Let's get ready to R-U-M-B-L-E!
WWE All-Stars is one of the first releases in some time to make rasslin' fun again on consoles. Most gamers will recognize Smackdown! vs Raw as WWE's premiere wrestling title, but this is a different beast altogether.
While SvR works constantly to improve the realistic look of the characters, All-Stars makes no bones about its cartoonish look.
Physique, facial features and moves are exaggerated and accentuated, to great effect. if Hogan looked like this during the Steroid trials, he'd be in jail now! The frankly unrealistic signature and finishing moves just make it more entertaining, unless I'm on the receiving end.
When The Dead Man grabs you by your (pixelated) throat and leaps some ten feet in the air, only to slam you onto your head, it's hard not to cringe. Pixels, it's only pixels. Ouch.
Secondly, there's the roster - classic legends from WWE history, some that haven't existed in video game form for nearly a decade. Jimmy Snuka, the Ultimate Warrior, Mr. Perfect, Jake "The Snake", Roddy Piper, Sgt Slaughter, and Eddie Guerrero. The roster is split between Legends and the current crop of Superstars, nicely setting up one of my favorite modes - Fantasy Warfare.
Simply put, this mode settles the question fans have always asked themselves - who would come out on top, in a fantasy line-up? Perfectly Awesome pits "The Miz" against "Mr. Perfect" - two characters known for their outsize egos. Edge versus Bret Hart pits two of Stu Hart's best known proteges against each other.
Will the Ultimate Opportunist have the chops against the Excellence of Execution? Find the best big man, when Andre the Giant goes collar and elbow with the Big Show. Knockout Punch versus Coconut Crunch. John Morrison locks horns with Randy "Macho Man" Savage to decide who is "most charismatic" (read = most sequins per square inch of costume).
Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio race to rack up crazy air miles in the squared circle, all for the title of "Most Acrobatic".
You run a gauntlet of competitors to see if you can handle the Viper, Randy Orton, or topple Degeneration X from the top rung of the Tag Team ladder. My favorite matchup pits you against the Undertaker, testing if you're wrestler enough to end his legendary Wrestlemania undefeated streak.
Did I mention 'Taker is now 19-0? Respect. You'll have to finish nine grueling matches in a row before you face the Dead Man in a casket match. One of the best features for fans would have to be the highlight reel for each featured wrestler, during their Fantasy Warfare matches. A nice touch that isn’t found in the SvR series at this time.
There's even a Create A Wrestler mode. Don't ignore this, please - some game content is only unlocked by using a created wrestler. I can’t knock the CAW mode, but the personalities I grew up watching are much more compelling than anything I might try and put together on-screen.
Am I enjoying this title? Absolutely. With the Honky Tonk Man due to join the roster this month as DLC, how could I not? Time to see who was really the best Intercontinental Champion of all. Here's hoping that this year's Hall of Fame class makes it into the game, too. Would love to see "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan run the ropes just one more time. HOOOOOOOOOOOOO! - Article courtesy of Manila Bulletin.
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