For Micah: A little Gamecube Rasslin'

[Dennis]

<img src="http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/x8_042602_9.jpg" alt="" />

You can read the article which details the wrestler line up and look at other images on IGN here <a href="http://cube.ign.com/articles/358/358080p1.html" target="_blank">WWF X8</a>

[Martianman]

3-D!!!!!!!!!

D-VON! GET THE TABLE!!!!

[Michael Rabattino]

I'm not really into wrestling or wrestling games that much anymore, but that looks GREAT.

[Micah Robinson]

Thanks, Dennis. I saw these last night and creamed appropriately. Even though I fear the gameplay is YET ANOTHER retread of the Smackdown engine, I have to have the updated roster complete with NWO and Hollywood Hogan.

Maybe someday they'll smarten up and just do a next-generation version of WWF Wrestlemania 2000.

[Michael Rabattino]

Remember WCW Nitro? God I loved that game.

A lot of people thought the gameplay sucked, but I thought it was a whole lot of fun...and the character intros on the character select scene were always cool to watch...

[OvermindX]

Yea X8 looks awesome although I am not really into wrestling, I'll prob rent it though.

I GET RE TOMORROW!!!!!!

[mongycore]

those graphics look pretty spot on...the last game I ever played Wrestling wise was WWF Attitude on my brothers N64. Creating a wrestler was pretty hilarious, we managed to create a Mulder and Scully duo...Scully coming into the ring with Mankinds music while doing the X-pac pelvic thrust move.

[Dennis]

Uh Oh, did you read the IGN review Micah? They gave it a 7.0. Are you still gonna buy that Cube?

[Boba Durden]

I wonder if Billy and Chuck are two of the nine secret characters? One would think that the tag team champions deserve slots in the game.

[Micah Robinson]

I read the review. I'm going to wait until Videogames.com's review goes up. If it's leff than 8, I'll rethink buying it. I'm sure I can just hold out until the latest Smackdown hits for PS2 in the fall. And then I'd just re-purchase a PS2.

[gravedigger]

It'd be extra cool if the programmers had a heads-up on the current NWO stuff on the show and included HBK as a secret character.

[Michael Rabattino]

They gave it a 7.6, Micah. Not bad.

[Hollow_Point_Massacre]

Verbal Kint:
They gave it a 7.6, Micah. Not bad.Yeah, but it basically said the CPU A.I. was shit.

[Micah Robinson]

It's okay. I took the plunge. My local Software Etc. has a really great used Gamecube (black) for $120. Even with the game, memory card, and tax factored in, I STILL came out under $200.

And that Metroid game looks as if it'll make my purchase worthwhile too. And I at least plan to rent Resident Evil and Eternal Darkness when it hits. So I'll focus on Gamecube stuff for awhile.

The Xbox is my main DVD player, Halo machine, and will be my machine for Sega NFL2K3. It's all good.

[Dennis]

Buy, don't rent, Resident Evil. It is a beautiful classic.

[Micah Robinson]

God of Thunder:
Buy, don't rent, Resident Evil. It is a beautiful classic.Sorry, Dennis. That control scheme has been a thorn in my side ever since the series started.

If it isn't significantly improved, I may not be able to justify paying $50 for eye candy that I can't enjoy playing.

[Dennis]

I have always hated the control scheme as well, but for some reason it seems much more fluid in this edition. If you want I could throw my copy your way so you can try it.

[Micah Robinson]

Much appreciated. I'll take you up on that whenever you remember to bring it to a screening or the next coffee meeting.

[Micah Robinson]

Been playing this non-stop for the afternoon.

VERY fun game. The AI is fine in single matches, but indeed fucked in 3-ways. The only way to win there is basically to do your finisher on someone while the third man is either out or nearby so he gets knocked down. Both guys will indeed focus on you and hunt you down all over the ring in tandem.

But the gameplay mechanics are great otherwise. I love being able to reverse every move in the game, even finishers. I also like the fact that the wrestlers actually SELL the moves, and stay down when you perform finishers. Also, your submissions stay on longer as the match goes on. And the pace of the gameplay is JUST about right. The controls themselves (or simply the Gamecube controller for me) take some getting used to, but not much.

The grpahics and sound are pretty good as well. All the reviews have been whining about the lack of licensed WCW music, and while I miss Booker T's theme greatly, the other themes aren't THAT important to me. And I think the NWO music in the game is almost as good as the real life music.

The only other minus is that you have to fight in SO MANY matches just to win belts and unlock characters. It just seems like they never end.

All in all, tho, once you slog through unlocking everything and aren't forced to do anymore 3-way matches....it's a good game, yet with plenty of room for improvement for the next edition. I agree with the 7.6 score.

[mongycore]

3 way AI...sounds just like what you'd experience playing that N64 version of Attitude. Pound on enemy A, toss them out of the ring, focus on the enemy I, throw him out, enemy A comes back in, stomp on his ass and toss out once more....all until either A or I isn't able to get back into the ring leaving sufficient time to go for the pin or submission.

Not much has changed has it, except for the purty graphics...but I'm sure great leaps and bounds have been made in the multiplay aspects of the game, yes? Because that's the only way I was able to enjoy Attitude. And I'm sure the UFC inspired grappling system goes along way when battling it out with friends.

[Micah Robinson]

Oh...the dreaded "ON SECOND THOUGHT."

I've been putting in mad time on this game. And it seems like it gets worse as you go along.

The licensed music missing from WCW people was fine. But for some reason they don't even have the themes to Tajiri, Trish Stratus, and The Hardys.

Also, the AI is noticeably worse than even before. I can't execute special moves very well in -way matches because the other player punches you as soon as the animation begins cancelling the move.

To call this lame is an understatement. Also, once you play the entire roster a couple of times, it gets old quick. Not enough grapples or moves to add depth to the gameplay.

It's a shame because there are some truly great and original aspects to this game.

* Fighting on top of ladders.
* Setting tables up in corners.
* The counter system

But the lack of replayability and authenticity is too much.

This game and the Gamecube get returned to the store tomorrow.

[Dennis]

Ditch the game and pick up Morrowind, but keep the Cube Micah.

[Micah Robinson]

Not a chance, Dennis. There isn't another game on that system I really want out right now or even in the next two months. I'll re-purchase when Metroid comes along.

[Dennis]

Micah, if they won't give you a full refund on the purchase of the Cube let me know. Maybe we can work something out.

[Micah Robinson]

God of Thunder:
Micah, if they won't give you a full refund on the purchase of the Cube let me know. Maybe we can work something out.Oh, but they will. Software Etc. has a 7-day policy.