It’s hard to believe with the imminent release of SmackDown Vs Raw 2009 we’ll be on the verge of experiencing our tenth version of the now-veteran franchise. Throughout the years there have been countless highlights, including slamming someone through a Hell In The Cell’s roof for the first time, the evolution of ring entrances and the development of Triple H as an in-game character (what can we say, we’re big fans!). Somehow the series has always managed to introduce new features, and 2009 is no different.

The focus this time around is on the tag team. Stuck in a rut for quite a while, Yuke’s has spent this development cycle completely reworking the match type so it feels more like the product we see on TV each week. Momentum bars now correspond to both wrestlers, meaning if one is getting their ass whipped the other is in trouble as well. It’s such a simple change and yet has turned the premise on its head. Ensuring you’re constantly tagging in and out and, shock horror, working as a team is essential. Even when you’re not directly involved there’s still plenty to do. Grabbing opponents, performing double-team moves, distracting the ref and lowbridging the ropes – which could be the most satisfying move we’ve ever had the privilege to pull off – adds a tremendous amount to every contest and cements it as a separate mode.

However, this isn’t our favourite addition to 2009. Along with the create-a-wrestler, create-an-entrance and create-a-moveset comes create-a-finisher. The amount of manoeuvres you can produce is insane and the impact some of them cause is jaw-dropping. In fact, one we proudly put our name to was so dangerous, if it were ever performed in a WWE ring we’d be terrified to see the outcome. The idea is so well executed and fun you’ll spend half your time with the game just seeing what you can invent. It’s evident that Yuke’s and THQ still have some tricks up their sleeves, which leads us beautifully into The Road To Wrestlemania!

A recurring theme for the SmackDown series has been a constant struggle to implement a good career mode. Some have been better than others, but the most recent effort (WWE 24/7) was far from ideal. This year’s rejig is not only far better but the way Yuke’s should proceed from here on out. Centred on the three months leading up to WWE’s biggest PPV, it feels more like an RPG than a sports game. Seven wrestlers can be taken on the journey – Triple H, The Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho, CM Punk and Rey Mysterio and Batista in a co-op storyline – and each narrative has the ability to branch in different ways as you play through. When it’s good, it’s phenomenal, with twists and turns usually reserved for the television product. Unfortunately there are a few dips where control is taken away from you – after we had reformed Evolution with Triple H we were prepared to support Randy Orton in his quest for the gold only to be forced into betraying him – and it’s a huge shame that only a select few wrestlers can be chosen. This is clearly due to the harsh schedule Yuke’s has in regards to SmackDown but if the stories can be enhanced even further and the available roster expanded, The Road To Wrestlemania will be finest career offering ever experienced.

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