WWE '12: Will It Be the Best WWE Video Game Ever?

WWE ’12 is due to be released in America today and a lot of wrestling fans are looking forward to the revamped series. In this preview, I pose the question: Will it be the best WWE video game ever?

To become the best WWE video game ever, this instalment would have to beat the likes of WWF No Mercy, WWF SmackDown: Just Bring It and WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain.

With plenty of new features as I detailed here, WWE ’12 is looking to move away from the generic formula that has become a mainstay in the SmackDown vs. RAW series.

With new Predator Technology, dynamic WWE television production and a new-but-old "Create an Arena" option, WWE ’12 sounds like it really has changed; however, after reviewing many of the videos of the game, I have to say it doesn’t even look that different.

Obviously, until it is released in England on Friday, I will not be able to see how it handles, but I still see all the same flaws that plagued the old series.

One example of this would be the revamped "WWE Universe" mode that THQ displayed in a video presentation.

At one point, Brock Lesnar comes down to the ring as a Universe cut scene and shoves The Miz into the steel steps.

They didn’t move a millimetre.

It seems THQ have focused so much on making sure the ring ropes react to moves that they have overlooked the smaller details. It’s things like this that will really annoy me.

The commentary hasn’t improved much either. Just listening to it on the promotional videos makes me cringe. I don’t know why THQ finds it so hard to work in some flowing commentary. EA Sports manages it with FIFA so why can’t THQ put a bit of effort in?

The other gripe I have from all the preview material is the fact that WWE is already out of date—John Cena in his red attire, Nash with the wrong music, Rock with no goatee.

They need to find a way to have constant updates to the game because I feel like I’m going to be buying last year’s game before it is even released.

That’s not a good feeling to have when shelling out 40 notes on a game.

Nevertheless, the gameplay looks a lot smoother as do the animations, so I’m hoping it will be a joy to play. As a man that craves realism in WWE games, I can be a little harsh, but the improvements are a step in the right direction.

I don’t think that THQ is listening to the fans enough and I do not believe this will be a far cry from SmackDown vs. RAW in terms of the visuals, but the gameplay is supposed to be the biggest improvement.

As you’ve probably guessed by now, this will not be the best WWE game ever—not by a long shot—but I think it will be worth a buy, if only to test the new features.

WWF No Mercy will still reign supreme.

Please check back for my WWE ’12 review, which will be going live on Saturday.