WWE '12 On PS3

Well, another week, another game for me. This time it is WWE '12 for my PS3. I promise, I will have something 360 related up soon, I am thinking about Saints Row: The Third, but I need more money. Anyway, WWE '12 brings to the table a revamped wrestling game. Controls are easier, graphics are better, gameplay is faster. Everything has been changed and that is for the better.

Graphics wise this game is fantastic. I love how any of the wrestlers look while walking down the ramp. The movements are very fluid and attacks seem to flow naturally with hit detection far beyond what it has been in the past. Watching my dive over the ropes (or through them) is very satisfying. The game design actually attempts to utilize some of the TV show camera angles, which did throw me off at first. There are some hilarious glitches that I noticed like occasionally just falling out of the ring, and sometimes sliding across the screen when trying to climb the turnbuckle, but these are just minor things that I've come to know and love from WWE games. The other thing is that anything not a performer or arena does not look as good. Case in point, Alberto Del Rio's car in his entrance.

The sound is great. The actors are the characters they are voicing over and it is really almost like watching a broadcast. The announce team gets a little old after a while, especially listening to Michael Cole talk about himself when you fight against him, but he is acting like he does on TV so I guess it is to be expected. Hitting the mat sounds like it does on TV.

Gameplay is what sets this one apart from the other WWE games on the market. The controls are simpler than they have been in years and that helps to get newer players into the game a lot faster. There is still a fairly deep fighting system there, it's just toned down a bit so that we can all play a little easier. The creation system has many more options for you to play with including a new “Create an Arena” function which is pretty sweet. In addition to creating an arena you can create a slew of other things: a new fighter, a story, your own brand, an entrance, a move set, a titantron video, and create your own finishing move. Yeah, you want to customize, you can customize to your little heart's content. The road to Wrestlemania mode has been modified a bit which is great, except there is nearly as much talking and watching them do nothing during the story as there is on the shows. It does get pretty boring, but you can work through it with patience. There are some new moves you can use like comeback attacks for when you are getting beat down. They kind of offer a second chance and help to make the game more like the shows. Online has been a little tricky due to server issues but what I have played is nice and there are plenty of options. This year did not really add any new match types, but it did let you have forty man royal rumbles in addition to the other options. Finally, the matches are quicker and you get to spend a lot less time on your back mashing buttons trying to get back up.

Honestly guys, this is the best WWE game I have played in a lot of years. Things are as the tag for the game says, Bigger, Badder, Better. There are a lot of options to create and play. Things have changed and it is definitely for the better. I'm happy to award a 9/10 on this one. See you online.