| WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Yuke's |
| Publisher(s) | THQ |
| Designer(s) | Kenzy Nakamura Naoto Ueno |
| Series | SmackDown vs. Raw |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation Portable Wii Xbox 360 Nintendo DS |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011[4] is aprofessional wrestling video game developed byYuke's and published byTHQ forPlayStation 2 (PS2),PlayStation 3 (PS3),PlayStation Portable (PSP),Xbox 360, andWii systems. The game was released worldwide in October 2010, with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions for Japan in February 2011.
The game is the twelfth overall installment in the series, the successor toSmackDown vs. Raw 2010, as well as the seventh and last game to be released under theSmackDown vs. Raw name, which is based on theWWEprofessional wrestling promotion and itsRaw andSmackDownbrands.[5]
SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 was succeeded byWWE '12 in 2011.
One of the main changes in the game is the incorporation of a new physics system that allows objects to be used more realistically, such as objects involved in theTables, Ladders, and Chairs match. Tables now break differently depending on the impact placed upon them. Inside and outside the ring, ladders can now be rested onto the ring ropes and be broken in half. For the first time since the originalWWE SmackDown! vs. Raw game, chairs can be thrown at the player's opponents.[6]
TheHell in a Cell match was revamped with expanded cell walls, weapons underneath the ring, steel steps near the poles, and the removal of the cell door. In addition, new ways to exit the cell were introduced, such as barreling through the cage wall. This game was also the last to featureBatista andShawn Michaels as non-legends or unlockables until the release of later installments of the game.[4]
The game's new "WWE Universe" builds storylines, and integrates cut scenes and rivalries between wrestlers based on the matches that are wrestled. These cut scenes appear randomly before, during, and after the match.[7] The game features more than 100 cutscenes to push storylines, which can revolve around alliances, rivalries and titles, forward. The game reacts to the players actions and depending on the goal of the player's superstar, original or created, puts them in one of, or several, the top ten contenders lists for a specific title. However, one can only get into the contendership list depending on their rivalries, alliances, match types and most importantly, win–loss ratio.[7]
Road to WrestleMania mode has been modified to include new features such as backstage roaming, mini-quests, and further interaction with other Superstars. Playable storylines involveRey Mysterio,John Cena,Christian, andChris Jericho. Along with that is the new storyline in which players chooseKofi Kingston,John Morrison,Dolph Ziggler,R-Truth, or a created superstar in a quest to endThe Undertaker'sundefeated WrestleMania Streak. Like previous iterations, the game features several storylines starting during the card leading to theRoyal Rumble, a time period dubbed the Road to WrestleMania (WrestleMania XXVI).[4][8]
The Create A Superstar mode now includes pre-loaded attribute points for created superstars, while in Create A Finisher mode, a new finisher position is the "Corner", in which finishers can be created in corner position (Cannot be used during theRoyal Rumble match). Also attributes such as speed and trajectory can now be modified by single increments rather than 25% increments. The number of available created finishers has been expanded to 130 as well.[4] Online mode also returns – each new copy of the game contains an Online Pass allowing one user to play the game online for free. Players who rent or purchase the game used will obtain a trial of Online Pass.[9]
A new feature called "Match Creator" allows players to create newmatch types. In addition, Story Designer mode now has newcutscenes, usable sound clips fromannouncers and wrestlerentrance music, support for up to fifteen created superstars, 'branching' story paths depending on which character won the match and the ability to include championship belts in cutscenes and event triggers based on a wrestler reaching a certain state.[8]
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 was first announced along withWWE All Stars atE3 in June 2010 by THQ. A playable demo was featured at E3 withRandy Orton,The Undertaker,Chris Jericho, andThe Miz as playable characters.[10]
Special editions of the game featuring The Undertaker, Bret Hart and Randy Orton were released in PAL regions, each offering exclusive in-game content, an art book and DVD relating to each wrestler. Various retailers offered in-game bonuses include a playableBret Hart, The Undertaker's alternateMinistry of Darkness attire, three alternate outfits for Randy Orton and theWWE Tribute to the Troops arena.[11]
Threedownloadable content packs were released. The first pack, "Online Axxess" was available at release and added playable characterChris Masters, Halloween-themed attires forKelly Kelly andRey Mysterio and online multiplayer mode. The second pack was released in North America and United Kingdom on December 21, 2010. This pack contained the playable charactersBritish Bulldog,Lex Luger,Layla andNexus membersWade Barrett,David Otunga, andJustin Gabriel along with alternate attires forShad Gaspard andShawn Michaels and theNXT Arena.[12] The third pack included alternate attires for John Cena, The Undertaker,Sheamus andCM Punk as well as theWCWNitro Arena. THQ has offered players a package deal called "Fan Axxess" to purchase the last two content packs beforehand.[13]
Bret Hart was made available as a downloadable character for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions in January 2011. He had previously been excluded from THQ's "Fan Axxess" package.
| Aggregator | Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS2 | PS3 | PSP | Wii | Xbox 360 | |
| GameRankings | 80%[29] | 77.47%[30] | 60%[31] | 74%[32] | 76.84%[33] |
| Metacritic | 80/100[34] | 74/100[35] | 62/100[36] | 72/100[37] | 75/100[38] |
| Publication | Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS2 | PS3 | PSP | Wii | Xbox 360 | |
| Game Informer | N/A | 8/10[14] | N/A | N/A | 8/10[14] |
| GameRevolution | N/A | B+[15] | N/A | N/A | B+[15] |
| GameSpot | N/A | 7/10[16] | N/A | N/A | 7/10[16] |
| GameTrailers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7/10[17] |
| GameZone | N/A | 4.5/10[18] | N/A | 6.5/10[19] | 4.5/10[18] |
| Giant Bomb | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |   [20] |
| IGN | 8/10[21] | 8/10[22] | N/A | 7.5/10[23] | 8/10[22] |
| Nintendo Power | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7.5/10[24] | N/A |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6.5/10[25] |
| PlayStation: The Official Magazine | N/A | 6/10[26] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| The Daily Telegraph | N/A | 7/10[27] | N/A | N/A | 7/10[27] |
| The Guardian | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | [28] |
The game was met with positive to mixed reception upon release.GameRankings andMetacritic gave it a score of 80% and 80 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version;[29][34] 77.47% and 74 out of 100 for the PlayStation 3 version;[30][35] 76.84% and 75 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 version;[33][38] 74% and 72 out of 100 for the Wii version;[32][37] and 60% and 62 out of 100 for the PSP version.[31][36]
Greg Miller ofIGN gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game an eight out of ten. He praised the game's Universe Mode and the wrestler animations, but criticized the limitations of Road to WrestleMania mode and the inaccurate commentary. In addition, he stated that the grappling system could be frustrating at times.[22] Miller gave the Wii version of the game a 7.5 out of ten, however. He mentioned the same criticisms from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, but also criticized the graphics.[23]GameSpot's Chris Watters rated the PS3 and X360 versions seven out of ten, lauding the game's customization options, while finding fault with the game'scollision detection and thelag during online multiplayer games. He also claimed that the series was starting to "show its age".[16]
GameZone's William Haley criticized the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions for not progressing much beyond their predecessors, claiming that the game targeted the "lowest common denominator". He called the WWE Universe feature, online multiplayer mode and creation tools "compelling", but also wrote that "the foundation upon which they are built is so decrepit that it completely invalidates the meager value this game has to offer".[18]
By September 2012, the game had sold 3.5 million copies.[39]
