Smackdown vs Raw 2010 is the best in the series so far with improved graphics, create a story mode, a re-vamped create a wrestler mode and even an improved create a finisher mode. The series still has it's problems but the future looks bright for Smackdown vs Raw.
Story – 7/10Contining from the success from last years introduction, Road To WrestleMania comes with 5 brand new stories that includes a diva story and a create a superstar story. Each Road To WrestleMaina starts off at the same point after the Armageddon pay-per-view up until the finale at WrestleMaina XXV.
With the introduction of the create a story mode, the players can create as many story-lines as they wish and it's even possible to downloaded more using the community creations section of the online mode. This is a great new feature and really has a lot of potential because players can create and share their own scenarios but there is a downside to this mode; a created superstar can only be used 10 times in the whole story.
Smackdown vs Raw 2010 career mode is the same as last years game and hasn't really proven to much of a use for it other than for trophy hunters. I've always wished for a career mode like in WWE Smackdown 2 but I've never been given wish yet I still don't give up hope. I feel that a decent career mode would help improve the quality of the game. Right now I can't see a point for the career mode unless your a trophy hunter.
Gameplay – 9/10The gameplay mechanics are pretty much the same since the 2006 edition with a few new improvements. The superstar can now use more moves now as the developers have increased from 2 strong grapples to 4 strong grapple holds therefore allowing for 16 strong grapple moves. The R3 button is now the struggle submission button and this allows for a lot more submissions too from 4 standing and 6 when lying down. New moves have also been implemented and are clearly marked to announce that they are new on the create a movelist mode.
The user interface has also been given a major makeover, all that is visible now is a semi-circle around your superstar known as the momentum meter, there is none for you opponent though(unless your playing local multi-player). This is a step closer to making the game a little more life-like. The reversal system has also been changed and now uses only the R2 button for everything and you are now prompted in when to press it but you do have to be quick so it doesn't un-even the balance of the game which I was happy with because if there's no challenge there's no point in playing.
Now to the matches, there are 2 new types of matches and a lot more upgrades to existing matches. The first new match is a champion scramble match which starts off with two superstars and ends with all six wrestlers in the ring until the time runs out and whoever has latest fall wins the match. The other new match is a mixed tag team match which is simlar to a normal tag match but with teams with a male and female and as part of the rules the male superstar cannot touch the female superstar or the match ends in disqualification. The royal rumble has been greatly improved and now uses new mechanics in eliminating other wrestlers from pressing specific buttons or pressing the button before your opponent. The thing I'm most happy about is in a Falls Count Anyway match the referee comes out of the ring with the wrestlers.
Graphics – 8/10The graphics are an improvement over last years edition of Smackdown vs Raw which is always nice to see, the character models resemble their real life counter parts in a lot of detail as well as with just the little things like long hair moving about or loose clothing fluttering. The pyrotechnics are a bit plain and could do with a little bit of updating but this is not a major is issue and just this one man's opinion. The audience also look really outdated and is another thing that is stopping this game from being perfect. It's just a wonder how the superstars can be done in so much detail but the people on the audience look to terrible and almost PlayStation 2 graphics.
The developers have tweaked a few things that make the game just that little more realistic. One of these things is the rope rings; they interact with your character that I believe is done using the Havoc game engine. Another cool new tweak is to do with making your opponent bleed. When I first cut open my opponent I was disappointed with the outcome; just a tiny little blood patch on the forehead but it wasn't until I noticed that the blood was transferring to my own player and I could make the cut bigger with tactical strikes to the head and again this just adds a little bit more realism into the game.
Sound/Voice Acting – 6/10The voice acting and the commentary isn't good but it has improved since Smackdown vs Raw 2009. The road to WrestleMaina (as far as I know) use their real voices from the World Wrestling Entertainment shows but in my opinion there just isn't enough and that makes the scenes feel a little bland at times. The commentary during the matches is implemented quite poorly and there will be times where there is just silence from them for a long period but I do like how they have implemented names of created superstars into commentary.
Other than the voice acting the sounds of the game are great. The cheers from the audience are excellent and now chant the names of the created superstars as well as the original superstars themselves. The only thing I would think would be pretty cool is if the wrestlers themselves could produce sounds like they do in the WWE shows like maybe when they are taunting and yell at the same time.
Overall – 8/10For what Smackdown vs Raw 2010 is, it really does pack a punch and is without a doubt in my mind, the best Smackdown vs Raw game yet. I would even go as far as saying this is the best wrestling game I've ever played but it is not without it's flaws. Give this game a try.
SummaryStory: 7
Gameplay: 9
Graphics: 8
Sound/Voice Acting: 6
Overall: 8