There are two kinds of wrestling games – the ones that take themselves super-seriously (like the WWE Smackdown vs. Raw games) and the ones that “let loose” and try something different, like the old-school Midway release WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game and the Nintendo 64 grapplers. It seems we haven’t had a release that leans towards the arcade motif in quite some time – which is what makes WWE All Stars so welcome as it arrives this week. Here’s a wrestling game that refuses to take itself too seriously, and as a result, produces more fun than we’ve had in years. The process is very true to the sport of wrestling, with lots of punches, kicks, grapples, reversals and other moves. However, the style in which they’re executed is all arcade, as you’ll jump across a ring from the top rope to nail an opponent or go high-flying to send your foe to the mat. This is especially true with the game’s “power” moves, in which you’ll go flying ten feet in the air before sending your rival to the mat with a thunderous blow.
Once you gain enough energy, you’ll be able to execute your wrestler’s signature move, such as The Rock’s Rock Bottom or Triple H’s Pedigree – with arcade modifications, of course. What’s more, the roster combines everything that’s good about the current state of WWE, while throwing in some classic love for good measure. Rey Mysterio, The Undertaker, and Kofi Kingston, among others, make up the new side, while vintage wrestling favorites such as The Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan (among others) are ready to rumble. There are 32 in all, with the ability to add more via DLC or, if you’re feeling frisky, creating your own. We had a lot of fun making Michael Cole in the character creation system, them pummeling him to bits. (Hey, if you read his Twitter account, you’d be angry too.) Gameplay is straight-up arcade style, with moves coming off with ease and plenty of chances to create killer combos and counters. The four-tier energy bar works very well, giving you the chance to mount a comeback, even if it’s late in the match.
The game is also impressive in the multiplayer aspect, as you can grapple with others in a variety of matches – steel cage, four-man Texas Tornado, extreme rules – both online and locally. There hasn’t been a hint of lag in our sessions, which makes the slammerific action even better than expected. And if you need help learning any moves, there’s a helpful practice set-up, as well as adjustable difficulty. Along with the main arcade mode and various match types, WWE All Stars also includes a Path of Champions mode, where you head to Wrestlemania, knocking off opponents as you chase after the current champions – either the Undertaker, Randy Orton or Degeneration X, depending on which route you take. If that isn’t enough, Fantasy Warfare is also quite exciting, pitting older wrestlers against new ones in themed match-ups. We admit, it was crazy watching the “Straight Edge” superstar CM Punk go up against the beer-swilling, Stunner-dropping Stone Cold Steve Austin. For that matter, watching the late Eddie Guerrero go high-flying against Rey Mysterio is also quite memorable. Though the wrestlers are divided by classes: acrobats, grapplers, big men and brawlers; each one has advantages for each match-up. So you’re not automatically doomed pitting Kofi Kingston against Andre the Giant, although, obviously, you have your work cut out for you.
This feature review concludes on the next page, please click Page 2 below to see our final thoughts on WWE All Stars.
