WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
by THQ
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Category: Video Games
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Product Summary
Brand: THQRelease Date: 2006-09-08
Platform: PlayStation2
Publisher: THQ
Product features:
- Exclusive story mode with original storyline developed by WWE staff writers.
- Unique Superstar abilities featuring real-life attributes of strength, submission, technique, speed and stamina.
- New and improved controls including an in-depth countering and interactive submission system.
- All-new match types including Bra & Panty, First Blood and Elimination Chamber.
- Enhanced production values featuring dynamic camera transitions, an improved audio experience, Superstar voice over and more-realistic animations.
Video Game Reviews of WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
Customer Review: Well...Here Comes the...Game
Summary: 5 Stars
WWE Smackdown- Here Comes the Pain
The fifth installment in the dynasty that went on to become Smackdown VS Raw doesn't disappoint in it's best game yet. Here Comes the Pain (HCTP) fixes almost all of the mistakes that WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth had. This wrestling game is a perfect fit for anyone that hates the tunnel vision story mode of WWE Smackdown vs Raw and the games that followed in the franchise. In many people's eyes, this is the best Smackdown game ever produced. Many also believe that this is the greatest wrestling game of all time.
Graphics- 9/10
Bill Goldberg looks exactly like Bill Goldberg in real life. Lesnar looks exactly like Lesnar. The Rock looks exactly like The Rock. Everyone in the game looks exactly like they do in real life. There is no excessive shining on the wrestlers like there is in the newer Smackdown VS Raw games. One complaint I have is that Triple H looks horrendous. THQ can never seem to accurately model Triple H. This is a big step up from Shut Your Mouth, which looks fairly bad as far as graphics are concerned. Also, to top it all off, there is barely any loading time.
There are very few graphical glitches in the game, but they don't really affect your gameplay. If you do a move to someone on a table, but you fall off before the move is executed, you will find your opponent still having the move to him in mid-air. This is minor and everything is fine after the move is finished.
Created wrestlers still look fairly bad. With the right amount of time and a good online guide, you can recreate just about anyone. If you are the type of person that hates spending hours trying to adjust little, tiny details, you will end up will an average looking CAW (Create-A-Wrestler) with not much about him/her.
The moves and animations all look stunning. Nothing seems unrealistic or too bland. This is wonderful considering the sheer amount of animations the have in this game. If your character wants to do a chokeslam, there are multiple different animations of that move for you to use. This allows you to have varied CAWs.
Story- 9/10
Story mode in recent WWE games have been considered interesting, but not worth playing though more than once. This game was before voice-over was put into WWE's games, so you will not be trapped into and linear storylines. There are storylines, but any wrestler can be apart of them, not just the ones that have Voice Over for it.
There are some extremely interesting storylines that you will play though during Season mode. You may have a manager of your choosing and someone is trying to steal her from you. You may be working for Mr. McMahon, or you might choose to oppose him. You might just be going for the Tag Team Titles. It really depends on where your character is on the card.
There are no limits as to where a wrestler can be on a card either. If you want to play as Ultimo Dragon and win the World Championship, it is possible. If you want Lesnar to go for the Hardcore Title, go right on ahead. The storyline is very flexible, but there is just enough of it to keep you playing over and over again.
Sound- 8/10
There is no voice over in this game at all. So don't expect commentary or your favorite superstars to speak their mind. There is no licensed music in the game either. I personally am glad, because those songs get repetitive and commentary is usually lackluster. Instead you have a techno/rock/rap remix type soundtrack through the game. It is nice on the ears and isn't repetitious.
In-game sound effects all sound decent. The Big Show's Chokeslam still have a slamming sound before the opponent is even slammed. Most of the other sounds in the game are done realistically.
Gameplay- 10/10
Usually this is all that matters in making a game good or bad, the gameplay. Here Comes the Pain has created the perfect arcade wrestling style game. Matches are fast-paced and full of exciting moments. A new grappling system has been created just for this game and it works to perfection. Instead of only being able to do 4 moves, your character can use 16 moves now.
The roster in this game is the best in years. You have favorites like Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, Triple H, The Rock, Steve Austin, and many more. Then you have tons of smaller level superstars like: Matt Hardy, Ultimo Dragon, Rhyno, Test, and many more. Also, after gaining them through Season mode, you will gain Legends like: Roddy Piper, Road Warriors, Ted Dibiase, and again you will get many more. This is one of the most balanced rosters you can find. It doesn't matter what type of wrestler you like because they are all here.
Match types are vast as they are in all WWE games. This is the first time that the Elimination Chamber match is playable though, and boy is it fun. You get all your normal cage matches, Last Man Standing matches, and other WWE matches. You also get to play the new Bra and Panties match, which is fun for a play or two. These matches will allow up to six players at the maximum. This creates a ton of multi-player goodness.
Season mode is very well done. You can choose who you want in Season mode, and you can choose what Roster everyone is one. This means you can actually make Brock Lesnar and Triple H on the same roster finally. You don't always have a storyline in Season mode. Sometimes you can just drop by the General Manager's office and pick up a title shot assuming your Superstar Points are high enough. This is very fun and enjoyable.
The game's AI is nearly perfect. I have only noticed a few glitches in cage match and ladder matches; they will sometimes just sit and watch you win the match. This rarely happens though, and they are usually wonderful.
Difficulty- 9/10 (Note- This is how much I like the difficulty)
The game itself is not that hard when it's on normal mode. You won't dominate everyone, but it's pretty easy to not lose. On the other hand, Legendary difficulty is extremely hard. Superstars will reverse almost every single move you do until they finally hit their finisher and win the match. It takes a ton of practice to even get close to being good enough to win a match on Legendary.
Brock Lesnar, who happens to be the game's cover boy, is probably the hardest wrestler to beat on the game. He dominates nearly everyone in his path within a matter of a few moves. When you think about it though, you can always play as him and dominate if you want. He's be a good choice for your first play through.
Overall- 9.5/10
This is my favorite WWE game, and I've played No Mercy. Nothing can touch the gameplay mechanics and the sheer fun of changing around your rosters in Season mode. If you haven't experienced this game yet, I suggest you give it a try.
Description of WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
Season Mode featuring comprehensive statistics and Superstar attribute building. Ledgends like Sgt. Slaughter, The Million-Dollar Man, Jimmy Snuka, and more. Enhanced Grappling system. New match types including Bra-&-Panty and the Elimination chamber.Sports & Outdoors Games
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