Graphically, Smackdown Vs Raw 2010 is another small step-up from its predecessors. You can’t say that it’s going to blow minds, but it’s easily the most accurate rendition of actual superstars to date. There are some minor issues when creating superstars with boots seemingly busting out of trousers or tights and some belts being engulfed into some superstar’s bodies. I know that the Big Show isn’t exactly ripped, but I’m not sure even he could swallow an entire championship belt.

 

Custom characters still do look slightly cheap in comparison to actual superstars in terms of graphics, but that’s to be expected. It’s with the slightly less famous superstars that I take issue. It seems as though if you’re not a household name, you won’t be looking quite as real on SVR2010, which feels lazy given that the entire roster is no more than 60 superstars.

 

 

Overall, graphics in this edition have been slightly improved, making this the best yet, no great strides have been taken, as seen with the crowd and individual fans. The same set of 15/20 poorly made fans have been pasted in and multiplied to create a crowd for SVR2010; and with wrestling as a whole relying so heavily on fan interaction, you would have though they could have spent a little longer making it more realistic.

 

Sound and music in this edition are much improved on 09, in that there are seemingly no glitches or issues with uploading music of any kind to SVR2010. An impressive set of official entrance themes are accessible while browsing through the menus. Playing your own music over the top of the game via dashboard won’t give you any more problems either.

 

The re-birth of the custom entrance music feature means that you can now have your one anthem for your entrance, one for your team’s entrance, as well as another for highlight packages or video promo’s, leaving an unprecedented level or interactivity and depth.

 

Overall, the online aspect of SVR2010 is pretty limited, offering around 5 actual match types to use via Xbox Live. It does seem as though THQ have simply copied the system from 09 and re-packaged it, albeit drastically improved on the farcical offering of 08/09 that had you fighting not only your opponent but perhaps the most feared foe of all; Ultimate Lag! This means that SVR’s online functionality seems restricted, albeit bearable, letting you use around 10% of the offline matches with friends online.

 

 

‘What have they been doing for a year!?’ I asked myself; until I realised the real gaming gem of SVR; online sharing. This year’s edition allows you to not only customise pretty much anything your heart desired, but also to share it online with your friends. Created a hilarious storyline at home and want to share it with your friends or the entire WWE Universe? Simply load it up to the servers and within minutes it’s available for anyone to download. The same goes for created finishers, PPV’s, and of course superstars.

 

It seems as though THQ spent a year mulling over ways to make SVR2010 the most social offering yet, and forgot entirely about actual matches online. Although, once you’ve immersed yourselves in the universe, it’s hard to deny that it’s completely worth it.

 

This year’s "WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2010" promised to do a Burger King and let you have it your way and THQ has undoubtedly delivered on all fronts. The true test of a niche market videogame like SVR2010 is its ability to win over fans outside of the scope of the wrestling fraternity, and this is where it truly shines. There is no doubt that the stigma attached to every wrestling game will never truly go away, but with its incredibly deep customisation options, and the ability to add just about anything you like; whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying it’s playability.

 

In the words of a wrestling legend, SVR2010 really is ‘the best there is, the best there was, and potentially, the best the ever will be.’

 

 

 

 

+ Incredible customisation
+ Graphically stunning
+ Exciting single and multiplayer careers