Gaming Target - PlayStation 2: WWF Smackdown: Just Bring It

Written by Adam Woolcott on August 09, 2001

First Impressions: FinallyЕthe WWF has come to PlayStation 2!

Thus far, the PlayStation 2 has seen exactly zero wrestling games for the console. Considering the turmoil that has besieged the real business of wrestling, it's not surprising, with both EA and Acclaim, holders of the old WCW and ECW licenses respectively, unable to make games based upon their licenses anymore, since both promotions have been in limbo until lately. Only the WWF license really is out there, and THQ has taken their time in getting a sequel to the enormously popular WWF Smackdown series on Sony's new system.

Thankfully this fall the wait will be over. The highly anticipated WWF Smackdown: Just Bring It will finally grace the PS2, making game playing wrestling fans around the country quite pleased. While it appears on the surface that it won't be a lot more than an upgrade of the past 2 Smackdown games, the optimist would say УIf it ain't broke, don't fix it.Ф As long as the gameplay either improves or stays at the status quo, then Smackdown: Just Bring It should be more than enough to please the starving PS2 wrestling fans.

It doesn't take a lot to realize that Smackdown: JBI uses the exact same engine that Smackdown 1 and 2 used, as well as Dreamcast's WWF Royal Rumble. That engine is the phenomenally successful Toukon Retsuden engine used in many Japanese wrestling games. Yukes has had zero problems tuning the engine to suit the WWF's more wild atmosphere, and Smackdown: JBI looks to continue that success. The graphics of course will be touched up dramatically, with 800 polys per wrestler, with around 500 used on the head and facial features alone. Add in some nice realtime lighting and around 1,000 different animations and you get an impressive looking game. And it even runs at a solid 60 FPS.

Smackdown: JBI does drop the number of wrestlers Ц from 50 or so on SD2, to only 35 in the PS2 Smackdown. Instead, Just Bring It has over (get this) 65 match modes to pick from. Of course a lot of them are just variations on the same theme (like 1 on 2, 1 on 3, 2 on 3, and so on), many will be unique. Expect ladder matches, TLC (tables, ladders, & chairs) matches, the infamous Hell in a Cell matches, and even lumberjack matches, along with the usual suspects. And if you want to know, there will be around 1,000 different moves to execute in Smackdown, throughout the 65 assorted match types. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

Of course, the lack of wrestlers isn't a problem with the deep create-a-wrestler mode. Smackdown 2's CAW mode was incredibly deep, with the tools to create almost any major wrestling star, and had a boatload of moves to customize your wrestler. If that's any indication, Smackdown: Just Bring It should only improve on that success story, allowing for the player to make any wrestling superstar they please.

The career mode, which has taken a beating for lacking depth and being repetitive, is almost guaranteed to make a return in Smackdown: Just Bring It. Hopefully THQ and Yukes can tweak it using the power of PlayStation 2 to add a little more variety and randomness to it, like the WWF is famous for.

And in the УWell DUH!Ф department is the inclusion of play-by-play announcing! After 2 announcer-free Smackdown games, this is a welcome addition to the mix. Just as long as it keeps from being repetitive and annoying, it should only make the game that much more immersive, experience wise.

The only question now is, what will be changed (if anything) now that the WWF has mixed in WCW and ECW factions to their puzzle. Will they add in WCW stars like Booker T, and ECW stars like Rob Van Dam? Will they shift Stone Cold Steve Austin as the leader of the WCW/ECW Alliance? One would hope so, but it may not be possible without delaying the game past the fall and winter buying seasons. Time will tell.