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How Metascores Are Calculated
76
Age of Booty
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 lets players take the fight into their own hands with the debut of Superstar Fighting Styles. The game features eight unique styles, each having its own strategy and exclusive attributes. A brand new Struggle Submission System gives players intuitive and natural control over their WWE Superstars by using the game's popular analog controls. Realism and strategy are at the forefront, as players now control the amount of pressure they apply to their opponents. In addition, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 features a significant Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) presence, including a variety of Superstars, arenas and weapons. The game is also packed with significant updates requested by fans, including new rosters, more environmental hotspots, a combined Season and General Manager Mode experience, improved out-of-ring action, enhanced online community support and much more. [THQ]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 90
PSM Magazine
From the spiffy graphics to the more right analog stick-centric controls to the robust Create-A-Superstar to the new WWE 24/7 career mode, this is SmackDown as its finest. [Dec 2007, p.72]
90
GamePro
This isn't a title for the casual gamer, but if you're a fan of the franchise or just really love throwing half-naked men off ladders and pinning them to the ground, then SvR 2008 is about as good as it gets. [Dec 2007, p.124]
 88
Play UK
Entering the ring with a lot to prove, the development team has been both daring and dynamic in its approach. Despite a few glitches, Yuke's has produced a game that can more than hold its own with the quality "SmackDown" games of old. [Issue#159, p.66]
87
Digital Entertainment News
SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 may be the only major pro wrestling title in town, but it's a good one and, unlike Madden with the NFL license, doesn't let its exclusivity lead to a lack of innovation and improvement. A solid upgrade!
81
Pelit (Finland)
This year’s WWE’s wrestling game doesn’t bring any big changes to the gameplay but offers a deeper career mode with injuries, exercises and all kind of events. Now it’s also possible to play as a manager. The game is too repetitive in career mode, but very enjoyable when played with friends. [Nov 2007; single player score = 78; mutliplayer score = 84]
80
Game Informer
The eight new fighting styles for each wrestler in the game are a nice addition that provide some great diversity in the characters, but they destroy the game’s balance.
80
GameTap
The good news is that once you do hop inside the ring, you tend to forget about who is missing as you try to figure out how you can slam your head into a steel cage or get hit in the back with barbed wire and not get hurt (you can't).
80
ZTGameDomain
SVR 2008 is definitely a step ahead for the series from a gameplay standpoint. The new controls, fighting styles, and ECW content really take the series to the next level in terms of in ring action. However, the disappointing 24/7 mode and the return of some nagging problems keeps this title from being the truly great experience it could be.
80
1UP
Though it's improving each year, SmackDown vs. Raw could really use some friendly (or TNA's case, not-so-friendly) competition.
79
PSM3 Magazine UK
Still fun and still addictive, but the new grapple styles add little and the old flaws remain. [Dec 2007, p.68]
77
Kombo
WWE 2008 is a fine wrestling game. There are a lot of neat features that will give this game plenty of leg locks until the next edition is published.
77
GamingExcellence
Ultimately, Smackdown VS RAW 2008 is a lot of fun to play.
75
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
Although there’s some new stuff, it sticks with last year’s formula. Which probably wouldn’t be that bad if the same old problems didn’t remain intact, from the limited AI to the graphical bugs, not forgetting those annoying loading screens. [Dec 2007]
75
GameZone
While the original formula remains the same year after year, WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2008 is still a fun game that does manage to pull off some new moves on the PS3.
75
IGN
The controls are great and make the act of wrestling shine. However, I can't score this game as high as last year's PS2/360 title or pervious installments of the franchise. Single-player 24/7 Mode is a step backward for the series, the Create-A-Superstar and GM 24/7 are basically rehashes of last year's product, and the same complaints we've had for years -- awful AI, lame commentary, poor collision detection -- are still rampant.
74
Extreme Gamer
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 pushes the series marginally forward with a focus on creating a more personal touch with the unique fighting styles and updated visuals. This doesn’t mean Yuke's is out of the clear, the really buggered up the merger of the 24/7 and GM modes in this edition which causes the season mode to feel out of synch and unfocused.
74
GameTrailers
The inclusion of superstar fighting styles and the struggle submission system is a step in the right direction, but it’s still difficult to recommend Smackdown vs Raw 2008 for a purchase to anyone but the most ardent fan.
70
Playstation Official Magazine UK
This is a strong wrestling game, featuring the best grap engine yet seen on PlayStation, and only the weedy selection of extracurricular activities prevents a higher score. [Dec 2007, p.88]
70
Worth Playing
While there are a ton of match types, a fairly sizable roster of ECW, Raw and Smackdown stars, and the inclusion of the new Superstar Fighting Styles, these positives cannot offset the terrible sound and voice acting, middling graphics and the train wreck that is the 24/7 mode.
68
MEGamers
The game, for new comers at least, will turn into a button mashing fight when playing a much more experienced friend, who by the way is going to be kicking your ass like there is no tomorrow.
68
Cheat Code Central
There are a lot of nice improvements here. It just seems WWE could exceed fans' expectations, but they never really do.
67
Gamer 2.0
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw could have been a great game and a step into making the best wrestling game to date. With so much potential that could have been used, the game just feels a bit too unbalanced at times.
65
GameSpot
With little notable improvement to the formula and steps backward in several key areas, SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 is a big disappointment.
60
VideoGamer
It's a reviewing cliché, but this is one for hardcore fans only.
60
GameSpy
The downside is that if you're looking for that next great leap off the turnbuckle and into your living room, you may instead have to settle for a pretty satisfying leg drop to hold you over until next year. Slow and steady worked for Hogan all those years, so it may be good enough for you.
60
PSX Extreme
It has some of the worst A.I. I've ever encountered, on top of a broken formula that only frustrates the player. No direct communication between the gamer and his controlled athlete mars the experience, as the gameplay feels more like guess work than anything else.
50
Game Revolution
Passable and tolerable.
Jo S. gave it a3: Zift K. gave it a5: Tempie Markham gave it a5: Will Raiment gave it an8: Daniel Friday gave it a4: Corey F gave it a0: |
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