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Earlier this week IGNcube had the chance to go hands-on with an updated build of THQ's wrestling sequel, WWE Day of Reckoning 2. The title, designed exclusively for GameCube by Yuke's, which made the first game, is packed full of mechanical and visual improvements that are sure to please dedicated fans of the franchise. We have 15 new screenshots, official box art, and 12-plus new direct-feed movies in our media sections below, many of which show off never-before-seen wrestler entrances and fights. But first, join us as we wax a little bit about why this could be the best GameCube wrestler ever.
Day of Reckoning 2 is every bit the sequel. It's actually a full-blown continuation of the first game. The title picks up shortly after its predecessor left off. The bad news is that gamers will unfortunately not be able to transfer their old created wrestlers over to the new game. THQ explains that while such an option would have been preferable, the significantly changed look of the models in DoR 2 makes it physically impossible. So, wrestling fans will have to jump into the title's deep create-a-wrestler option again and rebuild their superstar from scratch -- or design an all-new one. The game's create-a-wrestler function hasn't seen dramatic changes. Once again, players can select a model style, morph it, add and change hair and color, design a face, add and play with different clothing styles, and set fighting techniques. The big difference here is that the create-a-wrester component simply "features a lot more of everything," according to THQ. So this time around, designers will be able to truly customize their superstar to their liking.
What's the Story? Day of Reckoning 2 boasts a more developed story mode than the first game. This time around, gamers don't need to start at the bottom. They have already become the WWE champion. But something happened and they lost the title. As players advance through the story, the mystery is unraveled. Of course, even being a former champion has its perks. The created superstar will still have immediate access to pay-per-view matches, as opposed to the amateur circuits the original game initially served up. Because DoR 2 is a continuation, gamers will notice that many grudges from the first game are constantly references. Meanwhile, in the sequel, players will also develop partnerships, or pick up a girlfriend, and fight to maintain the relationship.
Unfortunately, the limitations of the GameCube Optical Disc, significantly smaller compared to the DVD standard that both PlayStation 2 and Xbox use, has made it impossible for THQ to include voice acting in the game. The only way it could have done so would have been to cut or severely compress a number of wrestler entrances, which would have probably been an even bigger disaster. As a result, the story sequences currently have an awkwardness to them that definitely needs to be addressed before the game wraps up development. Cinematics transpire in real-time and while models move fluidly, complete with facial animation, and look great up close, they don't make any sound. Instead, text is displayed directly beneath them. There is currently no music during these sequences, which is probably why they stand out as odd. THQ, however, is toying with the idea of laying down some standard rock riffs or other music as background noise during the exchanges.
Even with the limitation, the story mode seems far more developed than it was in the first, with surprise developments and intriguing dialogue that helps segue into the action.
The Superstars Of course, the big question on the tip of the collective tongue of wrestling fans is, how much bigger will the game's roster be over the first, and exactly which superstars will be featured? Well, we're able to list the title's official roster, minus Legends, for the first time. There are six additional superstars, not including Legends, over the original title. Here's the full list:
Randy Orton Triple H Batista Chris Jericho Christian Edge Chris Benoit Shawn Michaels Shelton Benjamin Eugene Kane Tajiri Ric Flair William Regal Hurricane Muhammad Hassan Kurt Angle John Cena Undertaker JBL Carlito Caribbean Cool Booker T Rey Mysterio Rob van Dam Eddie Guerrero Big Show Heidenreich Rene Dupree Kenzo Suzuki Chavo Guerrero Orlando Jordan Trish Stratus Stacy Kiebler Torrie Wilson Gene Snitsky Maven Chris Masters Paul London Christy Hemme
The game will also boast a cast of Legends. THQ is waiting to reveal the full list.
The Matches Day of Reckoning 2 boasts a healthy selection of different match types regardless of a player's personal preference. We've listed all of the included modes below:
Single Tag Team Triple Threat Fatal 4 Way Handicap Royal Rumble Hardcore Ladder Table TLC Steel Cage Hell in a Cell Last Man Standing Bra and Panties Ironman match
Into the Ring The WWE is all about glitz and glamour. It's a chance for the various superstars to strut their stuff and show one another up. So of course, wrestler entrances play a big part. Developer Yuke's has spared no expense to ensure that DoR 2 captures the style and spirit of each character's unique walk down to the wrestling ring. To that end, the team spent a lot more polygons to ensure that its models look like their real-life counterparts. The plastic-like sheen that highlighted wrestlers in the first game and their frames are more rounded and lifelike. But the majority of those polygons went to the heads of the wrestlers, literally -- or to be more specific, their faces. As a result, the faces of these formidable guys and gals look almost photo-realistic. Noses protrude outward, eyes blink, and mouths animate, revealing everything from teeth to tongues. Meanwhile, because textures have seen improvements, all of this details holds up, even when the camera is directly in front of an athlete. It also doesn't hurt that the wrestlers now move fluidly with full motion-captured animation.
Complementing the improved character models are loads of visual extras, from a noticeably more developed particle system to advanced lighting effects. Pyrotechnics, which are commonplace in wrestling, are impressively displayed in Day of Reckoning 2. As the characters make their entrances, fire and smoke as well as sparks and flames blast into the air and look fabulous. Meanwhile, lighting effects cast different colors onto the models as they make their way closer to the stage. Players who picked up last year's title will also notice that DoR 2 has replaced the old crowd with a fully 3D version and for dramatic results. The people in the stands look almost real during intro sequences and when the fights are going strong. Yuke's has also added some in-fight visual extras. Blood will apparently play a big part in this year's game, with multiple levels of differing detail. Relentless players will eventually draw more blood from their opponents, according to THQ. This feature is still being tweaked. We played a particular nasty Hardcore Match where we used every weapon in the book to bloody our opponent, and to no avail.
Gameplay Day of Reckoning 2 plays like an extension of the first game, which is exactly what it is, of course. Fights are fast and revolve around the grapple system, as before. In our experience, the action seems to move a bit quicker than before, which is preferred. Although strong and weak grapples, mixed with a variety of punches and kicks, still make up the majority of the bouts, Yuke's has introduced a new submission system that injects a layer of strategy into the brutal action. When a submission hold is activated, players can try to guess what type of hold their opponent is going for and if they guess correctly, they'll immediately break from the potentially match-ending grasp. If, on the other hand, they choose incorrectly, they'll remain stuck in the hold. The system has come a long way since we first saw signs of it months ago and now feels like an intuitive addition to matches.
The stamina system is the other big factor and it ties in directly with submissions. Stamina can be gained or lost depending on whether players guess their opponents submission move. Meanwhile, gamers will constantly need to watch an on-screen stamina bar in order to avoid wearing their superstar out. Also of note, this time around, gamers can charge up a meter to perform three degrees of finishing moves. The more the meter is charged, the more rewarding the finisher.
Readers are asked to note that Yuke's is still finishing the finisher move effects. Therefore, the polarized finisher sequence from the first game will not yet be seen in the videos we've provided in our media section.
This year's game seems to be on the right track. Whether or not it will totally demolish the original title remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain: we had fun playing it, and we can already tell we prefer it to its predecessor.
