WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007

It's an absolute monster, with tons of power while simultaneously possessing impressive agility.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

All of the changes and new features were all for the better, and any wrestling fan will be happy with this game.

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.

As for Achievements, there are 29 objectives required to earn those 1000 points.

If you love wrestling, it'll make you squeal - if you don't, you'll think it's broken. [Dec 2006, p.68]

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.

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.

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]

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.

My only concern with SmackDown 2007 is that it feels aimed more at the hardcore SmackDown gamers and WWE fans.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

There are plenty of ways to play the game, as well as a storyline that does take a few interesting twists and turns.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The quality of the action and the intuitive controls will not disappoint wrestling fans.

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.

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.

The new grapple and action system is wonderful, but everything else either stays the same or ends up falling flat in its execution.

Be wary of the insanely long load times.

But, for as fresh as it seems, it also feels horrendously outdated in terms of story and characters. [Dec. 2006, p.128]

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.

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.

I can't make out any significant graphical difference between the Xbox 360 version and the Playstation 2 version.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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]