WWE Day of Reckoning 2

WWE Day of Reckoning 2
Video game cover
Developer(s)	YUKE's Future Media Creators
Publisher(s)	THQ
Platform(s)	GameCube
Release	August 29, 2005 (US) September 23, 2005 (UK) October 7, 2005 (Aus)
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

WWE Day of Reckoning 2 (a.k.a. DoR 2) is a video game released on the Nintendo Gamecube console by THQ. It became a "Player's Choice" game on July 5, 2006. It is also the sequel to WWE Day of Reckoning. Its soundtrack features music by A Dark Halo, who have performed 2 songs in the game including its theme song "Burn It All." Also this has been the last wrestling game for the console to date.

Day of Reckoning 2 features improved graphics over its predecessor, a new strategy-based submission system and a dynamic storyline. The game picks up where its predecessor left off by starting your player at the top of the WWE ladder. This is a change from most other WWE games. The developers enlisted the help of actual WWE writers in order to place focus on what it really means to be a champion inside WWE. The storylines center on revenge and backstage relationships, instead of consistently battling out for titles.

Overview

Day of Reckoning 2 involves more strategy elements than previous WWE games. The Stamina feature has been made central to gameplay, meaning that during the match your character will lose stamina, slowing movements and reducing the effectiveness of moves.

The submission system was greatly changed from the game's predecessors. Players can perform one of four different submission moves that all come with different consequences. These are 'Taunt Submission', 'Physical Submission', 'Rest Hold Submission' and 'Drain Submission'. Each submission method has a different effect on the characters stamina and special move stats.

The developers greatly advanced the game engine, improving the graphics, models and cinematic sequences, while making the engine more efficient. The bad thing out of this was the loading times increased for matches and the create a wrestler mode.

As with the first Day of Reckoning, when using a weapon a few times, it will disappear away. None of the Gamecube wrestling games feature the steel steps in a match despite being clearly seen during the entrances.

Featured Wrestlers

Batista Big Show Booker T Carlito Chavo Guerrero Chris Benoit Chris Jericho Chris Masters Christian Christy Hemme Edge Eddie Guerrero Eugene

Gene Snitsky Heidenreich Hurricane JBL John Cena Kane Kenzo Suzuki Kurt Angle Muhammad Hassan Orlando Jordan Paul London Randy Orton René Duprée

Rey Mysterio Ric Flair Rob Van Dam Shawn Michaels Shelton Benjamin Stacy Keibler Tajiri Torrie Wilson Triple H Trish Stratus William Regal Undertaker

Legends

• Bret Hart
• Hulk Hogan
• Mankind
• Stone Cold Steve Austin
• The Rock

The Ultimate Warrior was originally going to be included, but was removed after WWE encountered some issues with the former WWE superstar.

In-game arenas

Weekly shows

• SmackDown!
• RAW
• Sunday Night HEAT
• Velocity

Pay-per-view events

• Backlash 2004
• Judgment Day 2004
• Bad Blood 2004
• The Great American Bash 2004
• Vengeance 2004
• SummerSlam 2004
• Unforgiven 2004
• No Mercy 2004
• Taboo Tuesday 2004
• Survivor Series 2004
• Armageddon 2004
• Royal Rumble 2005
• No Way Out 2005
• WrestleMania 21 (2005)

Criticism and Praise

This game was criticised for its slow but more realistic feel and ridiculously long loading screens especially for the Create A Wrestler mode. Some gamers complained about that the new stamina meter made the game too difficult (especially while climbing a cage or a ladder). Many were disappointed that the game still did not improve upon its predecessor's (Day Of Reckoning) problems like not having voice overs nor an increased roster. The roster when the game was released was highly out dated as many of the superstars were released before the game was finished. Some also believed that this game is considered worthless to THQ, as it is plainly clear that the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw games receive many more features (whether due to disc space is debated) such as create a title, create a stable, create a ppv, online, voice overs and commentary. However the praise for the graphics and gameplay has made this the most successful wrestling game on a Nintendo system since N64's WWF No Mercy.

Trivia

-This is Muhammad Hassan's first and last appearance in a WWE (and wrestling) game for the GameCube. He also appeared in SmackDown vs. Raw 2006.

-This said to be the last WWE GameCube game.

-This marked Hulk Hogan's first appearance as a "legend" in a WWE game.

-The various movesets/pre made entrances in the Create A Wrestler mode refer to previous WWE superstars as well as other wrestlers in the less known promotions.

-Stacy Keibler has failed to have her Kid Rock theme "Legs" placed in three out of four WWE GameCube wrestling titles. Instead only a instrument version sounding similar to "Legs" is used. On WWE WrestleMania X8 she has "Legs" as her theme.

-The Rock's appearance is his 2000 look but has his most recent titantron when he was last on WWE TV.

-The announce tables are not placed in the center upon the SmackDown!/Velocity arenas as well as the SmackDown! PPV arenas.

-The WWE logo appears backwards upon the turnbuckles to the right of the screen depending upon what the camera view is set to

-Slowdown of the framerate occurs during the pyro entrances of various superstar's such as Randy Orton and Kurt Angle

-In certain arena's does Randy Orton's pyro occur.

-Christian does not have his "Captain Charisma" logo on his tights.

-Rey Mysterio is featured without his gloves.

-There are moves that have never been used in WWE before like the Rydeen Buster and Emerald Frosion.