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RIP Eddie Guerrero... Smackdown Vs. Raw 2006 thread

Kingpen

Member
I just picked this game up at lunch. It is by far my most anticipated game this fall, even with the 360 hitting next week.

There are so many enhancements and tweaks to the game from last year. I'll be back with some impressions tonight.

First exhibition mode title reign goes to Eddie G!
 
Obligatory comment regarding FirePro and KoC being better than No Mercy. :P

I still feel RIPPED OFF after buying the last couple of Smackdowns. I had high hopes for each one coming out and the reviews are what comforted me. LIES!

So thanks for taking the bullet Kingpen, let us know what you think. Shoulda started this thread when you started playing though...you've built up some anticipation.
 
Fight for Freeform said:
So thanks for taking the bullet Kingpen, let us know what you think. Shoulda started this thread when you started playing though...you've built up some anticipation.

He wants to build up your hopes and comfort level again.
 
Just got home and played 3-4 matches so far and the gameplay has improved drastically over every single SD! previously released. The pace is much slower than before and the stamina meter(which is something that Fire Pro and KOC have had for years now) really balances things out. I had a test match between Hassan(me) vs Regal(CPU) and it went to 14 minutes, which was great since I've always complained how matches in SD! games feel like they're simply a race to fill up your bar and hit the finisher faster than your opponent. Even in the highest difficulty settings I could beat my opponent in 4-5 minutes tops, but not now, and the same goes for the CPU, cause the more striking attacks and grapples the wrestler performs in a row the faster the stamina depletes and when you're hurt, it goes down faster even with simple things like running.

To give an example, we were both pretty hurt late in the match and Regal got his special, stored it, then moments later went for the all too familiar kick in the gut to try and hit his special, but he was so winded and had no stamina, that he just wobbled around dizzy and fell to his knees after he hit me with the kick. So I ran and slid behind him, rolled him up and got the pin.

There's still some of the familiar SD! flaws like really old animations creeping out from time to time and they still have not implemented a serious weight system that also includes counters but overall, the game is what SD! should've been as soon as the first PS2 version was released. It's a shame this franchise seems to evolve at snails pace so my guess is that by SD vs Raw 2009 we'll probably get a true wrestling sim.
 
haha... I did play hooky at work for this. I just got done with an 'EXHIBITION title match'! So simple to comprehend, but something that 'obviously' was a bitch to program for THQ, since they hadn't had that feature in a game since N64.. [/sarcasm]


I just punked Carlito's punk ass in a Intercontinental title match singles match. I could have put the title up in any possible match type though it looks like (there was about 25 or 30 different types to select from at first glance for the title match). The presentation is a lot better with the announcing of who is wrestling as they come down to the ring. Then they show camera angles of the wrestlers waiting for the other guy to come to the ring.

I hadn't played a Smackdown game since Here Comes the Pain, and not in the last 6 months.
So basically there is going to be a lot of 'new' things to experience for me.

It is a culture shock to see the pace of the game, the stamina role in it, and all the other additions. It is going to take me a while to come up to speed with how this game plays from what I remember, but my initial reaction is that it plays like a 3-D FirePro. The controls seem complex, and the pace seems 'sim-ish'. This isn't the arcadey Smackdown from years past.

Now I'm going to start a GM mode and season. (the manual sucks ass again, so It will take a little while to come up to speed on everything.)

The game seems loaded to the gills with modes, polish and things to do. I have the same feeling about this game as when I booted up Soul Calibur 3 because there is so much to do.

Give me some time, and I'll keep the impressions up with more details that I see.
 
bishoptl said:
How's the GM booking system?

I haven't checked any modes besides Exhibition and Season, so no CAW or GM yet.

Holy shit, I'm using Xtian during season and had to team up with Benjamin vs HHH and Flair. So I'm beating the hell out of HHH to the point that he's bleeding all over the ring and his whole damage meter is red, so what does he do? He goes outside, grabs a sledgehammer hits me and gets DQ'd.
 
i leave here (my work) in about a half hour to pick this bad boy up.

I'm so hyped to try everything out, ESPECIALLY GM mode. I've always fancied myself as a bit of a booker in my own mind and know I can make some compelling matches.

Exhibition title matches? HOT DIGITY DAMN! This was soooo broken in the last one.. needed 2 mem cards to do it..then it loaded and saved to each card about 5 times. Then the titles werent even on the right people. It was whoever came out first...huh?
 
Only bummer is that only the tag and US/IC titles are unlocked from the beginning, and it's sorta like King of Colloseum where Exhibition champions are different from the scripted Season ones, which is great.

I still have to get used to the new irish whip system, since pressing O alone only grapples your opponent.
 
evil ways said:
I haven't checked any modes besides Exhibition and Season, so no CAW or GM yet.

Holy shit, I'm using Xtian during season and had to team up with Benjamin vs HHH and Flair. So I'm beating the hell out of HHH to the point that he's bleeding all over the ring and his whole damage meter is red, so what does he do? He goes outside, grabs a sledgehammer hits me and gets DQ'd.
Just like the TV show! gnarrf gnarrf :lol
 
So I set up my roster in GM mode... It will get tricky being able to balance the money/ contract length aspects of it. The mode looks amazing though. I have heard comments that it is bare bones, but it really isn't. The only thing that would make it better would be able to see the cut scenes in it for promos.

I got beat in my first week of the show, despite having a 4 way battle royal for the championship. Batista out lasted HBK, Angle and finally Jericho to win. I'm looking forward to starting rivalrys and setting up main events. It will be interesting to see how injuries play a role in it.

Other tidbits... Submissions are awesome in this game. No more shitty music during the match.. Commentary will get old eventually, just like everything else.
There is so much depth to this game.

This game is going to steal some serious play time away from Xbox 360 for me. Shit, I don't even care if I don't get one on launch day right now because of this game. A wrestling fan's dream game.
 
briefcasemanx said:
did eddie guerrero die or something?
Yeah... I heard he was found dead in a hotel room when he was supposed to be at the WWE event that was going on. Haven't heard much else about it though.
 
evil ways said:
Holy shit, I'm using Xtian during season and had to team up with Benjamin vs HHH and Flair. So I'm beating the hell out of HHH to the point that he's bleeding all over the ring and his whole damage meter is red, so what does he do? He goes outside, grabs a sledgehammer hits me and gets DQ'd.
:lol!
punchout.jpg
 
I played it for an hour so far at a friends place and basically if you found the previous smackdowns to be shit then well this game will not change your mind :(
 
I whole-heartly disagree.... this game has a laundry list of improvements and additions to big to mention.

Sure the Smackdown legacy on PS2 has been pretty much downright horrible (not including HCTP), but to say this game is shitty is just bashing it on it's namesake and not what it really is.
 
raYne said:

Funny thing is that at the start of Season he cuts one of his long in ring promos admitting that every single week he comes to the ring flashing the World title on his shoulder and tells all the fans how great he is and how he's The Game, blah blah. Like he knows that smarks and fans complain about it and hate it.
 
Kingpen said:
I whole-heartly disagree.... this game has a laundry list of improvements and additions to big to mention.

Sure the Smackdown legacy on PS2 has been pretty much downright horrible (not including HCTP), but to say this game is shitty is just bashing it on it's namesake and not what it really is.


The Stamina bar is a step in the right direction but honestly the game still feels really arcadey and "too fast". IMO

Edit: shitty was too harsh ....its just not good. The players tire out pretty fast but when they arent tired its the exact same smackdown gamplay almost.
 
Yeah the game's pace has to be slowed down. I'd rent it if I was bring my PS2 with me to Cowtown (where my bro lives and gets free rentals).

Meh...

Now...speaking of 360 and wrestling...next gen visuals and "sweat shading" on wrestlers !!!
 
Any impressions of the PSP one? Smackdown would do in a pinch for portable pro wrestling, at least until Fire Pro PSP comes out (why isn't this announced yet!?).
 
Sho Nuff said:
Any impressions of the PSP one? Smackdown would do in a pinch for portable pro wrestling, at least until Fire Pro PSP comes out (why isn't this announced yet!?).

word. it has a later date though, yes?
 
Can you put created wrestlers into GM mode and remove guys you don't want? All I've read in reviews is that you have a draft to start with... does that mean that you get to pick every guy you want, or do you take turns with cpu/player 2? I wouldn't mind that if you can trade at any time, though. I'd really hate to have to be GM for a show I didn't like. Impressions on this plz.
 
Nameless said:
Playing season mode(as HBK) OMG... HHH's 15 min rants made it in the game!!!

I'm using Cena and the storylines are better than anything on WWE TV this year. You'll love the
Mankind and Stone Cold promo!
 
I restarted my GM mode because I needed a different strategy. I owned Batista, Shawn Micheals and Shelton Benjamin by putting them in too many grueling matches. Now they are all injured, and I am getting F*ed in the ratings.

I've been playing this mode more then the actual game.
 
This is bringing a tear to me eye...
HBK & HHH together again!!!! It may not happen in real life but gawd dammit I love seeing my boys together again in any form...Just invaded Smackdown, and we're aboutt to take on Cena and show at summerslam
 
As an attempt to try to boost my rankings, I signed Bret Hart in free agency. Hyped him up in a promo, then hyped the main event he was in during the next promo, and proceeded to give him a title shot against Angle and Orton in a Triple threat title match.

The result???

AND

STILL WWE Champion, Kurt Angle

Freaking Hitman could have really given me a boost to my ratings but he failed. Do I even need to say that the match was in Montreal as well (you get a boost in ratings for hometown guys winnng as well)? I had been planning this for months.... I guess I should have taken control of Bret and made him win the match.


Shit... maybe I need to push Eugene... LOL

Has anyone gotten a 5 star match? I get 4 star matches between HHH and undertaker almost all the time, but my other matches only average about 2 stars.

I'm not doing too bad in the ratings, just not stomping Raw like I thought I would.

I really like this mode because you can see what kind of matches they are running on their side (I wish you could see the rivalrys and injurys though)
 
Kingpen said:
As an attempt to try to boost my rankings, I signed Bret Hart in free agency. Hyped him up in a promo, then hyped the main event he was in during the next promo, and proceeded to give him a title shot against Angle and Orton in a Triple threat title match.

The result???

AND

STILL WWE Champion, Kurt Angle

Freaking Hitman could have really given me a boost to my ratings but he failed. Do I even need to say that the match was in Montreal as well (you get a boost in ratings for hometown guys winnng as well)? I had been planning this for months.... I guess I should have taken control of Bret and made him win the match.


Shit... maybe I need to push Eugene... LOL

Has anyone gotten a 5 star match? I get 4 star matches between HHH and undertaker almost all the time, but my other matches only average about 2 stars.

I'm not doing too bad in the ratings, just not stomping Raw like I thought I would.

I really like this mode because you can see what kind of matches they are running on their side (I wish you could see the rivalrys and injurys though)


I'm trying to hold off jumping into GM mode because I'll probably ignore season mode once I do. Trying to atleast earn enough cahs to unlock Rock,Austin, Foley, and Bret Hart.

BTW..Can you choose to watch matches in GM mode? Or do you only have the option to play or simulate?
 
Oh yeah, you can simulate, play, watch, or simulate all as your options in GM.... It is the ultimate fantasy WWE fans dream come true. I used to do this shit with a pen and paper back in the day on the N64 titles.
 
Kingpen said:
Oh yeah, you can simulate, play, watch, or simulate all as your options in GM.... It is the ultimate fantasy WWE fans dream come true. I used to do this shit with a pen and paper back in the day on the N64 titles.

Thanks..Ahh well there goes my season mode...

Anyone with this game has to admit that Chris Masters' intro is awesome....
 
Nameless said:
Thanks..Ahh well there goes my season mode...

Anyone with this game has to admit that Chris Masters' intro is awesome....


All the intros are awesome. I like Stone Cold's because he looks like a bobble head doll. Even on the mic his neck won't stop moving.
 
I'm not a fan of the engine. I'm already bored with the actual wrestling part, but the GM Mode is awesome. I wish it had more options and was more fleshed-out like EWR, but it'll improve in future years. My biggest complaint is that I have to play the matches myself to have certain people win, which goes back to how I'm bored with the actual wrestling part of the game.
 
My gripe is still that the computer counters WAY too much.
It can be quite frustrating. I had a match with Benoit vs HHH in story and he reversed EVERYTIME I tried to slap the crossface on. 6 times, without fail.

I just about threw the damn controller, until I just knocked the ref out and oblitertaed trips with a chair.
 
Wait, let me just make sure I'm understanding this. You can sign free agents, have them hype things in promos, set up matches but you can't choose who wins the match? Uhm, what sense does that make? Your whole plan for a storyline could be completely fucked because the computer chooses the wrong winner. That's a stupid design decision.
 
Minotauro said:
Wait, let me just make sure I'm understanding this. You can sign free agents, have them hype things in promos, set up matches but you can't choose who wins the match? Uhm, what sense does that make? Your whole plan for a storyline could be completely fucked because the computer chooses the wrong winner. That's a stupid design decision.

yes, yes it is. I am quite pissed that they overlooked something like this.
 
So to those that have it: Is the regular WWE Title in the game ( the spinner one makes me die a little inside)
 
Ryck said:
So to those that have it: Is the regular WWE Title in the game ( the spinner one makes me die a little inside)

yes the regular one is in there. When you win it you decide which you want.. spinner or an ACTUAL belt.
 
Outcast2004 said:
My gripe is still that the computer counters WAY too much.
It can be quite frustrating. I had a match with Benoit vs HHH in story and he reversed EVERYTIME I tried to slap the crossface on. 6 times, without fail.

I just about threw the damn controller, until I just knocked the ref out and oblitertaed trips with a chair.
:lol :lol You know, it's about time we had a heel Benoit. :P

Minotauro said:
Wait, let me just make sure I'm understanding this. You can sign free agents, have them hype things in promos, set up matches but you can't choose who wins the match? Uhm, what sense does that make? Your whole plan for a storyline could be completely fucked because the computer chooses the wrong winner. That's a stupid design decision.
I agree 100%. Forcing you to play (and win) seems like a bit of unnecessary busywork. That said, I'm willing to overlook just for the opportunity of real-time EWR on console. All wrestling games in the future must include GM options or else.
 
bishoptl said:
:lol :lol You know, it's about time we had a heel Benoit. :P


I agree 100%. Forcing you to play (and win) seems like a bit of unnecessary busywork. That said, I'm willing to overlook just for the opportunity of real-time EWR on console. All wrestling games in the future must include GM options or else.

Another factor to remember is that the matches are determined by susperstar values and not much else. So unless you've elevated him to the same level or higher he's gonna lose.

And yes, it was great to heel on HHH. I left him a bloody heap and then pinned him.
I'm noticing another small gripe, they dont stay down long enough to hit an aerial attack.
 
Yeah, the game features sliders like a 2K6 sports game in the options mode. You can affect the computer's AI, how much damage weapons and finishing moves do to a person and a crap load of other stuff.
 
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