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WWE Day of Reckoning 2 |
| Developer(s) |
YUKE's Future Media Creators |
| Publisher(s) |
THQ |
| Release date(s) |
August 29, 2005 |
| Brand(s) |
WWE |
| Rating(s) |
T for Teen |
| Platform(s) |
Gamecube
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| WG Review Date |
8/30/07 |
| WG.com Average Rating |
4.5/5 Stars |
| Game Navigation |
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Preview
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Review
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Match Types
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Backstage Areas
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Roster
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Media
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Cheats
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Created Wrestlers
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Review
Ever since Aki stopped producing WWE games, wrestling games on the Nintendo side had gone downhill and been flawed. Yukes changed that tune with WWE Day Of Reckoning for the Gamecube, but could they follow that up with another good effort for the Nintendo faithful?
Gameplay
The gameplay is very similar to that of last year's title. There is an easy-to-learn grapple system from which wrestlers can execute a variety of different moves. Button mashing won't help as much as it does in Smackdown titles, as things like reversals and counters must be timed carefully. The reversals are done very well in this game.Yukes also did a good job implementing the stamina meter into DOR2. A wrestler's stamina meter fluctuates depending on how much a damage a wrestler takes, how much a wrestler runs around the ring, etc. The new submission system is excellent as well. You can choose between submit, drain, taunt, and rest hold, and each type of submission has a different effect on that match. There's also a little bit of depth added to tag team matches. Wrestlers can call in their partner for a variety of different reasons, including attack your opponent's tag team partner, break up a pin, attack the ref, or double team your opponents. It's additions like these that add alot of depth to the strategic part of the game, which most games seem to seriously neglect.
Sound
As with most THQ titles, sound is an aspect where this game lacks. All the entrance themes are present and sound great, but otherwise this title offers little. There's no voiceovers whatsoever, and the background music is often bland. To THQ's credit, they are working with the Gamecube which seriously limits the game's audio.
Graphics
Day of Reckoning 2 is a very good looking game, arguably the WWE's best looking game to date. The player models have been greatly improved, with Yukes putting alot of focus on making wrestler's faces look like their real life counterparts. The arenas look very good and the crowd is better than most other WWE games. There are still clipping issues, especially when playing with wrestlers who greatly differ in size.
Seasons/Career Mode
The season mode in Day of Reckoning 2 continues where it ended in last year's game. The main gripe about this is that players can't import their creation from last year, so they're going to have to continue last year's story with a different character, which seems a little werid. Otherwise, the mode is very well done. The story is well told and there's plenty of plots, twists, and turns to keep the player interested. There are no voiceovers in this mode, just text telling the story, but that's the best they can do using Gamecube discs.
Creation Modes
The create-a-wrestler mode in DOR2 is about on par with every other CAW mode at this time. With enough time, you can create any of your favorites from the past or present, or create your own original creation. There is also a ton of ways to customize you creation's moveset. As usual, Yukes doesn't disappoint in this area.
| Score Board |
Game Play
4.5/5 Stars |
Audio
2.5/5 Stars |
Graphics
4.5/5 Stars |
Story Mode
3.5/5 Stars |
Creation
4/5 Stars |
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OVERALL SCORE:
4.5/5 Stars |
| Final Thought |
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"WWE Day of Reckoning 2 is an excellent game that gives Smackdown: Here Comes the Pain a run for it's money as the best WWE game post-No Mercy. The gameplay is great, the graphics are crisp, and the season and CAW modes add enough to keep gamers coming back. Big thumbs up!" |
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Released: December 3, 2001: Playstation2
May 27, 2002: Xbox & Gamecube
Dvlpr: Acclaim Studios Salt Lake City
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment
System(s):
Gamecube, Playstation 2, X-Box
4/5 Stars |
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