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Review : Smackdown!: Here Comes The Pain for PS2
I have a bit of a confession to make. I consider myself some what of an third generation middle class intellectual. I am no stranger to the my public library and I can debate the influences of the rise of early twentieth century European fascism on Dadaism but I have to come clean with a rather embarrassing tidbit.
I freaking love the new Smackdown!: Here Comes The Pain on PS2.
This is the fifth Smackdown! game and the third one of the Playstation2. Yukes Future Media Creations are just the masters of making a fine wrestling game. The thing is that I do not like to watch wrestling and I do not consider my self a wrestling fan but I can not deny the joy that I get when I hit the Smackdown button and hit BBQ with the Mighty Metcalf Leg Drop of Death. The Smackdown games are some of the better examples of what a 3d fighting game can be.
It is full of good IA, tons of options, an interactive non-linear storyline, four player multitap game play and the best damn character customizations in any console video game. They seem to come out once a year with updates to the player roster and evolution changes to the gameplay system. This is not unlike normal sports video games franchises. In direct adherence to Metcalfe's Law the more people you have playing SmackDown! The more fun you have. Thees games end up being the most damn fun party games and they really lend to a good social competition. The custom character creation tools is what really drags me into the game. BBQ and I will spend the most loving care to create versions of ourselves and pop culture icons to join us in the squared circle. Since getting the game last week I have created video game wrestlers for
Me, Jacob Metcalf
Mr. XBOX
Howard Dean
George W. Bush
and
Jesus Christ
The good things about this new game are
New Flesh 3d Shaders so the fighters look less plastic
3d crowds
Localized body damage system
Bleeding head injuries
Bra and Panties fights!
More realistic long hair simulation
Faster memory card loading
Experience point system where you have to earn stronger attributes for your wrestlers.
And an even more flexible custom wrestler creation tool.
What I do not like about the new Smackdown! game
They took out Hulk Hogan so you have to create him using the custom tools again.
No in fight announcer play by play coverage.
Really hard learning curve before your wrestler gains strength.
STILL NO MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE!!
The Smackdown! games have been a part of mine and BBQ's balanced breakfast of competitive video games and I am now no longer ashamed to admit it. So shut your mouth and KNOW YOUR ROLE!
Jake at November 4, 2003 
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Comments
Snap into a Slim Jim! Oh yeaaaaaaahhhhhhh!
Posted by: Jeff at November 4, 2003 7:07 AM
Im sick and tired of visiting web sites and reading everything thats so wrong with this game.I've been a wrestling fan since the age of 3, and have had every WWF/WWE game from, Nintendo all the way til now(HCP). And these games have come a long way.
So what HH, isnt in the game, hes not that improtant anyway. Im glad that THQ took care of what was really important, the gameplay and graphics. IN my opinion this game is a 5/5.
And I know it can only get better.
Posted by: Will the Smackdown Oner at November 9, 2003 1:10 PM
They should never get rid of an older character in a newer game. That is a fatal flaw of fighting games. I mean how can they have the "Legendary Wrestlers" with out Hogan and Macho Man?
Posted by: Jake at November 9, 2003 1:19 PM
how the hell can you NOT include guys like Bret Hart, Ultimate Warrior, Hogan, Randy Savage and Andre The Giant but include guys like Legion Of Doom, George Steele, Sgt Slaughter and Old School Undertaker who are nowhere near as legendary. It seems as thought the A list of legends seems to have been overlooked and replaced by B and C list legends.
And the task of creating guys like Bret Hart takes and eternity and even then they look crap. In the last game at least the pieces were there.
Aside from that it kicks ass, and is by far the best wrestling game ever made. Period.
Posted by: nathan at December 9, 2003 1:51 AM
No offence to the THQ guys (who made an otherwise excellent game) but the legends inclusion is trash.
In case any of y'all happen to read this then this is the REAL legends list should've been (in no particular order);
1. Hulk Hogan
2. Bret Hart
3. Ulitmate Warrior
4. Andre The Giant
5. Bruno Sammartino
6. Bob Backlund
7. Mick Foley
8. Randy Savage
oh, and maybe Virgil too, lol. But with Hillbilly Jim, Sgt Slaughter, George The Animal and L.O.D I can't help but feel it was a total waste of time!
Posted by: The Man at December 9, 2003 6:55 AM
Well I understand that there are legal and finacial reasons why they can not include all those classic wrestelers.
At least you can make them in the Custom mode.
Posted by: Jake at December 9, 2003 8:34 AM
I think THQ could've at least made it easier to create those guys though, they should have put premade faces in. I don't care how good somebody thinks their Bret Hart CAW is, i can guarentee its gonna suck. And of all the CAWs posted on all the internet sites that I have visited (and thats many) every single one has sucked.
I suppose if you really want to play as Hart, Warrior etc then the only option is Legends Of Wrestling: Showdown, its just a shame that Legends is slower than hell.
Posted by: nathan at December 16, 2003 2:08 AM
The Face editor is actually pretty good once you figure it out. If they included face textures with out legal permission of the person they would be sued. There are very similar moves to the guys who are not in the game available in the Create mode. Most of Hogan's moves are there but he is not.
Posted by: Jake at December 16, 2003 10:54 AM
how can u make creations in smackdown here comes the pain
tell me please
give me a list and send it on my msn
Posted by: johnny at December 17, 2003 7:46 AM
Johnny. Read the freaking manual
Posted by: Jake at December 17, 2003 9:31 AM
What sites are the wrestlers you can create on? I also agree that The Ultimate Warrior,Macho Man,Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, and Andre The Giant should have been on the game, but I also think that Owen Hart,Chyna,Sid Vicious,Razor Ramon,Ravishing Rick Rude,Vader. Anybody they just should have hade more.
Posted by: Eddie at December 28, 2003 3:50 PM
Well if you read the manual you can create all sorts of new wrestelers.
Posted by: Jake at December 28, 2003 8:30 PM
To be honest, there are no good CAW's on the net at the present time (especially for guys like Hart, Savage, Warrior) and it'll be a long time til there is. Somethings just aren't in the game. For example, you CANNOT make Bret Hart emblem of his costume, no matter what you try. So if I was you, i'd just enjoy the many characters already in the game.
Posted by: nathan versus at December 29, 2003 7:04 AM
Posted by: Kylet at January 16, 2004 3:35 PM
THE NEW SMACKDOWN GAME HERE COMES THE PAIN IS HEAVY IT A GOOD GAME..BUT THERE ONLY ONE PIONT LET IT DOWN IS..THERE ARE NOT ALL THE LEGENDS IN IT THQ DO A GOOD JOB MAKING THESE GAMES THEN WHY DID THEY NOT BUT THE WARRIOR HOGAN,MACHO MAN,BRET HART OWEN,BULLDOG, RAZOR ROMAN,YOKHOVANA, MOST OF THE LEGENDS ARE MISSING...BUT THEY EVEN MISSED OUT SCOTTY 2 HOTTY LOL WHY THEY MITE NOT HAVE THE RIGHTS FOR THE LEGENDS..BUT THEY CAN MAKE A BIG AND HEAVY GAME OF ALL TIME BETTER THEN LEGENDS OF WRESTLING WHICH IS NOT GOOD...A FAT GAME WITH ALL WWE STAR PAST AND PRESENT WILL BE HAEVY THEY NEED TO MAKE ONE..........
Posted by: RANJIT at January 22, 2004 4:05 AM
Dude your caps lock key is stuck
Posted by: Jake at January 22, 2004 9:00 AM
Okay so far everyone's talked me into buying Here Comes the Pain. I was undecided and wanted the best wrestling game before I purchased an X-box or PS2 and right now PS2 wins. The only problem I have is that there's no William Regal in Here Comes the Pain. I could purchase Shut Your Mouth but the season is way too easy. Come on Regal beating Brock with no sweat. So my question is does anyone know how to create Regal in the CAW mode. I would apperciate any info on that.
Posted by: Glen at January 28, 2004 1:52 PM
Well you can create your own wrestlers using the create mode and then program their moves and personalities and then enter it in the main story mode. I suggest reading the manual about the "Create Mode" Here read the FAQs here ( http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/35778.html )
Posted by: Jake at January 28, 2004 2:00 PM
I my name is De'Jon Tyrone McCutcheon
i was has ask can join in wrestling in gamevideo for me my e-mail www.gallaudet.com or www.dejon.mccutcheon gallaudet.com
Posted by: dejon mccutcheon at February 10, 2004 1:17 AM
I my name is De'Jon Tyrone McCutcheon
i was has ask can join in wrestling in gamevideo for me my e-mail www.gallaudet.com or www.dejon.mccutcheon gallaudet.com
Posted by: dejon mccutcheon at February 10, 2004 1:17 AM
I my name is De'Jon Tyrone McCutcheon
i was has ask can join in wrestling in gamevideo for me my e-mail www.gallaudet.com or www.dejon.mccutcheon gallaudet.com
Posted by: dejon mccutcheon at February 10, 2004 1:17 AM
