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WrestleMania 21: Pro Reversal System

Date Added: January 31, 2005
Story By: Andy Steven

Reversals are nothing new to wrestling games, so it's an easy element to overlook. However, anyone interested in the upcoming Xbox exclusive WrestleMania 21 would be wise to focus on the innovative Pro Reversal system. Studio Gigante isn't just tossing in a ho-hum reversal system as seen in many a WWE game. Instead, the first-time wrestling developer is making reversals an integral part of gameplay. While the accurate superstar models, fantastic crowds, and awesome entrances are a big reason to smile when looking at WM21, it's the Pro Reversal system that is going to make this one memorable.

You couldn't ask for simpler functionality when it comes to reversals. The only things you need are the Right and Left Triggers and proper timing. You don't have to press a special direction for certain attacks, you don't have to hit a face button to fully execute a reversal, it's just the Triggers.

If your opponent throws a punch, a kick, a head butt, an elbow, swings a chair or a table, or tries to bash your body in any way, you need to press the Left Trigger at the right moment to reverse the move. Even if you're in a grapple, if your opponent takes a swipe at you, the Left Trigger is your only hope of avoiding the attack and turning the tables on your foe. If you're on the ground and your opponent wants to stomp your face, a quick flick of the Left Trigger can have you catching his foot or rolling out of the way to avoid a boot to the noggin. The same goes for a leap off the turnbuckle, a sock to the groin, or a cheap shot when you're against the ropes.

Right Trigger is used to reverse grapples. Almost every grapple has two parts, allowing for two reversal opportunities. There's the initial grapple and then a secondary opportunity just before transitioning to a new move. You can reverse any grapple if you have the timing down. Those who are truly quick can reverse finishing moves, which provides an opponent on his last leg a final chance to turn the tide -- plus the animation for these are among the sweetest in WM21.

While some developers might choose to a handful of animations to cover reversals of all attacks and grapples, Studio Gigante went above and beyond the call of duty, creating roughly 200 different Pro Reversal animations. While most weapons have similar reversals, just about every type of strike and grapple has a unique reversal move. The functionality remains the same (you just have to squeeze the correct trigger at the proper moment), the results vary greatly. Some reversals have your Superstar shoving the opponent away, others offer counter-strikes or powerful grappling moves.

The only thing missing are reversals unique to specific superstars (something you can likely expect in next year's version). Considering the work put into the first iteration of the Pro Reversal System, falling short in one small aspect is quite forgivable.

From the matches we've played, reversals are going to be huge in WM21 whether playing against a friend or the CPU. Fortunately, reversals aren't going to be as easy as you might think. While the lower difficulty levels include a counter icon on the HUD that flashes when it's time to perform a reversal, there's no indication whether the incoming attack is a strike or a grapple. Usually you're acting on instinct or quick reaction. Bump things up to the higher difficulties and that single crutch of the counter icon goes away and you're forced to memorize the proper moment to counter every move in WM21.

The difficulty of a reversal depends on a number of factors. Your difficulty level has the biggest affect, with higher difficulties shrinking the reversal window. Each Superstar also has a counter rating and each type of move alters your window of opportunity. A punch or kick is going to be the easiest to counter and generally the least devastating. Finishers and turnbuckle moves tend to be the toughest, but also offer the coolest reversals.

Aside from some super-sweet animations, a successful reversal earns you heat and an advantageous position on your opponent. There's extra satisfaction on nixing a finisher or catching your buddy's fist in the air and landing a blow of your own. When the blood flows down your face and the crowd starts to chant, there's nothing better than a devastating reversal. Though reversals are nice even at the start of a match, those that come towards the end of a brutal, extended stay in the ring tend to be a tad sweeter.

While I wouldn't discount the grappling system or any other aspects of WM21, so far the Pro Reversal system has proven the most enjoyable part of WrestleMania 21. How cool is it? Be sure to check out more than 30 new screens and four new movies. Watch Kane battle Triple H and see Tajiri pull off one hell of a sweet turnbuckle reversal on Spike Dudley.

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