DVD Talk Forum - WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2011

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WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2011

I decided to start a thread on this game since the official roster reveal happens later today (4PM Pacific Time to be exact).

Overall, I'm really excited about the game this year. The improvements that have been shown look to be substantial. TLC matches will be awesome and Cell matches will be epic. Over the last few days some of the negatives have begun to show up in various forums and outlets, but I think they're minor compared to the improvements.

Anyway, here's information I've collected about the game so far, both good and bad.

Highlights for 2011:

Over 70 wrestlers/divas will be in the game.

New Physics System for weapons. Tables, ladders, chairs and other weapons can now be used with much more realism. You can do finishers from a ladder and put people through a table. You can lean ladders all over the place (on the ropes, against the side of the ring, etc.), set up a ladder outside the ring and jump onto a ladder inside the ring. You can throw weapons, do finishers onto weapons, etc. Also, you can sit your opponent on the top turnbuckle to set up another move.

Hell In A Cell Match revamped. Cell area made larger to make it closer to actual cell. Weapons are now under the ring like every other match. The Cell door was removed, so now if you want to escape the cell, you have to break out one of the walls instead.

WWE Universe Mode: The game defaults into this mode, which is basically a GM mode that can run without any input from you, or with as much input as you want to add. This mode creates matches, cards, PPVs, etc. Sets up rivalries, and evolves as you play. You can change the matches or just let it do its thing. Basically this is the replacement for exhibition mode, but you can easily bypass it if you want.

Road To WrestleMania mode revamped: RTWM mode now takes a more active form as you get to roam freely backstage, getting into conversations and confrontations with people and taking different paths down the road. There is also an unlockable Time Machine which will allow you to jump around in the RTWM to replay the branching points of the story in order to get unlockables.

Downloadable Create-A-Wrestlers: This feature returns from 2010, but allows you to edit the ones you download. Last year you were stuck with whatever the creator put in for moves, entrances, music, etc. This year you'll be able to change things, making it infinitely better and more useful.

Create-A-Finisher: Many more moves added here, along with the ability to create finishers with your opponent in the corner (i.e. The Pepsi Plunge)

Multiple titles: You can now enter with two belts, so if you're the WWE and World Heavyweight Champion, you can carry both to the ring. Nameplates on the belts also accurately reflect the champion (and can actually be read).

Money In The Bank: You can win the Briefcase and cash it in for a title match.

Blood is still in game: Blood will be turned off by default, but you can turn it back on.

Divas: Divas can compete in just about any match type (Royal Rumble and First Blood excluded). Women still can't bleed, and still can't fight against men. But you can have Divas TLC or Elimination Chamber.

Entrance Nag Screen Killed: The screen asking if you want turn off entrances because you skip them has been removed (Finally!)

There will be 20 Total Arenas in the game & 2 more via DLC.

Tribute To The Troops Arena returns (Wal*Mart buyers get the code)

Undertaker will have his Wrestlemania XV Ministry Attire as an alternate (Toys R Us will give you the code if you pre-order from them)

Bret Hart (Classic not current) will be available on XBOX 360 and PS3 (If you get it at Best Buy, most likely will be DLC later on like Stone Cold last year)

Randy Orton has 3 alternate attires (Suit, Ref Shirt, Orton T-Shirt) (Amazon.com has the Code)

Some negatives:
Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler are the only commentators this year, as the other announce teams weren't finalized in time to record them (at least that's the excuse THQ has given).

Tag Belts are Unified: You can't separate the tag belts this year, which wouldn't be too bad, but they didn't have a chance to animate entrances for tag teams carrying two belts, so if you are the unified tag champs your ring entrances will be separated (i.e. if DX are the champs you can't enter as DX, but Triple H and Shawn Michaels will enter separately each with 2 belts).

THQ Online Code: THQ is taking the same path as EA Sports and are including a code with the game that will be required to play online. If you buy the game used you'll have to pay $10 to get a new code. You do get the first DLC pack with this code (Includes Chris Masters, and alternate attires for Rey Mysterio and Kelly Kelly).