WWE 13 review (PS3)

Wrestling has been around for what feels like an eternity, but has never managed to feel like it has outstayed its welcome. The WWE game series received a major overhaul with WWE 12, and WWE 13 looks to continue what were well-received changes that breathed some new life into a wrestling game benchmark. WWE 13 combines the best of updated gameplay, with a massive roster of available wrestlers that will attract old and young fans alike.

The campaign mode, “Attitude Era”, plays like a best-of collection of matches from the eponymous period in the late 90s. Players will be treated to huge and historical matches throughout that era, with actual footage from matches being incorporated to let players relive the action as well as get involved in it. The progression is divided into different fan-favourite wrestlers, like Bret Hart, Undertaker and Triple H, each on their individual road to glory. A solid campaign doubling as a wrestling history lesson is only the tip of the iceberg, as customization and depth is provided by a slew of other modes.

What makes or breaks any fighting game is the gameplay mechanics, bad gimmicks or poorly executed mechanics that usually guarantee a spot in a bargain bin. WWE 13 has a simplistic yet involving control layout, with the “Reversal System” being the backbone. Simply tapping R2 at the right time will reverse the opponents move and give you the opportunity to attack. While it sounds like a glorified quicktime event (which it kind of is), it helps create a genuine feeling of trading blows with the opposition. It creates a consistent rhythm to the fights, backed up by the creativity that the different moves allow for.

Moves like slaps and kicks, throws, finishers are mapped to face buttons, and using a face button with a shoulder button in the right scenarios will elicit different outcomes. Context sensitive moves relating either to a physical object (commentators tables are actually just for smashing an opponent through) or a historical scenario are also attacking options in matches.

The likenesses of the wrestlers as well as the overall graphical representation is very solid; but not without a few glitches here and there, most noticeably involving the ropes. A stray foot or arm will regularly find its way out of the ropes and pop back in, but there isn’t anything significant that will detract from the actual gameplay. Strangely, WWE 13 has probably the best looking crowd in a sports game I’ve seen – not really a game-changing inclusion ,but it’s cool to look at the crowd and realise the faces consist of more than one pixel, which adds to the immersion. The look of the arenas, wrestler entrances and effects are spot-on, making the overall presentation brilliant.

The soundtrack is designed to induce as much nostalgia as possible and does quite a good job of it, while the other sound aspects tend toward the inconsistent at times. While there was an obvious attempt to simulate crowd involvement, the effect can sometimes be a bit off. When climactic moments in a match arrive, there will often be a massive switch from a relatively docile crowd to a fever pitch. Commentary is also hit and miss, but that goes for almost every sporting game in existence.

The value of the Attitude Era campaign mode is bolstered by the wide variety of other modes, content creation, customization and sharing capacities. The quick match options vary from the basic one-on-one setup, all the way to a 6-man brawl, with multiple settings and variants which can be tweaked.

The game’s longevity lies in its emphasis on player choice, customization and the ability to share what you’ve created. An original wrestler, new arenas and entrances, as well as match scenarios and progression, all feature in what can only be described as extensive player involvement. These original creations can then be shared with the rest of the WWE 13 community and be used as part of the online matches.

WWE 13 isn’t all about the past though, as the roster includes many of the most recent big names to hit the ring. Younger fans will be able to enjoy their current favorites as well as the classic big names. You don’t have to be a huge wrestling fan to enjoy what WWE 13 has to offer, as the game has tons for the dedicated fan, but remains equally accessible to players that just want to throw guys wearing spandex into inanimate objects.