WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011

With WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011, the series is starting to show its age. Despite being a recent release, the graphics and the sound start to feel old, and major gaffes have remained in those areas despite being singled out in several reviews.

This year's instalment still provides enough fan-service to make the hardcore throw their money into the ring, but it doesn't offer enough mass-market appeal.

Enough is enough and it's time for a change. [Issue#65, p.85]

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 doesn't feel like a "new" game but more of a half step forward from last years game. WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 is an incremental improvement that provides some solid new content but nothing earth shattering.

Really, with the levels of customisation as huge as they are, the player's enjoyment is only held back by their lack of imagination.

On one hand, Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 is a serviceable sequel that genuinely tries to stretch the limits of its design, but lackluster new features, poor follow-through, and gameplay that has yet to evolve past its prehistoric husk make it clear that the series has some serious thinking to do.

Smackdown vs. Raw is showing its age, but there's plenty of fight left in this old superstar.

WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 is far from perfect, but it is entertaining.

Aside from the WWE Universe and pitiful backstage portions of Road to Wrestlemania, SvR 2011 just doesn't add much from last year's game.

It's still a fun series that can come right back like a determined wrestler, but this year's iteration lacks the polish and wow factor of previous versions. [Holiday 2010, p.78]

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 will easily satisfy every wrestling fan and probably entertain the tourists of the ring. The game is very complete in terms of game modes and choice of wrestlers, and it perfectly recreates the atmosphere and the fun of the discipline. However, it lacks some real innovations: the graphics looks a bit old, many bugs are still there and the single player mode is a joke. We hope that Yuke's Media will raise the bar next time.

It's unquestionably fun. But that doesn't excuse the many, many problems, most of which should have been ironed out when the series was a PS2 exclusive over five years ago.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 does to little to become a great game. Just the regular WWE Universe and the multiplayer aren't enough to make something beautiful out of a bad game.