WWE Day of Reckoning
| WWE Day of Reckoning | |
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| Developer(s) | Yuke's |
| Publisher(s) | THQ |
| Platforms | GameCube |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Wrestling |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
WWE Day of Reckoning is a professional wrestling video game released for the Nintendo GameCube console in 2004. The game is based on World Wrestling Entertainment and many of the wrestlers who were on the WWE roster at the time of release were included as player characters. The game also features the option to create wrestlers.
The game's single player mode involves the player guiding a created wrestler through the ranks as a rookie and into main event stardom on either of WWE's brands RAW or SmackDown!.
The game was followed by a sequel released in 2005, WWE Day of Reckoning 2.
Gameplay
The game features a control system similar to that of AKI's Nintendo 64 wrestling games with weak/strong grappling attacks and strikes. Players are also able to counter their opponents' attacks with a timed button press. One of the game's unique features is the "Momentum Shift" move - a desperation attack that gives a character an instant advantage during the match.[1] The game's Exhibition mode allows players to wrestle in various match types including Hell in the Cell and Iron Man matches.[2] The game's Story Mode allows players to take a created wrestler from WWE developmental to main event status by wrestling achieving various goals during matches.[1]
Roster
The SmackDown! talent includes Kurt Angle, The Undertaker, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Big Show, Charlie Haas, Chavo Guerrero, Hardcore Holly, Rhyno, Doug and Danny Basham, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Mark Jindrak.
The Raw talent consists of The Rock, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Kane, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Christian, Val Venis, Garrison Cade, Batista, Matt Hardy, Ric Flair, Chris Benoit, Lance Storm, Shelton Benjamin, and Edge.
The Divas talent only includes four female wrestlers, which are Molly Holly, Victoria, Trish Stratus, and Stacy Keibler.
THQ also included a legends roster, and as a result, they are not assigned to a show. These wrestlers include André the Giant, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.
Non-Playable Characters, who only appear in the game's story mode, are Paul Heyman, Jonathan Coachman, Eric Bischoff, and Vince McMahon. Mike Chioda is the game's referee.[3]
Plot
The player assumes the role of a new, WWE developmental superstar that he or she creates. First, the created superstar starts off as a new wrestler signed to a WWE contract attempting to work his way up to the main roster. After this series of matches and cut-scenes, the superstar is allowed to perform on Sunday Night Heat, before he or she finally is allowed to join the main roster. There are two different brands to choose from, each with their own distinct roster of wrestlers - (Raw or SmackDown!). As an effect, this will also choose which stable they will join. Choosing Raw results in joining (Triple H's Evolution. Choosing SmackDown! results in joining the Undertaker's New Ministry.
The superstar goes on and works his way up the "rungs of the ladder" in a series of matches, ultimately resulting in the acquisition of the show's World Championship. If the player has chosen Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship will be awarded. If SmackDown! was chosen, the WWE Championship will be awarded.
As the story progresses, Triple H or The Undertaker starts kicking people off the team as they fail him or (as in the case of the created superstar) become a threat to his championship. The final battle is an Iron Man match at WrestleMania XX for the championship.
The story is continued in the sequel, WWE Day of Reckoning 2, though under the assumption that the superstar chose Raw.
Soundtrack
Most of the songs in the game are also in the PlayStation 2 game, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw.
Reception
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GameSpot's Alex Navarro lauded the game for its improved story mode and graphics, compared to the WWE's previous GameCube game WWE WrestleMania XIX, as did IGN's Matt Casamassina. However, both sites found fault with the game's limited selection of wrestlers. IGN scored the game an 8.3 out of 10, while GameSpot gave it an 8.2 out of 10.[1][2] The game has a Metacritic score of 79 out of 100,[5] and a GameRankings score of 79.68%.[4]
References
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- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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