THQ is adding to its powerful WWE creative suite.
US, September 14, 2011
"No matter the number of characters as THQ and Yukes pack into WWE '12, there are never enough. As many arenas, finishers or story paths as there might be in the game, you will likely want more. You'll want to put your own touch on the game, bringing back old wrestlers or putting yourself into the squared circle. Maybe you want to create a ring of your own.
For WWE '12, THQ is wisely focusing its efforts on fixing gameplay that had become stale and overly complicated. Graphics are being spruced up. Animation is being refined. When it comes to the various created superstars, finishers or entrances, the developer is leaving most of the options alone. That's probably a good thing, considering how powerful the tools already were.
While not throwing everything out, THQ is building upon what already exists. This year the create-an-arena mode will allow players to develop up to 50 customized arenas and share them online with their friends. Like what someone else has done? You can download that to your game. Likewise those concepts can then be worked into the WWE Universe mode or created stories in the Story Designer (which is also returning, virtually identical to its predecessor).
Arena options range from the predictable (you can recreate old school WCW rings or fashion your own NWO environment) to the more absurd (populating the squared circle with grass). The concept certainly fits in like with the other creative modes.
Developing your own character has some new perks. More visual options have been added to just about all categories, including masks, outfits, face paint and jackets. Additionally THQ has included more "menu screen poses" and options for hometown descriptions.
One clever addition is allowing players to adjust how superstars are introduced as they're walking to the ring. Four separate clips, from a pool of 600, can be plugged together in order to create an introduction.
It's a slobberknocker.
Creating entrances will be better thanks to being able to customize entrance videos. Players will be able to work with a number of settings, including conceptual themes, color schemes, logos and some customizable text, and an automatic generator will assist developing a sequence for the superstar's TitanTron video. THQ has also added 20 new animations for wrestlers as they walk to the ring.
THQ's emphasis this year remains the same as it has been in years past - give players more options. Whether it's the new create-an-arena mode or adding over 100 new moves to the overall pool of options, WWE '12 is building upon the legacy of Smackdown vs. RAW. Considering how powerful these tools already were, that might not be a bad thing."
IGN.com
