WWE Day of Reckoning 2

 GameCube
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Aug 29, 2005
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 271 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 163 out of 271
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 271
  3. Negative: 103 out of 271
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  1. Metroidguy4
    May 15, 2013
    10
    WWE Day of Reckoning 2 is the best WWE game for the Nintendo GameCube. It has good graphics, good game play and story line. The create-a-superstar have the most extensive mode when compared to the other three WWE game on the GameCube.
  2. ericdyn
    Apr 5, 2011
    0
    This game could be incredible, but has several flaws of varying degrees of seriousness that cripple it. Despite having possibly the most robust create-a-wrestler systems in any wrestling game as well as the most extensive move list, this game is still hamstrung by flaws. The most obvious one is the new stamina system which, while not a deal breaker, is just unnecessary and annoying. TheThis game could be incredible, but has several flaws of varying degrees of seriousness that cripple it. Despite having possibly the most robust create-a-wrestler systems in any wrestling game as well as the most extensive move list, this game is still hamstrung by flaws. The most obvious one is the new stamina system which, while not a deal breaker, is just unnecessary and annoying. The most rage-inducing flaw only appears in triple threat and fatal fourway matches against bots. They aren't triple threat or fatal fourway matches at all; they're two-on-one and three-on-one handicap matches. The bots almost never attack each other, will surround and gang-bang you, break up any grapple that you attempt, and will never stay down. The amount of frustration that will come from playing these matches on any difficulty above easy is astronomical, and is enough warrant a 0 rating. Avoid at all costs.… Expand
  3. Midnighter
    Jun 27, 2011
    1
    You would think the sequel to the excellent WWE: Day of Reckoning would be equally as good, but sadly this is not the case. While it has a bigger roster and a slightly better create-a-wrestler tool, it unfortunately has a wrecked submission system, annoying stamina meter, and horrible difficulty imbalances. If playing the highest difficulty in the first game was like driving a Ferrari,You would think the sequel to the excellent WWE: Day of Reckoning would be equally as good, but sadly this is not the case. While it has a bigger roster and a slightly better create-a-wrestler tool, it unfortunately has a wrecked submission system, annoying stamina meter, and horrible difficulty imbalances. If playing the highest difficulty in the first game was like driving a Ferrari, playing it in this game is like driving a Yugo; don't expect matches to have any give and take - your opponent will counter just about everything you attempt. Also, how hard would it be to have title belts in exhibition mode? Or AI opponents who fight each other in triple threat matches? Stick to Day of Reckoning 1 if you want a satisfying wrestling sim.… Expand
  4. AndrewV.
    Sep 3, 2005
    9
    Wow.....this game has amazing graphics and a longer, more challenging story mode. I like the rosters except there are no good tag teams. This game has the best Legends THQ could possibly put together. Plus I love the Divas too. P.S. John Cena rocks!
  5. CoryN.
    Sep 13, 2005
    10
    This game is fantastic! I can not believe the graphics and story line. I give it a perfect ten. Keep it up THQ!
  6. JohnS.
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    Man, I am shocked when i looked at the graphics.It's really awesome. You knoe what THQ you made the best WWE games. Keep it up.
  7. DylanD.
    Dec 5, 2005
    10
    This is the best wrestling game i've played since the original DOR. Amazing storyline and the best lineup of legends in any of the games.
  8. BigDave
    Nov 17, 2014
    10
    This game was amazing. Graphics were advanced for their time and are even better than most SmackDown vs Raw games

    Brilliant story mode as well. The actual gameplay of the game is the best of any wrestling game so far, even better than No Mercy on the N64.
  9. TheDestroyer
    Nov 14, 2014
    7
    I am The Destroyer. I will break games, complain about the littlest detail, and tell you whether or not the game is worth buying. A lot of things to say here, but can't due to the 5000 character limit.

    After having to review two other wrestling games for GameCube, a third times a charm. Despite the game not being perfect, Day of Reckoning 2 makes the cut. Don't even bother going to the    I am The Destroyer. I will break games, complain about the littlest detail, and tell you whether or not the game is worth buying. A lot of things to say here, but can't due to the 5000 character limit.

    After having to review two other wrestling games for GameCube, a third times a charm. Despite the game not being perfect, Day of Reckoning 2 makes the cut. Don't even bother going to the original Day of Reckoning -- this is where the action's at!

    1. Story
    The story continues 11 months after the original Day of Reckoning game (Raw brand) where the World Heavyweight Championship gets vacated. Things happen, but can't say what those "things" are due to spoiler-free review, so let's just say you wind up wrestling your way towards the goal of getting "your" championship back. Day of Reckoning 2 comes with a bada$$ intro to top. For once, a story in a sports game is well-written, and well all know that sports games aren't renown for story-telling, and having romance in Day of Reckoning 2 makes it all the more skeptical. But this will turn out quite well. Finally, you feel involved because you get to make your own decisions in the story that affect the type of matches you play, even if it's only for one or two of them.

    2. Graphics and Visuals
    The graphics are amazing in this game, and finally Nintendo has facial expressions. But In terms of wrestling moves, not much that has improved. It's still the same animations from the previous games all copied & pasted over.

    3. Gameplay
    Gameplay refers to combat & matches, and customization. Put it all together and it's average.

    -Combat-
    In some situations, it doesn't feel like you're playing a different game. But you know it's a different game because you can kick out of a pinfall with a low durability stat and a red body part! The main focus of this game is momentum or spirit meter over damage. Yep, that's right! As long as your meter is yellow, orange, or red, and you're a decent A-button tapper, you cannot be pinned! You can still lose to submission moves though. So the combat follows a system that slug-fest dummies aren't going to appreciate. Now here's the fault: the longer a match goes on, the faster you and your opponent will gain momentum. At a certain point, gaining a red meter will be a cakewalk for both sides, causing the match to go on forever without submission moves! This will be very frustrating for PvP matches. There's also a stamina system present in the game, which you have to constantly keep track of as you're doing moves, because if that ever hits 0, you are gonna be ****** so hard. At 0 stamina, you will constantly pause and not be able to do anything, and defending yourself becomes much more difficult.

    -Customization-
    The amount of customization options in this game looks impressive, but is actually a nightmare! You will constantly go through a loading screen any time you want to modify a single piece of equipment on your created superstar. Customizations that should only be about 5 minutes will wind up being 30 minutes, which is completely unfair.

    4. Soundtrack
    Hats off to the soundtrack of this game, even if it can be a bit tiring for some people. These tunes fit decently for a video game atmosphere to the point where they don't feel repetitive.

    5. Bugs & Glitches
    The AI tagetting system in this game during Triple Threat and Fatal-4 Way matches is broken. All AI's for some unknown reason, will stop whatever they're doing, and immediately attack player 1. And this will happen every match where 3 to 4 superstars are present. Oddly enough, it won't do this when a second player is present. The AI targeting will magically work during 2-player games.

    6. Personal Enjoyment
    How hard is it for wrestling companies to play-test their games? For crying out loud! Following the logic of "You gotta get this game out NOW!" doesn't work well for rating! Any gaming company reading this: don't do this to your fans! The PS3 era is a perfect example of why games should never be released pre-maturely. Nobody will wanna buy your ****ing games if you keep delivering terrible products. Day of Reckoning 2 feels unfinished because of the crappy AI targeting, cookie-cut animations, and broken momentum system.

    8. Overall Verdict
    Fans might have expected more from this console era, but least it was given a valid attempt. Despite the issues, the game does hold up, it does have replay value, it does have a worthwhile story, and the wrestling is arguably passable. Verdict is a 7 out of 10. For Nintendo GameCube, this is as good as wrestling is gonna get.    … Expand
  10. evolution98
    Sep 27, 2017
    9
    The best wrestling game on the Nintendo Gamecube.

    The graphics had quite a transformation from Wrestlemania 18 up to this game and they were impressive and very realistic for the time. The animations look really nice and new types were added as well. I did like the licensed soundtrack from the first game but I felt that this soundtrack was much better and sounded more hardcore and    The best wrestling game on the Nintendo Gamecube.

    The graphics had quite a transformation from Wrestlemania 18 up to this game and they were impressive and very realistic for the time. The animations look really nice and new types were added as well. I did like the licensed soundtrack from the first game but I felt that this soundtrack was much better and sounded more hardcore and grungy which I thought was a great idea.

    The gameplay is essentially the same as the games that came before it but added the stamina system and the submission system which made the game more realistic. It also gave strategy for players. The game becomes intense when you play triple threat and fatal 4 way matches and I think it gets even more fun.

    The story continues from the first game and it is really good. You can pick choices in which alter the story which was a lot fans wanted in the first game but wasn't included.

    The customization system is improved over the first game but the load times get annoying very quickly.

    The roster was disappointing but that was what the Gamecube was able to give us. That's the only thing that sticks out.

    Overall, I would recommend it.    … Expand
  11. Nafea
    Feb 25, 2022
    8
    Great game awesome graphics and cool gameplay but the story not that great but overall good game
  12. CaptainCharisma
    Dec 26, 2022
    10
    Best wrestling game on gamecube, great graphics for its time and smooth gameplay.
  13. Rorian7
    Sep 25, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best Nintendo Gamecube wrestling game. It could have more wrestlers, but its amazing.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best GameCube Game of 2005
14
#14 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2005
15
#15 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Worth Playing
    74
    All in all, what Day of Reckoning 2 presents to us is a few tweaks to the original Day of Reckoning - some good, most bad.
    Read full review
  2. Game Informer
    73
    If you're only a casual wrasslin' fan, is it worth checking out? Eh. Sorta. [Oct 2005, p.138]
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    58
    Slightly better than last year's game, but it's still nothing special. [Oct 2005, p.119]
See all critic reviews »