Sluggish wrestling game with outdated roster, repetitive match types, decent graphics, and surprisingly good music
Sluggish wrestling game with outdated roster, repetitive match types, decent graphics, and surprisingly good music
Vote (2,771 votes)
Program license Trial version
Developer THQ
Works under Windows
Vote
(2,771 votes)
Developer
THQ
Works under
Windows
Program license
Trial version
Pros
- Decent music despite it not matching the current style of the wrestler.
- Great graphics to visually keep you in the game.
Cons
- Slow-paced fighting system that gets annoying after a while.
- The match types are too similar to each other.
- The wrestlers included aren't the most exciting ones.
An outdated roster and an overly complicated combat system plague this game and make it a little less-than-fun to play. In addition, WWE Raw has some sluggish controls, and the lack of diversity in the match types and visual oddities have made this a lower quality game. Unfortunately, WWE Raw had a lot of potential, but this game doesn't fill the wrestling void in the PC gaming world.
Wrestlers from Another Time
WWE Raw has many of the wrestlers from a different time period. This is before the company was even known as the WWF. Because of this, you may not see some of the more exciting wrestlers like Brock Lesnar, Booker T, Rob Van Dam and Hulk Hogan. Instead, you'll get the portion of the WWE talent that hasn't been on a TV broadcast in months. Another issue is how it affects the wrestler entrance because many of these wrestlers no longer enter the arena with the same pyrotechnic displays or the same music as what you see in this game.
Biggest Drawback
Outdated wrestling talent and outdated arena displays are a lesser problem when you compare it to the actual gameplay. This is what makes the perfect cocktail of poorness because the gameplay itself tries to give us a dramatic entrance, but it does a face plant right into the wrestling mat. WWE Raw includes many of the inactive wrestlers that no one cares about. However, where it falls flat is in terms of gameplay. You feel like this was a game that they just rushed out to make as much money as fast as possible. You only have a couple different match types like one-on-one, tag team, triple threat, tornado, battle royal, king of the ring and handicap. All of this is pretty standard. The biggest problem is how every one of the match types seems to play the same, which can get boring fast. You can change the rooms of some of the matches to make them more hardcore.
Title Match Championships
You can also choose to do a title match where you face off against some of the different WWE titles. For example, you might play for the championship title or the intercontinental title. You can do this through the defeat of several wrestlers. Unfortunately, the title matches don't include a smidgen of story to them, which once again, shows the lack of effort they put into this game.
The actual wrestling in this game can be slow-paced and difficult to execute the most basic moves against your opponent. You will need to constantly bring attacks on your opponents with many moves if you will raise up the momentum meter to beat your foe.
Pros
- Decent music despite it not matching the current style of the wrestler.
- Great graphics to visually keep you in the game.
Cons
- Slow-paced fighting system that gets annoying after a while.
- The match types are too similar to each other.
- The wrestlers included aren't the most exciting ones.
Pros
- Well-developed characters
- Lots of modes to choose from
- Plenty of WWE Raw fun
- Great sound effects
Cons
- Control responses tend to be rather slow
- Wrestlers move frustratingly slowly
Step into the WWE Ring and take on the Pros
WWE Raw was released in 2002 and promises to put players in the WWE Raw action. Players have the chance to fight their heroes and see if they have what it takes to be the best of the best. So is WWE Raw is as exciting as the television show? Check out the review to find out.
Players of WWE Raw are treated to an immersive wrestling experience complete with lots of different types of matches to choose from. These include singles matches, tag team matches, fatal 4 way, triple threat. Battle royal and handicap matches. In terms of sheer variety, there is certainly enough here to keep gamers interested and coming back for more.
In addition to two different types of grappling systems to choose from, players can also choose a variety of special moves including taunting and high flying kicks, both of which help to boost momentum during matches. Each of the moves has a different payout in terms of damage done and the amount of energy they take, so a certain amount of strategy and planning is required to work out the best combination of moves to use to take down an opponent. These opponents also have varying skill levels, meaning that some are easier to defeat than others.
The most popular WWE Raw wrestlers are represented in the game, including Big Show and Trish Status and of course The Rock. For people who follow WWE Raw, this provides the unique opportunity to ‘meet’ their heroes, interact with them and even tack the down in the ring. The representations are fairly realistic and this is sure to provide more than a little thrill to fans. Each WWE Raw star is given their own exciting introduction in the game complete with plenty of posing and special effects such as fireworks.
However, controlling the game can be rather tricky and glitches are not uncommon. In addition, the game is unable to capture the full athleticism and magnetism of the wrestling legends. The game often feels quite two dimensional and despite the impressive total of 43 different moves that can be used during matches, they often seem to fall a little flat. The large number of moves that need to be learned and mastered can actually be a curse rather than a blessing, as it means that it may take up to an hour to really get into the game and start having fun.
The game is saved slightly by its sound effects that help to put players back into the heart of the action. Although the effect of the camera panning to take in the crowd mimics the television show, it often creates the impression that players are watching the action rather than taking part in it.
Fans of the WWE Raw television show are sure to enjoy this game. In many ways it is very close to the television show while also putting players into the action. However, the slightly dodgy graphics and slow movements of the characters means that this game will probably only appeal to diehard fans who will be able to get caught up in the magic of manipulating their heroes.
Pros
- Well-developed characters
- Lots of modes to choose from
- Plenty of WWE Raw fun
- Great sound effects
Cons
- Control responses tend to be rather slow
- Wrestlers move frustratingly slowly
Pros
- Stunning graphics
- Realistic sounds
- New moves in the ring
Cons
- Options are hard to navigate
- Trial version is limited to only a few wrestlers
Fight against your favorite wrestlers in WWE Raw.
Take to the mats in this high-action game of wrestling in the modern world. You'll find that there are some of the most popular wrestlers in the game, such as Kane and The Rock. The game is similar to the television show of the same name. While most of the matches take place inside the ring, there are a few added venues to give a change of scenery, such as a back alley and a parking lot.
You'll have a few tools at your disposal to use against your opponent. These include a chair and a ladder. Be careful when you're using some of these items as they might not inflict the damage that you want, and the opponent will have a chance to use the same item on you in the match.
Every time you play the game, you'll see a stunning opening scene. The music is amazing and gets you pumped up before the fight. The same rules apply in the game as they do in real-life wrestling. There are certain areas of the body that are off limits, and there are a few ways that you can tap out if you simply can't handle the pressure of the match.
One of the fun things that has been added to WWE Raw is the ability to make your opponent get up after being knocked down. This will extend the match while giving you a better chance at winning. You can play in a freestyle mode, or you can play in a career to see if you have what it takes to win the title.
Pros
- Stunning graphics
- Realistic sounds
- New moves in the ring
Cons
- Options are hard to navigate
- Trial version is limited to only a few wrestlers
