WWE 12 review
I think it’s probably a safe bet to assume that the reputation of WWE games took a bit of a battering during the Smackdown Vs RAW days. Smackdown Vs RAW 2011 was probably the best of a bad bunch, with the game receiving a 7 out of 10 for a strong Road to Wrestlemania mode, even if it did have some very dodgy stories. There was also the introduction of the WWE Universe which brought an extra dimension to the franchise and improved physics and graphics were a nice bit of icing on a pretty decent cake. The annual WWE game returns again this year but as WWE 12, with Yuke’s and THQ looking to build on the great developments but in a new series. And it’s a strong result, improving on the positives from Smackdown Vs RAW 2011 and making WWE 12 one of the best wrestling titles in some years.
The Road to Wrestlemania is again a main feature to this year’s instalment, but unlike last year the mode is more like one big story instead of several different offerings. Yuke’s have also taken the bold decision to restrict you to being able to play with the characters that the story focuses on instead of giving you a free choice. It maybe a brave decision, but without a doubt it was the right one as this year’s mode is all the better for it. The focus returns to the story while running around completing tasks take a back seat. That means Kane and his task to collect “Lost Souls” is thankfully no more.
The Road to Wrestlemania mode begins with a Villain story, with the focus being on Sheamus and his quest to reclaim the WWE title. This being WWE, and especially as its Sheamus, it won’t be done without a large chunk of controversy. Sheamus enlists the help of other WWE Superstars to cheat and connive his way back to the top and then, of course, stabs them in the back.
Because the mode is more like a large story and due to the choice of whose story you want to play, Yuke’s had to make sure they got it right when moving from one story to the next. Thankfully they have done just that, merging seamlessly from the villain story to the following Outsider story. This chapter focuses on Triple H, although why he’s the main protagonist in an Outsider story I’m not sure, by reintroducing him to Sheamus and acquiring the title that the Irishman had just won. Sadly the story doesn’t merge quite so well from the Outsider to the Hero, but it’s a slight blip in an otherwise well written game mode.
The Hero story allows players to bring some customisation to The Road to Wrestlemania, with players being able to create their own avatar to take the part of rookie wrestler Jacob Cass. The final story doesn’t feel quite as good or as well written as the previous two, with some parts confusing until decisions or story arcs are explained further down the line.
The Road to Wrestlemania has had a much needed overhaul and it feels much better for it. Unlike last year, it’s no longer a mode that will only receive fleeting glances from the player, with just as much time devoted to this as spent in the WWE Universe – at least until you finish it over 12 hours later.
Just like last year the mode that will take the vast majority of your time is the WWE Universe. However, unlike the rest of the game, it feels very much more of the same. That’s not so much a bad thing as it was the best aspect of Smackdown Vs. RAW 2011, but there were a few issues that do seem to have found their way into WWE 12. Alliances are broken up just as quickly as they are made. It also takes some intervention and manual changes to the setup before a created Superstar makes more than the odd appearance and a big impact on the WWE Universe. Thankfully the little issues are easily overlooked and the WWE Universe mode is just as much fun to play as it was last year.
One aspect of the game that could be detrimental to your enjoyment levels is the difficulty. Opponents seem to be able to counter your moves with considerable ease, especially while performing a counter yourself or escaping a battering you frequently seem to take. However, Yuke’s have made another good decision to include difficulty options for the different aspects of play, with the ability to tone down the frequency of your opponents’ counters, an option I would advise all players to investigate once the game has loaded up.
Yuke’s and THQ are trying to move on from the Smackdown Vs RAW years and they needed a strong start. WWE 12 is exactly that. Smackdown Vs RAW 2011 put Yuke’s on a solid footing for the future and they’ve now pushed forward with this year’s effort. Developers seem to shy away from the decisions people would class as being bold, but Yuke’s made these decisions wisely and WWE 12 is a stronger game for it. The Road to Wrestlemania has three stories that will engage you and grab your attention, with varied objectives meaning there’s never a sense of repetition, while the WWE Universe is the perfect mode for those of you who like to customise and play a more career oriented mode.
WWE 12 is the best wrestling game I have played since Smackdown 2 all of those years ago. Hopefully wrestling fans won’t have to wait so long for another high scoring WWE game, but until next year they will have plenty to occupy them in Yuke’s finest wrestling title to date.
