For a DS game, SvR 2010 is pretty decent. If this was a console game, fans would probably hate it. I've played some of the recent SvR games on the PSP, which play identically to the console games. The only real difference is the graphics and lack of a 2nd analog stick and 2 shoulder buttons. I'll admit that I was quite disappointed when I started messing around with SvR 2010's controls. The game initially felt very clunky and repetitive. It's starting to grow on me, though, since I've mastered the controls and played many different match types. In some ways, the console versions could learn a lot from the DS game, but the DS version still could use more variety and interactivity during the actual matches.
Good:
- Many moves and animations are ripped straight from the older Smackdown games, so they look decent.
- The roster is huge and includes basically every major star from all 3 brands, minus a few lower mid-carders and divas. There are even a few surprises like Kennedy and Umaga.
- The graphics are great, especially the character models and most have fairly recent attires, with Matt Hardy being a notable exception (he has his pre-Wrestlemania attire, and no facepaint for Jeff).
- Speciality matches/backstage matches are really well done. The mini games for climbing the ladders, cages, grabbing belts, closing the ambulance doors, etc are innovative and sometimes better than the console mini-games. These matches (in addition to the card system) are what really make this game unique.
- Card system is simple, but a good addtion. If you use the abilities at the right time, you can really turn a match around.
- Full entrances with accurate theme music are included. The entrance animations are also ripped from the console SvR games, so they look great.
- The controls are easy to learn and remind me in many ways of the Gamecube WWE games (not nearly as fluid, though).
- Story mode seems good so far, you can tell they put a decent amount of work into this mode. I haven't played much of it, but I like what I see. I also haven't messed with the CAW much but I can tell it's a very basic version of the old SvR games. Again, it seems adequate for a DS game.
The Bad:
- The moves might look good, but the basic grappling engine needs a lot of work. There are only 3 weak front/back grapples and 3 strong front/back grapples. There's 1 ground grapple at the feet facing up and 1 facing down. Same with the head. You can irish whip, but there are NO irish whip grapples and only 1 irish whip strike. No springboard moves, apron moves, NO moves off the turnbuckle to the outside, only 1 turnbuckle grapple, 1 signature, and (from what I can tell) only 1 fininsher.
- The reversal system is practically non-existent. You can reverse from the initial strong and weak grapple positions, but you can't reverse finishers or really anything else during the move itself.
- There is no selling. You opponent will just get up immediately if they're fresh, or lay there still for a while if they're hurt. There are a LOT of collision detection issues, and some moves don't feel like they connect at all.
If any of you ever played the WWF War Zone/Attitude games, everything feels just as clunky here at times, but the animations are much better of course, and the game is much more simple to play. You know how TNA Impact felt like it needed about triple the amount of moves/animations to make it a good wrestling game? Same concept here. They did so many things right this year, but the in-ring gameplay is lacking. If they can add more grapple positions, more moves, more animations, and more reversals, then we'll see a truly great WWE game on the DS.
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