WWE '13

Image Source: Play.com

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Publisher: THQ (Note: 2K Sports re-published it in 2013 after THQ folded)
Developer: Yuke's
Genre: Wrestling
Series: WWE (Previously SmackDown! and SmackDown vs. Raw)
Released: October 30, 2012 (US), November 1, 2012 (Australia) and November 2, 2012 (UK)
Certificate: 16
Consoles: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

In 2012, it was announced that the next installment in the flagship WWE videogame series would be dedicated to The Attitude Era. Now, I loved this period in wrestling history; it was by far the greatest time to ever be a wrestling fan. And I had hoped for a dedicated videogame for this era for a long time. (I know there were some at the time, but I'm talking about a modern game looking back on it.) But to remodel the present-day game to hark back to the past? Granted, WWE's product at the time could have been better, but the annual game should reflect the last 12 months rather than ignore current names. So, whilst I was looking forward to seeing some old faces again, there was a danger that the modern era would feel a bit secondary.

Having played the game, I can't honestly say that WWE '13 succeeds at positioning the 2012 era WWE alongside the Attitude Era WWF/WWE. The key mode for modern names is Universe which does deliver a great experience for the hardcore wrestling fan gamer - fans could now create specific shows and dedicated rosters for those programmes - but as the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton and cover star CM Punk would not be involved in the main mode of the game, it did feel like the 2012 era stars were shafted a bit here.

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