Much like with WWE programming, this game has caused me to lose interest in the product.
GAMEPLAY - I'm sure just about everyone interested in this game should know the basics when it comes to this game, so let's talk good and bad with this game. First off, the good. Indeed the physics behind a match are much more improved. Moves feel organic, and the new item collision system works pretty well, for the most part. I'm also a fan of the selection screen, which is reminiscent of games like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat. Thankfully with the PG-era this company is in, there are still options for blood in this game...it just occurs less frequently. And lastly, all the creative stuff has been expanded on, which is always good to see. Now for the bad. For whatever reason, there is no way to turn off interference. I find this both annoying and restrictive to what kind of match you want to have. Also, there are a number of moves that can totally miss your target even if you're standing right in front of them. Considering that this game probably has the worst countering system of them all, this can lead to a lot of frustration due to one person controlling the majority of the match while the other keeps getting pounded on. Speaking of the countering system, the AI counters WAY too much, even if you adjust the frequency. This puts you at a disadvantage since the "R2" countering system is much harder to pull off in this version. Lastly, and probably worst of all, is the fact that you can only do certain moves at certain times in the match. This makes the game have a much more arcade-style feel than past SvR games, and I really hate it. For instance, early on you can do arm wrenches, big boots, elbow shots, etc...but only once you get your opponent's condition down can you do suplexes, slams, and DDTs. Mix this with a HORRIBLE momentum system that takes ages for you to get your finisher, and you have a slow-paced, arcade style SvR. It's quite disappointing, and even though I haven't tried the WWE Universe modes and stuff, these problems with the basic gameplay have turned me off to the entire game. - 6/10
STORY - N/A (I haven't done the Road to Wrestlemanias, so I don't feel like I should score this game in this category)
GRAPHICS - Here is another huge problem with this game. These graphics look absolutely awful. It's bad enough that they've been using the same basic look for guys like The Undertaker for years on end, but when it looks like there has only been a fresh coat of paint on these old models, it's pretty disappointing. I would actually go as far to say that the graphics took a step down from last year's game, and that's really too bad. This game does not look good at all, and it's a shame that the developers didn't spend more time here. - 5/10
SOUND - The sound is as you'd expect; nothing more than muffled sounds that occur whenever you come into contact with anything. SvR was never that great here, and not much has changed. - 6.5/10
LENGTH/REPLAY VALUE - Much like the other games of the series, there is quite a bit to do, but in the end it'll just come down to playing either exhibition mode or WWE Universe mode. While Universe sounds like an intriguing way to keep things fresh, it just doesn't compare to having GM Mode like in the older titles. At least with that you could have full creative control of your own version of the WWE. Regardless, you're getting the same game we've all come to expect here, and despite the fact that there are numerous match types, they all are relatively the same. - 6/10
BOTTOM LINE - This is by far the worst Smackdown vs Raw game to come out. Much like the WWE product we get on TV week after week, it feels like this game is uninspired, repetitive, and dull compared to past additions in the series. And this is coming from someone who has watched wrestling for a good ten years. I really hate to say it, but this is one game that should be skipped out on. I'm very happy that I bought this to try used, because if I would have pre-ordered it like I planned to, I would have been extremely upset with my decision. I really can't recommend this, and would say that any of '08, '09, and '10 are better than this game. But on the bright side, it's still better than other wrestling games on the PS3 (excluding MMA). So if you want the most up-to-date roster or maybe you like the sound of the new additions, give this a go. Just don't expect a lot of good to come out of it. The arcade style really brings it down, amongst a bunch of other complaints that I could go on about. - 6/10