WWE '12

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
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  1. DarkStation
    Dec 14, 2011
    70
    It's a series that needs a lot of work and WWE'12 is the first step towards something that could be great. While it's nothing drastically different from what it was in the past, this game is still improving on a franchise that could have just as easily repeated itself into oblivion. The improvements made here aren't perfect but it manages to set the ground work for something great in the future and helps make this game stand out among its predecessors.
  2. Extreme Gamer
    Dec 12, 2011
    70
    Falling back into an old style of controls, WWE '12 is streamlined and technical, but its baiting "Predator Technology" needs to shake its ring rust.
  3. Eurogamer Italy
    Dec 1, 2011
    70
    WWE '12 is the game of the big changes. Yuke's and THQ are doing a good job trying to innovate the franchise, working hard on the gameplay side. The Road to WrestleMania is quite disappointing, but the new combat system works pretty well. Next year everything will be better, but meanwhile you can enjoy this brand new wrestling game.
  5. Gamekult
    Nov 26, 2011
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  6. GamePro
    Nov 22, 2011
    70
    Even though some things need to be tightened up, WWE '12 shows that the video game side of the franchise is still improving.
  7. Gaming Target
    Nov 22, 2011
    70
    I didn't expect to be blown away by WWE 12, but I also didn't expect to be so disappointed by the final game. While the virtually limitless possibilities of Universe 2.0 do give the game an incredible amount of replayability, the questionable AI and disappointing second version of Road to Wrestlemania leave much to be desired.
  8. PSM3 Magazine UK
    Dec 1, 2011
    67
    As awkward as "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan wrestling today, WWE 12 delivers but a fraction of the changes it needed. [Christmas 2011, p.95]
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  9. Computer and Video Games
    Nov 22, 2011
    67
    All Stars proved that simple ideas could create a pick-up-and-play WWE title without sacrificing depth for the hardcore, and WWE 12 would have done well to learn from its arcade-focused cousin.
  10. Game Over Online
    Dec 5, 2011
    60
    After a few years of steady improvements, WWE '12 marks the end of that era by delivering the worst overall game in years. It does a few new things relatively well, but really messes up some things that were done very well before, like the Road to WrestleMania mode, backstage fighting and the object interaction from last year's game.
  11. Gamereactor Sweden
    Nov 30, 2011
    60
    WWE 12 is a reboot for the brand, but doesn't add and improve enough on the Smackdown series. In the end, it's still too poorly animated and just not that entertaining to play.
  12. VideoGamer
    Nov 22, 2011
    60
    You have to give Yuke's credit for aiming high. The wealth of content and customisation options on offer is absolutely staggering and wrestling fans that wish to ignore the game's main campaign mode will certainly find plenty to entertain them here. WWE 12, however, isn't in the same league as the series' high-water marks. It is the nucleus of what could be a great game.
  13. Game Informer
    Nov 22, 2011
    55
    WWE '12 only introduces a few welcome elements. Setting up opponents for finishers with wake-up taunts is fun, the new comeback moments are a nice way of getting back into the match, players can now target specific limbs during grapples, and new creation options (like the new create-an-arena) make the series more customizable than ever before. However, none of these can make up for the awful Road to Wrestlemania.
  14. Play UK
    Dec 1, 2011
    50
    Another year, another exercise in abject mediocrity, another Yuke's WWE Game. [Issue#212, p.96]
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Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 94
  3. Negative: 13 out of 94
  1. hbk06
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    The weak/strong grapple system from the past games has been removed. Characters now perform different moves based on their opponent's currentThe weak/strong grapple system from the past games has been removed. Characters now perform different moves based on their opponent's current physical state. Players now have a window of opportunity to attack while still in a downed state and can also interrupt moves and Royal Rumble eliminations with attacks. Similarly, the pinning meter from the past games has been reworked to make it more difficult to kick out as a wrestler takes more damage. The game's artificial intelligence has also been adjusted to prevent players from overusing the same move. In addition, the ability to store finishing moves has returned. A new feature called "Dynamic Comebacks" will give players on the verge of losing the opportunity to successfully hit a combination of moves to gain two finishing moves. New "wake up taunts" bring a downed opponent to their feet for a finishing move (such as Randy Orton pounding on the ground before his RKO finishing maneuver).[1] Players also have the ability to target specific limbs during matches and perform submissions through a new "Breaking Point" submission minigame… Full Review »
  2. thegreatwall72
    Dec 2, 2011
    1
    Less of a revamp, more of an incorporation of features that they removed from SvR2006. The game out of the box is glitchy and bug ridden. TheLess of a revamp, more of an incorporation of features that they removed from SvR2006. The game out of the box is glitchy and bug ridden. The creation suite while expansive, is evidently stagnant in many aspects, despite the new CAA addition. Many major moves from the past were removed in favor of 20 different variations of the punches and toe kicks your favorite superstar does, all of which appear slightly different at most. Hit detection is still consistently non existent at times. AI's difficulty is still adjusted by the amount of reversals they do, rather than the in-ring psychology that they possess. The roster, while standard fare, is less impressive since they revealed the DLC characters already, indicating that it's likely the characters are already on the disc, and can be unlocked through a purchase code. RTW mania mode was fun, but the lack of storyline options compared to years before was simply stupid. Not everyone wants to play as Sheamus or Triple H. Many have praised the game being a markedly improved product compared to years past. That's not saying much really, as every Smackdown since SvR2006 have regressed through "innovations" that were poorly executed, most likely due to the poor direction of the project managers. Cory Ledesma and Bryan Williams better thank their lucky stars that they have the WWE brand to work with, and the audience they need to satisfy are easy to please kids who only cares that they have 50 different versions of each and every single one of Cena's moves in his rather limited arsenal. To say that WWE 12 would better serve as a coaster for your cup would be doing your cup injustice. Thank goodness for ebay, as someone was willing to buy into the hype and take the game off of my hands. I get to screw THQ and Gamestop in one transaction!… Full Review »
  3. williamdun
    Nov 23, 2011
    5
    The most realistic wrestling game ever.... this was the promise made when WWE12 was announced , brand new engine. smoother controls.... did itThe most realistic wrestling game ever.... this was the promise made when WWE12 was announced , brand new engine. smoother controls.... did it live up to being the most realistic wrestling game ever? Not quite. WWE12 should be call SVR12 because it feels almost the same as SVR 11 .What urks me is that they said the were remaking this from scratch with a new predator engine that's suppose to bring a new wrestling experience .... sadly this not the case. There is a reason why people compare these games to No mercy and wcw revenge and that mainly because those games for some odd reason still feel better to play. Even though it's outdated and lack animations and graphics No mercy still feels better than SVR series. Honestly I've never been a fan on the SVR series mainly because the collision detection problems seems to be a problem that reoccurs every year and what bothers me the most about SVR is if i suplex my opponent from off the top of the ladder to the outside of the ring how come he is back on feet in less than 10-15 sec? The finishers even feel boring in WWE 12 LISTEN IF YOU NEVER BEEN A FAN OF SVR THEN WWE12 WUD FEEL LIKE MORE OF THE SAME… Full Review »
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