Raw 2 Might Not Suck!!!

[Professor S]

I just got back from reading a site that has a current preview of the upcoming sequel to Raw, WWE's XBox franchise.

There were several areas that made me start caring about this frachise again:

1) Career Mode - The last game a had a base championship mode where you just wrestled one after the other until you won the title. This new Career mode has been descibed as a open ended RPG. Let me say that again... an open ended RPG... like Morrowind... cept different:D

You can steal Kurt Angles medals in a match or in a run in if you want, but expect Kurt to come after you on the next show. This may be what the wrestling gamer community has been waiting for in a virtual grappler.

2) More Wrestlers - Meh. As long as they get the proper move lists and charatcer attributes in there, I don't care how many wrestlers they have. In Raw, I spent most of the time playing as Steven Regal because he had the most distinctive move set. He looked like Regal and wrestled like Regal. The only other wrestler they achieved that level of detail with was Tajiri, but you ended up kicking too much.

3) Graphics - They've ipdated the graphics? Raw may not have been that great, but it was DAMN PRETTY. I saw some screens, and yes, they did improve the graphics... just take a look at Hogan. It IS Hogan.

and most importantly, the last 2...

4) Enhanced Create a Wrestler - The backbone of ANY grappler. If the CAW don't cut it, neither does the game.

5) OVERHAULED ENGINE -

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...

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That was me praying to God, thanking him for answering my previous requests to overhaul the Raw engine. Raw will now be a GRAPPLING based wrestler. THANK YOU, JEBUS!!!!

Just hit the link for more goodness...

http://www.gamingring.com/news/0007.shtml

[TheGame]

Didn't you post this at FXB? :D

I think this game is our best chance this Gen to get a great WWE game... others have been good, but not great

[BreakABone]

Originally posted by TheGame
Didn't you post this at FXB? :D

I think this game is our best chance this Gen to get a great WWE game... others have been good, but not great

Well, the article is making it's rounds, it's also at PVG/GSN or whaever it's called now.

The season mode sounds interesting, but I think it may suffer from something SmackDown: Shut Your mouth suffered from. It's interesting, but it sometime uses it's long time mindset. I mean will they actually explain turns and whatnots?

How exactly will a gme handle Scott Steiner's movest? I mean using the same move over and over and over again doesn't work in real life either...

[Professor S]

Originally posted by BreakABone
Well, the article is making it's rounds, it's also at PVG/GSN or whaever it's called now.

Hmmmmm... I wonder who posted it over there?

:sneaky:

[BreakABone]

http://wweraw2.com/images/GamestarScan.gif

[BreakABone]

Wow, I expected atleast Strangler or Justin to reply to the article, but eh.

Confirmed Superstars [Playable]
01. Brock Lesnar
02. Booker T
03. Bubba Ray Dudley
04. Chavo Guerrero
05. Chris Benoit
05. Chris Jericho
06. Christopher Nowinski
06. D-Von Dudley
07. Eddie Guererro
08. Goldust
09. Hollywood Hulk Hogan
10. Jamie Noble
11. Jazz
12. Jeff Hardy
13. John Cena
13. Kane
14. Kevin Nash
15. Kurt Angle
16. Matt Hardy: Version 1
17. Molly Holly
18. Nidia
19. Randy Orton
20. Rey Mysterio
22. Ric Flair
23. Rico
24. Rob Van Dam
25. The Rock
26. Shawn Michaels
27. Stacy Keibler
28. Terri
29. Torrie Wilson
29. Triple H
30. Trish Stratus
31. The Undertaker
32. Victoria
Seems like a pretty well-rounded line-up with slots for like 20 more wrestlers, I just hope there is no Fred Durst in this version...

There will also be non-playable characters. These Characters will be used in various different ways. For example, Earl Hebner is the only known official to be in the game, he will referee every match. Jerry "The King" Lawler and "Good Ol' Jr" Jim Ross will be sitting at ringside during your matches. Although they will not be doing color or play-by-play commentary, they along with the referee can be beaten up. There is no word on if the SmackDown! commentators; Michael Cole and Tazz will be sitting at ringside during while you are wrestling in the SmackDown arena or not.
Well, I never did get the sense of making models and not using them as actual wrestlers, but also found it a waste of space to include such folks that people only really play as a joke. Now beating up the ref and JR and the King sounds cool...

THQ and Anchor have said that this game will be as updated as possible when it comes to the in-game roster. It is unknown when the deadline for the roster is but until we find it out, i'm assuming that new Wrestlers will be added as soon as they debut in the WWE and Superstars who left or were fired will be removed from the game.
Since the game has been delayed I don't know if the deadline has been changed, but I believe that it was before No Way Out before and that was one of the reasons why Stone Cold wasn't gonna be in the game.

Some Match Types vary when it comes too how many Wrestlers can be in the Match at once. There can be a maximum of 6 Superstars in the ring at once not including the Commentators, Manager(s) or Referee(s). It is unknown on how many Wrestlers can be in which Match Types at once but I assume that every match except the basic Single, Fatal 4-Way, Battle Royal, Handicap, Normal Tag and Triple Threat will allow up to 6. Keep in mind that you will be able to adjust the rules in each match to your choosing.

As you look at the current list of Match Types, keep in mind that you will have a choice to adjust the rules to Normal, Hardcore or Free Set. Normal is just the default rule set which of course varies depending on the match type that you choose. Hardcore puts into effect the No Disqualification, No Count Out, False Count anywhere rules. Finally, Free Set allows you to choose any rules you want. There will be restrictions to some matches however. More Match Types are expected to be announced as Raw 2 gets father into development.

Confirmed Match Types
01. Battle Royal {Elimination} [1 vs. 1 vs. 1 vs. 1]
02. Cage (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
03. Fatal 4-Way [1 vs. 1 vs. 1 vs. 1]
04. Hardcore (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
05. Handicap [1 vs. 2 & 1 vs. 3]
06. Hell in a Cell {Full Sized} (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
07. King of the Ring {Brackets} (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
08. Single [1 vs. 1] [Limited to 2 Superstars]
00. Street Fight (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
00. Table (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
09. Tables, Ladders and Chairs (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
10. Tag [2 vs. 2]
11. Tornado Tag (No Tag Format) [2 vs. 2 or 2 vs. 2 vs. 2]
12. Triple Threat [1 vs. 1 vs. 1]
13. Ladder (Tag or Single) [# of Participants vary]
14. Royal Rumble {Elimination} [# of Participants vary]
Well they are getting away with something that has always seem odd in wrestling games, I mean technically HIAC is one mode, but you can have a one-on-one HIAC, Triple Threat HIAC and Fatal Fourway HIAC so it counts as three different match types, but eh.
Anyhow, it's good to see they are including a variety of matches this time.

Season/Story Mode Features
- It will not follow the past/current WWE Storylines.
- The Season/Story Mode itself is currently Never-Ending.
- Where you go and what you do will be determined by you.
- You can choose up to 10 different options that you can do before, during or after other Superstars matches. Those options include stealing other Superstars' items and interfering and attacking other Superstars during their match.
- What you do will all play in effect and will have direct or indirect consequences on your Superstar.
- You will make Allies and Enemies depending on what you do and who you do it to.
- Injuries will play a big role in the Season Mode.
- 1-4 Human Players can play at one time.
I think this is the games most interesting aspect especially the 4-player option something I don't think that has been attempted since Attitude.

Confirmed Arenas
01. Raw (Current)
02. Raw (Old) [Could Be Removed]
03. Royal Rumble [Year Unknown]
04. No Way Out [Year Unknown]
05. Smackdown (Current)
06. Summer Slam (2002)
07. Wrestle Mania X8 (2002)
Also an increase in the number of arenas you will be able to play in, even though some of them may be outdated by now, WrestleMania X8 comes to mind, but there are also some others that will appear. According to sources, it will feature all 12 major PPV and the two TV shows set.

When it comes to Backstage Areas, the Information is a little sketchy. Yes, Backstage Areas will be in but nobody is quite sure on what extent. Will they be just used in the Season Mode or will we also be able to battle in them during Exhibition match ups.
Backstage Arenas
01. Interview Area
02. Hallway
03. Locker Room
It seems to be like WM XIX at the moment, backstage areas made for season mode, but no idea if it will be used in exhibition.

The Momentum aka Voltage Meter doesn't swing back and forth as quickly as before. Also, you can now perform your finishing moves at any time during the match. However, the Momentum Meter determines the efficiancy of a Finisher.

If you're not on top during the match, there's no point in hitting the finisher as you'll only inflict more damage if you have the Momentum. Also, instead of going staright into submission from the ground, you grab your opponents legs or head as part of the setup, while they struggle to get free.

Then there are the Extras. It's all the little things that don't really fit in any other catagory or hold enough information to be in a catagory of its own. The graphics and animations are among what will be found in the Extras.

The Extras
- Unlike Raw 1, Raw 2 will feature Double Team Moves such as the 3D and the Con-Chair-To.
- You can now use the ring apron to do moves like a Springboard dropkick and Moonsault
- The Superstars' faces are animated. IE: Eyes and Mouth move realistically.
- Some Superstars' have different hairstyles. IE: Triple H w/pony tail and hair down.
- The Hell in a Cell will be Full sized and Fully interactive.
- The way the Wrestlers walk will be corrected and fixed.
- The crowd is 3D and reacts your moves by cheering and moving around.
- You will be able to kneel down and grab weapons from under the ring.
- Use Music from your XBox Hard drive to create your own Custom Soundtrack.

Comments later.

[Joeiss]

The story mode sonds very good. I have always wanted to play a wrestling "RPG" type of game, where you can create allies and enemies.. I wonder if you like select to steal somebody's like... boots or something, or if you actually go to their lockeroom, beat them up, and steal their boots. LOL..

[Professor S]

I don't understand why Jerry Lawler isn't a playable wrestler.

1) He still wrestles from time to time, especially when they're in the Memphis area. And he's still very active on the southern Indy circuit.

2) He's a legitimate legend. His work with Terry Funk and Ric Flair are the stuff that compilation tapes are made of.

3) I've never been able to do his trademark "fist drop off the second tirnbuckle" in any game before... that actually depresses me a little.


As for not playing with JR? Who cares. But I would like to see Coach as a wrestler SO I COULD BEAT THE S**T OUT OF HIM... tool.

[TheGame]

lol, I wonder if the recation from wrestlers to your actions are good. Especially beating up announcers, if they hate you they should be bashing you the whole match.

(I wonder this cause I'm gonna get HHH and beat up the announcers constantly)

I also wonder if guys can get in "relationships" with girls on the game...

(I wonder this cause I'm gonna try and hook HHH and Steph back up :p)


But seriously... 10 actions? What types of actions can you chose from? 10 seems like way too many. Also, will the AI wrestlers get 10 options too? Seeing that it's four players I think that they should... or at least get 5 random actions per night. Chances are that I'm going to play 4 player season mode by myself and just take 4 guys in just to add to the replayability.