Def Jam Vendetta: IGN scores it a 8.9...

[Guest Downhome]

I am going to be there in the mornin to pick mine up, I want this game, need this game, and CRAVE this game damnit! It has got the highest score for any PS2 wrestling game at IGN, and one of the best scores for any wrestling game on ANY system. Go buy it, love it, as I know for a fact that I will...

 

March 31, 2003 - For over a decade, the rappers at Def Jam have been looking for a fight. From Fight the Power and Fight for Your Right to Party, to Bring the Pain and Mama Said Knock You Out, the label's twisted rhymes of boasts and bravado into a multi-billion dollar industry of beats and beat downs. But how would these same rappers fare if they had to put down their mics and put up their dukes? That's the concept behind EA BIG's bangin' new brawler, Def Jam Vendetta.

At its core, Vendetta's a wrestling game without the wrestlers. It's Fight Club without Brad Pitt. It's Redman picking his opponent up by the throat in the middle of the ring and punching him in the nuts so many times you need to drop your controller and grab your sack out of some remote fear the pain actually translates to your testicles.

 

It's also the best wrestling game to slam these current-generation consoles to date, no doubt.

 

Welcome to the Terrordome.

 

Features

Designing an original wrestling game without a traditional wrestling license (WWE, NWA) has proved to be a process full of ups and downs, or smackdowns as the case may be, for veteran wrestling game designers Aki (WWF Wrestlemania 2000, WWF No Mercy). To Aki's benefit in Def Jam Vendetta, it wasn't ever restricted to merely imitating exactly what's seen on TV in terms of presentation or even move sets. In a WWE game for instance, if during the course of a People's Elbow, The Rock doesn't remove his elbow pad and deliver his signature raised eyebrow to the camera, wrestling fans across the globe would (and have in the past) shriek louder than Mick Foley rolling around on a mat full of thumbtacks.

 

But by creating a world of underground fighting where the wrestlers (44 in all) are a mix of fictional fighters and superstar rappers who put the hip in the hop, Aki has designed each character and fighting style the way that suits gameplay best and never once was forced to cater to preconceived notions of what a specific wrestler needs to fight like in the ring. When Spider delivers his version of the Rock Bottom, he doesn't just pick his opponent up and slam them to the mat, a la The People's Champ. Instead, Spider picks his man up like a traditional Rock Bottom, then spins them around two times before dropping his opponent straight down on the back of his head and neck. A move so painful, so nasty, it must bring a tear to The Rock's eye to think he can't match the jaw-dropping awe a move like this inspires.

 

This theory of starting from scratch also plays to Aki's benefit outside of the ring as well as the arenas and fight locations (12 total) are some of the coolest in any wrestling game. Each rapper has a venue that matches his persona to perfection. So while Ludacris fights in an arena full of distractions including scantily-clad ladies sliding down stripper poles, DMX is gonna give it to you in The Junkyard, complete with old tires beneath the ring.

 

But while character and arena design work in Aki's favor, it's the lack of overall features and match types wrestling fans have grown accustomed to that serves to suplex the game back down to the mat. Sure, Def Jam Vendetta sports a scintillating Story mode (more on that later), as well as Singles, Tag Team, Handicap, Survival, and up to four-player Free For All bouts, but that's absolutely nothing compared to the countless match types found in WWE Smackdown!: Shut your Mouth. There are no Battle Royals to be found. No Table matches, no Ladder matches, and for a game that shoots for the hardcore, there are not only no Hardcore matches, but there are no weapons to be found in any match type, period. No chairs, ring bells, mics, or platinum records to smash over your opponent's head. No Spanish announce table to piledrive enemies through.

 

Again, Def Jam Vendetta is not a traditional wrestling game, so you can't expect every type of match, but at the same time the game's still grounded in the roots of wrestling, and fans of the "sport" will be disappointed that more was not done to blend the two together. Another disappointment is the omission of any type of Create-A-Wrestler mode. The Create-A-Wrestler mode has traditionally been one of the most popular features in recent grappling games and would've been a welcomed addition to Def Jam Vendetta.

 

 

 

There's no doubt about it, you take a lotta hurt in this game...

 

 

Another oddity is the actual lineup of fighters. While there are 44 wrestlers total, there are only 12 Def Jam artists. Not that that's completely outrageous, but the 12 aren't exactly the 12 you'd expect from a label like Def Jam. The game features Method Man, Redman, N.O.R.E., Capone, WC, Scarface, Joe Budden, DMX, Ludacris, Keith Murray, Ghostface Killah, and Funkmaster Flex. But that begs the question, where is LL Cool J? He's been the most recognized artist on the label for years and he's nowhere to be seen. Also MIA are Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Cam'ron, and old school rapper Slick Rick.

 

Speaking of old school, while a Public Enemy cut is featured on the soundtrack, there's no P.E. representation in the ring. No Chuck D., no Flava Flav smashing fools with his clock, not even Professor Griff or an S1W in the crowd saluting. While certainly not a gamebreaker, the exclusion of these artists is a bit perplexing. It's like creating a WWE game without Stone Cold

 

 

Gameplay

If the lack of features forces the game down to the mat, it's Vendetta's brilliantly smooth gameplay that picks it back up and flexes its muscles as it struts its way along the road to the title. Take the N64 classic WWF No Mercy, replace all the wrestlers with silly names like Mr. Ass with, well, rappers with silly names like Ludacris, and you pretty much know how Vendetta plays. Simply tapping the grapple button performs your basic set of moves like slams, suplexes, and headbutts. Hold the grapple button down to perform an entirely new set of more powerful moves from choke slams to the good old Stink Face. Fighters can launch themselves off the top rope, dive through the ropes onto an opponent outside the ring, and lock adversaries in a variety of bone-breaking submission holds.

Anything you've ever wanted to do in a wrestling ring can be performed in Def Jam Vendetta, and like I said before, the moves you're accustomed to seeing on shows like Raw and SmackDown are delivered with such force and flair, Def Jam Vendetta makes the real thing look somewhat tame in comparison.

 

As you work your way through a match, the more variety of moves you utilize, the more the crowd gets behind you. The more the crowd adores you, the more your Momentum meter begins to fill. When your Momentum meter is completely full, you're able to deliver one of two (one from the front, one from behind) "Blazin'" finishing moves. Moves such as Redman's aforementioned Balls to the Wall and Method Man's Methalize, where the habitually high prankster from the slums of Shaolin picks his opponent up in a Lex Luger-like Rack, cracks the spine a few times for good measure, then drops him head first into a modified brainbuster. These are devastating moves that wrestlers could never pull off in real life for the simple fact that real people have real bones that would snap in two (if they are lucky). In a videogame, you can just hit reset.

 

In addition to the basic moves and finishers, each fighter features a unique set of three combos. When these combos are completed, not only will your opponent be left flattened, your momentum meter will fill up extremely fast, enabling you to move from combo to finisher in no time. The combos aren't your basic punch, punch, kick, either, as you'll have to experiment with each brawler to see what moves link into others. For example, one of Joe Budden's combos is The Focus. To perform this move you need to get in close to your opponent and hit him with a soft strike. Follow this up by grabbing him in a rear hard grapple and send him down to the mat. Once your opponent is down, run toward him and strike him one last time by pressing up and punch. May not be as simple as 1-2-3, but it will lead to many pin-falls throughout the game.

 

Like all wrestling and fighting games, Def Jam Vendetta works best as a two-player contest. But as a single-player game this is deep, engaging and not only refreshing in its originality, it's terribly rewarding with a great many unlockable characters. As the story goes, street fighting was too gangsta for the Garden, so a local crime boss named D-Mob decided to take the conflict underground. At first, you're simply trying to do a homey named Manny a favor by taking his spot in a few fights, simply trying to earn some scratch to pay the bills. But once you realize your former squeeze Angel now lays down with the enemy (D-Mob), you take to the tournament to try to take the big man and his band of Def Jam fighters down while in the process proving to your former honey who the man really is. As you progress through Story mode, every fighter you defeat becomes playable in other modes like Single and Free For All, and as you defeat all fighters from the same area, that area's venue also becomes unlocked.

 

And like all winners, the ladies flock to your side, even fighting each other for the rights to be your "girlfriend." When two girls are about to fight for your rights, you choose the one you want to win, then you actually control her in the match. If your woman wins the fight, not only will she become a playable character in other modes, but you will unlock a piece of her Gallery, a Maxim-esque photo spread of the real woman the videogame character is based on, bikinis and all. Throughout Story mode you will also earn money for every match that you win and you can in turn use the money to either increase your character's attributes or to buy more photos of your girlfriends in other outfits like nightgowns and other assorted evening wear (use your imagination).

 

Speaking of spending money, if you do decide to actually get your skills working instead of your imagination, you can increase everything from your character's speed and strength to his charisma. And while it may sound silly to spend money to increase your fighter's charisma, remember, this is a game based on the entertainment industry where image is everything, and Def Jam Vendetta is no different. The more charisma you have, the more the crowd pops to your every move and the faster your Momentum meter fills, making the charisma attribute actually one of the most useful in the game.

 

One disappointing feature of the Story, however, is the fact that you can't play through the mode as any of the Def Jam rappers. You are given four of the fictitious fighters to choose from when the story begins, and while it's always thrilling to take an unknown underdog through the ranks of the underground fighting circuit, it would've been even sweeter if the game also included some kind of storyline that enabled you to play as one of the maniac musicians.

 

 

 

It's not kick-boxing, but that is a kick in the face. Ouch...

 

 

Graphics

From the homies to the hotties, Vendetta delivers some of the best-looking fighter models ever to grace the squared-circle. You can spot the definition in DMX's abs, the ice on Redman's ear, and the gold around Ghostface Killah's arm. Each rapper's face and trademark look is instantly identifiable for fans, and non-fans will get a kick (sometimes in the balls) from the unique styles and profiles of the men behind the mic. The game isn't meant to look realistic, but rather adapts a stylistic look, with a cartoon affect that blends in hints of realism with some very artistic techniques. The game's look works extremely well.

 

The atmosphere surrounding Story mode and the cinematics that push the storyline forward are also top rope. We're talking two-way pagers, arenas with DJ's and dancing girls, and a bad-ass boss looking to intimidate your every move. And the character models, especially the female ones, are dope. These are sexy, fine-looking videogame examples of the female species.

 

Sound

If you're a fan of rap music, Def Jam Vendetta's soundtrack is laced with the mix of old school and fresh cuts you've been waiting for. There are 18 songs, including Nothin' - N.O.R.E., Smash Sumthin' - Redman, Fight the Power - Public Enemy, Buck 50 - Cappadonna, Method Man, and Redman, X Gonna Give It To Ya - DMX, Bring the Pain - Method Man, Uh Huh! - Method Man, Focus - Joe Budden, In Cold Blood - Scarface, Do Sumthin - Comp, Throw Ya Gunz - Onyx, The Streets - WC featuring Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg, Oh My Goodness - Keith Murray, Yeah Yeah You Know It - Keith Murray, Intro - DMX, Party Up - DMX, Stick 'em - Comp, and Stomp - C-N-N.

 

The only downer is that a bunch of the lyrics have been edited out for obvious reasons. Too bad there wasn't a version for sale with a Parental Advisory sticker and all of the swearing left intact. Oh well, maybe next year.

 

For those who love the super slick stereophonic high-fi connections, Def Jam Vendetta supports Dolby Surround Pro-logic II. So if you hook up the system you're going to get a clean, smooth, and big sound, and given the level of bass in the game, that's a good thing.

 

 

Closing Comments

If you bought Wu Tang: Shaolin Style and have been scared off of rapper fisticuffs ever since, don't worry, Def Jam Vendetta represents both the culture and the clash to the highest degree. Besides, word on the streets is that Method Man himself thought the Wu-Tang Clan game was whack, so you're not alone.

When it comes to two-player action, you'll be hard-pressed to find a smoother, slicker slobberknocker than this wrestler. It's the game that makes The Rock look like a pebble and is a must-buy for all fans of the genre. And, as you can see by the score, it's the highest rated wrestling game on the site.

 

-- Jon Robinson

 

 

Presentation

Flashy and full of bling-bling, you'll want a two-way pager after playing through Story mode. 9.0

Graphics

You'll be the one shouting "Oh My Goodness" when you see the rapper models. Too bad there's the occasional torso through the rope glitch that seems to plague all Aki wrestlers. 8.8

Sound

Blazin' beats and rhymes, although why the soundtrack was limited to just 15 songs remains a mystery. 8.5

Gameplay

Wrestling games don't get any smoother or more complete in terms of in-ring capabilities and ease of control. 9.3

Lasting Appeal

Def Jam will always be something in your library to play in two or four-player. And you'll have to play the story mode at least twice to unlock all the fine chick pictures. 8.5

OVERALL SCORE (not an average) 8.9

 

...*waits patiently*.

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[Guest Downhome]

By the way, it WILL be released tomorrow.

[Guest Lightning Flik]

As I had said in the other post. Almost always, release date = shipping date.

 

With that, I don't trust IGN's reviews for a long time now. I just go to gamerankings and find out the average review score and go by that as a first judge. Then I rent the game before buying.

 

After my recent debacle last year with Grandia X, I ain't making a damned mistake of buy first and ignore reviews.

[Guest Downhome]

GamePro also gave it a high score, a 9.0 to be exact.

[Guest Downhome]

GameSpot.com just put up their review, a great ass 8.4, saying it's the best wrestling game since No Mercy. Here is the full text review...

 

Back in the days of the Nintendo 64, AKI was renowned for its offerings in the wrestling game market. Starting out with Virtual Pro Wrestling, an import title that featured a host of Japanese wrestlers and a simple but highly enjoyable game engine, AKI eventually became the preferred developer among many wrestling fans, creating such popular American titles as WCW vs. NWO Revenge and WWF No Mercy. Now, thanks to Electronic Arts, AKI has found its way to the modern consoles with Def Jam Vendetta, a hip-hop-themed wrestling game that may not contain your favorite wrestlers, but does manage to contain some of the best wrestling gameplay around.

 

Vendetta is truly a great wrestling game that any fan of the genre should try.

Def Jam Vendetta takes place in a fictional underground street-fighting circuit owned and maintained by a mysterious and most certainly evil character known only as D-Mobb. The game features more than 40 wrestlers, including a handful of artists from the Def Jam Records label, such as DMX, Scarface, Method Man, Redman, WC, Ghostface Killah, and others. Fights take place in various back alleys and seedy clubs in and around New York City. However, despite the game's liberal usage of the term street fighting, Def Jam Vendetta is most definitely a wrestling game, and a very good one at that.

 

Fans of the AKI wrestling games will know exactly what to expect from Def Jam Vendetta's gameplay. Save for a much quicker pace and some minor tweaks here and there, the AKI engine has been left largely untouched. Standing maneuvers are performed by pressing the strike button or grapple button in conjunction with a direction on the analog stick. Quickly tapping either button will perform a weaker version of the move, while holding a button down will perform a much stronger strike or allow for a more powerful grappling maneuver. Moves that involve launching off the top rope or throwing opponents into the ropes are set up similarly. Building up your wrestler's momentum meter allows you to execute a special attack. When the meter reaches its peak, holding down the grapple button and hitting the right analog stick will perform your wrestler's unique special move. All damage done in the game is region-specific, and each part of a wrestler's body has its own health meter. Each wrestler also has a general health meter that will slowly replenish throughout the match. This meter largely determines whether an opponent can be knocked out or pinned, while the region-specific meters are largely geared toward submission moves. Players looking for a more inventive or original method of play may find themselves turned off by how steadfastly the game holds to the AKI formula, but while it may not be very innovative at this point, it's still a very solid system.

 

Def Jam Vendetta has all the usual match types and modes you'd expect from a wrestling game. Battle mode serves as the game's exhibition mode, allowing up to four players to choose from a variety of different match types, including single, tag-team, handicap, and battle royal. In survival mode, you choose one wrestler and take on more than 40 opponents in a long, drawn-out series of single matches. While these modes provide a very standard wrestling experience, the true heart and soul of the Def Jam Vendetta is its story mode. You begin by choosing one of four original characters, each with his own strengths and weaknesses in the categories of power, grappling, speed, stamina, defense, and charisma. Starting out at the bottom rung of the circuit, you go up against a series of generic wrestlers. Eventually you will come upon a boss character for that level, played by one of the Def Jam artists. Beating any character in this mode unlocks him in the other gameplay modes.

 

Wins also earn cash for your character, allowing you to improve your wrestler and purchase unlockable items. Tag-team matches will also present themselves occasionally, as will intermittent fights between female characters, usually over the bragging rights to call themselves your manager. You actually get to choose which female character to play as, in effect choosing which one you want to serve as your valet. If so inclined, you can also unlock pictures in the game's photo gallery of the real-life counterparts of the female characters. Overall, the story mode is actually a lot of fun, providing just enough plot to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, it is a bit on the short side, and an experienced player will likely finish the entire thing in just a few hours. However, to unlock all the game's hidden items and wrestlers, you will have to play through it multiple times.

 

Graphically, Def Jam Vendetta is great all around. Each and every one of the character models looks really good, and the generic characters manage to distinguish themselves quite well. Nearly all the game's animations have been lifted directly from the previous AKI wrestling games, but many of them have been improved upon to keep up with the faster pacing of the gameplay. The game's special moves are all extremely over the top and completely implausible, making for a very entertaining finish when executed. As for the different arenas you compete in, none of them are especially impressive in any way, but each has enough going for it to create the proper ambience for an underground street fight. In addition, the game features a decent number of prerendered video sequences during the story mode that are very well done. Def Jam Vendetta is available on both the PlayStation 2 and the GameCube, and while the two versions are almost identical, the GameCube version does have a slightly cleaner look to it.

 

 

It may not contain your favorite wrestlers, but Def Jam does manage to contain some of the best wrestling gameplay around.

Def Jam Vendetta also provides a truly superb audio experience, thanks largely to the Def Jam license itself. The game boasts an excellent soundtrack, consisting mainly of tracks from the artists featured in the game, but also a couple of tracks from older Def Jam mainstays, such as Public Enemy and Onyx. During gameplay, you just get a looping instrumental version of the songs, but in the various menu screens and throughout sections of the story mode, you are treated to the full lyrical versions, although they are radio edits. Surprisingly enough, Vendetta's voice work is also top-quality. While each character usually has only a few specific verbal taunts for the beginning and ending of matches, the lines themselves are delivered quite well, considering how easy it would have been for many of the artists to just sleepwalk through their lines. Even the generic characters have quality voice acting behind them. The game's commentary is provided by famed DJ Funkmaster Flex (who also can be unlocked as a wrestler). His commentary works well, thanks in large part to his loud and flamboyant demeanor and the fact that he throws in just enough insight and insults to keep things fresh.

 

As a wrestling game, Def Jam Vendetta manages to succeed on most every level, providing surprisingly deep gameplay, quality graphics and sound, and a distinctive atmosphere. And while the game could have used a few more real-life artists and a bit more depth, Def Jam Vendetta is still strong enough in its execution to make it a perfect alternative for fans who have grown weary of the standard WWE-style games. Vendetta is truly a great wrestling game that any fan of the genre should try.

 

...come on people, everywhere so far have positive things to say about it!

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Im fairly certain that WrestleMania 19 will be better than this, after reading the thing on PGC about how much they did to improve upon X-8. Location specific damage, height differentials and animations, a control scheme more like No Mercy, etc..

 

Im not a real big fan of rap music, so DJV doesnt really appeal to me at all.

[Guest Downhome]

Im fairly certain that WrestleMania 19 will be better than this, after reading the thing on PGC about how much they did to improve upon X-8. Location specific damage, height differentials and animations, a control scheme more like No Mercy, etc..

 

Im not a real big fan of rap music, so DJV doesnt really appeal to me at all.

I dislike rap also, but it's ALL about the gameplay, and this game has it. If WM19 doesn't improve that area, I could give a rats ass what they do to the game, it'll still be feces to me.

[Guest Lightning Flik]

Hm. DJV seemingly is doing very well in the review department. and i'll admit that i'm more leaning towards renting it then WM19

[Guest JDMattitudeV1]

If it's made by AKI no doubt it will be good, but I just can't get exited about playing as a rapper. If it had a CAW mode I might buy it, but seeing as it doesn't I think I will give it a miss.

[Guest ant_7000]

I like rap and all but I don't know if I want to buy it. It has enough playable characters so I might just rent to see if I want to get it. The soundtrack seems limited because most of the songs are already out. Anybody knows if a Soundtrack CD will come with the game?

[Guest LaParkaMarka]

Im fairly certain that WrestleMania 19 will be better than this, after reading the thing on PGC about how much they did to improve upon X-8.  Location specific damage, height differentials and animations, a control scheme more like No Mercy, etc..

 

Im not a real big fan of rap music, so DJV doesnt really appeal to me at all.

I dislike rap also, but it's ALL about the gameplay, and this game has it. If WM19 doesn't improve that area, I could give a rats ass what they do to the game, it'll still be feces to me.

Exactly. This game seems to have a decent story mode (not nearly as retarded as the WM 19 one) and it has the gameplay we all know and love from No Mercy. Besides, it mostly has fictional wrestlers. I assume they closer to wrestlers than rappers, so you can just play as them. No different than the "no name" guys from, say, the old n64 WCW games.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

About the DJV story mode...only 4 playable characters?? Thats kinda lame..

[Guest Downhome]

I will answer any questions you guys have about it tomorrow, once I get my hands on a copy of it, just letting you know.

[Guest Downhome]

I just got home with the game, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me! I'll also post various thoughts over the next few days as I play it.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

Yeah, various thoughts would be nice. Im not a rap fan at all, and Im still content with Smackdown SYM, but this definitely interests me enough that I will rent it. If it's really fun, then I just might buy it...

[Guest Downhome]

Real quick, besides everything that you know about the game if you played the old AKI games, here is a quick note. I f'n LOVE the body parts health meters. Each body part you can work over has it's on health bar, and as you do submissions, it decreases. I really love this feature. I also love the concept of winning money in career, and using it to "train" your wrestler, meaning you can improve their power, defense, charisma, etc...

 

I'll post again tonight after I play it a lot more.

 

Just for the record, this IS my favorite Pro. Wrestling game in the states, since the 64. If you love wrestling games, get this, you will not find one greater in the US.

[Guest NoCalMike]

This sounds like one of those instance where the game is good, but I am just not interested in it. Oh well, everyone who has it, ENJOY.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

It's a very, very, very fun game. The only real downside to the gameplay is that the matches are too short. I prefer longer matches when it comes to my wrestling games.

 

I fully agree with the 8.9 rating. Best US wrestling game since No Mercy.

[Guest goodhelmet]

i just picked up my copy about half an hour ago but haven't played it yet. wait a minute... what the hell am i doing on the computer? fuck this... i'm off to play the game!

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

While it may actually be good, I'd like to say not to trust IGN for wrestling game reviews.

 

Their review of Raw for Xbox is so funny with it's constant praise that you'll snort Pepsi up your nose.

[Guest C.H.U.D.]

I rented it, and the gameplay is amazing. It's very much like No Mercy, and the health meters on the body parts are cool. The moves are pretty wicked, and the graphics are great.

 

Unfortunately, there is no CAW feature, which totally sucks, especially for a game full non-wrestlers. It would have been nice to be able to make some real ones. Also, the options are pretty weak, as you can't turn off the lame TKO option, which prevents you from being able to punish an opponent for as long as you want.

 

Pretty cool game overall, but the lack of options and the inexcusable lack of CAW is a killer. I'll stick to SYM until something better comes along.

 

Worth renting though.

[Guest Downhome]

In both single player, and in multiplayer, I'm having more fun with this game, than I have with any wrestling game, than I've had in years.

 

Almost all of my multiplayer matches have went at LEAST ten minutes, as a lot of strategy is involved in this one. The computer can be a BITCH to beat at times, so don't worry about it being too easy.

 

It's great, it's just about perfect, and it's my new game to play, lol.

 

As for the lack of CAW, I could give a damn. I don't see other fighting games like Teken and Virtua Fighter with CAW's, so I don't see a problem here. This game IS somewhat more of a fighter in a few ways, in meaning, it's very over the top at times. In regards to other wrestling games, sure others have CAW modes, but sometimes the gameplay sucks ass. Once you make someone, all you can do is look at them.

 

This game is about gameplay, and pure gameplay. The computer can be hard as hell, the matches can be long is you...*ahem*...play it the right way, and multiplayer is a fucking blast.

 

Any specific questions?

[Guest Downhome]

Also, the options are pretty weak, as you can't turn off the lame TKO option, which prevents you from being able to punish an opponent for as long as you want.

This is only partly true. No, you can NOT turn off the KO feature, but that's all that's true really with what you've said. The only time the KO feature works, is when you perform your finisher "Blazin'" move, when your opponent's energy bar reads "Danger!", after that goes away, you can beat on your opponent as much as you can, untill you want to end the match.

 

This feature adds a lot of strategy also, as you REALLY try to keep your ass away from your opponent when you say danger, and they are a blazin', heh.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

Are there music videos and shit? And do they talk or have dialogue?

 

I don't mind a wrestling game with guys I don't recognize, but all this talk about stirip clubs and stuff make me think my guy is going to have to say "What up, dawg? Put up the bling bling before I smack you a phat one beeeeyotch!" and as a Suburban White Guy who is normally ignorant of inner city culture, this would get on my nerves.

 

No offense, because the "this game is all about gameplay" stuff kinda makes it sound like you're really saying "I know nothing about rap and am really not the target audience for this game, so I have to harp on about how great AKI is instead."

[Guest Slapnuts00]

So what are the moves like? Is it basically common wrestling moves? How about the finishers? Any notable moves seen in the game? Also are the characters customizable in any way (in terms of choosing what moves to give players)?

Also without giving away too much, what's career mode like? Is it basically win matches until you beat the bosses at which point you unlock stuff with cutscenes in between or is their options in terms of choices like in Smackdown?

Hopefully that's enough

EDIT: In response to the last poster's question, as another person who is not into rap/urban culture, do you feel the game is still fun or is it hard to get into it if you're not into the theme?

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

So what are the moves like? Is it basically common wrestling moves?

The normal moves are your basic wrestling moves, pretty much. They're actually animated pretty damn well, better than the N64 Aki games IMO, but the move animations still don't seem as crisp as the animations in LOW and LOW2. The moves are your average trademark and wear-down holds.

 

How about the finishers? Any notable moves seen in the game?

The finishers are basically variations on actual moves. I've only been playing as Briggs (one of the only two honkeys in the game, might I add), and use both of his finishers quite a bit. His front finisher is a Kudo Driver where he flips over the opponent and then lifts them up before jumping about 10 feet in the air and then falling down into it. His rear finisher is a backbreaker into a Dragon Sleeper into a spinning inverted piledriver.

The moves are, in essence, Ultimate Muscle-ized. Many of them are actual holds, just embellished a whole lot.

 

Also are the characters customizable in any way (in terms of choosing what moves to give players)?

Nope.

 

Also without giving away too much, what's career mode like? Is it basically win matches until you beat the bosses at which point you unlock stuff with cutscenes in between or is their options in terms of choices like in Smackdown?

A combination of both. If you choose Story Mode, it starts off that you're one of 4 rookie fighters (Briggs, Proof, Spider, or Tank), and you fill-in for a tournament for your friend/trainer Manny, who has a broken arm. Different storylines pop up here and there, depending on which girl you choose (at different times in the game, a girl will come up to you to "offer her services," and if you already have a girl they will fight over you, with you controlling one of them in the match). Also, it turns out that an ex-lover of yours is now with D-Mob, the game's boss.

 

EDIT: In response to the last poster's question, as another person who is not into rap/urban culture, do you feel the game is still fun or is it hard to get into it if you're not into the theme?

It's still fun. I'm barely into rap at all (a well-known fact here at TSM, at least to the Music Folder regs), and I "get" everything. You're an underground street fighter that practically never talks. The only time a phrase like "Phat" or "Dawg" or "BIZZOMB!" is uttered is in your opponent's pre-match taunt, or during a cut-scene. The game's incredibly easy to follow, and the gameplay is AMAZING.

 

I'd say rent the game first, although you'll probably want to buy it once you get used to the controls and learn how to win matches.

[Guest wwF1587]

This game is without a doubt my new favorite wrestling game... i dont care too much for no CAW had it been there (and a few more modes) though this would probably beat out No Mercy, its still better than ANYTHING the WWE has put out and I hope/can't wait for a sequel to this truly AWESOME game... the moves are incredible (i have chanted holy shit more times today) and the graphics are top notch... This proves that a wrestling game doesn't need millions of modes or details to be great... It took me two matches to get the hang of the controls and thats it... AWESOME WRESTLING GAME, worth at least a rental if not a definite BUY...

[Guest Downhome]

Oh my God, you guys who have it MUST unlock Roughneck real quick. He is basicly a flaming redneck, complete with confederate beltbuckle and all. The best part however...

 

...he sounds EXACTLY like Jammie Knoble, lol.

[Guest EQ]

As for the lack of CAW, I could give a damn. I don't see other fighting games like Teken and Virtua Fighter with CAW's, so I don't see a problem here.

You know, this is an excellent point.

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

What about submission moves? Any Cattle Mutilation? Dragon Clutch? Lasso from El Paso?