WWE '12

Image Source:
Grainger Games

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Publisher: THQ
Developer: Yuke's
Genre: Wrestling
Series: WWE (Previously SmackDown! and SmackDown vs. Raw)
Released: November 22 2011 (US) and November 25 2011 (UK)
Certificate: 16
Consoles: PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii

After years of the SmackDown! and SmackDown vs. Raw games, a new era began with WWE '12. Well, in some respects: the name obviously changed, and there were a number of new features or modifications, but the game as a whole still felt like SvR, and therefore I class this as a new chapter of the series, as opposed to a new series in general. Hopefully, that makes sense.

Anyway, WWE '12 changed the grappling system so that you executed moves using the X button. with the available moves dependant on the progress of the match. In addition, wrestlers now had a "Comeback" option to hit a number of signature moves in a last-ditch attempt to reverse the flow of the match (think of John Cena's two shoulder blocks and throwback slam). What's more, a new Breaking Point submission system was in place to improve the manner in which you make one tap out, and a new Limb Targeting system allowed you to prepare attacks on body parts. Finally, "wake up" taunts allowed you to pose en route to a finisher, a perfect example being Randy Orton slamming his fists into the canvas before executing an RKO. The new wrestling system was enhanced by Predator Technology, which allowed for even more realistic object detection and reactions (such as a wrestler's legs staying under the ropes if slammed close to the edge of the ring).

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