User Rating: 9.1 | Exciting Pro Wrestling 5 (Limited Edition) PS2
Since I am a huge wrestling and video game fan, I typically buy every wrestling game that comes out for the GC, PS 2, and X-Box. Wrestlemania XIX was a good purchase (aside from crappy revenge mode) and Raw 2 for the X-Box was a downright disappointment. Needless to say, I was putting all of my proverbial eggs in Smackdown's basket. Thankfully, this game has the exact formula I was looking for- solid gameplay and an intriguing story mode (WM XIX lacked the story, Raw lacked the gameplay). The new grapple system is a noticeable improvement from last year's title. It actually looks like the wrestlers are locking up, not just performing powerbombs and atomic drops out of nowhere. Matches ebb and flow just like in real life and the damage meter encourages players to wear down their opponents by working on a specific area (as John Cena, I could not defeat Kane by going power for power- I had to nail him with submissions and ground attacks). In addition, this game is actually challenging. I'm wrestling on the hard mode (which isn't even the hardest) and have been handed some defeats, which only adds to the realism. The season mode is back again and I must say there are some interesting story- lines (for example, while playing as John Cena, my tag team partner Matt Hardy threw me a birthday party in the ring as a way to apologize for being too hard on me during the previous show. It sounded a little too Rock-n-Sockish but hey, it got a chuckle out of me). The inclusion of the legends was an interesting concept, but I can't understand why their theme songs are not included (I figured the WWE has a full license on them but whatever). Overall, I am pleased. I've played it for two days and I am only to August in my season mode. This game will definitely hold your attention a heck of a lot longer than the other two WWE titles that came out this year. Finally, a WWE game that makes you feel like your hard earned money was well spent! Looks like we may have found the John Madden franchise of the wrestling kind.
