Score: 81
Overall User Average: 8.00 / 10 (80.7%)
Gameplay User Average: 7.90 / 10
Graphics User Average: 8.33 / 10
Sound User Average: 6.86 / 10
Whisper
Date reviewed: June 4, 2005.
Overall: After WWF Raw, I didn't think wrestling could be any more ruined for me. Boy was I wrong. This game is just as terrible, if not more of a dissapointment than the original. Why is it that the best wrestling game of all time is still No Mercy on the N64?
Gameplay: Oh geez.. this is terrible. The grappling system, though an improvement, is still ATROCIOUS. Once again you provide us with a crappy game, TERRIBLE collision detection, and repetetive gameplay in story mode.
Graphics: The game looks just average.. which isn't good for a wrestling game. In a game like this, the graphics and animations need to be above average, because there isn't much to making a wrestling game. Do not be stingy on the effects.. go all out and make a decent game, or don't do it at all.
Sound: Atleast we can use our own entrance music now, and the crowd sounds alright.. but outside of that there isn't much here other than grunts, groans, chair slams, and mat bumps.
Suggestions: Sell your rights to some other company.
Overall: 40 %
Gameplay: 30 %
Graphics: 60 %
Sound: 70 %
xj74
Date reviewed: May 25, 2004.
Overall: Straight up, this is a fun game even for people who don't watch wrestling on TV like me. I enjoyed the first game mainly for its 4 player mode and create a wrestler mode. Now that the price has dropped to $20 it's definitely worth adding to the collection.
Gameplay: Unlike the first game this one actually has some depth to the single player game and has a good variety of game modes and match types to keep one busy for qutie sometime. The flow of the matches is quicker and more balanced. This game is worth a purchase just for the multiplayer modes, but the single player season mode is fantastic with a good recreation of the real life events. The controls are very responsive and configured extremely well to the point where most people can pick up the controller and figure out how to play in just a couple matches. The "create a wrestler" editor is superb with more options than I care to count. This game definitely improves on it's predecessor in every aspect.
Graphics: The graphics and animation are even better the first one. The framerate is steady and smooth with 6 players on screen.
Sound: The ability to use user soundtracks is good, but the wrestlers never speak a word and this diminishes the presentation and feel of the game. Especially with the all the cutscenes. Because you have to imagine what they are saying from their body language. The sound effects in the ring are good.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 50 %
Bejoe87
Date reviewed: January 13, 2004.
Overall: WWE Raw 2, may be the most over looked WWE/WWF game of ALL TIME! Many reviewers have been unpleased with a lack of improved. This is true to a degree, not totally. Most people (including myself) expected much more from Raw. However, it also surprises all by the interesting additions.
The one thing that truly moves Raw ahead of the other WWE games out there is the Season mode. The Season mode lets you pick a path (if any). You can jump anyone, steal,gain allies, call-out other stars for matches and more. The one other feature that pulls raw ahead is the Create a Superstar mode (C.A.S.). It lets you customize everything on your character. Best of all you can used ripped music.
Gameplay: Raw comprises a bit of the classic No Mercy game play, the past raw grappling system and speeds it all up. Its still the slowest game out there, but thats not a bad thing. Also Raw offers almost every match out there. Cell, Cage, TLC, Tables, Hardcore, street fight, Royal Rumbles, King of the Ring and more. Best of all you can have up to 6 WWE stars in the ring at once!
There are some faults in these modes. Cell is EXTREMELY EASY. You can single handily open the cage, and win by pins or just knocking an opponent off the top of the cell, (WHICH IS EASY, too EASY). Cage and Ladder matches are too hard, or too easy (whoever gets first wins!). Another disappointment is the Elimination Chamber is not included, and you can only play elimination in a battle royal, or royal rumble!
Overall, THQ cut some series's corners, but did introduce almost all matches. However, Smack down and Restrain do a much better job than Raw.
Graphics: Raw is the best looking WWE game ever!, Which isn't saying that much. Its a hair ahead of Smack down, and a step or two ahead of Mania. Its to bad, you can't FIGHT ON THE STAGE OR BACKSTAGE! Plus no fighting to the crowds! Whats up with that?!
Its great that the game looks ok, but its little use.
Sound: Sound is something that is well wasted on raw. Its nice they got the original themes for Raw and Smack down. But the match music is annoying, and not a single PPV Area has theme music! Plus you can't use your ripped tracks. I found myself hitting mute and using my stereo system to overlap any possible sound from the game!
Suggestions: Please fix up your matches. Add the Chamber, allow at least 6 people in the ring during the rumble, add backstage. Get PPV theme music, Velocity/Heat stadiums/effects. Add voices to season, and/or captions. Also add some more modes. Add some real unlock ables, (Entrance Movies!?, Costumes!). Add a WWE shop, old school moves, some moves that aren't copyrighted by WWE stars.
Final (and this is important) DON'T LIE ABOUT FEATURE! Fight in the audience, where is it?, Arenas? I can't touch the stage! Rip tracks, not in background music, etc.! Tell the truth
You can do better THQ!
Overall: 70 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 40 %
gamesmaster89
Date reviewed: December 29, 2003.
Overall: This game had the makings of the best wrestling game to date. The season mode sounded great and the improvements from the previous Raw were clearly visible in the screenshots. I was expecting one hell of a game but did it live up to my expectations?
Gameplay: This, for me, is the major let-down. I find the gameplay far too slow and it can leave me rather frustrated. The computer AI is very repititve. It's always kick, punch or cover which makes it very boring and predictable.
So that's the match play out of the way. The create a superstar mode is fantastic. It is by far the best create a wrestler in any other wrestling game. I love everything about this. I love the fact that you can choose your own names for your calling entrance and espiecally the option of including your own custom soundtracks. The entrance is by far the best part of create a superstar. You can include everything from pyro to screen effects whilst on your way to the squared circle. Create a Superstar mode is fantastic and I feel that it is the backbone of Raw 2.
Many more match types are included in this installment of Raw. However. Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain beats it hands down. The new match types avaiable are ones that you would consider to be as standard. If its varied match types your after, Smackdown Here Comes The Pain is by far the best option.
The season mode is what made me want to buy this game. It looked insane and unlimited. Oh how I was wrong. Sure it is fun with more than 1 person but when you are on your own becomes predictable and repititive. When you see the screenshots you will think that there is no end to the insanity of the season mode. The season mode has let me down. I was expecting something great but instead i found something average, and thats only when you play it for the first time. I guarntee that once you go through 3 months of season mode you will be bored as hell. Once you get through 3 months of Raw 2's season mode it will feel as insane as Barbera Streisand in a thong. Sick sight. Best to forget i said that.
Overall Raw 2 is a good game. The create a superstar mode is what makes it the game it is for me. It's good but it still could be a lot better. Lots of improvements since Raw 1, lets hope for the same in Raw 3.
Graphics: As with every XBOX game the graphics are great. The wrestlers look perfect, which is all thanks to the power of the xbox. Great visuals add to the game in a positive way.
Sound: The sound is of average quality. I mean since when does sound really matter in a wrestling game. Sure it makes the gameplay that tad bit better, but hey, who gives a crap? I don't!
The one thing that really annoys me about Raw 2 is the stupid, !&%$@#* voices. The referees sound like women and the wrestlers sound like roman gladiators. I know that don't make much sense but play it and you'll see. The voices are not needed in this game and just gives me another thing to complain about
Suggestions: Cut out the stupid voices.
Add some commentry !
Make the gameplay like the Smackdown titles or the Raw games will be no real threat at all to the PS2 exclusive games.
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 70 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
thunder0810
Date reviewed: December 28, 2003.
Overall: Raw was hoped to be the Best XB Wrestling game & even hopefully PS2's Smack Down series. While its better than Raw 1, Raw 2 still lacks & is still way worse than the SD series.
Gameplay: The gameplay is tweaked & its a lot easier to do moves now. But still it seems kinda slow compared to SD. & theres not nearly as much moves to do compared to HCTP.
Graphics: I actually think Raw 1 looked a little better than 2. Sometimes 2 has a Cel Shaded look. The early screens looked better than the finished copy.
Sound: Still the wrestlers grunts during matches sound stupid.
Suggestions: Faster gameplay, better graphics & more moves. Come on THQ i know u can make a good wrestling game.
Overall: 60 %
Gameplay: 60 %
Graphics: 50 %
Sound: 40 %
squibb0
Date reviewed: December 26, 2003.
Overall: Raw 2 is the latest WWE game for X-BOX, it is a huge step up from Rawv 1, Raw 2 has 60 superstars, many match types, a great caw, an ok season mode, even the female !&%$@#* can now join in the fun of a new...diffrent season mode. Not the best WWE/WWF game ever but it is up there with the likes of Smackdown 5.
Gameplay: The grappling system is better than most games, and new match types are great, Hell in the Cell, Table ect.. But the story mode is lame, there are no set story lines, but the idea to do do something every match is a good one, even though i got attacked 7 times in a row by HHH whille i was resting! You can rip your own music to do entrances like you've never done before, as well as pyro and lighting it is all pretty fun.
4.0 out of 5
Graphics: Raw 2 has the best visuals in any WWE game, every wrestler is close to perfect, the only thing is Kane still has his mask, but hey, what can you do...
Sound: The same songs over and over again get boring, like that "move to the music" one, but as i said before ripping your own music for your caw is great.
Suggestions: Better season mode, infact make it like a story mode, not like that gamecube one though....
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
Sharky53
Date reviewed: December 4, 2003.
Overall: To say that Raw 2 is an improvement over the first game is like the caveman saying "this could be good" at the discovery of fire. Just plain overkill. Raw 2, just like Raw, was made very well. As with movies, "well made" does not translate to good game. And it should have been. It just wasn't fun to play. A very dry "moves list" also hampered it. Thankfully, a little more than a year (and unfortunately $50 more) later, we get the game we shoud have gotten in the first place. After the story mode from "Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth" and how tedious it was going through just one season, the much simplified season mode (even though you can probably do more during a single season) of Raw 2 was very welcomed on my X-Box. The fact they actually let the female wrestlers (huge selling point for me) participate in season mode is a great plus. In fact since the latest Smackdown! doesn't have (still!) a Women's Belt and Wrestlemani XIX doesn't even have a season mode, Raw 2 does have the advantage in that regard. I just finished my 5th season and the last two I spent using Trish Stratus and not only did she end up being the "Women's Champion" she was also the "King of the Ring" and "WWE World Champion." There's just something special about a game that let's you play a big guy like Brock or the Rock and have your biggest nemesis be a small ckick like Trish. Plus it's just fun building up friends and enemies, selecting a manager and then discarding your manager and making them an enemy. Sure the "story" (used very lightly) has no dialogue, and you know what? I really don't miss it at all.
Overall, the best wrestling game (if by default) for the X-box, but can easily compete with the PS 2 and GC wrestling games.
Gameplay: Puts the fun that just wasn't there in Raw 1. The separate "walk" and "run" controls totally rule! Nothing here that chafes my ass.
Graphics: The best graphics of all three console wrestlers and the only game where the CAW characters look nearly as good as the pre-rendered Superstars.
Sound: I'm stuck with the speakers on my TV so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that the sound would rock on a superior sound system. But I still must give it my average score.(final score uneffected)
Suggestions: Make the season a lil better. Also a few more modes. And fix the glitches!
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 60 %
DocHoliday78
Date reviewed: November 21, 2003.
Overall: The sequel to last years Raw is here. I had high standards coming into this game and i must say i am impressed with the forward progress this title has come. There have been many tweaks and changes throughout this game. Also a story mode has finally been introduced.
Gameplay: Well, its about time they got the grappling system how its supposed to be. It is the closest thing to no mercy. There are also now hell inthe cell matches, table matches, and the royal rumble. There is a new story mode but sadley its about as deep as the kiddy pool. There seems to be no point or purpouse other than to get to Wrestlemania. I guess you could create your own story plots if you wanted to. The Create a Wrestler is great. Plenty of styles and names to choose from. The music ripping option is great.
Graphics: BEST. WRESTLING. GRAPHICS. EVER. They are that good. All the wrestlers are acuratley portrayed but the Rock looks like a starving Eithopian. Also some wrestler are extremly shinny.
Sound: With the ability to rip your own music that is an automatic bonus. I love being able to change Hogan's entrance theme to his original, I Am A Real American.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 80 %
oddworld20-3000
Date reviewed: November 18, 2003.
Overall: Now this has to be the biggest improvement ever. WWF Raw just sucked !&%$@#* was worst game on the xbox now Raw 2 is the best xbox game. Even if you are not a wrestling fan who cares buy this game.
Gameplay: The season mode is better, more matches and deeper create a wrestler this is even better then WWF No Mercy.
Graphics: One of the best graphics on the xbox. The people look real, ring everything the strong point of this game.
Sound: Well there is that same annoying music when it comes to wrestling and speechless wrestlers in season mode.
Suggestions: Make AI little bit more challenging and faster refs dammit.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 50 %
shane rules
Date reviewed: November 18, 2003.
Overall: First I'd like to say that anyone who even compares this game to the WWE Smackdown! series is mad! This game is absolutely horrible, it looks bad, the season mode is crap, the game play is slow, the ref takes ten minutes to count to 3, the AI is stupid. If you want a good wrestling game go out and get yourself any of the WWE Smackdowns cause even the first installment was better than this.
Gameplay: Slow, Stupid, Repetitive, Boring.
You have a small array of moves, your opponents wont stop pinning when they get started, just to name a few faults......
Graphics: The wrestlers are barely recognizable. Most moves look pretty robot-like. There's no blood. The entrances are crap. No dramatic camera views, but i like the replays.
Sound: No sound in season and poor match sounds, the wrestlers themes are alright and i like how you can put a song from a Cd as your CAWs song.
Suggestions: Guys, just make it more like Smackdown!
Overall: 20 %
Gameplay: 20 %
Graphics: 30 %
Sound: 30 %
mitch2025
Date reviewed: November 11, 2003.
Overall: Great game but the AI really sucks!
I never played the original Raw so i cant really campare them together
Gameplay: the gameplay is awsome but the AI realy bites big. the AI will always repet itself and almost never get ontop of the cell and in TLC matches the com will go for the belt after lie 6 sec. in to the match
Graphics: the graphics are GREAT. the are the best graphics ive ever seen in a wresling game. one big flaw is when you grab the ropes or hit an oponet you hand/foot goes right threw them!
Sound: the sound isn't relly that good. i think they should at least have JR (Jim Ross) and Jerry "The King" comentary through out the matches. that would be awsome
Suggestions: make better AI and more match choices like Bra and Panties match.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %
iloveRPGs
Date reviewed: November 9, 2003.
Overall: This game is so much better than the original Raw! I am a huge wrestling fan, and this game incorperates the most realistic, fun storyline I've ever played. It has all sorts of things you can do. If you don't have this game, GET IT!!!
Gameplay: I've heard reviews that this game is has really bad gameplay, either thats very untrue or I just can't tell. I love the variety of matches and the CAW mode.
Graphics: This game has average xbox graphics which means they're really good. It's not revolutionary, but it's not bad.
Sound: This sounds are OK, I haven't thought that much about the music but it seems to be an OK track. I love that you can put your own music on you CAWs.
Suggestions: -elimination chamber
-kane should be a heel you have the new video, why not the costume?
-keep almost everything for Raw 3, especially the add your own song, make your own titantron(make a bit more interactive), and other CAW options they're awesome!
- MAKE A BACKSTAGE AREA!!!!!
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %
jrings
Date reviewed: October 30, 2003.
Overall: Good solid wrestling game, but could use a few tweeks in certain areas. Overall a great game, possibly the best wrestling game so far.
Gameplay: Possibly the best feature of this game, awesome gameplay, bar none the best gameplay on any platform! Gameplay works just like the old WWF No Mercy game.
Graphics: By far the best graphics for any wrestling game to date. Wrestlers look great, and the backround and the crowd makes it feel like you are actually in the WWE.
Sound: Custom soundtracks is the best part of the sound, although with no commentary and no audio backstage or during interviews, there is a lot of room for improvement.
Suggestions: Have the champions wear the belts to the ring! And allow for gamers to edit the existing superstars, such as their abilities, because someone like Brock Lesnar shouldn't be beaten cleanly by someone like Terri, if defeats the realism from the game.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 80 %
X-Fan
Date reviewed: October 25, 2003.
Overall: its the second installation of the infamous raw series.while it improvised in many areas it still disappoints in certain.
Gameplay: the gameplay has been sped up but still not good enuff.in multiplayer matches u can just keep running and running for hours and not get a hold of ur opponent.i even noticed a few times when the controls were'nt responding.the CAW mode is the best part of the game and is certainly the most detailed in any other wrestling game in history.
Graphics: while this game does not have the best gameplay ever it's graphics certainly are the best ever for a wrestling game.the player models are fabulous.the ring has been improvised.players dont look like they have been molested before they walk.
Sound: while the in game sounds get repetitive the option to use your own song for your entrance is truly awesome.
Suggestions: make the season more story oriented and put commentators.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 80 %
Cryonax
Date reviewed: October 17, 2003.
Overall: Overall, the game is a huge disappointment and does not stand up to games like the Smackdown! series and Def Jam Vendetta, but is the current best wrestling game on the Xbox. If you?re looking for a quality wrestling game, and own a PS2, wait until Smackdown! Bring the Pain comes out at the end of October ?03.
Gameplay: The actual gameplay is not too bad with a decent counter system, but basically the only real enjoyment of the game comes in on the multiplayer aspect. The combat system is fairly fun and fast. Not as fast as the Smackdown! games, but not as slow as the Legends of Wrestling engine either. The real fun comes from having a multiplayer season mode. While there is no real story, it?s much easier to ignore when you have up to three other players involved.
Graphics: Graphics are improved over the last RAW title, but overall just don't hold up to Xbox standards. Some character models are quite good, while others are almost unrecognizable. Facial animations are well done and add to the visual appeal of the models.
Sound: Thumbs up to being able to use custom songs for ring entrances. Thums down for not allowing custom soundtracks during actual gameplay. Sound effects are average and become repetitive, but not annoyingly so.
Suggestions: The Season mode is just a series of hit-or-miss cut-scenes with no sound and no narration. There is no real story, there is no reward. You don?t open anything up, you don?t get any bonuses, and since there?s no story, nothing changes. It would have been better to have just left ir out. For improvement look to the Smackdown! titles.
The CAW is pathetic. Why give so much control to your entrances and all but ignore the character model? The entrances are usually skipped after a few viewings, but you look at the character model the whole game. Again, for improvement look to Smackdown!
Here's my bigest suggestion: If you're not going to have the same team that does Smackdown! do the RAW titles, at least get a developer that knows what they're doing. AKI maybe?
Overall: 70 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 60 %
papichuilos
Date reviewed: October 13, 2003.
Overall: i can really feel this game i think it is good just what i expected graphics are good sound is ok and gameplay is great i think.
Gameplay: its pretty easy and it is a fast learn so you will beable to distroy all. there is some diffacult matches though like the ladder match its almost inpossible to win.
Graphics: visually this game is awesome the look and it gives you a great feel like your right there in the action and gets you pumped up for every match.
Sound: it sounds pretty good but there are some flaws like when there entrance hits there music sounds staticie and doesnt sound very good but only happens some times.
Suggestions: yes well they did a good job but there are some little bugs in it and they need to work it out by the next one but i think the progession of the raw series is going great.
Overall: 70 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 60 %
Sound: 50 %
OuFtb
Date reviewed: October 8, 2003.
Overall: This game is outstanding and the best wrestling game on the Xbox so if your a wrestling fan looking for a good wrestling game this is it. All the different types of matches and the great season mode and Create a wrestler are all done really good, there are so glitches but some how the game still pulls out and is one of the best wrestling game I have played. I really don't know what to say on all this so if you have a question about the game or somthing in the game feel free to use the PM feature on this site and ask me.
Gameplay: The gamplay is great, tons of matches including, Hell in the Cell, Cage, TLC, and more that are all fun,The season mode which happens to be one of the best parts is great its like your making your own shows and is really done well.
Graphics: The game looks great, all the wrestlers look pretty good, the adeince for the first couple of rows almost look as good as the wrestlers so thats pretty good.
Sound: I really like how you can put your own music into the entrances and stuff, one bad thing that was probably a blessing in desiges(you know what I mean) is the fact there are no voices in the season mode or anocers for the matches, but if you do somthing like that wrong it could turn a great game into a annoying piece of crap so be happy about it.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %
lllSmokelll
Date reviewed: September 21, 2003.
Overall: This series is the series that made me buy the Xbox. I heard of WWF Raw for Xbox and when i saw a couple of pictures and realized this game looked a whole lot better than the Smackdown games i decided i was gonna get the Xbox. I might of made a mistake there, not by buying the Xbox, cause that was a great decision but buying WWF Raw was. The graphics were pretty decent. But the gameplay was lacking. When i first popped Raw 2 in the Xbox i was excited, it was the first game i had bought in a very long time, and the first time in a long time i had even played my xbox. Once the game loaded up, the main menu screen looked a whole lot better than last years. I decided to pick a singles match to start off, it was Hulk Hogan vs Stacy Keibler. And let me tell you, i got my !&%$@#* beat for a while. The graphics were great, the gameplay seemed good at first, but that changed somewhat.
Gameplay: The game plays much like WWF Raw. You learn the controls quickly. There are pleny of match types, all are fun, but there is much laking because of 1 thing, the computer AI. I think it got dumber than last years. If u pick a hell in a cell 1 vs 1 the computer stays in the ring, u can go outside and climb to the top and the computer will just run around the middle of the ring. You have to force the computer up there, throw him out the ring break the doors and then climb up. TLC matches are worse. All the computer wants to do is get the ladder and climb it as soon as possible to win the match. Very stupid. Cause you dont get a chance to wrestle. The computer tries to pin you sometimes, but the computer will pin you, get a 2 count, pin you again get a 2 count, etc. It wont let you get up, its very frustrating. Other than the computer the gameplay and match types are pretty good. The season mode isnt as good as i thought it would be. Everything is messed up. I was in a fued with Val Venis but at the PPV i was wrestling Tajiri. The only reason im doing the season is to unlock stuff. Other than that ill probably be sticking to exhibition Hardcore matches 1 vs 1. The royal rumble is sort of messed up. The computer doesnt know that the point is to throw people out, the computer just beats up people, you have to throw people out yourself. The CAW is amazing. It takes about an hour to make a wrestler cause its so in depth. Overall a big improvement over last years, except for the computer AI.
Graphics: This is where Raw 2 excels. Some things just look amazing. The entrances look amazing. Some entrances have fooled me thinking that im watching WWE TV, others havent. Wrestlers look great. My only complaint is biceps looking kinda scrawny. RVD does his "RVD" taunt but his arms dont look nearly as big as they are in real life. Last year wrestlers would walk like robots, this year the animations are awesome. And no longer do the wrestlers run like they did last year while holding a chair (if you played WWF Raw 1 you know what im talking about). The only things id like to see from last years version is the sweat from the wrestlers stay on the ring, (last years the ring would get wet from the sweat).
Sound: The sound isnt that bad. Most of the wrestlers themes are in. Other than Los Guereros (Eddie has Latino Heat)Stacys "Legs" song is out, Victorias doesnt have the singing, and a couple of others. The entrance announcements dont sound %100 percent athentic. But sound a whole lot better than last years. The season mode has no speech which sucks.
Suggestions: Ref counts too slowly, Bood, sweat stains. Experienced some slow frame rates while fireworks went off. Season mode needs new crap.
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 70 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 70 %
FB-Gollum
Date reviewed: September 20, 2003.
Overall: First off I'm going to state that the 4.5 overall rating is directed towards wrestling fans. Casual gamers renting for fun may find it less appealing. For them I'd drop it to 3.5. But, back to the review for those who care. The game is a massive improvement over the original Raw. All of the necesarry game modes have been inlcuded, the graphics are much better and the control is vastly improved. The Create a Superstar option has been fleshed out with more and better moves added. There is a also greater control in the appearance than in the first Raw. In almost, actually, forget almost, in absolutely every way this game is utterly superior and a blessing to true wrestling fans who have been waiting for a good app for Xbox. It's about !&%$@#* time. There are 2 horrific flaws I must mention though. First, the interface is garbage. The menus are awkward and obivously unpolished. (Visible menus can't be accessed, just too many steps to creating things like colors etc.). Basically, it isn't user friendly. There's a reasonably great amount of control, but it'll take practice to really tap into it. Secondly, whoever wrote the manual for this game needs a new job desperately. The manual is completely useless. Other than telling you what buttons do what, it provodes little insight into the function of the game. For example, when you select a move, there is a small box at the bottom of the screen that shows what physical skill it relates to. (A body Slam will relate to your Grappling skill, a frog splash to your aerial skill, of course, you set your skills). The box displays an icon that represents each skill. Nowhere in the manual does it show you what Icon means what. Is the fist striking or roughhousing? Of course, you can figure it out, but you shouldn't have to. It's just another symptom of the poor treatment THQ has given Xbox owners.
However, once you put in the time to figure the myriad of details the manual doesn't even attempt to explain, the game begins to shine.
Gameplay: Near perfect. The collision issues are gone. No more having moves interuppted constantly (a major issue in the first game, simply doing the grapple motion would disrupt a move at any point in it's excecution, tres frustrating). The game plays very similar to "No Mercy" for N64, minus the "Strong Grapple/ Weak Grapple". For those who aren;t familiar with "No Mercy", this is a wonderful thing. The game's pace is great too, it feels like a wrestling match. It's not too arcade like the SmackDown series, and not too sim-like. One reviewer wanted it faster, to this I would object whole heartedly, it's wreslting, not streetfighter, it's pretty slow actually. The controls are spot on and excecuting moves is a breeze. The reversal's are also well done, they happen frequently enough that you have to be careful, but not so frequently that you're scared to grapple your opponent. Very well balanced. Finishers are easy enough to do, and it takes a bit to get charged up for one. This is a good thing. The manual claims your opponent has to be stunned to do it. This must be a typo (a mistake in that marvelous manual!? no! it can't be!) because I was able to do it on fresh opponents in the Royal Rumble as long I was charged up.
Outside of that, the matchtypes are great. They are all there. Except Elimination chamber and War Games, but who cares. Hell in a cell, TLC and Royal Rumble are always favourites and they are done to a T. Every other match type is there as well. Seriously. All of them.
Creatign your superstar is probably the most invloved thing I've ever had to do. There are moves for every situation. For example, what if I'm on top of a cage? Well, you have a specific move for that. It's insane, but so very cool. In fact, the creation might be a little too overwhelming for casual fans. It literally can take hours. For us hardcore fans though, it's a wet dream. There are so many options I can't even begin to list them. Your wreslters entrance alone can easily take over an hour. Suffice it to say, The titantron says my wrestlers name (which happens to be my real name, imagine my surprise at seeing that), the pyro goes off exactly when I want it too in my song, which happens to be "Judith" by A Perfect Circle. Absolutley every detail is at your control. I get excited just thinking of all the possibilites. You will too.
I haven't gotten that far in the "season mode" yet, but whagt I've played has been a hoot. The other reviews seem to have touched on it well enough.
Graphics: The faces are great. The animaitons are fluid. The graphics could be better, but the graphics could be better in Halo as well, that sure as heck doesn't make them bad!
Sound: Well, there really isn't much to rate. It's a wrestling game. It sounds like wrestling. There are some cool things though. When you create a wrestler, you select whether he's a face or heel (a great addition by the way, that really adds to the persona of your wrestler) and the audience reacts accordingly. The bumps sound fierce, and the extra loud bumps for finishing moves sound even mroe fierce. It's all in order, and though not spectacular, it really has no need to be.
Suggestions: Get a new person to write your manuals and start caring !&%$@#* it! The genius of this game is hidden from non-hardcore gamers by a sloppy interface and an overall unpolished feel to the game outside of the ring. In the ring it's great, outside, well, it's often confusing. Like I said, experienced gamers may find it simple enough to figure out, but put yourself in the shoes of a casual gamer and it can be overwhelming. Games need to be accesible. This one isn't. That fact alone is going to hurt sales from people that rent it and give up because they don't want to put in the time to suss everything out for themselves. Consider it, if they didn't teach you what the road signs meant in driving school, you probably would've had a few wrecks by the time you figured it all out. Trial and error isn't an attractive feature to be stuck with (even if so many choose it).
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %
mattgame
Date reviewed: September 18, 2003.
Overall: Now this is a wrestling game! I know I am pro xbox and it is hard for me to rate some games without prejudice but believe me on this one, this game is so much better than the first offering it is just a little shy of a miracle. Everything is better and it is so deep it's crazy. Somebody put the screws to THQ and said do it right this time or else and they did it. I only put this game down to sleep. I'm in my second season, I won King of the Ring and a royal rumble. Which means you have to work to get where you want to go in the WWE and the game compels you to do try and make it to the top. It is quite addictive.
Gameplay: The gameplay is better than before because it is easier to manage. The controls are more responsive. There are way more matches and the season mode is crazy. I have only gotten 6 hours sleep in two days trying to be the WWE champion. I am almost there though, my popularity is 99. I could write about this for days but I will just say go get it. It almost has an RPG feel to it, that's how deep it is.
Graphics: This is one of the weak points. I think the graphics could have been better. I think it is just marginally better than the PS2 version of wrestling. Good job though I just thought it could be better.
Sound: Custom soundtracks. My guy comes out to MOP'S COLD AS ICE. It's the true hotness. I guess the other sounds are good but nothing that really stands out.
Suggestions: Tighten up the graphics. I holla!!!
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %
Maverickman
Date reviewed: September 16, 2003.
Overall: When it comes to RAW 2 I got 2 words for you. MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT! Ok, so anything would be a step up from perhaps the worst wrestling game ever made titled RAW but still, Massive improvements all around.
Gameplay: The Game play is MUCH MUCH better then the previous offer. Although a tad slow, THQ listened and made it so you didn't have to have a BA in Wrestling to play the game. Plenty of Match types, plenty of arenas, plenty of everything. The Season mode (although I am barely into it) looks not only to be on line with Smackdown but better then the last SD offer. The Create a wrestler mode is DEEEEEEEEP. So much so that you can make your own video, your own intro music, and even customize it so the ring announcer says just about anything in the book. I have to give the boys at THQ MAJOR props for the improvements. Also of note, The custmizing of the ramp, Tititantron and so on. Very nice with the ablity to layer some effects which makes for some intresting pyro dispalys. (Now, if the title belts just fit right around your wrestlers waist I'll be in heaven....I just need to win one to find out). Also of note, they pulled a few "Smackdown favorites" and imported them to RAW 2 including the ability to form your own tag team or 3 man stable.
Graphics: Stunning is the only word to describe it. Gone is the "Walking like you have a corn cob stuck up your butt" movement of the first game. The arena's are as acurate as possible as are the wrestlers....Including Triple H. The game has good flow and Movement although as I said above the action is still a bit slow....but hey I can accept that. Sure, some will review this game and nitpick but after the first offering from THQ I'm not complaining.
Sound: I'd say typical if it wasn't so cool to see your wrestlers coming out to downloaded music. Not only can your rip your own tracks for your creations, you can edit the music of the superstars in the game. For Example, The Dudley boys and RVD don't have thier current music in game.....but they do now! As for the rest of the sound, Typical wrestling game sounds with nothing standing out to much. All in all it's pretty good.
Suggestions: Speed up the gameplay a tad. That's about the only thing I could say at this point. I'll try to post another review in a couple days after I've had a chance to really feel it out. Props to the guys at THQ for listening to thier customers.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %
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