Smackdown vs Raw (2004) (PS2)
This is where things get a bit tricky as the WWE games changed the branding to "Smackdown vs. Raw" and it stayed that way for seven installments with some of the games bleeding together in my mind, with sometimes minimal changes between games. The first in the long running series was however a fair start, using Here Comes the Pain as its groundwork being that it was still the best WWE game available. As expected, gameplay changes from Here Comes the Pain weren't extensive with the main changes coming elsewhere in game. Mini games were added at the beginning, and during matches such as tests of strength and stare-downs which were mixtures of button mashing and quick time events. They were interesting the first time you did one, but quickly lost their appeal. Another minor but welcome addition was the ability to hold onto submissions even after your opponent had made it to the ropes, risking a DQ if the count made it to five. Also added was the ability to play "Clean" or "Dirty" depending on your wrestler, changing the gameplay experience for good guys and bad guys. Smackdown vs Raw was notably the first WWE Playstation game to feature online play but at the time only supported singles matches and bra and panties matches. Create a Wrestler was again in depth and added Create a PPV and Create a Belt modes. Since Here Comes the Pain had such a celebrated story mode, Smackdown vs Raw didn't have to do much to make its career mode just as good. The biggest change it boasted was the addition of authentic WWE voiceovers instead of just having to read what was happening or hear it from a commentator. There were different plot points for different characters and your actions affected the route that the story took. Though some of the dialogue was generic, it was great to finally play a whole year of WWE programming with new storylines acted out by the real superstars taking part. Overall, Smackdown vs Raw made the most of losing some big stars since the last game like Brock Lesnar, Austin and Goldberg. While it had a few welcome advances, it mostly was just Here Comes the Pain with a new lick of paint. Of course that wasn't necessarily a bad thing for big fans. Smackdown vs Raw was worth it for WWE fans to play through a whole new story, though at the time casuals may have been better suited to sticking with Here Comes the Pain.