Official Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 Thread

[Evil Vito]

CM Punk's been confirmed too.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

E3 2008: Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 Updated Impressions
We take a detailed look at THQ’s latest wresting offering at E3.
By Shanker Srinivasan, GameSpot
Posted Jul 16, 2008 7:18 pm PT

We first saw THQ’s upcoming Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 game a few months ago at their media event during Wrestlemania XXIV. At the time though, very little was shown of the new tag team experience or of the new match types that would debut in this year’s game. During a private showing here at E3, however, we were able to see the improvements to the popular wrestling series in practice and chat with the THQ team on what we can expect to see this fall.

Fighter intros and music is one element that the THQ/Yukes team has always captured well and this year’s game is no different. Each of the 60+ wrestlers included in the game will feature their authentic intros, even down to the lighting effects and pyrotechnics. Each wrestler will showcase their signature mannerisms during their stroll down to ringside. The THQ team have made some progress in improving the pre-match load times that have plagued the series in the past. Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 has only one roughly 6-second loading period after selecting the wrestlers for the match (though there is a momentary pause right before action begins in the ring as well). This is an improvement from years past and there is no longer any pause between player intros.

In addition to revamped commentary, the THQ team has made it a focus to improve the AI in this year’s game. Though we couldn’t see a definitive moments of the improved AI in action, the THQ developers did seem to have difficulty in showing off their gaming skills against their AI opponents.

Much of the gameplay shares similarities with prior iterations in the series. The game displays a meter indicating your wrestler’s momentum. This meter will slowly fill as you wrester chains together more and more attacks and also decrese your opponent’s momentum. Once you’ve built up the meter, you will be able to execute your wrester’s most devastating finishing moves. In addition to the momentum meter, a damage indicator will also become visible whenever a wrestler takes damage. The indicator is color-coated to show you the damage your wrestler has taken to various parts of his body.

The major addition to Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is the return of tag team play. This year’s game takes this tag team play to a new level though with a variety of actions available to the tag team partner waiting on the ropes. He will have the option to roam up and down the apron, grab the active opponent while your partner beats him down, or even distract the ref letting your teammate get in some illegal blows. You will also be able to enter the ring as the illegal partner but need to be careful that the ref is engaged in some way before doing so (otherwise the ref will try to get you to leave the ring while you partner gets double teamed).

The will also introduce the “hot tags” for the first time in a wrestling game. Although only available once per match and only after your wrestler has been getting smoked, the hot tag will offer you a chance at turning the match around. Provided you can get away from your opponent and are relatively close to your corner, the game will flash a cutscene of your wrestler diving to tag your eager partner. As is the case with wrestling on television, your partner will enter the ring primed to wreck havoc on your opponents. While powerful, hot tags are still balanced by the fact that the partners high-energy moves can still be countered with good timing (and a little luck) and, because the momentum bar is shared by both wrestlers on a tag team, you partner will have to execute many attacks just to catch up. The other team can also simply prevent the hot tag-enabled wrester from getting to his corner. THQ also suggested that blind tags (where the illegal partner tags his partner without his consent) may also be an option this year in case your partner is a glory hog. The game also features 28 total tag team finishers though, unfortunately, will not be able to create custom tag teams; you will only be able to select from those available in the game.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 will feature a campaign mode called “Road to Wrestlemania” that can be played either as a single player campaign or as a tag team campaign. To add further to the mode replayability, Road to Wrestlemania will offer a unique story line depending on which wrester (or wrestlers for tag teams) you choose. Tag team campaigns can be played with a friend locally or online.

Speaking of online, THQ also revealed that downloadable content would be available in the game. Details are still scarce but THQ did suggest that downloadable content would help keep the game current and allow them to introduce special events in game based on what’s happening on the show. Based on all the winks and nudges, it seems THQ still has a few surprises on the online front they aren’t ready to share yet.

This year’s game will also feature a new “inferno match” for the first time in which flames form a border around the ring. A temperature reading is displayed at the bottom of the screen, initially reading 375 degrees. As wrestlers get slammed to the mat, the flames will continue to build up to 500 degrees. At this point wrestlers will be able to burn their opponents by tossing them against the ropes causing immediate damage from the flames. This period will continue for about 15-20 seconds before the flames die down back to endurable levels. Once either wrestler is flung outside of the ring, the match will end and you’ll be treated with a scene of the wrestler getting sprayed with a fire extinguisher (though they do seem to take their time before doing so).

Finally, Smackdown vs. Raw’s “create-a-finisher” feature deserves a mention. Although we already spoke about this feature in our first look a few months back, this was our first opportunity to get our hands on it to try it for ourselves. The feature allows you to string together various moves (up to 10) to create an entirely unique finisher for your wrestler. The list of moves is vast and definitely includes moves not currently in use by any other wrestler. After selecting the first move, you will be presented with another list of context-sensitive moves for your subsequent action (this way each moves flows to the next smoothly). In addition, each move animation can be slowed or sped up to your liking. While putting together your string of moves, two sample wrestlers will display your finisher in action making it easy to gauge how your creation turn out.

Once you’re happy with your finisher, you can name it yourself or choose from a list of preset names if you want the announcers to actually refer to it by name. Each wrestler can have up to two finishers so you may have to replace an existing finisher to add your custom one. The only drawback to the create-a-finisher feature is that they won’t be situationally based in this year’s game; all moves trigger standing in front of your opponent while they are stunned. THQ did suggest that this would be added in future iterations.

While the game looks solid, it’s not without its share of flaws though. The game still plays very fast and animation transitions are very abrupt. Like previous games in the series, collision detection issues continue to be a factor. Wresters will react to their opponent in seemingly canned ways even if the opponent barely makes contact (I suppose you could consider that realistic though). Finally, the camera is zoomed-in very close to the action so you won’t have a good perspective of the area outside the ring in case you need to make a quick getaway. The game is still a work in progress though so it is possible that these elements are still being tweaked.

[Disturbed316]

It all sounds very MEH at the moment.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Originally Posted by Disturbed316 It all sounds very MEH at the moment.

If true, unique storylines for each wrestler will add replayability. But it still might play llike ass...

[Kalyx triaD]

Originally Posted by Dark-Slicer Diago To add further to the mode replayability, Road to Wrestlemania will offer a unique story line depending on which wrester (or wrestlers for tag teams) you choose.

God dammit, more VO bullshit.

Choice makes storylines unique, not canned dialogue recorded by half of the roster. They could take the growing popularity of dialogue trees and make event trees where matches and promos can happen based on your actions.

Whatever.

[Lux]

Does this basically mean i can't have CAWs together for a tag team or am i reading that wrong?

[The Mackem]

I read that too...at least there is blind tags...

[The Mackem]

Plus it looks like there is only going to be pre-selected teams from the original characters as well.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

I read that you can "pair up" teams like you can stables in the other games, so no, it's not just pre-selected teams.

[The Mackem]

Shanker has lied to me once again. I wish there was somehing witty to rhyme with his name to insult him with.

[XL]

I think he meant that you can't create custom tag team finishers. But don't quote me on that. I bet someone puts this in quote tags!

[The Mackem]

OK then XL

[Kenny]

Why do they try to make the old stuff sound new?

"Wrestlers will have their own intros, even pyro and lighting!" Yeah, since Smackdown 2!

The Inferno Match sounds fun though, and the Create-A-Finisher will be fun to play around with. I'm happy with the Tag Team features too. Now all the game needs is some tag teams.

[Indifferent Clox]

Originally Posted by XL I think he meant that you can't create custom tag team finishers.

[Lux]

Originally Posted by XL I think he meant that you can't create custom tag team finishers. But don't quote me on that. I bet someone puts this in quote tags!

Nope, just the CAW thing but sounds like i dont have to worry

[NeanderCarl]

Originally Posted by Heros Welcome

Where did Shawn Michaels get that full head of hair from then?

[Optimus Bone 69]

Its an optical illusion

[Extreme Angle]

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/dor/object...re_072308.html

wicked

[Kalyx triaD]

For some reason I love the conflicted crowd chants. Looks more of the same, but a better game this is.

[Kalyx triaD]

...Is there even 60 guys in the WWE right now?

[Lux]

Morrison & Miz just rock together, game = needs to be out now

[Tazz Dan]

Originally Posted by The Mackem Shanker has lied to me once again. I wish there was somehing witty to rhyme with his name to insult him with.

Wanker

[Shaggy]

There are two things I have really been wanting for this Smackdown game....

1. The choice to turn heel and stay heel during a match. Yes I understand in the last smackdown game it gave you a chance to either shake someoens hand to show them respect or turn on them at some point. But I hated that after I turned on the game in the very next cutscene he is shaking hands with me and laughing.

2.....I want to play through a season with a diva. I actually like playing as the divas every once in a while. My favorite thing to do in the smackdown games is an elimination chamber with myself as a diva going against 5 other strong guys like Big Show, Kane, Undertaker, Khali and Triple H.

[GD]

I wished they had it for pc so I can modify the game and have some kinda hot coffee mode.

[Disturbed316]

You must have missed Candice's magic wand storyline in the last game then.

[D Mac]

Originally Posted by Extreme Angle http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/dor/object...re_072308.html wicked

lol The Miz

[Evil Vito]

They haven't made any new announcement in ages, but I'd have to assume we are getting somewhat close to the roster confirmation date.

And I wanna hear what this new "mystery mode" is gonna be.

[Disturbed316]

If its anything like 24/7, I'll be pissed.

[Extreme Angle]

create your storylines?

[KingofOldSchool]

Originally Posted by Big Vito 22 They haven't made any new announcement in ages, but I'd have to assume we are getting somewhat close to the roster confirmation date. And I wanna hear what this new "mystery mode" is gonna be.

Randy Orton's Head Punting Challenge?

[Extreme Angle]

Crush Hour 2 demo?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I'd laugh if it was a something on a pole match.

or they just threw in Ultimate X for a laugh.

[TerranRich]

I'm waiting for the announcement that Judy Bagwell has been confirmed.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by KingofOldSchool Randy Orton's Head Punting Challenge?

My guess is the mystery mode is just a highly revamped GM Mode...which would be cool. That mode always seemed to have great potential but it was poorly executed.

As for the roster, pretty sure it was announced on US Labor Day last year, so I'm guessing it'd get announced around that time again this year. There's still tools who believe the rumor of everybody on the active roster as of Night of Champions getting in. Not only do I have a hard time picturing people like Nunzio, Funaki, Val Venis, and a host of other jobbers getting in...but it'd seriously lessen the impact of the rumored DLC.

I can see it now: THE INAUGURAL DLC PACK! D'Lo Brown, Gavin Spears, Ricky Ortiz, Ryan Braddock, Scotty Goldman!!!

[U-Warrior]

I'll tell you one thing, Braden Walker better damn well be in it.

[TerranRich]

Originally Posted by U-Warrior I'll tell you one thing, Braden Walker better damn well be in it.

As a legend, no less! :foc:

[Evil Vito]

Apparently there are meant to be updates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week...I'm guessing if we don't get the roster by Friday, he'll make some announcement on Friday about when it'll be revealed.

[Evil Vito]

Updates are meant to go up in about 10 minutes or so. Greg said the first details of the Countdown will be out...and that things are gonna be different this year.

Before it's announced I'll go ahead and take a guess that it'll be a blind countdown this year. The majority of the roster won't be revealed until their countdown day comes.

[Evil Vito]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/902/902428p1.html

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009: Tag Team Turmoil
We've got brand new info, screens, nearly five minutes of video, and details on this year's countdown.
by Greg Miller

August 25, 2008 - The time is nigh. After months and months of waiting, the floodgates are about to open on all things WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, and IGN is the only place to get the scoop.

And we mean the only place to get the scoop.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week, we'll be bringing you videos, screens, and info about three new parts to the SVR franchise. Then, on Monday, September 1, the brand new SmackDown Countdown will kick off. Things are going to be a bit different this year, but we're pretty sure you're going to dig the changes.

Until Monday, you'll just have to whet your appetite with this …
Tag Team Matches

Since WrestleMania, THQ's big selling point for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 has been the brand new tag team match. We know that there are going to be hot tags, double team moves, clever AI, and double team finishers, but other than my hands-on, we haven't seen much of the match mechanics.

Thankfully, that ends with the video above.

Aside from watching Batista and Cena stomp mud holes in their competition, you probably noticed a few of the abilities for the illegal man on the apron. Once just a bystander, the illegal guy can now walk freely, strike, grapple, distract the ref, perform the forced tag, and pull the rope down as an opponent gets whipped to the ropes.

What other news can we suck from this video? Well, the crowd was chanting Batista's name, the ref didn't sound like a country bumpkin, and numbers never popped up on screen for the pinfall.

Want more? Check out our coverage of the Wii-specific entrances and victories, Ten Weird Teams for SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, and be sure to come back Wednesday for an unannounced match type.

[Evil Vito]

Oh yeah, and the vid shows Morrison and Miz' models for the first time.

The Moonlight Drive looks pretty awesome. Shame the ref still faces away from the pinfall when counting, ah well