My review of WWF SmackDown: Just Bring It.

[Guest Jay]

WWF SmackDown: Just Bring It is the third installment of the SmackDown series, and it adds a lot to the series. This game, just like all other SD games, was developed by Yuke’s, the development team that created the first 3D wrestling game ever, Touken Retsuden. JBI adds in some features that were lacking in the SD series, but were in the TR series. Things such as fully 3D referees in matches, and a groggy grapple system (in which you can grapple with a groggy opponent and execute a whole new set of moves.) JBI even adds to this by adding an inhuman level of move selling; the previous SD games had no selling, whatsoever, and it really took away from the realistic aspect of the game. JBI also has something that no wrestling game has had; a fully functional mat-wrestling engine.

 

This engine makes amateur-style wrestling a breeze and it adds a whole new level to Kurt Angle’s in-game character, who this engine was obviously made for. JBI doesn’t bring over one of the best parts of the TR games; the submission system, and that’s really a shame. The TR games allowed you to lock a submission move, and it would not be broken until either your opponent broke it by force, or they made it to the ropes, in which case you could still hold on to the move for up to four seconds, if the ref’s count reaches five, you’ll be disqualified. The submission system in JBI is the same as in the other SD games, you apply a submission hold, and after about one second, the move is broken. This system really doesn’t do some of the game’s submission holds justice. Moves like the Ankle Lock and the Crippler Crossface are made to look brutal because of the amount of time the person executing it spends cranking the move in, they spend time to inflict as much damage as possible with the move. The JBI submission system cheapens the use of submission holds, which is a damned shame.

 

JBI adds very few modes when compared to SD 2. There are a couple of new modes, but they’re just modified versions of existing SD 2 modes, such as the new Armageddon Hell in a a Cell, and the Triple Threat Tag Team TLC match, both of which are just modified forms of the Hell in a Cell and TLC modes from SD 2. There is one totally new mode in JBI: the story mode. The story mode. This mode replaces the season mode in SD 2 and adds some much-needed improvements, however, it, much like the game’s gameplay, has faults all its own . JBI’s story mode focuses on your character, as opposed to the SD 2 season mode which bounced all over the place in regards to characters. JBI’s story mode allows you to go for whatever title you wish, as long as you choose the right path. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because you can go for more than one title, it’s a curse because you can’t choose which one to go after. The story mode is used as an outlet to unlock Hidden cards that feature (surprise, surprise) hidden features in the game. These things can range from new arenas, to new characters, or even to WCW/ECW wrestler movesets. I really like the Hidden card feature, they really help to keep the game fresh. The main fault in the story mode is the fact that it’s the only mode in which you can defend titles. Gone are the days of defending any title you want in any match you want, and against anyone you wanted. Now, you’re forced to defend it in a regular match, in an arena that is randomly chosen, and against an opponent that is randomly selected. This horrendous part of the game strips away some of the player’s freedom, and that’s not right. The player spent $50 on a game and they can’t even defend a title the way they want.

 

For all of the bad in the gameplay, there’s a lot of good. The Create A Wrestler mode is back, and better than ever thanks, in part, to the Hidden cards. This mode allows you to create any wrestler on the planet visually, and the Hidden cards will unlock a host of movesets, you’re bound to find one of your favorite ECW/WCW, or even Japanese wrestler’s moveset hidden in the game. The addition of the ECW and WCW logos to the mode add an increased sense of realism to the mode, now you can create authentic T-shirts in an effort to recreate this summer’s InVasion storyline. I’m amazed that Yuke’s had the guts to put these logos in the game, and I’m even more amazed that THQ would let them do it. The WCW game rights are still owned by EA, and the ECW ones are locked up in bankruptcy court, but since Acclaim held them last, they could rightfully claim ownership of the logo. Tons of new moves have been added to this feature, as has the much-needed ability to view entrance music, entrance videos (also called TitanTrons), and entrance taunts. These newly-added features allow you to make an even more precise CAW with less guesswork than before.

 

One of Just Bring It’s biggest and best enhancements is the fact that there’s a serious lack of something that SD 2 had a lot of: loading time. If you’ve never played SD 2; the game was plagued with constant loading time. Everything in the game had loading time between it, from the switching of menus, to the switching of matches in the season mode. JBI has virtually no loading time. Everything moves swiftly, from the transition from one match in story mode to the next, to the selection of character parts in the CAW mode. The only lengthy load time in the game comes from when the game is saving, a process that takes upwards of 30 seconds, not bad since the game has a 4 MB memory requirement. That 4MB holds a lot of data, so at least it's not going to waste.

 

Now that I’ve given you a quick overview of my thoughts on the gameplay, it’s time to move on to the game’s control. JBI’s enhanced gameplay engine controls like a dream. Any and everything in the game can be controlled with ease. Keeping with the mat-wrestling engine, going from a hammerlock, to a go-behind, to a leg trip, to an armbar, is an effortless process. The same can be said for any other aspect of the game. The SD games have always features spot-on control, and now they’ve got an engine that shows that aspect off.

 

The graphics in the game are a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, they’re the best graphics I’ve ever seen in a wrestling game; and on the other, they’re not that much better than those featured in SD 2. The character models in JBI, however, they look just like the models of SD 2 with the PS2's texture enhancement turned on during the heat of battle. JBI adds tons of animation to these glorified SD 2 character models, and it does a world of good for the game as a whole Without this increase in animation, the mat-wrestling engine would be negated due to choppy transitions. Thanks to the pumped-up animation, this is not the case. The animation for almost every move in the game has seen some tweaking, and it’s good to see. All in all, the graphics are good. The character models don’t look all that much better than SD 2 during a match, but the game’s selective camera tends to focus on the pumped-up facial models, rather than the bodies of the characters, which haven’t seen all that much improvement.

 

The sound in the game is, yet another mixed bag. On one hand, the game features a ton of music, both in-game and during the entrances, that keeps your blood pumping, it also features some of the most realistic sound effects I’ve ever heard in a wrestling game, and on the other, it features the worst commentary I’ve ever heard in a wrestling game. I’ve always said that commentary should be left out of wrestling games unless it could be done right, and these words ring true for this game. The commentary supplied by Michael Cole and Tazz is disjointed and often-times has nothing to do with the action on-screen. For example, during a hardcore match between the Undertaker and Jerry Lynn, Michael Cole blurts out,”The (pause) Undertaker is a (pause) nice person.” This is a perfect example of both the disjointed aspect of the commentary, and the irrelevant nature of some of the comments. In mid-sentence, either Cole or Tazz will spout sayings that often change in tone. These kinds of problems are inexcusable. When problems are this bad, the commentary should be left out. I could tolerate the commentary if these things only happened every so often, but they happen in every match. Thankfully, you can turn the commentary off, but it never should have been there to begin with. It just takes up space that could have been better spent on refining the gameplay. The sound effects are a highlight of the sound. Each and every attack in the game, from the smallest chop, to the largest choke slam, has its own unique sound effect that does an amazing job at conveying the damage done by that particular move. The ring announcing in the game, supplied by “The Fink” Howard Finkel, is unparalleled, it sounds just like it does on TV, with just the right amount of emotional input added in, it doesn’t sound bland, or overblown.

 

Just Bring It has a ton of replay value. The Hidden cards will keep you glued to the story mode; while the features that are unlocked with them will keep you glued to the CAW mode. However, the replay value is severely hampered by the aforementioned story mode-only title defenses. Being able to defend the title in any type of match you wanted was one of the things that kept the game fresh, and now it’s gone.

 

Overall, Just Bring It is a fine wrestling game. For all the bad parts, there are a lot of good ones as well. However, with the release of Legends of Wrestling right around the corner, I’ve got to say that you should just rent this game. Give it a shot at the very least, but if you’re the least bit skeptical about it, and you’ve got Legends of Wrestling on the brain, just rent this game. You’ll be able to unlock all of the Hidden cards within that time, but you probably won’t be able to spend time with the CAW mode, which is a shame. If you absolutely must own every wrestling game on the market, like me, then go ahead and buy it, as long as it won't interfere with you buying another game.

[Guest Jay]

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Guest Maurizio C... Version 2]

I can't execute 3 men moves, it's virtually impossible. Same with finishing maneuvers, if I'm not Rock and got a move like Big Show or Taker where I must look my opponent in the eyes to execute it, then I'm in big troubles.

 

How do I break tables?

and the announce tables?

 

You can't choose opponents in KOTR. once you've discovered all the hidden cards, what's the fun in playing the game? you can't organize ppvs... but since I spent all my money in buying the console AND the game, I can't admit the game sucks.

[Guest jaCko]

The commentary really kills the game for me. I mean it's SO bad. For anyone thinking of getting the game, rent it first. I almost made the mistake of buying it straight up.

[Guest pochorenella]

I got a copy for just $5 since I have the PS2 mod chip.

 

So far I'm having a ball with the game. I already created Snake-Eyes, Gokuh, and El Santo, and even myself. I'm mostly inexpert but I'm coming along.

It's true that finishing moves are very hard to do.

And why the h... does it take so much memory space? Damn...

Peace

[Guest Jay]

Ugh, I can't stand pirates.

[Guest pochorenella]

Ugh, I can't stand pirates.

 

Sorry, man.

 

In my defense, that's the only copy I have. Everything else I got is original. And I didn't copy it, I don't have the DVD burner that's needed, so I'm not going around making money with PS2 burned discs.

Didn't you just ask for feedback? This is out of topic.

 

Peace.

[Guest Jay]

WOW, it's the only pirated game you own, that sure makes it all right.  You're still stealing from the industry.

[Guest Maurizio C... Version 2]

*stealing from the industry*. it's like the never-ending cd problem. until they'll cost less people will opt for the cheap. is it right? no. Is it cheaper? yes.

[Guest Jay]

Thank you Captain Obvious, WE ALL KNOW IT'S CHEAPER.  There is no reason to state this and insult our intelligence.

[Guest Maurizio C... Version 2]

quite frankly I think it's you coming here, insulting us, acting like a big shot ("my review is on this site, on that on, on that other one"). You gotta understand no one has the money to buy 3/4 games a month. stop acting like an ass if you're not in the mood to accept feedback. You may be good at writing but your reviews reeks of markiness at a disturbing level. I read 2 of your reviews and it seems that any game you've reviewed is THE GREATESt GAME IN THE HISTORY OF WRESTLINg GAMES, TONIGHT ON NIT... sorry... if you cannot accept criticism then stay away from this board.

 

got it?

[Guest Jay]

I love critisism, it helps make me a better writer.  Unfortunately, I have yet to find any constructive critisism here.  I've done over 30 wrestling game reviews, and over 200 game reviews, these works are but a mere sampling of my stuff.  How am I acting like a big shot by saying a review is somewhere?  I happen to be proud that my work is seen in multiple places.

[Guest pochorenella]

WOW, it's the only pirated game you own, that sure makes it all right.  You're still stealing from the industry

 

Alright, since I'm the one who brought this up:

Yes, I download some music and burn my own CDs.

Yes, I have bootleg wrestling tapes (Oh, God, they're trading them on this board right now??!!??)

Yes, I have a mod-chip on my PS2 and a copy of Smackdown!Just Bring It.

Yes, I also buy original CDs (if I like them a lot) and original games (ditto) and most of my video collection are original tapes and DVDs.

Those who NEVER tape off from TV, or burn they're own CDs, or trade bootleg tapes can "throw the first stone." Look that one up, it's in the Bible.

Peace.

[Guest Lil Naitch]

Hey, I download most of my music, but that's not the topic. Smackdown!3 is.

The game is good, but with several flaws, which were covered.

I  can't seem to do double team moves.

I wish there was a create-a-belt.

that is all for now.

[Guest Blackston]

I got a copy of Smackdown! 3 from Blockbuster.  They were selling it for 15 dollars at my local one, and I think that I got one hell of a deal.  I probably wouldn't have been too pleased with it if I spent 50 dollars on it, but for 15 dollars, it suits me just fine.  The game does have plenty of problems, but it is a fun time...

[Guest Jay]

Ugh, Foley, the double team moves are SO easy to execute.  You, or you partner, get someone in a grapple, hit a d-pad command, and CIRCLE, then voila.  You can also do them by throwing your foe into the turnbuckle,  WITH A PARTNER THERE AS WELL, and hitting a d-pad command and CIRCLE.

[Vanhalen 0]

Piece of piss really

[dubq 0]

Are you a moron? Why are you bumping old threads if you have NOTHING to add to them?

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Are you blind? He said "piece of piss..."

[dubq 0]

Yeah, and those three word posts (in this and a ton of other threads), three years after the fact, are really adding to the conversation.

 

If this is a new gimmick, it's fucking retarded.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Perhaps when his soccer team (football to the rest of the world; I know, I know, ignorant American) lost that game a while back and had to go into the retard division, he was pushed over the edge...