The One and Only Smackdown! HCTP Thread

[Guest Nightscrawler]

After watching some videos, I'm glad they have fixed the collision detection. It seems that Yukes is working hard to improve the flaws that plagued SYM.

 

As for who I'll use, it'll probably be either RVD or Hurricane.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

I'm definite using Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho, and Rico*.

 

The split would get so bad, we have Brand-only games with only those show's Superstars in it

 

* = crosses fingers to play as Rico the evil fashion stylist guru and not Adrian Street Jr.

[Adam 0]

I'd definately use RVD, Benoit, and Mysterio.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Myself.

 

Or Chris Jericho. Whoever I get too first.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

IGN has an Elimination Chamber video emulating tonight's PPV for paying customers.

 

Although I could deal without the IGN dudes trying to show how smart they are by going on about the clique and HHH/Steph, etc, the video itself is pretty good. All the location damage seems to be there, and the loud "THUMP" and red flash that occurs when someone starts bleeding took me by suprise.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

I just added a link to that video on the top of my first post, don't know how long it will work though.

 

Edit: I watched the video now, and I like what I saw. The Elimination Chamber will definitely be one of my favourite modes in the game, especially for multiplayer. I love how Goldberg holds his head after he's busted open by that big boot. All the other selling animations are very good, too. The weight restriction system seems to work well. Nash's new powerbomb animation look devastating.

 

The KI still has flaws though. They didn't use the cage at all, and also never left the ring by themselves. And Nash first jackknifed HHH, but then covered Michaels for 2 which was dumb. But hey, can't have everything.

 

I'm looking forward to the new build IGN will get next week. It will hopefully have the complete entrances and maybe even commentary, although that will probably suck as usual.

Edited August 24, 2003 by Insane Bump Machine

[Guest Trivia247]

any still pics or just the vids?

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

All screenshots are viewable for free on IGN, but the videos are not (at least not in this quality). Well, I guess I could post some pics I like.

HHH drags a bloody Booker around.

LARIAAAAAAAATOOOOOOO~!

The Champ

Five times, sucka!

Biggest Elbow EVER!

The awesome Goldberg model

Edited August 25, 2003 by Insane Bump Machine

[PsychoDriver 0]

I wonder if any good indy moves are in there? (Styles Clash, Ki Krusher, etc.)

I hope so.... the more moves the better.

 

 

As for whom I'll play as first... I'd probably pick RVD in an Elimination Chamber. And then start making some Indy CAWs

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

I've seen Rey do the Code Red in RAW 2, I guess it'll be in HCTP as well. They added popular indy moves in the past, let's hope they continue with that. I always wanted to make good Styles and Low Ki CAWs with their entire movesets.

[Just call me Dan 0]

Christ, Lesnar looks like Bob Backlund with elephantitus (sp?) to the head.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

IGN Wrestler of the Day - Bubba Ray Dudley

Entrance

He's strong

Ass-Whuppin

Welcome to Dudleyville

It's all over

 

Edited August 28, 2003 by Insane Bump Machine

[dubq 0]

IGN Wrestler of the Day - Bubba Ray Dudley

Entrance

He's strong

Ass-Whuppin

Welcome to Dudleyville

It's all over

Heh, right on Velocity where he belongs...

[Guest The Decadent Slacker]

Anyone else finding it really hard to sit through SYM after seeing & reading all about HCTP? It's really starting to bore me, & not even the presence of the Macho Man himself is helping.

[Guest Random Hero]

It's only just starting to bore you now? I lent it to my girlfriends brother after playing it for a month, and I haven't seen it since, and I haven't cared.

[Dr. Zoidberg 0]

I'm glad there's an Elimination Chamber match up. I've been wanting to have the Disciples of Micheals (Spanky, Micheal Shane, Paul London, etc.) go HEAD-2-HEAD!~ in that mode.

 

 

and as for who I'll play as first?

 

 

Version 1.0...'nuff said, trick.

[Guest The Decadent Slacker]

I just got SYM about 2 months ago, & mastered it after 2 weeks. The only reason it didn't bore me was 1) CAWs & 2) the fact i hadn't seen anything about HCTP yet. Now...ugh.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

IGN Wrestler of the Day - Charlie Haas

Entrance (very early)

Team Angle no more

Turnbuckle turnover

Tables, Ladders, and Chairs!

Goodbye and Goodnight

 

Edited August 28, 2003 by Insane Bump Machine

[dubq 0]

Damn, the Haas of Pain looks sweet! I wonder if his WGTT attire will be up-to-date?

 

This also makes me wonder if Kane will have an option for a no-mask attire selection.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

The cutoff date for all the things included in the game was Summerslam. So yes, WGTT will have their new attire. But I hope they leave in the Tracksuits~!, at least for Kurt Angle.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

IGN Wrestler of the Day - Chavo Guerrero

Entrance

Opening licks and interference

The Tornado Brain Buster

Back and forth

Make him submit!

 

Edited August 28, 2003 by Insane Bump Machine

[Guest OnlyMe]

Thanks for the links, Insane... you rule.

 

Nik

[dubq 0]

Hmm, the Chavo links don't seem to work for me. I keep getting 404 errors..

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

Hmm, the Chavo links don't seem to work for me. I keep getting 404 errors..

They work, but IGN seems to have problems with their bandwidth today. Just try it a couple of times.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

New Gamespot Preview, interesting stuff highlighted

 

We recently checked out a build of WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain for the PlayStation 2 and had a chance to explore some of the new features and options in this year's game--most of which come in the form of new match types and refinements made to preexisting modes. The exhibition mode still has the standard assortment of match options, including single, tag, six-man tag, handicap, hardcore, royal rumble, and survival matches, but there's a new option, called main events, where all of the gimmick matches are located. There are three stages of hell, bra and panties, cage, elimination chamber, elimination tag, first blood (yes, there's blood in the game), hell in a cell, ironman, ladder, last man standing, lumberjack, slobber knocker, special referee, submission, table, and TLC (tables, ladders, and chairs) matches.

 

As you can see, SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain has the most match types of any previous SmackDown! game, but the changes don't stop there. THQ and Yuke's have also made some relatively slight refinements to the story mode as well. At the beginning of this mode, you can create stables for wrestlers, so if you want to create the Evolution stable, which features Triple H, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton, then you can go ahead and do that. In addition, it's also possible to change the Raw and SmackDown rosters just in case you're tired of seeing certain wrestlers on specific WWE shows or if you'd like to stage a potential Goldberg versus Brock Lesnar dream match. Once you're all done with that, you can then determine which wrestlers are faces (good) and which are heels (bad). Since the game roster is derived from a fairly recent period in WWE programming, you won't have to worry too much about changing these around--unless you just feel like turning normally good guys into bad guys.

 

After selecting a wrestler you want to use, you'll get a brief introduction sequence and have an equally short conversation with the general manager (GM) of whichever program your wrestler belongs to. So, if you're a member of Raw, then you'll speak with Eric Bischoff; if you're on the SmackDown side, you'll have a chat with Stephanie McMahon. The next portion of the story mode is where most of the changes have taken place. Instead of having a free roaming environment, where you could literally walk around an arena to get to different portions of the story mode, you're now presented with a locker that contains an assortment of options. One of these options is called "move." Move lets you visit locations around the arena so you can talk with other wrestlers. Some of these conversations can even end up in matches. Interestingly, some of these conversations can affect your wrestler's superstar point level or his or her overall rating. We witnessed this in a conversation with The Rock, who ended up using one of his trademark lines on us. This is also where you can officially ask your respective GM for a title match, but much of that depends on the superstar rating of the wrestler. If it's low, then he or she can only go after some of the lower-tiered belts.

 

But there's more you can do in the story mode. In the locker area, you can access the shopzone. This area has unlockable items for sale; they range from moves and classic wrestlers (such as "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka) to clothing and additional moves. You can purchase these items with SmackDown dollars, which are earned by winning and participating in matches; however, it'll take a while before you can unlock some of the good stuff, since it tends to be quite a bit more expensive

 

While unlocking special features is already a great incentive for playing through the story mode, there's also added motivation to play through it in order to increase your character's abilities. Like SmackDown dollars, you can earn experience points at the end of matches that can be used to upgrade different facets of your wrestler, such as strength, submission skill, endurance, technique, and speed. Obviously, wrestlers like Ric Flair will have low speed but high submission skills, while someone like Rob Van Dam will have a high level of speed but may have lower submission abilities. If you're ever curious to see what the individual stats are for other wrestlers in SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, you can simply click on the magazine icon in the locker to look at wrestler profiles. Finally, SmackDown! allows stables to be viewed and edited.

 

As for the gameplay in Here Comes the Pain, much of what made last year's game so great has been left intact, but a number of key features have also been integrated. First and foremost, the smooth transition between moves is still there, so it looks and feels natural when you move from a collar-and-elbow tie-up, into a standing switch, and then into a suplex--or any other similar combination move. Interestingly, a greater emphasis seems to have been placed on softening opponents before moving into any of the powerful grapple moves. If you try to constantly grapple an opponent, early on in the match, then the AI will mercilessly beat you down--almost to the point where it becomes impossible to launch any sort of offense for a good two or three minutes. The grappling system has also been enhanced so you can transition into different types of moves--such as strong moves or submissions--when you're locked up with an opponent.

 

What makes the latest SmackDown even more representative of the WWE spectacle are the injury and damage models. Not only is there location damage that lets you target the head, chest, or legs of an opponent to soften them up for a submission maneuver, but this damage also has an actual effect on stamina. For example, if your torso has been badly damaged and you attempt to perform a move that involves that area, then your wrestler will clinch that part of his or her body and take a few seconds to recover before going on to the next move. This adds a nice little element to the game in that it makes it feel as though you've just been through a grueling match.

 

The SmackDown finisher system has been kept the same. As you perform moves, you charge up the SmackDown meter. When it gets full, you're given the chance to perform a finisher. For the most part, finishers are executed the same way that they've been done in previous SmackDown games, but it seems to be a little bit harder to set up an opponent for certain types of finishers.

 

In any case, all of the finishing moves--along with most of the other moves in the game--are animated incredibly well. Also, many of the character models from the last SmackDown games have received somewhat minor touch-ups. In fact, it's pretty easy to point out which characters are new to Here Comes the Pain, even if you weren't familiar with the roster from the last game, simply because they tend to look better than the rest. Regardless, all of the character models still look excellent--even down to the individual facial expressions. It's also worth pointing out that the first few rows in the crowd are fully polygonal and are much more convincing than the horrible sprites that have been used in so many previous wrestling games.

 

At the moment, it seems like there's only some last-minute polishing and tweaking to do before the game is finally done. Otherwise, all of the modes, including the excellent create-a-wrestler mode, seem to be fully intact. SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 on October 21.

 

By Ricardo Torres, GameSpot [postED: 08/28/03 02:08 PM]

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

New Kane!

Ultimo~!

MARK OUT!!

Listen up, Maggots!

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

I liked everything I read in that preview except for this.

 

much of what made last year's game so great has been left intact

 

yikes

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

nice

it's on!

The Back Kick of Doom

[Anakin Flair 0]

Carts! Tracksuits! The Career-killing mule kick! This game has it all!

And yes, I'm bored with SYM. I'm just playing through one more time to finish unlocking everything.

As Trips.

And I already let my CAW beat his ass for the belt. Heh.

Of course, then I had to go and bury Bradshaw and Mark Henry. Fair Compensation, me thinks.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

And yes, I'm bored with SYM. I'm just playing through one more time to finish unlocking everything.

As Trips.

lol, I'm doing exactly the same right now, with Trips too. Just won the Rumble and helped Tajiri win the Championship against Brock Lesnar.