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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
A brand new Analog Control System makes fighting more realistic than ever with intuitive movement and new elements of control. An enhanced Season Mode provides multiple branching storylines and unprecedented levels of player choice. In and out of the ring, dozens of user-controlled environmental hotspots let players take advantage of anything at their disposal to inflict damage on opponents in new and unique ways. Additionally, new high impact combination moves let players take the power of WWE Superstars into their own hands. Experience the intensity of WWE fans in a brand new, fully loaded interactive fighting area. Players can take advantage of multiple weapons, environmental damage and grabbing signs and weapons from the crowd. WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 offers multiple enhancements, including incredible high definition graphics, updated rosters for both RAW and SmackDown, an expanded General Manager Mode, online multiplayer game play with voice chat support and 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
Play Magazine
To the point: pain has rarely been so pleasureable. Rumble on, spandex warriors. [Dec. 2006, p.74]
90
Yahoo! Games
It's an absolute monster, with tons of power while simultaneously possessing impressive agility.
 90
AceGamez
Graphically it looks wonderful and plays just as well, but next year Yukes really needs to scrap a lot of the built-in aspects and redesign from the ground up, such as the CAW and Season modes.
90
RewiredMind
I implore you to give this a go if you’re a wrestling fan, and even if you aren’t – it might well be worth a play. I like the improvements that have been made, and I’ll be playing this long into 2007.
90
WHAM! Gaming
At present, this is the closest you will come to knowing what it is like to step inside a WWE ring. Here’s hoping THQ and the WWE will move past their business disagreements and continue producing superb wrestling games.
90
GamingExcellence
The sheer depth of the game, various modes, and customization available are second to none, combined with an improved control schema and interactive environments, you’ll be playing this one for a very long time.
89
Digital Entertainment News
The new control scheme makes SvR 2007 much less of a button-masher as much of the grappling is now mapped to the right analog stick, although sometimes a combo button is needed for certain grapple follow-ups.
88
Game Informer
The core of this game is far too good to not enjoy. For fans of wrestling or fighting games in general, this annual series has become a required purchase.
88
PGNx Media
You can spend dozens of hours playing through the game’s various modes and match types, and that’s even before you start playing multiplayer.
88
Next Level Gaming
All of the changes and new features were all for the better, and any wrestling fan will be happy with this game.
88
Game Chronicles
As for Achievements, there are 29 objectives required to earn those 1000 points.
85
AtomicGamer
With a ton of match types that will be ridiculously familiar to WWE fans and many wrestlers to choose from, Smackdown vs RAW 2007 is a great first entry onto the Xbox 360.
85
MS Xbox World
My only concern with SmackDown 2007 is that it feels aimed more at the hardcore SmackDown gamers and WWE fans.
85
Official Xbox Magazine
This 2007 edition is the undeniable pinnacle of the genre, dropping a powerful payload of pugilistic power-tripping that you'd have to be nuts to pass up. [Holiday 2006, p.84]
85
Extreme Gamer
Sure, there is room for improvement, most noticeable in giving the gamer more direct input on the season, and keeping the roster up to date, but the bottom line is that Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 will keep us wrestling fans happy until next year.
85
GamePro
Smackdown 07 is easily the best wrestling game to date. There's enough juicy content here to keep you busy for years to come, which is enough time for Hulk Hogan to retire and unretire twelve times.
85
Deeko
Predetermined outcomes notwithstanding, everyone can enjoy crazy feats of strength and acrobatics. And seriously, in our 80's-culture-obsessed world, who doesn't love at least a little cheesy acting?
85
Team Xbox
Sure, there are issue like the A.I., clipping, and sketchy hit detection, but for the most part, this game speaks to the legions of WWE fans out there- loud and clear.
85
1UP
New ways to play, sure, but SmackDown isn't a true champion -- the terribly long load times (it has to load each and every entrance) gave me a bad case of PSP fever.
85
Games Master UK
If you love wrestling, it'll make you squeal - if you don't, you'll think it's broken. [Dec 2006, p.68]
84
Cheat Code Central
Another bone of contention is your AI tag-team partner that can be totally oblivious to your situation as you’re getting the hit shicked out of you.
84
Gaming Target
The new environmental hotspots and graphical polish help give Xbox 360 owners something worth checking out, even though this series has just about reached the end of its arc.
84
Planet Xbox 360
It really is like WWE in it's current state: stale, unimaginative, and afraid of new ideas. But, unlike the real WWE, it is the only option out there for a solid wrestling title.
83
Pelit (Finland)
One of the best show wrestling games around. The new control system is very nice, but you still can not break throws started by other players. A proper arcade-like blocking system would not hurt, either. [Dec 2006]
83
GamingTrend
There are plenty of ways to play the game, as well as a storyline that does take a few interesting twists and turns.
81
GameSpot
It's another great entry in the SmackDown! lineage that suffers only because what it fixes and improves isn't necessarily what is wrong with this aging game engine. Fans will undoubtedly enjoy it for what it is, but they'll also certainly be wondering if a true overhaul of the series is on the horizon.
80
Games Radar (in-house)
Tag matches still feel like handicap matches, mainly owing to the fact that your AI-controlled partner doesn't actually do all that much, even when you call for help.
80
IGN
Regardless of its dated animations, rosters, and foolish AI, it's still a heck of a lot of fun. Thousands of different grappling holds await those who tread its squared circle, while the new analog-based mechanics and ultimate control moves add depth to a system that most would expect to be exhausted.
80
XboxAddict
The sound track is in my opinion the best ever this year, maintaining its decidedly rock feel, that of which varies from metal bands to punk. They even threw in a couple rap songs that are enjoyable.
80
Xboxic
I also found this year's Season Mode to be even more fun than before. I feel that this had to do with the excellent storylines.
80
GameZone
Some of the more glaring issues, like stiff controls and poor AI, are still present. Still, this is probably one of the best WWE wrestling games out there, warts and all.
80
GameSpy
It doesn't rise leaps and bounds above its PS2 predecessor, but it adds enough in the way of new controls to keep the gameplay fun.
80
DarkStation
After years of churning out wrestling titles, Yuke's further refines the whole package, making this one a solid choice on the next-gen 360.
80
G4 TV
The quality of the action and the intuitive controls will not disappoint wrestling fans.
80
Gamestyle
The best wrestling game we've played in a while. Finally listening to fans complaints with previous offerings; it's good to see the series taking a new approach with less of an emphasis on running around the ring like a madman, and more on planning how to wear down your opponent.
80
GameTrailers
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 definitely hits the mat with some great improvements, but it’s still predominantly the same game you’ve been playing for the last few years.
80
Worth Playing
The new grapple and action system is wonderful, but everything else either stays the same or ends up falling flat in its execution.
79
GamerNode
Be wary of the insanely long load times.
75
Detroit Free Press
The game is worth buying and will offer gamers hours of fun, whether it is creating custom wrestlers or fighting for your life in the career mode.
75
Gaming Age
I can't make out any significant graphical difference between the Xbox 360 version and the Playstation 2 version.
75
ZTGameDomain
Even on the highest difficulty, matches are often too easy to win, as the AI doesn’t even take advantage of the limb damage system and pulls off whatever random attacks it can at the time.
75
Electronic Gaming Monthly
But, for as fresh as it seems, it also feels horrendously outdated in terms of story and characters. [Dec. 2006, p.128]
74
My Gamer
In the very least, it's a fun way to get bragging rights over your friends without actually inflicting pain, and hey, it could be worse - we could be playing "Raw 3."
70
VideoGamer
The game engine is certainly in need of a makeover, and this might be the last year THQ can offer what is more or less a slight update, but it's a fun game and something that will get more than a few hours play with some mates.
70
Official Xbox Magazine UK
If you want all the moves, entrances, costumes and storylines you know and love perfectly rendered, then this is a consummately crafted experience tailored just for you. Yet for the beat 'em up fanboy or non-wrestling fan - newbies beware! - this is going to be very short-lived entertainment.
70
GameDaily
Developer Yukes deserves nine Stone Cold Stunners for the game's lack of polish. Yet despite its flaws, SmackDown successfully retains its wrestling championship, thanks to its 67-superstar roster, 20 plus match types, deep General Manager and Season modes, gorgeous visuals, and finally, four person online play that's easy to set up and difficult to put down.
70
EuroGamer
Smackdown vs RAW is the wrestling "FIFA" - drowning in customisable settings, but the gameplay isn't always completely there. However, like "FIFA," SvsR has made some admirable steps this year.
70
360 Gamer Magazine UK
It's flawed in several ways that may annoy and frustrate a newcomer, but seasoned wrestling gamers will find everything they love about SmackDown and a whole lot more. [Issue 18, p.79]
60
X360 Magazine UK
The first truly decent wrestling game on the Xbox format but it's marred by two rather massive flaws that really effect how the game plays. If they weren't there, it'd score much higher. [Issue 14, p.80]
55
PALGN
It's a passable wrestling game that never gives any impression of credibility. Going through the motions of making a game without any unique concept or vision is fine - if it hasn't been done many times before.
Tom B. gave it a9: Kyle R. gave it a9: Kyle G. gave it a10: McBain 17 gave it a7: Bryan M. gave it a9: Dennis U. gave it a4: Jace N. gave it a6: |
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