Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood E3 2004 Preshow Impressions

When Eidos released Backyard Wrestling last year, the game was widely panned by both critics and gamers. However, clearly the company still has faith in the franchise's potential, as later this year Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood will be released for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Boasting more modes, more wrestlers, and more violence, Backyard Wrestling 2 will also be on hand at Eidos' E3 2004 booth.

The biggest addition to this year's game will be the implementation of an all-new single-player mode. In the mode, you will have the opportunity to create your own brawler using an extensively redesigned create-a-wrestler feature, which will include the ability to adjust and tweak the look, style, accessories, body type, and move sets for your character. An in-game graphics editor will also let you create and edit any design, tattoo, face paint, or text and place it anywhere on your character’s body. Once your character is created, you will have the opportunity to compete in Backyard Wrestling's first unified pay-per-view and fight your way through numerous backyard grapplers and professional wrestlers on the hunt for BYW's first unified championship, as well as a million dollar cash prize.

In terms of gameplay, Backyard Wrestling 2 will feature a new "Enviro-Mental" engine, which is designed to up the ante on your ability to interact with level environments and non-player characters, as well as improve the game's graphics and damage modeling. BYW 2 is set to contain a fully redesigned wrestling system, which will include location-specific damage, a new defense system, and fully realized submission holds. Other features in the game include online play and a robust soundtrack featuring artists from the hip-hop, rock, metal, punk, and electronic genres.

Backyard Wrestling is scheduled for release this fall. We'll have more coverage of the game from E3 2004.