Pro wrestling videogames have been around forever. However, over the years, only a handful have been well received by game critics and players alike. Although, if you’re a fan of the sport, you’re bound to find entertainment in many of the games, which at times have been deemed “clunky” and “unplayable.” As a once fanatical pro wrestling fan, I’ve played my fair share of grapplers since the days of the Super Nintendo. Games like Acclaim’s WWF Royal Rumble (SNES) and the Aki-developed WCW vs. nWo Revenge (Nintendo 64) are two of the many that help deliver many fond memories of my youth. But enough of that, we’re here to talk about Yukes’ latest WWE-branded game, and that’s WWE Day of Reckoning.
Day of Reckoning (DoR) is the follow-up to last year’s WWE WrestleMania XIX. If you check out my review of that game, you’re bound to find out that I wasn’t too thrilled with it. While it did make many steps in the right direction with excellent values in presentation and commendable changes to gameplay over its predecessor, the game’s Story Mode was just too damn frustrating to bear. Without question, it’s the game’s downfall. With Day of Reckoning, Yukes has attempted to correct many of the mistakes made in WrestleMania XIX, and I’m pleased to say that they have done well. In addition, the presentation has been boosted up a bit, but other areas still need work and these are the same areas in which I believe have been a problem in pro wrestling videogames for the better half of the past decade.
Trivial, Yet Cool Additions
Day of Reckoning has made many improvements over its predecessor. Actually, unlike last year’s effort, Yukes has managed to impress me in many areas. The gameplay has been improved and the visuals have also undergone a very welcome improvement. However, those areas will be discussed later in the review. What I would like to emphasize on at the moment are the small details added that are sure to be ignored by most, but appreciated by those GameCube WWE fans who have endured Yukes’ previous efforts. Like the addition of wrestlers grabbing the bottom rope when attempting to break free of a submission hold, the addition of other wrestlers dragging opponents away from the ropes when having them in a submission hold, and, my personal favorite, the addition of having referees distracted by a disruptive tag member while his partner is getting illegally double-teamed and beaten behind the ref’s watchful eye. Additions like these really bring a smile to pro wrestling fans like myself. Although, other things are desired, like the raising of the hand three times when a wrestler is in a Sleeper Hold. Additions like these show that with future installments Yukes’ games are bound to get better and better, recreating the sport of pro wrestling like no other games before them.
Excellent CAW
Let me say that I’ve never been one for a Create-A-Player feature in any game. In the past, I’ve never had the patience to sit there and want to create characters in a videogame of any kind, and I initially hated that Day of Reckoning didn’t really give me the option of just tossing the entire Create-A-Superstar feature to the side. No, the game essentially forces you to create a character and take him through the game’s story mode (female characters can’t be used). Since I couldn’t forego this process, I decided to
"Day of Reckoning’s gameplay is just as good, if not better than the Aki games"
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spend some time with DoR’s Create-A-Superstar mode and what I’ve learned is that, because of the depth of the mode in this game, creating characters is an extremely fun process.
There’s a large selection of hairstyles to choose from, as well as facial hair, attire, tattoos, moves, and, what I think is beyond cool, the ability to adjust the size and look of specific muscle groups and facial features. With a good hour or so of tinkering around you can create some very convincing characters, including pro wrestling superstars not found in the game’s roster and characters from various works of fiction. Personally, I’ve successfully created versions of Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and (gasp!) Darth Vader. Not only this, but also included are the move templates for characters from Yukes’ past GameCube WWE wrestlers like Brock Lesnar, Steve Austin and, once again, the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan (taunts included).
The only negative things I can say about the game’s Create-A-Superstar is that there are still more accessories to be desired, including weightlifting belts to create a more convincing Hulk Hogan. Sure, when purchasing more accessories and other Create-A-Superstar items in ShopZone you are given a broadened variety of things to choose from, but one cannot help but want more from the game. Also, the range of colors used for skin on created characters isn’t as convincing as those featured on characters already included in the game. I’m sorry, but tans aren’t supposed to look orange. Well, at least not on most people.
Aki Surpassed?
Aki’s Nintendo 64 grapplers were once considered, and by many still are, the best around. With much truth to this statement, Yukes attempted to copy Aki’s gameplay formula with their GameCube WWE games. After two very flawed previous installments, Yukes has finally gotten it right. Day of Reckoning’s gameplay is just as good, if not better than the Aki games.
You have your weak grapples, your strong grapples, your running strikes, your running grapples, etc. Almost everything featured in Aki’s Nintendo 64 games are here, in addition to Yukes’ take on reversals, which, respectively, involves the proper timing and execution of pressing the L and R buttons to counter grapples and strikes. Speaking of the game’s counters system, it seems to have been polished up a bit over last year’s installment. Personally, I’ve been finding it much, much easier to counter an opponent’s maneuver.
Of course, what’s a sequel without new gameplay additions? Not much of a sequel, that’s what! But Yukes wouldn’t let that happen now, would they?
In Day of Reckoning, Yukes has added two new important gameplay features, one being the almost unfair, yet entertaining momentum shift. If players have gotten their ass kicked so badly, that for the better part of the match they’ve found themselves in a “Danger” state, the game gives you a chance to completely turn the tides when the
"DoR’s story mode is very, very, linear, although, I’ll have to admit, also very entertaining"
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momentum shift icon appears. By pressing the “A” and “B” buttons together, while and if standing, a player’s spirit will shoot up, giving them the upper hand in the match, as their opponent’s spirit plummets to a low. That’s the first of the new features added, the second is the focus on damage to particular body parts. Let’s say you want to make your opponent submit to a Figure 4 Leg Lock. What you’ll have to do, thanks to this new feature, is continuously focus your attacks on your opponent’s legs, and once you’ve done enough damage, which is depicted by a body icon above a character’s spirit bars, aside from them visually showing injury, you can lock the submission on and make ‘em tap. Now that, my friends, is just cool.
Of course, shit isn’t always perfect as we all know. Improvements can always be made, and they’re still needed. For example, it seems as if players gain spirit way too fast. In the actual sport, performing a signature move means that the match is over. Being able to perform signature moves dozens of times during a match is almost a mockery of the sport as we know it today. I believe that it should take much longer to be able to perform these moves. These games should become more authentic.
From Jobber to World Champion
DoR’s story mode is one of the most entertaining I have ever played in a wrestling game. What you do is take a created superstar and put him into a WWE-style storyline which starts players out as a jobber and takes him to the top of the ladder as he eventually becomes World Champion. Early on, you’ll be participating in house shows and ‘dark’ matches; the kind of low profile events up-and-coming superstars actually go through in the wrestling industry. Eventually after winning your first few events you’ll score matches on the televised Sunday Night Heat show, and after proving your worth, you’ll be given the opportunity to sign a contract to appear as a superstar on either the RAW or SmackDown! shows. At this point, the story seems to branch out, but in truth that’s only superficial seeing how both branching plots are identical to one another, with the only difference being the superstars which play out the plot’s key roles. That which fits best is the RAW path, seeing how Triple H and Evolution actually function in that manner, as shown with Randy Orton’s recent expulsion from Evolution and face turn. Aside from this so-called branching plot, DoR’s story mode is very, very, linear, although, I’ll have to admit, also very entertaining. It’s incredibly fun to be a heel who eventually rebels and turns face on the organization which helped him reached stardom.
Madness
When playing with friends, WWE: Day of Reckoning is a blast. It’s always fun to beat the living shit out of each other, and, during tag team bouts, handicap matches, and any match that are similar, communication between you and your friends almost creates a sense of teamwork or cooperation. Unfortunately, when playing alongside an AI controlled partner in a tag match, things don’t work as smoothly.
Here’s a likely scenario… You’re in a tag match and your partner, an AI controlled wrestler. While starting the match-up in the squared-circle, you’re playing your part; relentlessly stomping your opponent into the mat, performing Scoop Slams, Neck-breakers and such. Once you score the pin, while being on the verge of winning, your opponent’s partner comes running in to break the pin. As for your partner, he’s off in the other corner clapping his hands in your support, which, if you may have not guessed already, isn’t much support at all. In fact, it flat out sucks!
If you haven’t realized yet, the lack of a partner’s assistance during a tag match is unnecessarily frustrating. Unfortunately, unlike Showdown: Legends of Wrestling, you can’t call your partner in for assistance. So you’re basically on your own. If a feature like that had been included, things would have surely become less frustrating. However, if you do by chance tag in your partner, let it be known that you do not have control over him or her. Tagging them in gives you a secondary role, as you watch the action commence from behind the ropes. But luckily, you can come to your partner’s aid at any time in the match for a short period. However, what I have
"It never ceases to amaze me how authentic its characters’ faces are compared to their real-life counterparts"
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discovered, as I am sure many others have as well, is that the only way to successfully win a tag match is to go solo. Beat the crap out of your AI-controlled opponent, perform your finisher, change your focus onto their partner in the corner, knock them off the mat with a heavy strike and then go back your stunned opponent for the three-count. That’s the only way to win without stress. If not that way, you’re going to find yourself in tag matches that last a good twenty minutes, realizing that is was a big mistake to ever put faith into an AI-controlled partner.
After all this, you may be thinking that the game’s AI isn’t all that intelligent, but this isn’t the case at all. Truthfully, in a singles match, the game’s AI can pose quite the challenge. They can reverse maneuver after maneuver and, at times, kick your ass badly (playing on Hard is a must!). However, I’ve discovered that in multiplayer matches they just don’t handle themselves too well at all. The reason for this is unknown to me. If the scenario I mentioned earlier wasn’t enough, I have another to tell you. In a four-player Tornado Tag TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs) match, the objective had been to grab belts suspended above the squared-circle by using a ladder. Simple concept, yet, the game’s AI-controlled characters had this want to bring four ladders onto the mat, which resulted in pure chaos. I mean, there was no room to put a single ladder in the position to grab the titles. When attempting to bring one ladder out at a time, either my tag partner or one of my opponents kept bringing ‘em back in. C’mon! Frustration that is ridiculously unnecessary.
Match Types and Roster
Day of Reckoning features the same match types as last year’s game, plus one new one, Bra and Panties. Bra and Panties is probably the only way a WWE fan will be able strip the likes of beauties such as Trish Stratus and Stacy Kiebler down to their underwear. The whole point of the match is to do just that. Is it entertaining? Somewhat, but it would’ve been even more entertaining if the girls were completely nude, or at least wearing thongs. Oh, dear god! I said something perverted! Well, how else would you expect me to react to a match type designed for perverts? C’mon. No one likes to be teased. Aside from this there isn’t much to be desired, all the traditional match types are here, including Hell in Cell. Although, it is kind of irksome that the Elimination Chamber match type wasn’t included, while it had been in last year’s SmackDown! for the PlayStation 2.
As for the game’s roster, while it does feature some of the newer superstars like John Cena, it’s still missing a handful of popular superstars like JBL and the Dudley Boyz. A WWE fan couldn’t help but ask for more. However, let me ask this question. What’s more important to you? Guys like JBL missing from the game, or the absence of more popular and established superstars like Kevin Nash, Brock Lesnar, Steve Austin, and “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan? My biased opinions are leaning towards the latter.
“To all my little Hulkamaniacs, say your prayers, take your vitamins and you will never go wrong.”
Hulkamania lives forever…
Improved Visuals
WrestleMania XIX isn’t all that impressive visually. With Day of Reckoning being its successor you would expect many improvements, and, thankfully, they’ve been made.
Day of Reckoning is without question the best-looking grappler available on the GameCube. It never ceases to amaze me how authentic its characters’ faces are compared to their real-life counterparts. Obviously knowing this, Yukes even used the in-game character face models on the player select menu. They’re just that convincing. Also, complimenting the detail put into them are the strong emotions expressed during matches.
Aside from this, I wasn’t really too impressed with the other visuals aspects in the game, but this is not to say that the game isn’t good-looking. The textures used on characters’ skin and apparel are all very life-like, shining believably, and the physiques of the characters themselves look more muscular than those found in the two previous games; that’s a good thing. Also, I’m glad to see that polygonal rendered fans have replaced the sprites used in the previous games. Sure, this has resulted in less fans being featured in the crow, but it is a bold step in the right direction. All in all, Day of Reckoning is a very good looking game with zero frame rate issues.
Where’s the Commentary?
If it wasn’t for the excellent commentary work featured in Showdown: Legends of Wrestling I wouldn’t make such a big deal about this, but I’m about to. Yukes needs to implement commentary into their wrestling games. Showdown has proven to me that it can be done well and I’m sure Good Ole’ J.R. and Jerry “The King” Lawler could pull off a fantastic job. But alas, commentary, along with any kind of voice acting, is nowhere to be found in this game, so let’s talk about what is.
In Day or Reckoning, Yukes has replaced their terribly composed menu and in-fight background music with licensed songs from bands like Zebrahead, Our Lady Peace, Anthrax, and Public Enemy. At first I wasn’t too thrilled about this addition, but eventually tracks like “Bring on the Noise” and “Whatever” grow on you after hours of play, and in hindsight I’ve come to the conclusion that they fit the game very well; much better than those reminiscent of porn music used in DoR’s predecessors. The only issue one could possibly have with this is that it seems as if the same five tracks are continuously played during the game’s story mode. Naturally people will want a greater variety, and, despite this being a game based on a form of entertainment that is considered to be barbaric, brutal, and bloody by the masses, the licensed music featured is censored, and sloppily, I might add.
The game’s wrestler entrance themes are sure to please fans. Well, most fans. You have to admit that the WWE does a great job with entrance themes. Those which stick out in recent memory are R.V.D’s and Evolution’s entrance themes, and of course, the classic Undertaker theme is sure to make older fans happy as well. However, it’s disappointing that for the legends featured in the game, none of them have their classic entrance themes. It’s a shame. I would’ve loved to have seen Bret Hart enter the arena with this classic WWF entrance music. It would make the whole nostalgia effect much greater than it is.
As for the game’s sound effects, they’re not much different than those used in the previous games, but luckily, that’s also a good thing. Strikes and falls to canvas all have that fierce impact that players will recognize from television or a live show. Thus, what you get in the end is a pretty good auditory representation of the WWE.
A Worthy Successor
WWE Day of Reckoning is the first worthy successor to Aki’s Nintendo 64 grapplers. In fact, it’s better than Aki’s last console generation efforts. It features a nice variety of gameplay modes, an amazing Create-A-Player feature, and above all else, it’s extremely fun on your own or with some friends. Fans of the Nintendo 64’s WrestleMania 2000 and No Mercy should be extremely satisfied when Day of Reckoning is in their hands.
The GamersMark Network reviewed WWE Day of Reckoning with a copy of the title purchased off retail.
