, Tornado Tag, Steel Cage, Elimination, Extreme Rules, Handicap) with legends and current wrestlers.
turns it all up to 11Next is the Path of Champions. Here you can play through 3 story lines. Take on the path of the WWE Champion by defeating Randy Orton. Become the Heavy Weight Champion by taking down the Undertaker (complete with annoying Paul Bearer voice acting!) or try your hand at the tag team championship by beating D-Generation X. All of these are contained storylines, but really are just a series of legend vs. you style matches. All great fun though and are voiced by the actual superstars.
Finally there is the Fantasy Warfare. This mode pits legends against today’s most comparable wrestlers. So Rey Mysterio against Eddie Guerrero. Andre the Giant vs. Big Show. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. CM Punk. This is a great bit of what if and also has some brilliant highlight reels to watch before each match. I only wish there were more than the 15 included.
Controls are very cut back. The face buttons handle hard and light punches, strong and weak grapples. Moves are simple to pull off and are almost without exception hugely satisfying! The simplistic play mechanics actually disguise a pretty deep combat system, but once you get into it you will fall in love! Everything just feels so right, from the way a punch connects to the way your fighter can pretty much fly around the ring by bouncing off the ropes or leaping up on to the turnbuckle!
As with all wrestling games, there is a Create A Wrestler mode here. Now some will be very disappointed with this. It does not allow for much customisation at all other than appearance. You can choose from a list of move sets and specials and that’s it. For me, this is not an issue. This game is not about creating your perfect wrestler. It is about taking a Legendary Superstar and kicking the ass of one of these young upstarts in the WWE today!
D-Generation X
If you want to face off against real players, there is an online mode. Take your favourite superstar (or your created superstar) and battle online in ranked or unranked battles. Each match type has leader boards for you to try and conquer. Online was a nice surprise after the laggy mess of SvR. Whilst there is still some lag, it never seemed to ruin the flow of the game.
My wife will attest to this fact as the whole time I played WWE All Stars I was laughing, or cheering or shouting at the telly with joy. Sounds daft, but it made me feel good playing this game. It takes everything that was great about wrestling in the 80s and early 90s and turns it all up to 11!! If you were a fan of wrestling when the Ultimate Warrior was still pumped full of steroids, then this game will put a huge smile on your face! If it doesn’t, I will come to your house and tickle you!
About the Author
Andrzej has been writing games reviews for the last 4 years on his website Yet Another Review Site. A lover of games, he is also full of opinions. Some might even be right!
[CANCELED] WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online (PC) 1st Official Trailer [CANCELED]
|
|
Wwe: The Music 9 (Dig) $3.44 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Survivor: The Official Soundtrack to the Hit CBS TV Series $8.73 Now that the Survivor television spectacle is over and done–evil Richard having snatched the coveted million bucks–legions of fans are undergoing Survivor withdrawal. What to do with our Wednesday nights now that we can’t watch a bunch of unwashed folks eat rats, scratch bug bites, and scheme behind each other’s backs? How about recreating a Survivor scenario in your living room? Load up on sand… |
|
|
Wwe: Raw Greatest Hits the Music $8.18 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
UFC Undisputed 3 $40.00 UFC Undisputed 3 is a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting game in which players step into the iconic octagon fighting cage to battle in one-on-one action for the ultimate fighting championship (UFC). Just as in real MMA bouts, players of UFC Undisputed 3 use a variety of martial arts disciplines separated into striking and grappling… |
|
|
UFC Undisputed 3 $41.95 The critically acclaimed and best-selling MMA videogame franchise returns to take players inside the Octagon with UFC Undisputed 3 delivering UFC action focused on intense toe-to-toe bat impressive visual presentation and increased accessibility.Featuring the addition of PRIDE Mode a brand new submission system new ways to finish the fight and increased accessibility through both traditional… |
|
|
WWE ‘12 $38.99 You love the Superstars, Divas and Legends. You watch every move, captivated by the high-flying stunts and twisting, turning storylines. The slap of the mat. The roar of the crowd. The booming echo of your favorite performer’s taunts and jeers as his or her voice resonates throughout the arena. Now, the renowned franchise has been reborn â here come the wrestlers crashing into your living r… |
|
|
Topps 2010 WWE Trading Cards World Champion Tin $17.98 Features * Card box * Wrestling sports, WWE league * Each collectible shaped tin contains 75 WWE base cards * One bonus card that matches the image on the lid * Two unique tins world champion version and WWE champion version… |
|
|
Game Time® NFL Coach Series Watch Show your team pride, and stay on time with a Game Time NFL or MLB Coach Series Watch! Got the time, sport? Next time somebody asks you that, just flash them your watch so they can see the time for themselves… and see how proud you are of your favorite team! You can choose from the line-up of NFL teams, or draft your favorite Major League Baseball team! And this is no novelty Watch… each one b… |
|
|
NBA Men’s BS-CHI Chicago Bulls Sapphire Series Watch $249.95 This officially licensed “Sapphire Series” watch features an official team logo embossed in platinum, a Sapphire Crystal Lens, and a stainless steel case and band. Water resistant to a 5 ATM (165 feet), it features Citizen Quartz Movement and a limited lifetime warranty. Packaged in an attractive case, this high quality watch makes a great gift for that special sports fan in your life. All of our … |
|
|
WWE Tag Team Championship Belt $16.99 WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP WWE MATTEL KID SIZE TOY WRESTLING BELT… |