Like a fine wine, it gets better with age.
In-depth Edit mode
Variety of match types
Mastery of the grapple/strike system is very satisfying
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Very steep learning curve
Edit mode can be overwhelming at times
Criticals are too random
If you would have asked me two weeks ago to rate this game, I would have given it a 1/10. I actually purchased the game a few years ago and spent about an hour playing it; for the life of me I could not get the timing for the grappling system correct nor could I land a single punch. Like any other frustrated person I packed the game away and made a halfhearted promise to "give it another try". Fast forward to a week ago where I finally get around to giving it a second chance, but this time I took baby steps and turn the settings down to the point where I could practice getting the striking and grappling correct. After a few hours of trial and error I ended up falling in love with this gem.
Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for the Playstation 2 is another installment in the Fire Pro Wrestling games. What sets this game apart from the Smackdown Vs. Raw series that have been the primary wrestling game is that FPWR uses 2D sprites for the wrestlers while the action takes place on an isometric wrestling ring. What all that mumbo jumbo boils down to is the importance of understanding the grappling/striking system. Once two wrestlers touch each other they automatically lockup, at this point the button mashing that is prevalent in the SDvsRaw games is thrown out the window because the correct button has be pressed as soon as the two wrestlers lock up; if the command is entered too early or too late then you lose the chance to go on the offensive.
Not only must the command be entered at correct time but the right strength button has to be pressed. There are weak, medium, and strong attacks, so you'll have to start out with weak attacks and weaken your opponent in order to work your way up to strong attacks, or else your moves are counter each time. Strikes are also difficult to learn at first, because not only do you have to be lined up in your opponent's path, but you also must be at the correct distance to land the blow; even if you're right next to them you'll miss punching them.
If you actually manage to stick with the game through the frustration of the steep learning curve, you'll find yourself immersed in the world of Fire Pro Wrestling. There are different modes to choose from, ranging from a normal match to hardcore type matches, boxing themed matches and even MMA styled matches, which could be counted an entire new game within Fire Pro Wrestling Returns. Called "Gruesome Fighting", this MMA styled match not only uses the same grappling and striking system, but there are also front and back mounts grappling, and the timing for them are even stricter. MMA based wrestlers are more suited for this match type than actual wrestlers, you'll quickly see the gap in movesets and fighting styles if you try your luck as a wrestler vs. an MMA fighter.
The cream of the crop for this game comes from the Edit mode of FPRW. From the create a wrestler mode you could mimic the entire WWE/TNA roster if you wanted, with the in-depth choices of attires and designs, no wrestler seems too far-fetched to create. Just as an example, here are my CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio CAWs recreated from pictures of them. Creating movesets can be a tall task with all the options you have, and somehow the game seems to have nearly every finisher or a variation of it to choose from. CM Punk's (KENTA) Go 2 Sleep and Anaconda Vice are available, even Alberto Del Rio's Takedown Armbar just to name another. The Edit mode of FPRW can be a bit overwhelming at first, but gets easier to navigate over time.
If I had to nitpick, champions fail to bring out the championship belt with them during their entrances, but that's something I've personally become accustom to and it in no way detracts from the game. Although the current roster can choose from four different attires, the CAWs are only able to wear one attire; that seems like a bit of a letdown given the fact. Another issue is the "Critical" moves of the game. These moves have the chance to KO the opponent, but they're far too random of an occurrence and not every move can critical even if they're set as a critical. They can take place in the first minute of a match, 30 minutes in, or not at all.
Fire Pro Wrestling Returns has a lot to offer for the wrestling fan that can tough it out over the steep learning curve. Even with the continuing releases and updates of the Smackdown Vs. Raw series, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns ages quite nicely.