WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008

Each wrestler now has two categories of combat style - primary and secondary. Each style has advantages and disadvantages in individual types of matches. ^[8] There are eight styles: “flyer” (high-flyer), “hardcore fighter” (hardcore), “master of pain” (submission artist), “powerful fighter” (powerhouse), “showman” (showman), “ rowdy "(brawler)," heal "(dirty) and" technician "(technical). ^{[8] [9]} In addition to this, even in the early stages of development, Corey Ledesma (creative manager for THQ) stated that the plans include a complete overhaul of most animations. ^[eight]

A new pain system was introduced, which allows you to better use the analog stick control in the game. The player now decides how strong the pain will be by moving the stick in certain directions. In the same way, the player will have to get out of the pain using an analog stick. ^[eight]

The game presents the revived ECW brand, the two main brands have not changed - these are all the same RAW and SmackDown . The ECW logo is also present on the cover of the game. The introduction of the ECW part brought into the game a large number of tools that can be used in the game - guitars, sticks wrapped in barbed wire and much more. Tables can be set on fire in conjunction with barbed wire on sticks. ^[10] Despite the inclusion of the brand, the headline was still SmackDown! vs. Raw , although ECW Invasion was included in early logos. Later the logo returned to the standard one, and on the cover only “Featuring ECW” appeared . ^[eleven]

The game includes PPV arenas and weekly arenas of WWE 2006 and 2007.

Modes

The game allows you to play in various modes, with different goals and settings. The Season and General Manager modes ( Season and General Manager respectively) are combined into one mode - WWE 24/7 , which takes its name from the WWE 24/7 Classics: Video on Demand service . Players choose whether they will play for one of the characters in the game (they also include wrestlers and Divas created in the character editor), or they will be the general manager of one of the brands. Playing as a wrestler, the goal is to achieve the status of "legend". While achieving this goal, the player will win matches, interact with other wrestlers (team up or fight), earn popularity. In addition to all this, the wrestler will have a backstage life: he needs training, rest and other activities outside of wrestling, and all this will give both positive and negative effects.

The game for the general manager is similar to the same mode in the previous parts of the series. In SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 First you need to choose a general manager - these are Jonathan Coachman for Raw , Theodore Long for SmackDown and Tommy Dremer for ECW . Implemented and draft - the exchange of wrestlers between roasters of three brands. In the game, as in life, the general manager makes serious decisions, appoints matches and much more. ^[12] An innovation in the game was the Tournament Mode , which allows you to manage through one wrestler to go through various WWE tournaments, such as the Beat The Clock Challenge (the one who defeated his opponent the fastest wins the tournament), King of the Ring Tournament (the “King of the Ring” tournament is a regular type of tournament in which various wrestlers pass through the quarter finals, semi-finals, in the final fight for the right to be King of the Ring), as well as Money in the Bank Tournament (matches for qualifying for the match Money in the Bank). The game allows you to create your own tournament. (not available for Nintendo DS and mobile devices). As before, the player is allowed to fight for the titles, and later defend them. ^[13] The game contains 2007 titles, titles from the previous game in the series - WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 and, for the first time, ECW title.

The game introduced a system of battle styles, which, however, never again appeared in the series. Each style gave the wrestler a certain set of skills and abilities. Some styles made it possible to use a unique technique when the Finisher icon appeared.

There are eight styles in the game - these are “flyer” (high-flyer), “hardcore fighter” (hardcore), “master of pain” (submission artist), “powerful fighter” (powerhouse), “show-window” (showman), “rowdy” "(Brawler)," heal "(dirty) and" technician "(technical). Despite its interesting appearance, the system was criticized: standard sets gave wrestlers opportunities that they had never used, and at the same time did not allow them to execute standard methods used by one or another wrestler. Along with this, with a certain battle style, the number of receptions in Create-a-Moveset mode was limited .

"Powerful fighters" can easily break out of the holds, along with this they have strong punches. They can make strong repulsions ( Irish Whip ), which can cause damage when the enemy gets into the corner of the ring, and if a wrestler with this style pushes an opponent into the ropes, he can fly away onto the mats. A special feature of the style is the ability called Rampage , under the influence of which all the tricks and strokes of the wrestler cannot be reversed or blocked.

The "technicians" on the machine reverse all quick tricks from the grab until they meet a powerful fist. They can also hold receptions for opponents in the ring. Their special ability is the reversal of each attack in a limited time.

"Showcases" is one of the usual types. Holding receptions and taunts (taunts) quickly leads them to final receptions. They have two special abilities. One of them is holding the opponent’s taunts, and if the mockery was not interrupted, the opponent cannot raise the momentum bar for a certain time. In the same way, they can hold the final moves of the opponent. Nevertheless, the “stolen” reception is much weaker than the original.

The most standard class is Deboshire. They can sit on the opponent and strike on the head, can use a combination containing from three to five different strokes. If the first blow hits the target, the defending wrestler can no longer block, reverse or avoid the remaining blows of the combination. A special ability is the Wreck Shop, a temporary effect that prevents the enemy from striking himself or reversing yours.

"Flyers" can perform various acrobatic techniques from the ropes. A special ability - “possum possum” - pretending to be crippled, suddenly turn off the enemy. It is harder to break out of this retention.

“Pain masters” can more easily get out of pain and, accordingly, it is easier for them to make an opponent give up.

"Heels" can hold dirty tricks that allow you to quickly increase the momentum bar. Removing a protective pillow from the corner of the ring and using various tools can also help them achieve the ability to conduct their crown moves. They can use the referee as a human shield, defending themselves from attacks by an opponent. A special ability is a poke in the eye with a finger and a blow between the legs - techniques that cause severe damage.

"Hardcore fighters" receive bonuses to the growth of the momentum bar using weapons. With weapons in their hands, they can perform tricks that no one else can do. If they try to use a chair for a punch with a full momentum bar, the punch turns into DDT on the chair. If blood appears on their face, they immediately get a full momentum bar. Their special action can only be performed with a chair in their hands - they beat themselves with a chair on the head to the blood, receiving critical head damage, but at the same time a complete momentum bar.

In connection with the appearance of ECW in the game, wrestlers of this brand also appeared - Tommy Dremer , SM Punk , Elijah Burke and Kelly Kelly . Grouping Cryme Tyme , MVP and Ashley first appeared in the game as playable characters. Along with this, the debuts were made by: Kenny Dijkstra, Marcus Kor Won, Sandman and Sabu. Michelle McCool made her return to the game - she was not with WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 . Bobby Lashley, Gregory Halms (appeared in the The Hurricane gimmick as a non-playable character in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 in Road to WrestleMania in the storyline for Christian and Ray Misterio) and Torrey Wilson appeared in the game for the last time ( Mick Foley returned to the series in WWE '12 ). First time with WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth as a playable character appeared Jeff Hardy . John Hennigan’s last appearance as Johnny Nitro was also made in this game - in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, he was already under the pseudonym John Morrison . This game was the final for Randy Orton's gimmick - Legend Killer . This is the first game in which John Cena was not used in the rapper's gimmick. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 last used the RAW arena with a titantron parallelogram and the SmackDown arena with fist design - next year the arenas were unified under one set of decoration.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 was the only one containing a roster of ECW legends. It included by default: Sabu, Terry Funk and Tommy Dremer . Sandman was on the RAW roster.

This was the first game in which Chris Benoit was not represented in any way in connection with his double murder and subsequent suicide in late June 2007. All material, including all kinds of Crossface and Diving Headbutt, has been cut. Nevertheless, you can find access to the ring, similar to the original from WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 .

For the first time in the series, the Big Show was not presented.

Champions

• SmackDown! :
  • Edge - World Heavyweight Champion
  • Batista and Ray Misterio - WWE Tag Team Champions
  • Montel Vontavious Porter - WWE United States Champion
  • Chavo Guerrero - WWE Cruiserweight Champion
• Raw :
  • John Cena - WWE Champion
  • The Hardys ( Matt and Jeff ) - World Tag Team Champions
  • Umag - WWE Intercontinental Champion
  • Melina - WWE Women's Champion
• ECW :
  • Johnny Nitro - ECW Champion

* The song version in the game is different from the original.

PlayStation 2

Graphics and gameplay are similar to last year.

Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3

The Xbox 360 version had the ability to use its own music imported into the game to exit wrestlers into the ring. PS3 didn’t have this opportunity, but in the version for it the first-person view was available in the exits to the ring. It was possible to control the look of the wrestler with the help of sticks on the controller.

For PS3, the Collector's Edition came out, which included: a DVD with game details, a collection card with Kelly Kelly, and a booklet depicting some of the wrestlers' crown moves. ^[14]

The Xbox 360, too, was not left without collection editions - two sets called “High Filyer” and “Dirty” contained “I'm a High Flyer” and “I fight Dirty” t-shirts for their set, a calendar with Kelly Kelly, 8 postcards Fighting Styles and Create-a-Superstar mini-guide. The whole set was equipped in a special case. ^[15]

Wii

Instead of featuring 24/7 mode , it features Main Event Mode, where you can play as a created superstar and rise to the top. The Wii version of the game features only chairs as the exclusive weapons.

PSP

The game had the same graphics as in the previous parts, but Sergeant Sloter, Eddie Guerrero and Jim Neidhart were exclusively available for this console.

Matches

For the last time in the series, the Buried Alive match appeared - in the sequel, as in the subsequent parts of this match, it was not. A big "vacation" was made by the "Parking Lot Brawl" - a fight in the parking lot. This type of match only appeared in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 .

The game received mostly mixed and negative reviews for the lack of major changes in the gameplay and was heavily criticized for being “behind the standards”, as well as the previous games in the series. On GameRankings, the game has 73.60%, 61.40%, 66.20%, 71.72%, 70.25% and 61.07% respectively for each console. The Official Xbox Magazine gave the game 8.5 / 10. Game Informer delivered SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 8/10. Judging by the estimates, the game received the smallest ratings in the series.