Wrestlemania XIX...average at best.
...You're trying to ruin Wrestelmania.
In concept, this is a great idea, but in practice....it didn't go so well. Here's why.
First, as with every wrestling game - you must start with the roster in the game. Truth be told....it's a very large roster. Most of the actual roster is included, from main-event wrestlers like Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, The Undertaker, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Kane to mid-carders (at the time) like Randy Orton, John Cena, Batista, Matt Hardy, Rey Mysterio, and everyone's least favorite wrestler (or your favorite....I just hate him.), "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner.
Also, Divas, such as Trish Stratus, Victoria, Lita, Dawn Marie, Stephanie McMahon, and Stacy Keibler. The roster a good one, so you should have any problem finding a wrestler you like to use, or a wrestler you just want to use as a punching bag. And with graphics, they look very good and realistic. Granted, they're not on Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 level, but for this level, it's very solid.
Create-A-Wrestler is included once again. If you're coming from the PS2 Smackdown! games, you will find that this is slightly different in concept. Generally, the models look better than some of the later GC games *cough*Day of Reckoning 2*cough, but still are not as great as the SD models. However, they work, and with enough customization, they look pretty good.
The paint tool feature allows for increased customization for anything the game cannot provide. It is very difficult to use at first, but with enough practice, one should be able to use this like Bob Ross painting trees.
As for selection of matches - You have your standard singles, tag, and three-way, along with Royal Rumble and King of the Ring (which allows you to crown a new WWE and World Heavyweight Champion. There are also the more extreme matches - TLC, Ladder, Hardcore, Cage, and Hell in a Cell. When it comes to match choice, it's all there.
As per arenas, you have the Raw, Smackdown, and Wrestlemania XIX arenas, with few others. The game tried to compensate by adding the Revenge Mode areas, which are fairly large and robust.
Now, for the meat and potatoes of this game....the story mode. Instead of taking a Wreslter, and going through storylines....you have to complete a mission based story mode. The backstory is this: Vince has fired you. (Even if you're Hulk Hogan), but Stephanie McMahon has come to you with a proposal - ruin Wrestlemania, and force Vince out of the WWE. Upon her takeover, she will offer you a huge contract...
Next, comes a series of missions, 25 in all. Simply, you complete the missions. This is easier said then done, as Vince will impede your progress every step of the way with security, construction workers, agents, random bosses, and WWE Superstars.
Normally, they come at you 2 or 3 at a time. And truth be told, it is fairly difficult. Not because they are hard opponents, but because of targeting issues. It is very hard to move between targets, making it difficult for missions that involve guarding a pole, or something similar.
Oh yes, this will effect you, and anger you to no end.
Oh, and these enemies will not hesitate to hit you with a weapon from behind. Hence, which is why the targeting is important...and more often than not, you will be on the receiving end of an object to the back of your character's skull.
All of the modes are similar in practice, with only a few of them not being repetitive. After the first area or two, there is not much difference in the missions - just different locations.
There is actually only ONE wrestling match in this whole story mode - the final showdown with...Vince McMahon....at Wrestlemania XIX. Which, despite you destroying everything, it still managed to go off without a hitch.
Does anyone else see the logic in that?
This mode is not good....below average at best.
In general, the game is average. It is brought down by the Revenge storymode, as many of the games other extras are unlocked by going through that mode.
Oh, the irony. Alas, this game is a rental at best. You can find this for 10 dollars at any of your local EBgames, and Gamestops....but I don't suggest it, especially with the superior Day of Reckoning right next to it.