WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007
NTSC boxart for the PlayStation 2 version, featuring (clockwise from top left) Rey Mysterio, John Cena, Torrie Wilson, Triple H and Batista, audience in the background.
Developer(s)	YUKE's Future Media Creators
Publisher(s)	THQ (WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007) YUKE's Future Media Creators (Exciting Pro Wrestling 8)
Series	WWE SmackDown! Series
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox 360
Release	PlayStation 2 November 2 - 10, 2006 November 14, 2006 November 16, 2006 November 16, 2006 February 1, 2007 PSP/Xbox 360 November 2 - 10, 2006 November 14, 2006 December 15, 2006 December 31, 2006
Genre(s)	Professional wrestling, Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (Exciting Pro Wrestling 8 in Japan) is a professional wrestling video game released by THQ and developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators. The game is based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It is the latest installment of the WWE SmackDown! series and is the successor to 2005's WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006. On March 31, 2006, THQ, YUKE's and WWE officially confirmed the game. The game was released in November 2006 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 consoles and was released in December 2006 for the Playstation Portable system.

The game introduced a few key new features including an analog control system, interactive hotspots, and fighting within the arena crowd. The game also included several improvements on the previous game's existing match types and modes. The Xbox 360 version was the first game in the SmackDown! series to be published on a seventh generation video game console and the first SmackDown! game to be released on a Microsoft console.

Gameplay

Match gameplay

THQ said they would bring a more realistic fighting experience with a new analog control grappling system, enabling the player to throw their opponent anywhere they want, in contrast to previous preset animations. In the new system, grappling moves are now affected by analog control, in contrast to the button-based system from preceding games. One can also move around the ring by analog control instead of using the D-pad. An option to switch to the previous control layout is also possible. The chain reversal system has also been improved and now involves grapples as well as strikes.

The Category 1 and Category 2 movesets are determined by your weight-class now, so lighter wrestlers have access to martial arts or lucadore move-sets, while heavier wrestlers have access to more power moves. In addition, a wrestler can only lift up or hurt with certain strikes, wrestlers one weight class heavier than them or less. The game is also inaccurate with its weight classes, placing the majority of wrestlers in the heavyweight division, in spite of their actual weight (ex. Joey Mercury is a heavyweight, despite being billed as 200 lbs, which would technically put him in the crusierweight division).

A lot more interactivity in the arenas is also present such as fighting within the crowd. Signs and objects from the crowd can be used to beat down the opponent. One major feature included is the inclusion of environmental "hotspots" such as the ring ropes, steel steps and scaffolding which players can interact with. The PS2 version however has a restriction on crowd fighting and interaction for specific match types.

The graphics have also improved with each superstar consisting of 20,000 polygons for the Xbox 360 compared to the total of 500 from the PS2 version of the previous game. Sweat from the wrestlers has now been included in the Xbox 360 version of the game. The game's audio system has been overhauled and features new sound effects in Dolby 5.1 as well as the inclusion of new crowd chants and grunting from the wrestlers.

Match types

The following match types are playable in this game:

Singles No Manager No Manager vs. w/ Manager w/ Manager vs. w/ Manager Tag Normal Tornado Elimination Normal Elimination Tornado Triple Threat Fatal Four-Way Handicap Royal Rumble

Main Events Backstage Brawls Bar Brawl Parking Lot Brawl Battle Royal 4-man 5-man 6-man Buried Alive Elimination Chamber Normal 6-Man Tornado 6-Man Tag First Blood Hardcore Hell in a Cell Iron Man

Ladder Last Man Standing Special Referee Steel Cage Submission Tables TLC Money in the Bank

File:Moneyinthebank.jpg

In-game screenshot from the Xbox 360 version, displaying the Money in the Bank ladder match.

Cory Ledesma, creative manager of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, confirmed that the game has no new match types. However, there are improvements in existing match types. The Money in the Bank variant to the ladder match is now added and all ladder matches feature more flexibility in placing the ladders. The player now has to use the analog sticks as hands and arms to retrieve the match's prize.

The Tables match has also undergone a complete overhaul, requiring players to build up momentum for a finisher and damage their opponent enough before being able to put them through a table.

Notably, this also marked the first game since WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth to not feature a diva-specific match stipulation with the Fulfill Your Fantasy match from the previous game removed. However it is said that it will return on the next Smackdown game along with the Bra & Panties Match

Create modes

The Create-A-Entrance mode has been improved with a new preview mode. As well as instantaneous previews of the entrances when the player makes a change, one can also specifically set the timing for camera angles, pyrotechnics and other effects. Despite the Xbox 360's hard drive and MP3 capabilitiy, the game is unable to recognize any music you may have saved onto your hard drive like previous WWE games for the original Xbox did for custom entrance music.

There is also a Create-A-Stable Mode which allows you to make a tag-team, alliance, or a stable with up to five members. This also allows you to come out in the same entrance as your teammates unlike many other WWE wrestling games.

Inspired by John Cena's custom spinner championship belts, the ability to create belts with spinning centrepieces in the returning Create-A-Championship mode is now possible as well as the player's ability to manually spin these belts during an entrance. The championship belts from the previous game are included in this game in addition to created belts. These include the belts used by WWE in 2006: the WWE, World Heavyweight, Intercontinental, United States, World Tag Team, WWE Tag Team, Women's and Cruiserweight championships. Stone Cold Steve Austin's "Smoking Skull" belt and the nWo's version of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship has joined Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Championship and the WWE Hardcore Championship as classic belts that can also be won and defended in the game.

Release

File:WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 Special Edition.jpg

The aluminum case for the special edition version of the game

The official demo for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 was released on the Xbox Live Marketplace on September 28, 2006, containing a No-DQ match between Triple H and Kane.

Like the previous game, the game was released on the PlayStation 2 and the PlayStation Portable. While the series has traditionally been exclusive to the PlayStation series of consoles, this game was released on Xbox 360 after a series of lackluster wrestling games THQ released on the original Xbox. This is the first time a game in the SmackDown! series is featured in two different console generations.

A PlayStation 3 version was also planned but has been cancelled. The developers publicly announced that they would rather concentrate their resources on other game systems. However, next year's SmackDown! game is planned for release on the PlayStation 3. There was also consideration over releasing the game on the Wii as the game's developers were waiting to learn more about the system. However, during a video interview, creative manager Cory Ledesma announced there are no plans for SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 to be released on the Wii.

A special edition of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 for the Xbox 360 will also be sold for a limited time at EB Games and GameStop. This version will feature the game in an aluminum case along with a bonus disc from The History of the WWE Championship DVD boxset and a copy of The Ultimate WWE Trivia Book.

Reception

Though gaming critics have rated this less than series' previous release, reaction to this game has been generally positive. The game currently has ratings of 82.4%, 80.8% and 78.3% on Game Rankings for the Xbox 360, PS2 and PSP versions respectively.

There is some criticism over glitches featured in the game, such as commentary (references to incorrect moves, the wrong wrestlers participating along with their gender) and ring announcing problems (such as the announcement of only one member of a tag team in some matches or Tony Chimel announcing in the ring to Lilian Garcia's voice).

There have also been problems with Created Wrestlers who are champions not showing their respective title who use Advanced Created Entrances. The belt, in most cases, will disappear, often only appearing in Entrance taunts used by WWE Superstars in the game.

There have also been complaints about the removal of several moves from the game along with several created wrestler parts in create a wrestler mode.

Perhaps the harshest criticism can be levied against the game's roster. The roster of wrestlers featured in the game is severely outdated. The WWE, at the time of the game's release, had been further separated into an ECW franchise. However, it is not its own show in the game. Some wrestlers, like Chavo Guerrero, Daivari or Randy Orton are listed on the wrong show. Also, many characters in the game are portrayed with older gimmicks (Booker T is not "King Booker"). In addition, several characters in the game were no longer featured on WWE programming at the time of the game's release (Mark Henry had been off of television for over four months). Kurt Angle, the game's overall best character, was also, in fact, signed to the rival TNA Wrestling organization approximately two months prior to the game's release.

Roster

Featured wrestlers

Batista The Big Show Bobby Lashley The Boogeyman Booker T Carlito Chavo Guerrero Chris Benoit Chris Masters Daivari2 Edge Finlay1 The Great Khali1 Gregory Helms Hardcore Holly1

JBL Joey Mercury John Cena Johnny Nitro Kane Ken Kennedy Kid Kash Kurt Angle Lance Cade Mark Henry Matt Hardy Mick Foley Paul Burchill1 Psicosis1 Randy Orton

Rey Mysterio Ric Flair Rob Van Dam Shawn Michaels Shelton Benjamin Snitsky Super Crazy1 Trevor Murdoch Triple H Umaga1 The Undertaker Viscera2 Vito1 William Regal

¹These wrestlers cannot be used in season mode.
²Provided voice over for season mode, but isn't playable in it.

Divas

Candice Michelle3 Jillian Hall3 Lita Melina3

Mickie James3 Torrie Wilson3 Trish Stratus3

³Provided voice over for season mode.

Legends

Bam Bam Bigelow Bret Hart Cactus Jack Dude Love Dusty Rhodes6 Eddie Guerrero 5

Hulk Hogan Jerry Lawler Jim Neidhart Mankind Mr. Perfect The Rock

Roddy Piper4 6 Shane McMahon Steve Austin Tazz

⁴This Legend can be played in season mode.
⁵This Legend is unlocked from the start.
⁶This Legend is available for purchase from the start.

Non-playables

Jim Ross Jonathan Coachman Lilian Garcia Michael Cole

Mike Chioda Nick Patrick Stephanie McMahon Theodore Long

Tony Chimel Vince McMahon

In-game arenas

In total, the game features a total of 20 arenas based on WWE events. It features arenas from the following televised shows:

• Raw
• SmackDown
• HEAT
• Velocity
• Saturday Night's Main Event

The game also includes the following pay-per-view arenas:

Armageddon 2005 Backlash 2006 One Night Stand 2006 The Great American Bash 2005 Judgment Day 2006

New Year's Revolution 2006 No Mercy 2005 No Way Out 2006 Royal Rumble 2006 SummerSlam 2005

Survivor Series 2005 Taboo Tuesday 2005 Unforgiven 2005 Vengeance 2006 WrestleMania 22

Soundtrack

• "Alive and Kicking" (Nonpoint)
• "Animal I Have Become" (Three Days Grace)
• "Bullet With a Name" (Nonpoint)
• "Forgive Me" (Versus The World)
• "I Ain't Your Savior" (Bullets and Octane)
• "Lonely Train" (Black Stone Cherry)
• "Money in the Bank" (Lil Scrappy feat. Young Buck)
• "Riot" (Three Days Grace)
• "Stitches" (Allele)
• "Survive" (Rise Against)
• "The Champ" (Ghostface Killah)
• "The Enemy" (Godsmack)

"Lonely Train" and "The Enemy" were previously used as themes for the Great American Bash 2006 and SummerSlam 2006 pay-per-view events respectively.

References

• Roster: Ekberg, Brian. "X06: SmackDown! Vs. Raw 2007 Hands-On: Achievements and Roster Rundown". GameSpot. Retrieved 2006-09-28.

External links

Official

• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 official site
• THQ.com: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 mini site
• THQ-games.com: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 mini site

Community

• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (PS2) | (PSP) | (Xbox 360) at GameSpot
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 (PS2) | (PSP) | (Xbox 360) at IGN