The Playstation 2 has hosted a plethora of wrestling games, from the Smackdown series to Raw vs Smackdown series. One thing that has been common throughout all of these games have been the solitude that these wrestling titles have been. The latest installment to the Playstation 2 wrestling game library, Smackdown vs Raw 2007 is simply no exception.
Season mode has had some great alterations. In Smackdown vs Raw 2007 you can now take part in regular storylines, and with different storylines this feature is really not as redundant as previous wrestling games. Also you can rise up the championship ladder to become a number one contender for a championship by defeating numerous adversaries. The Locker Room now has a plays a more intricate role in the season mode. In the locker room you can now read e-mails, listen to voice messages from other superstars, and read headlines about upcoming events.
General Manager mode has also metamorphisized in some ways. One way is that rivalries are now started by creating them within its own menu. You go to the menu that has create a rivalry, you choose the type of rivalry you want, the superstars you want to be involved in the conflict, and just like that you have a new rivalry you can watch unfold. Another change is that unsubstantial shows like Velocity and Heat can now be used to help promote lower to mid card superstars on your rosters. Everything else about this mode is relatively similar to Smackdown vs Raw 06. You can draft, sign and release superstars while you compete to be the more competent brand of sports entertainment.
Others modes like the creating modes (create a wrestler, create an entrance, etc) are relatively similar. Of course there are new costumes you can choose from and new designs to appear and place upon clothing, but no major changes have developed for this area of the game. The WWE PPV mode is still the same form as last years game, but this is still a great mode to play.
Controls
When i first played a match i was rather perplexed at the new button configuration that had been installed upon this game. I really did not like how the analog sticks now were the essential buttons needed to achieve most of the moves in a superstars arsenal. The controls took me a while to grasp, luckily at the start of the game there are tutorials that help you master these new controls. I say the curve of learning these new controls is about two hours. For the video game fan who does not want to learn these new controls you can also config the buttons the way you want by going to the options taskbar at the menu screen. Also i found that reversing has been quite harder in this game compared to games that had preceded this one. In this game you need to be really precise in order to counter an opponents move.
Gameplay
The gameplay is vast superior to past games of this genre. The new hotspots feature gives you the chance to brutalize and disembowel your opposition unlike anything you've ever seen or played before. In the game you can now beat your opponents head in the steel ring steps, rip their arms upon the ringpost, or just bounce them on the ring ropes. Also you can now interact with the crowd which has been unseen in any other wrestling game. This new interaction with the crowd lets you take the match to a whole new dimension. Now fight amongst the crowd while stealing some items that are being held by fans, such as umbrellas, signs, and hockey sticks. The only new match is the money in the bank, 6 man, free for all ladder match. This match is quite fun , while being frustrating at times. The first time i played this match i played for about an hour and end up losing. Another thing good about the gameplay is the roster to choose from. You have some new stars like Umaga, and the originals like Triple H and The Undertaker, all whom possesses their own trademark moves. The unlocking of legends like Shane O Mac, Steve Austin, The Rock, Tazz amongst others also further the greatness of the roster that is at your disposal. The create a wrestler mode can also be used to fill any holes in the roster.
Graphics
The graphics look a small notch better than the graphics of Smackdown vs Raw 2006. The difference is not really noticeable, but the graphics are great nonetheless. I also believe that the ring entrances look somewhat better compared to 06. In 06 some of the ring entrances lagged behind. This game seems to have made the entrances eerily similar to their real life counterparts.
Sounds
The soundtrack for this game is pretty good, but is quite limited just like most of the smackdown games. The game features a twelve songs soundtrack which mainly consists of hip hop inspired music. The sounds during the matches however sounds superior to other Smackdown games. Weapon sounds have vastly improved, such as ladder and chair shots. Also regular sounds form the wrestlers, like grunts and taunts, also sound more realistic. The crowd also sounds more like a real life crowd in this game. The worst part of this feature is the commentators. In this game i simply hated the commentating. Throughout a match the commentators, whether it being Tazz and Michael Cole or Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross, repeat things over like ten times. Also some times during matches the commentators mess up moves. Like once i did the sweet chin music and Jim Ross called it Regal's power of the punch. Things like this add confusion to any particular match and simply annoys the heck out of you. The commentating is probably the worst part of the game.
This game is simply fantastic. If this is truly the last Smackdown vs Raw game for the Playstation 2, the system went out with a bang. With the newly designed hotspots, the great roster, the fantastsic game modes this game will have you entertained for hours.
Related Reviews:
Backyard Wrestling 2 : There Goes The Neighborhood for PlayStation 2
http://www.epinions.com/content_410717949572
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 for PlayStation 3
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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 for PSP
http://www.epinions.com/content_411034422916
WWE WrestleMania XIX for GameCube
http://www.epinions.com/content_342119124612 
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