WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2008

Critic reviews

• GZGame Zone

  jkdmedia · Nov 10, 2008

  8.5

  WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2009 is a solid entry to the SvR franchise, offering some nice new features like the Road to Wrestlemania feature. While the core wrestling element feels mostly the same as last year, there are still some great reasons for fans of the series to check this entry out.

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• GTGame Trailers

  Game Trailers · Dec 04, 2007

  7.4

  The inclusion of superstar fighting styles and the struggle submission system is a step in the right direction, but it’s still difficult to recommend Smackdown vs Raw 2008 for a purchase to anyone but the most ardent fan. The series, and the genre in general, just hasn’t changed much over the past decade, yet Smackdown vs Raw 08 still exhibits issues that have plagued it for years. Don’t let this one body slam your wallet.
• VGVideo Gamer

  Tom Orry · Nov 15, 2007

  6.0

  In the end, WWE Smackdown! Vs RAW 2008 will sell regardless of its quality, but it's not going to get many newcomers if the series continues to stagnate in what can only be described as last-gen gameplay in new-gen clothes. It's a reviewing cliché, but this is one for hardcore fans only.

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• GGameSpot

  Alex Navarro · Nov 14, 2007

  6.5

  But everything else about the game--the few middling changes to the gameplay, the major gameplay issues that remain unfixed, the lackluster 24/7 mode, and the thoroughly rehashed create and online modes--just makes you wonder if it isn't time for this series to finally start over from scratch. Every year these games include a greater breadth of content, but rarely a greater depth. SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 is perhaps the greatest example of that. It's a solid wrestler, but not one that's worth spending $50 to $60 for if you already own last year's game.

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• CCheatcc

  Pete Richards · Nov 13, 2007

  6.8

  There are a lot of nice improvements here. It just seems WWE could exceed fans' expectations, but they never really do. They continually add a few new interesting features each year knowing their loyal fans will probably purchase each edition regardless. Don't misinterpret me; Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 is good - but it's not great. Perhaps the franchise will start working harder in the future to give fans enough reason to purchase each installment year after year.

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• IIGN

  GREG MILLER · Nov 01, 2007

  7.8

  The controls are great and make the act of wrestling shine. However, I can't score this game as high as last year's title or pervious installments of the franchise. Single-player 24/7 Mode is a step backward for the series, the Create-A-Superstar and GM 24/7 are basically rehashes of last year's product, and the same complaints we've had for years -- awful AI, lame commentary, poor collision detection -- are still rampant.

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