There is no doubt in everyone’s mind that THQ is a juggernaut in the wrestling game genre. Many would argue that they have tampered off the quality after the release of WWF No Mercy; conversely, others believe that THQ is on an upward trend. WWE Smackdown versus Raw 2008 strives to address those flaws that needed to be resolved in the previous games. It is available for the PSP, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox 360.

This year has an original superstar fighting technique mode that accentuates numerous styles. There is a grand total of eight fighting methods that are available. These fighting stances entail brawler, powerhouse, dirty, showman, technical, hardcore, high flyer, and submission. Each wrestler has their own unique fighting style. For example, a brawler is someone who pummels adversaries. A showman is notorious for taunting other enemies and pilfer their signature moves. Dirty style gives you the opportunity to try an illegal low blow and utilize various banned weapons during a match. Someone like Jeff Hardy would be considered a high flyer because he always attempts high risk maneuvers through the air. Likewise, The Undertaker and Kane would be classified as powerhouse wrestlers due to their strength.
 
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Each wrestler is allowed to have a maximum of two styles, and this same rule applies for custom created WWE wrestlers. Something fresh to the series is the struggle submission gameplay mechanic. This is a vastly improved system that works more proficiently than the cumbersome button presses in last years' adaptation. When a wrestler initiates a submission, he or she must correctly use the right analog stick. Pushing the stick in a direction and holding the stick at that position begins the submission. After that, the right analog stick has to be released. The best part about the submission aspect is that it is not limited to the wrestler attempting the submission. Both wrestlers involved in the submission have a chance to compete against each other. The person who is under a submission can retaliate as well. This is done by feverishly moving the right analog stick around. For instance, let's say a match between John Cena and Triple H is taking place. If John Cena gets the STFU locked in on Triple H, then Triple H will be given an option to break the STFU submission hold. You can easily tell if you are on the verge of breaking the hold by looking at the symbols that are on the screen. All of the wrestlers have their signature moves. Triple H has his pedigree, Randy Orton has his RKO, John Cena has his FU and five knuckle shuffle, and the usual moves you would expect in a WWE match are available.

Grapple moves are easier to execute, and the environment can be used to put yourself in an advantageous situation. Unluckily, the artificial intelligence in the game is hit or miss. Sometimes the computer is capable of making counter after counter and getting up from the floor with ease. Other times the computer just acts like an asinine chipmunk. There are some old and new game modes to the career and general manager sections; furthermore, a revamped Hall of Fame mode is accessible.

The Hall of Fame mode is where you can delve into those historic matches all over again. You can even have a match between Mankind versus The Undertaker in a Hell in the Cell. The major difference this year about the career mode is that your user controlled wrestler does not have to go into a ludicrous first person view mode. Excluding that, the career mode and general manager mode are virtually identical to last years' iteration.
Moreover, this game introduces the new ECW brand of wrestling into the equation. This means that those ECW influenced matches are all about those extreme rules. In layman's terms, an ECW match has no rules to break because there are no rules. Everything from a chair to a piece of wood can be used as a weapon.

All the usual modes that gamers have come to expect are present. There is King of the Ring, Wrestlemania, Money in Bank, tag team matches, and a bevy of custom tournaments. The career mode and general manager modes have been amalgamated; consequently, the combined result is a mode known as 24/7 mode. This year has a more authentic feel to the wrestlers; however, there are pros and cons to this feature. You can have training regiments, movie appearances, and fan events. The downside is that there are injuries that make the gameplay vexing. This is especially conspicuous when you have a wrestler that gets injured during a match. The most absurd component is that there is absolutely nothing you can do to rectify an injury. This is clearly illustrated when you are given advice to rest, but you are not provided with an option to rest. If this sounds utterly ridiculous, then it is because it is utterly ridiculous. Every single time your wrestler is hurt due to an injury, your wrestler is coerced into fighting through the pain. Fortunately, there is an extensive create a wrestler option that is similar to the previous years' game. In addition, you can have your own entrance music playing as your wrestler approaches the ring. The online is an immense improvement from last year. There is slim to none frame rate problems via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

The graphics are nothing that will amaze anyone. Visually, it looks like a mild upgrade from the graphics on the PlayStation 2. The audio in the game is like night and day. On one end, Vince McMahon has excellent voice acting. At the other end of the spectrum, there are wrestlers that sound abhorrent. This is exacerbated by the fact that the commentary is egregious. Everyone from Michael Cole to Tazz make comments that are insipid. The saving grace about the audio is the music and the ring sound effects themselves. DX, HBK, Randy Orton, and others have their own entrance music that makes you feel like you are watching a pay per view event. Overall, WWE Smackdown versus Raw 2008 is the best wrestling game available simply because it is the only wrestling game available. It does not do anything special but does have its moments.

Sayed Islam