WWE Raw 2

Infobox VG
title = WWE Raw 2


caption = NTSC cover art, featuring Triple H, Goldberg, and Scott Steiner.
developer = Anchor Inc.
publisher = THQ
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|United States of America|USA|September 15, 2003
vgrelease|PAL Region|PAL|October 10, 2003
genre = Fighting, Wrestling
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: Teen (T)
platforms = Xbox
media =
requirements =
input =

"WWE Raw 2", trademarked as "WWE RAW 2", is a video game released for the Xbox console by THQ in 2003, and developed by Tokyo, Japan-based company Anchor Inc. It is the sequel to the "WWE Raw" (formerly "WWF Raw") game that was released in 2002 after numerous delays.

The game was given the tagline "Ruthless Aggression", a phrase used regularly in WWE at the time, coined by Mr. McMahon. The game was succeeded by WWE WrestleMania 21 on the xbox.

Gameplay

For the first time in the series, a season mode was included in the game, allowing players to set-up other wrestlers, call others out from the locker room, form alliances, and hire managers.

In Create A Superstar you have the ability to choose your alignment type and whether you are to be face or heel. Type is how you what player to act like:fame and success,perfectionist,etc.Whatever type you pick determines how successful your superstar is and who your friends and enemies are.

It also allows people to edit their favorite wrestlers the way they want them to look. In Season Mode you cannot change your alignment, but you can change who likes or dislikes you by the various options. You can also change your Type from heel to face or vice-versa using the options. Face to Heel using surprise attacks or anything that makes other Superstars dislike you. Heel to Face using Encourage or anything that makes Superstars like you.

To successfully complete a season, the player is required to play through 12 months of "Raw" and "SmackDown!" shows, as well as Pay-Per-View events, and finish the season with either the WWE Championship, or the World Heavyweight Championship. Successful seasons earn points, which can be seen in the "Hall of Fame" section of the main menu of the game, which in turn unlocks items of clothing and entrance videos which can later be used in the creation or modification of characters. However, these items can also be unlocked using the "Steal" action during events in Season Mode. Unlike season modes from the "SmackDown! series", "Raw 2" has no voice overs or text. The odds of receiving title shots, and of successfully completing the various available actions in season mode, are mostly based on the popularity of the character in use.

However, other factors, such as a character's level of friendliness towards other characters, such as Surprise Attacks, Encouragement, or the use of repetitive call-outs can also affect the odds. There are a few flaws in the season mode, however: if the player is competing in a title match, the belt can be won via disqualification, going against WWE rules. Another flaw is, if two superstars are competing for either the World Heavyweight Championship or the WWE Championship; and somebody interferes they will become the champion. Also, divas are able to win World Titles. Another flaw is that if too many people climb on a table, it breaks and does not vanish, so you could fill the ring with tables. Another flaw during gameplay is while playing Royal Rumble, you can exit the ring on your own terms and still not be eliminated. However, under rules that the Royal Rumble is over-the-top-rope, as long as you do not flip over, jump over or step over the top rope, or you go through the ropes, this would be legal, as was seen numerous times in the 2003 Royal Rumble. Another flaw in the Season mode of the game is if one of your rivals interferes in your match they will help you by beating up your opponent not you. Another flaw is when someone interferes there is no disqualification.

The game features several arenas that WWE held events at in 2002 and 2003. There is also arenas based on each WWE television show.

New match stipulations were included in the game, including Hell in a Cell, TLC and 'Royal Rumble' matches. The Create an Entrance feature allowed the player to use custom tracks ripped onto their Xbox, time two sets of pyrotechnics to synchronize with taunts or poses, and create an entrance video featuring the player's character doing varied wrestling moves. It was also praised for an improved roster with more up to date wrestlers.

The majority of the Japan-based development team was fired immediately after the completion of the game, and publisher THQ had American developer Studio Gigante work on the next Xbox WWE-licensed game, "WWE WrestleMania 21". This game is now compatible for the Xbox 360 console.

Roster

Reception

The game was considered a vast improvement from the last title. However, critics gave it generally negative reviews (though major gaming site IGN gave it a 9.1) for flaws still present from the previous game, such as the dysfunctional AI.

External links

*GameFAQs|type=/console/xbox|num=561386|name="WWE Raw 2"
*moby game|id=/wwe-raw-2|name="WWE Raw 2"