Controls

With “WWE ’12″, the developers wanted to create a game that had more substance than other wrestling games of the past. They also wanted to make sure that the interactions that took place within the game were more advanced than their predecessors. For example, when a player becomes more tired or weak, it is easier for the opponent to perform more difficult moves that inflict maximum damage. Depending on what is happening within the game, it may be more difficult for players to perform certain actions, such as tagging their partner or performing certain moves. This style of gameplay is more true to life than previous versions of the game. Because of this, it may take players longer to get used to the controls of their wrestler and will require more strategy at times to defeat their opponent. Overall, players of “WWE ’12″ prefer this more intelligent type of playing over previous versions of the franchise.

Graphics

The graphics for “WWE ’12″ are more realistic than other wrestling games that have been released prior to this game. The features of the wrestlers are more defined, making them easily identifiable as to who they are supposed to be. Animation is virtually flawless. The entrances by each wrestler are extremely realistic and almost look as though they are broadcast directly from the TV show. Adding to the realism of the game are the theme songs of each wrestler, as well as the trademark clothing they are known for wearing. Although some background graphics aren’t as sharp and realistic as they could be, the overall graphics for the game far surpass the graphics of older games and will be pleasing for any wrestling fan.

Lagging and Other Problems in Previous Games

One of the biggest problems with other games in the WWE series is that lagging could occur during gameplay, making movements awkward and not as smooth as they could be. For “WWE ’12″, developers addressed these problems to make this game unlike the others before it. Players of “WWE ’12″ found that there was little lag during gameplay, making for smooth movements during matches that makes the gameplay easier and better than previous games. Players who have played previous versions will notice the different almost immediately. Although there was some lag during certain sequences of the game, overall the problem from other games was improved vastly in “WWE ’12″.

Characters

“WWE ’12″ offers more characters in the game than ever, allowing any player to be able to play the game with their favorite wrestler. With a total of 66 wrestlers, “WWE ’12″ offers a selection of current wrestlers as well as legendary wrestlers. Current superstars on the roster include John Cena, Kane and The Big Show. Legendary wrestlers feature the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and Booker T. Seven of the WWE Divas are also available to choose from, including Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix. With an all star lineup of the best wrestlers, choosing a character to play with or against is no problem in “WWE ’12″. Downloadable content is also available to add more of the most popular and famous wrestlers.

Customization and Modes

Many different aspects of “WWE ’12″ can be customized to fit the needs of the player. In Universe Mode, players can set up a schedule to allow them to wrestle against various opponents at selected times. In this mode, new moves can be created, as well as total customization of the rings and wrestlers. Players can create their own wrestlers or change existing players’ moves and stats. This can make the game more customized and fun for anyone playing it. The Road to Wrestlemania mode offers backstage content and long story lines. Those who enjoy the drama and storytelling of professional wrestling may enjoy this, while others may find it too drawn out and simply want to face off against other opponents. Online game play is also an available option that allows players to compete against other players from all over the world. Single player mode is still available, allowing players to just wrestle against the computer opponent without the long and drawn out story lines. The new intelligence of the computerized opponent may be found to be frustrating by some players at first, but they will get used to it as they resume playing. There are many different options and modes in “WWE ’12″ to keep the game fun and entertaining.

Overall Review of “WWE ’12″

With the design and development of “WWE ’12″, those involved in creating the game wanted to have a game that began a new era of professional wrestling games. They wanted to eliminate the problems that players faced in previous games, while offering more options, realistic gameplay and better graphics than ever before. Overall “WWE ’12″ met the expectations of both those who created the game as well as WWE fans. While it is not completely without its flaws, the game has raised the bar for professional wrestling video games. For fans of the WWE, most will be pleased with the new additions added to “WWE ’12″, as well as the customization options and gaming modes that allow them to play the game in different ways. By eliminating previous lag problems, having the most popular characters as well as additional downloadable content and featuring realistic graphics that look as though they were taken right from a TV screen, fans of the WWE and the video game franchise will find “WWE ’12″ to be a far superior game to those that they have played in the past.

]]> http://wwe12cheats.org/wwe-12-review/feed/ 0 http://wwe12cheats.org/wwe-12-editing-shows-and-titles/ http://wwe12cheats.org/wwe-12-editing-shows-and-titles/#comments Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:30:07 +0000 http://wwe12cheats.org/?p=23 Editing Shows

One of the highlights in the new edition of WWE Universe is that you have the ability to edit the shows. You cannot actually create the show like you can individual matches in “play” mode, but you do have a great amount of control. Using WWE Universe Mode, go to the View Schedule area to see how the shows are arranged for the month. This is also the screen that you can use to edit the shows. Highlight the show that you want to work with and press X if using Xbox 360 or Square if you have PS3 to start the process.

In editing RAW or SmackDown, there are many changes that you can make. You can control which brand is on which show, which show will have a draft round and which titles are defended on each show. The fact that you can change the brand is important. If you have been a wrestling fan for a long time, you might want to combine RAW and SmackDown and recreate the WWE Universe to resemble older formats in past years. If you feel creative you could even invent your own brand using the “Edit Brand” option.

Using the WWE Universe editing options really adds a dimension of versatility to your game. You can also create a league of your own. Edit your own brand with any name you want, create a roster of your own superstars and divas if you desire. Set your new show to “air” on a Friday or Saturday night and then battle the superstars and divas of the WWE with your own warriors. All the tools you need are right there to create brands and shows, transfer wrestlers and divas to any brand or show you like and take the journey that leads to WrestleMania. Once you get the hang of the editing controls, you will realize just how simple it is to accomplish any format that you can imagine in your head.

Editing Titles

This is a great option for you to play around with. You can choose which titles are defended in each brand and also add or subtract the total amount of titles available period. Each brand normally carries 4 titles with it. There is the major title which can be the championship belt, a minor title such as US champion or Intercontinental champion. Add to the mix a tag team title and of course the diva title. You can control what each title is called as well as the brand it is associated with by unlocking the belt in your editing controls.

Let’s say for example that the minor title belt in your RAW brand is the US champion belt. You could choose to switch that minor title to the Million Dollar Championship belt, move the US championship title to SmackDown. Add a Hardcore championship to RAW? Perhaps have an ECW championship in Superstars of Wrestling? It is all up to you. The flexibility allows you to be as creative as you want to be. On the other hand, if you just want to pound heads, through opponents head first into tables and perform some pile drivers, just let the game have full control of the brands, titles, etc.

If you really want to be creative, you can even combine brands. Let’s say that you want both the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship to be in the same brand. Normally these two titles are the major titles in their respective brands. Your idea is to combine them into one brand and create one title out of the two naming it the Champion of Champions title. If you’re waiting to hear that it cannot be done, you are in for a long wait. A simple edit of both shows will accomplish this. Pull up Raw and SmackDown in your editing control panel and change the title name in both brands to Champion of Champions. The game will be fully aware that the same title is included in both brands and it will set up the tracking and ranking systems accordingly.

The versatility of the editing mode will take your gaming experience much further than just playing the game. You can give yourself the title Master of the Universe as you customize your WWE Universe to your individual liking. Just as in editing the shows, once you are familiar with the controls and options, you will find it easy to also edit your titles.

The Road to WrestleMania returns in this latest version of WWE ’12. You play single player through three stories that span about two years in the WWE. The stories involved are the Villain Story, the Outsider Story and the Hero Story.

The sequel is a little more story driven in this newest version. To make the stories flow, you actually have to lose some battles in a specific way and suffer some beat down setbacks to advance. You will be guided along the by the match objective indicator at the bottom of the screen. The objective fades in and out from time to time instead of constantly being displayed so stay alert to make sure you stay on top of your goals. Every gamer has varying levels of skill and speed of play so there is included in WWE ’12 an added feature. You are able to control the difficulty level at any time. If you find as you are playing that things are a bit too rough or too easy, exit off the Road, change the difficulty settings and merge back on.

Winning Singles Matches

To match the storyline concept, you will find that certain moves or weapons will not be available to you at all times. This makes the challenge of the Road that much better. In order to win, you must try to be relentless in your attack of foes. Once the opponent’s health level is low enough, attempt your finishing move when you see the icon appear on a button over his head. Hit the button and end the match in victory.

Winning Brawls

Approximately one third of the battles on the Road are brawls. In order to advance, you usually have to win these outright. You will notice the same “Finisher” icon appear again over opponent’s heads. This time however, pressing it will not end the match but instead shove the bully into an environmental area. Once there you will able to use any grapple attack you choose to make your character knockout your combatant.

You will receive instructions in the brawls that might read something like “Throw your opponent into the vending machine”, or to the right of the machine, etc. For most brawls you will see a soda vending machine in the background. When you do receive the instruction, throw him against the machine and then grapple. If his health level is low enough, he will hit the machine so hard it will shatter and knock him out cold. If the soda machine doesn’t do the trick, look for the boxes to the right and above the machine. These boxes can also do the trick and win you the match if needed. Do not go too far up the hallway. Reaching about the half a hallway mark will put you out of range and you won’t be able to finish him

Winning Tag Matches

Tag matches along the Road also follow certain guidelines and storylines. Sometimes the game will not let you tag your partner in forcing you to continue on in the match. You always face the opponents one at a time and their pending tag is normally pretty readable. If you beat on your foe relentlessly and his health weakens, he will tag in his partner. Once you have beaten the second participant down enough, you will normally get the “Finisher” icon above his head. Do not let your guard down however, these guys are not rookies.

Occasionally, a very intelligent AI or Artificial Intelligence combatant will be very eager to tag in on your opponents side. To follow the storyline, he actually must enter the match. Watch this villain carefully. If he starts to retreat from you, he is actually playing possum. If you mount any attack at this point he will automatically reverse your move back on you…any move you try. The best offence in this case is a darn good defense. Avoid him until he eventually tags in his partner. Just keep in mind that the story has to run its course.

At times this tricky devil will appear to be stuck in his corner with no intention of tagging out. You must be proactive in this case to continue through the game, but if you try to attack, the goon will still just keep reversing your moves. Exit the ring and run around to the opponent’s corner from outside the ring. Start knocking the goon’s partner off of the ring apron and when he climbs back up, everyone might be in a better position. Once back in the ring, try nudging the goon toward his partner. Just be careful not to attack him. This coaxing will eventually get a tag accomplished from your opponent’s corner.

Adaptive Difficulty

WWE ’12 appears to have a heart. If you fail twice in any particular match, the third attempt seems to actually be easier. Once you win the difficulty level retreats back to its former self until you are stuck again. This is most obvious during the Hero Story when you are sweating it out in the Elimination Chamber. Remember that you can always control the difficulty levels in the game yourself if you absolutely find yourself with no way out.

Checkpoints

Anytime there is a cut scene during a match, the game will auto save your progress to that point. If you fail at any point from there on, and you choose to continue the game, you will start from the latest cut scene position.

The Spoilers

The different stories are intriguing. Of course you will run across many spoilers that want to make your trip along the Road bumpy. None of the actually storylines are going to be spilled to you here. You will find out soon enough who wants you to have an unpleasant journey on the Road to WresleMania. One thing you can do however, take a quick peek at the roster. This might give you some clues about who lies in store for you. You will at least know who is in and who is out. Good luck in your quest for the title.

View the rankings anytime you would like from the WWE Universe screen. Rankings are based on an individual wrestlers recent wins vs. losses, which brand (RAW, SmackDown, etc.) he or she wrestle in and any titles involved. The game follows very closely the same basic guidelines as in the professional ranks on TV and pay-per-view. That is, the WWE Championship is only connected to RAW and only the talent in that brand can fight for it, etc. Everyone in the full roster is ranked but only the top contenders are shown. The rankings continually update after matches are completed. How the system ranks is unclear but one thing is sure…win you move up, lose you fall back. Strength of opponent plays a factor in there somehow too.

Momentum can be monitored on the Edit Superstar screen. This is also a factor in the rankings. The fastest way to get a superstar or diva up in the rankings quickly is to work them to death. The more exposure they get, the better the rankings will get also. Put him or her in every week in every show. A SmackDown superstar will still climb in the rankings with a win on RAW. Keep in mind that rankings are only used in the WWE Universe. If you want total control without worrying about rankings, use the “play” mode option. Create your own matches without having to think twice about rankings. To get a wrestler moving up in rankings at all you must put him or her in matches. They can’t raise their numbers sitting in the dressing room. Actually that isn’t always true as some matches end up all over the arena including the dressing rooms.

The multi-man matches can make some fairly drastic changes to the rankings. The Fatal 4-way, Triple Threat and Royal matches can really mix things up. The system is also smart enough, especially in 3-man matches, to match the movement in ranking accordingly. That is, the one who gets pinned moves down more than the one who also lost but wasn’t pinned. But the bottom line is that a contender for the US Title still has a way to go and still needs quality wins to get a shot at something bigger like the WWE Championship. So it stands to reason that a new wrestler will appear on WWE Superstars before moving up the ranks to Raw or Smackdown. No worries however, just put your wrestler in a lot of matches and eventually he or she will move up in the standings.

Number 1 Contender Matches

Rankings will be tossed out in the case of number one contenders. The system will work it all out later and compensate. The reason for this is the stipulations involved in certain matches. This is one time that a guy or gal at the bottom of the list can get a shot at a superstar’s title. The winner of the Royal Rumble gets an automatic title shot in WrestleNania. The super star who wins Money in the Bank can cash that treasure in at any time before WrestleMania for a free title opportunity. Whoever is the actually number 1 contender is locked in at that title for the whole month. At the end of each month, he or she will get to wrestle for the title.

You cannot create your own number 1 contender matches but you can override the game’s selections. If you don’t like the participants that the system has picked, press RB on your Xbox or R1 if you are on a PS3. A box will give you 2 options: “Just Change the Participants” or “Customize Freely”. Pick the first option. Now you can change any of the wrestlers but you just can’t change the number or participants. At this point you pretty much know how to control things. You can create your own number 1 contender match and have them wrestle in the next pay-per-view.

Each month with WWE Universe, you get four separate episodes of RAW, Superstars and SmackDown, and then of course, one pay-per-view major event. This year’s improved edition of Universe has some differences when compared to last year. There is no longer a ticker at the bottom of the screen announcing the coming attractions. Now you can conveniently navigate to the schedule by selecting WWE Universe in the main menu.

Exhibition Mode has been renamed this year.

The result is the same but look through the menu for the “play” option. Just like Exhibition Mode in the past, this option will allow you to create any match you desire at any time. You probably purchased WWE ’12 to compete on line, or maybe for occasional matches with people you know. You might even follow the Road to WrestleMania. Although the individual wrestlers have rankings in the Universe, utilizing your “play” option opens the door to create any custom exhibition matches you would like.

WWE Universe has many options at your control.

Anything you do when playing WWE Universe will have some control in determining rankings and deciding the participants in matches. Using your “play” mode however gives you complete control of who wrestles who and in what show. When you book a superstar or a diva, they will continue to be booked. There is also a momentum system that tracks your moves. For instance, if you put the same wrestler in the Smackdown show over and over, the game will also. But when you take control in “Play” option, your champion could be different than the WWE Universe champion. You make the choice, let the Universe pick the matches, or you take control.

All titles can be defended in any of the shows.

In previous versions of this game, titles could only change hands in the pay-per-view segments. This year’s edition gives you more control. As long as one of the combatants holds a title, you can declare it a title match. If you wanted Triple H to defend his title against Randy Orton on an episode of RAW, you can. When you are selecting participants for a match, press X if you have Xbox 360 or Square on the PS3 while locked on your champion. This will bring up the Advanced Mode. Once there, press the same button as before to make this match a title match. Confirm your choice by pressing A on the Xbox or X on PS3 and you are ready to rumble for the title.

In play mode a title can be vacated. This cannot be done in the Universe. In the case where a superstar wins a title but then quits wrestling, you can’t merely create a new title or even make the loser the champion. Your option is to put two wrestlers in a regular match and simply assign a title to the winner.

You can override any decision made by the game except for rankings.

You can even overrule title decisions. Finish out any match and if you don’t like the outcome, enter the wrestler’s Superstar Management screen and make the changes. You can create or dissolve tag teams, change relationships, move a wrestler to a different show or assign titles to whoever you desire. The Superstar Management screen also offers another solution to the vacated title problem. Create your own wrestler and stockpile any belts you need to on him or her.

Always expect the unexpected.

Stay on your toes while playing this game. Just like in the actual entertainment we watch on TV, you never know what might jump out at you. Superstar entrances can be interrupted with a surprise beat down, teams may form and teams may break up. Matches can be interrupted and even restarted. Superstars can even turn on each other. This isn’t rare when you pit a good guy against another good guy, or a bad against a bad. The system might decide to have current partners start knocking heads with each other. Yes, a face can become a heel, and a heel can become a face. But once again keep in mind that you are in total control. If you expected the unexpected but don’t like how things are going, you can always quit the match. No updates to rankings, team statuses, alignments or even championships are made until a match is completed. If you don’t like what you see, quit the match and restart it again.

Welcome to the WWE Universe. Enjoy your matches and hope to see you at WrestleMania.