Review | WWE 12

WWE ’12 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke’s. Although it is the fourteenth overall game in the combined series, it is the sequel to WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 and the first to be developed exclusively for current generation home consoles.

I’ll admit I was hardly salivating at the thought of getting my hands on this game. Although my love of professional wrestling dates back to the days Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage and Andre the Giant it has all but perished now. There is no doubt that developers have been able to utilise their experience from previous iterations in the series and the advancement in the power of the console and for the most part it has been put to good use. It is good to see that this title was developed purely for the PS3, 360 and Wii without diluting the product on the many other gaming devices.

In gameplay the grapple system has now changed in that characters can perform moves that are based purely on your opponents’ physical state. This means that you will have an opportunity to perform an attack whilst down and also interrupt opponent’s moves. AI has been improved so that players will not be able to overuse the same moves to win bouts easily. The big new feature is called the Dynamic Comeback where just like on the TV shows wrestlers can make unbelievable comebacks and grab victory from the jaws of defeat.

Although there are a few areas that need improvement in gameplay to make the game feel more fluid and realistic one thing stuck out for me as something that needs work. Your character for the most part will walk around the ring in an almost zombie like manner, this is resolved by holding down the sprint button but can result in issues with collisions, either with the ring itself or other wrestlers where you will be bounced back and then vulnerable to an attack.

There are various modes available for you to play; in fact there is actually a ton of gametime available even excluding the variety of online play. In WWE Universe you can participate in matches and storylines; Road to WrestleMania allows you to play in pre-scripted storylines over 18 months and covering 2 WrestleManias – the stories cover three acts where you assume the role of Sheamus, Triple H and Jacob Cass. You can also create characters in the creation mode. This is actually quite impressive where you will be able to create very detailed male (Superstars) or female (Divas) wrestlers, their costumes, names, moves, entrances, abilities and then play them. You will also be able to create arenas and share them online.

The overall presentation of the game is excellent; it captures all the hype, glitz and glamour of the live shows. The visuals, lighting and rendering is the best I have seen in a wrestling game, there is no doubt that fans of the series can quickly feel at home with what is offered. Over 60 Superstars and Divas are on offer to play with many more available as DLC.

Any fan of the genre and series will enjoy what has been put together. Newcomers are going to find it hard work and I would strongly recommend giving it a rent before deciding if it is for you. There is almost an expectation that you are familiar with all the moves and controls right from the time you start and you will find the AI unforgiving to anyone who can’t quickly come to grips with the gaming mechanics. As a complete package it has a lot to offer.    [7.5]