While I don't really follow the WWE TV shows anymore, I've always stayed a huge fan of the Smackdown vs Raw games, with it's in-depth Create-A-Wrestler modes and the recent addition of the WWE Universe mode, serving to help people with only a rudimentary understanding of the WWE (like me) get maximum enjoyment from the series. So, I'm sure you can imagine my dismay when I heard that Smackdown vs Raw was no more.
They seemed to have captured Cena's ludicrously square jaw perfectly. Brilliant stuff.
Fortunately, it's just the name that's down and out, as developers Yuke's have decided to drop the old moniker as part of a "reinvigoration" of the franchise. The Smackdown Vs Raw we all known and love has been reborn - "bigger, badder and better" as WWE '12.
Yeah, we're not that keen on it either.
But apart from borrowing the naming convention of other sports games, what's different this time around? According to Yuke's, areas that are going to see major refurbishment include the character animations, including the ability to break up any move mid-flow by interfering (sure to be a god-send in tag matches), the submission moves (these will now see the two players face off in a button matching mini-game) and the week-by-week multiplayer career mode WWE Universe, which was possibly the biggest and best new addition to the franchise in recent years, allowing you (and up to three friends) to join the roster of either Raw or Smackdown and work your way through the ranks to become the Champion(s).
With any luck, the new animation system will mean there'll be less of this, this time around. Although we have to say we'll miss it:
We'll be keeping a close eye on this one, and with a release currently planned for November, we'll probably have lots more info soon - so make sure you keep checking back for more WWE '12 news.
With WWE '12 set to rejuvenate the wrasslin' franchise, what features would you like to see them add that were missing from Smackdown vs Raw 2011? Head over to our Facebook page and join in the debate!
