WWE Impact 2011 series
has been around for more than a few years now, and like a time-worn WWE
superstar, it is starting to get creaky in its old age. The core mechanics that
fuel the entertaining action still set the stage for some great fights, but the
perennially problematic collision detection and finicky positioning mechanics
are taking their toll. The new modes and refinements in WWE Impact 2011 are
more focused on setting up matches than landing gut punches, which makes the
game feel more like a meddling manager than a reigning champion. Yet though the
series may be getting long in the tooth, there's still enough action to satiate
those with a penchant for powerbombs.
One of Smackdown vs. Raw's strengths is that it
gives you the freedom to stage a huge variety of matches.2011 offers more ways
to tweak your showdowns than ever, with new locations and expanded match
creation options.
Whether you're setting your favorite superstar up to take on his archrival in an extreme rules match, or taking on a few friends in a Hell in a Cell diva showdown, it's fun to set the stage and then fight your way through a contest of your own devising. Furthermore, almost every match you play gets roped into the new Universe mode. This mode sets everything within the context of the WWE television schedule, including regular shows and marquee monthly events. You can play or simulate the matches that the game sets up or tweak the parameters to structure events to your liking. Matches that you play outside of Universe mode get slotted into the schedule, and the game often interjects melodramatic cutscenes and surprise events. Universe mode creates an enjoyable sense of continuity, but on the whole, it is little more than a new structure for the same familiar action.
Whether you're setting your favorite superstar up to take on his archrival in an extreme rules match, or taking on a few friends in a Hell in a Cell diva showdown, it's fun to set the stage and then fight your way through a contest of your own devising. Furthermore, almost every match you play gets roped into the new Universe mode. This mode sets everything within the context of the WWE television schedule, including regular shows and marquee monthly events. You can play or simulate the matches that the game sets up or tweak the parameters to structure events to your liking. Matches that you play outside of Universe mode get slotted into the schedule, and the game often interjects melodramatic cutscenes and surprise events. Universe mode creates an enjoyable sense of continuity, but on the whole, it is little more than a new structure for the same familiar action.
The sheer number of moves you can pull off in
the wide variety of different match situations is still very impressive.
Knowing your wrestler's arsenal and maneuvering your opponent into just the
right situation for a devastating attack is definitely satisfying. There have
also been some refinements made to the core mechanics this year, particularly
in matches that involve environmental elements like ladders and tables,
resulting in some more realistic and more impactful falls. Unfortunately, the
problems with the underlying physics system still linger. Collision detection
remains a problem that can cause your strikes and grapples to go awry at
frustrating moments, and this issue becomes even more problematic when there
are more than two wrestlers in the ring. Learning to execute a wide variety of
moves isn't enough; you have to know when the game will let you execute them.
It may be unrealistic to expect to be able to perform any basic move at any
time, but you should merely have to learn the rules--not the rules and the
flaws. This has been the case with WWE Impact 2011 for years, and while it is
certainly possible to have a lot of fun fighting both AI and human opponents,
these flaws still put a damper on the excitement. The sound effects further
lessen the thrill of competing on the WWE stage, making a flying leap from the
top turnbuckle sound about as intense as a door slammed by someone who is
mildly annoyed.
The Road to Wrestlemania mode returns with five
different individual storylines for you to follow. Each is packed with the
WWE's signature melodrama, and you can now make choices throughout the story
that influence how it all plays out. This mode also features new sections that
put you in control of your wrestler from a behind-the-character third-person
perspective. You can roam around a small backstage area where you can talk to
other wrestlers, pick fights, and visit the trainer to cash in your experience
points for attribute improvements. It's nice to have some autonomy as you make
your way toward Wrestlemania, and the stories can take more than a few hours to
complete.
You can also craft stories of your own in the
enhanced story designer. Improved menus, a new tutorial, expanded options, and
the ability to create branching paths make the second iteration of this feature
even better. The rest of the creation tools are still very impressive, and you
can easily lose hours making your own superstars, finishers, entrance videos, highlight
reels, and move sets. You can also enjoy the fruits of other players' labors by
browsing and downloading content from the online community creations hub.
Competitive multiplayer has more options than before, but even the new stuff is
plagued by old issues. In addition to one-off matches that can now include up
to six players, Royal Rumble has joined the ranks of online competition. While
the sheer size and intensity of Royal Rumble makes it an appealing addition,
connectivity issues can make it tough to actually get into a match. Once you
are in the ring, nagging lag can cause serious problems, especially during
crucial struggles on the ropes. Given that only 12 players can enter the 30-man
Royal Rumble, getting eliminated might not mean you are out of the action for
good. You can be randomly assigned to an incoming AI wrestler, and idle players
can try to predict who the next player to enter or exit will be in order to win
some bonus points. A new online experience system tracks your persistent rank and
lets others know how often you have won, lost, or quit matches. Though lag and
occasional bugs may force you to quit and besmirch your reputation, there is no
shortage of formidable online opponents waiting to test your skills in the
ring.
Though the online arena can be both enjoyably
tough and frustratingly flawed, it's fun to have access to a wide range of
creative output. Those who buy the game new receive a code that grants them
access to all the online features, while those who buy the game used have to
pay extra for the privilege. All told, WWE Impact 20112011 delivers the same
solid action, extensive customization options, and robust creation tools that
the series has been providing for years, making it one of the best wrestling
games around. There are some improvements and some new elements, but the core
action of the game remains largely the same, and the perennial problems are
still present. Those hoping for something more exciting than last year's fare
are going to be disappointed, but if you're hungering for a fresh serving of
ways to explore the world of sports entertainment, then WWE Impact 2011
delivers.
System Requirements:
Processor= 1.0GHz
RAM= 256MB
Graphics= 32MB
RAM= 256MB
Graphics= 32MB
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