Better Video Game #22: WWE SmackDown! HCTP vs. WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2010

[Kalyx triaD]

If there's anything BVG #21 revealed it's that this group doesn't mind a successor upstaging the veteran. But what if if the stakes were raised with something more near and dear to the heart? 2003's Here Comes The Pain regularly tops the lists of gamers favorite SmackDown! game, and many call it a favorite wrestling game overall. While THQ seemed to struggle with features for a few years, gamers often cited HCTP as a base for how to handle the series.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/5822/700947-wwe_sd_hctp_large.jpg

http://ps3.kombo.com/images/content/boxart/blurb_wwesdvsraw10_20090608.jpg

Who knows why it took THQ 6 years to match their crowning achievement, but few would argue that SvR2010 finally sees the series step forward instead of what appeared to be a crawling franchise. It seems that if the series hits another multi-year drought, 2010 will be the game people will reference from this point on. Has SvR2010 stepped up to the plate as HCTP's true sequel? Or does HCTP still have the edge with it's memorable roster including the nWo, Brock Lesner, and Bill fucking Goldberg?

I decree this match up... No DQ!

[The Jayman]

HCTP by a mile

[El Fangel]

HCTP by a mile

[Kalyx triaD]

I'm really with SvR this year. HCTP has the better submission system and roster, but SvR2010 has just about everything else.

[Verbose Minch]

HCTP did have it for a long time, but in my opinion, it finally got topped. The fighting system, the Create a Story, the downloadable wrestlers. It finally got beat, to me.

[PorkSoda]

Damn....

Nothing beats HCTP's season mode. I had so much fun with that....I would still play it to this day if I still had it. Everything else in that game is great besides the fact that I can beat the CPU in like 3 minutes on the hardest difficulty.

Which is why I vote for 2010. Challenging wrestling games are awesome, and I actually lose a few matches here and there because the reversal system is hard.

[OssMan]

Here Comes The Pain came out when I was still into wrestling. I remember liking it a lot! I remember the first Smackdown vs Raw coming out and I liked that. But I don't know how much man

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Here comes the Pain indeed, I think it was the first game to have the WWE logo in it. :(

SVR10 ftw because of the online story mode. It makes the replay value of the game a 10 out of 10.

It's also a hell of a lot of fun to make your own stories and upload them. All you need is a USB keyboard to make it easy.

They should make some sort of contest out of picking the best ones or something like that.

Maybe we should start a poll for nominations for best story modes play, and do something like that ourselves.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Goin' with SvR '10 here by the slimmest of margins.

[LuigiD]

I think one of the charms of HCTP is the fact that when it came out, I don't know about you guys, was a relatively good time for WWE. There was a great roster, great feuds going down, etc. HCTP was also the first to feature legends( large numbers at least.) I like the game but speaking for myself..I have an attachment to that period of time also and I think that enhances my interest with the game.
SVR 2010 is a superior game in my opinion. It has its flaws here and there but overall, it's a pretty solid one. The replay value is crazy. According to my console, I have about 100 hours of registered gameplay..which is unheard of with any other wrestling game I have ever owned.

[Kalyx triaD]

I fell in love with 2010 when I seen you can counter a kick-counter with the Dragon Whip. It was... perfect.

Now if only my timing can match up. The window of input is harsh.

[Verbose Minch]

I fell in love with 2010 when I seen you can counter a kick-counter with the Dragon Whip. It was... perfect.

Now if only my timing can match up. The window of input is harsh.

You can actually adjust how easy it is to reverse moves in the options menu.

However, when you do reverse a kick, you have to hit the counter button the second it happens or else you'll lose the window of opportunity.

[Kalyx triaD]

You can actually adjust how easy it is to reverse moves in the options menu.

However, when you do reverse a kick, you have to hit the counter button the second it happens or else you'll lose the window of opportunity.

I know about the options, rarely messed with counter windows. Never wanted to make it too easy. Must be satisfying nailing a Dragon Whip.

[Nicky Fives]

HCTP.... I have spent countless hours playing HCTP, that game rocked so hardcore.