WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain

The Good
One of the best features of Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain is the revolutionary story mode. Before starting the mode, players can edit the rosters and even change the superstars' face or heel status.

Then when players get that set up, the game really gets great. Using a 4 shows plus 1 PPV per month schedule, players are given a nice organized time table without having to worry about the other brand. Players gain popularity points for winning matches but can also choose to throw a match without even having to play.

Players can also get popularity points by successfully completing a backstage event. Before the start of each match, players can choose to go backstage and see if there is a superstar to interact with. These interactions range from attempting to form alliances, picking on another superstar, or even standing up for a diva. Depending on the choice players make, you may end up loosing or gaining popularity points, or even end up getting into a backstage fight (which features tons of environmental interactions and doors leading to other areas, including the ring).

Championships are handled very effectively and in a matter that no previous or future game has matched. Depending on the player's popularity score, certain titles will be available to you; there's the titles that are always available (tag team titles), the mid card titles (US, Intercontinental, and Hardcore), the world titles, and special class titles (Cruiserweight and women's titles). Players can challenge for any title they are qualified to compete for or can choose not to compete for a title at all (which leads to non title storylines), which gives the game play great legs in the choice department.

Finally, the gameplay is top notch and one of the best in wrestling games. Players can choose to move with the analog stick or directional pad, and can initiate 4 types of grapples which have up to 4 different grapple attacks for a total of 16 different grapples for each characters in the standing position. The gameplay, while not very fluid, is quick paced and feels like a real wrestling show with dramatic camera angles that do not distract from the action. Reversals can be reasonably pulled off and the AI will always give you a good fight (even on the easy setting, the enemies are aggressive and will walk all over you if you let them).

The Bad
Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain does not quiet excel at areas outside of the story or gameplay. The create a characters look horribly grotesque compared to the in game wrestlers and compared to create options in other wrestling titles, these create features are rather slim and not very user friendly.

Outside of story mode, there is little to the game. Exhibition matches feel very pointless due to the fact there is no money to earn or a shop to use (all of that is handled in story mode). Since titles can not be fought for in exhibition modes, the victory of winning a belt can only be satisfactory in story mode, which only adds to the pointlessness of exhibition matches outside of the story (unless you're playing with a friend).

While the backstage segments are fun and keep the game diverse, they often feel random. Players don't know which answer will get them beat up by a superstar or give them respect points with another and it often makes you feel as if your playing Russian Roulette with your popularity points, which often means it's a better idea just to skip over the backstage segments sometimes.

The Bottom Line
Despite SD! Here Comes the Pain's faults, this is by far one of the best wrestling games ever. The roster is top notch, the gameplay is one of the best of its kind, and the story mode will have players coming back for many more rounds. Simply put it, Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain is a must play for wrestling enthusiasts and anyone who wants to play a great game.