WWE 13 Review: Embrace The Revolution

Game Reviewed: WWE 13

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Developer: Yuke’s Media Creations

Publisher: THQ

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360], PlayStation 3

Genre: Wrestling

Rated: T for Teen

Blood, sweat, and tears, are left night over night for sheer entertainment in the ring. The entertainers personify their God-given talents in the limelight, to do what needs to be done in order to be declared champion. You have to give all that you got to be victorious, and have your hand raised  in the end.

One must also inform their competition what they’re up against. So today, you have wrestlers that claim to be “it.” Some proclaim themselves to be the “best in the world.” Legends, from time to time, are thought by the new generation to be “the best there ever will be.” All the while the hungry, fan-driven and athlete-fed  mentality of the sport, leaves them  screaming “Feed Me More!”

Yet, and at the end of the day, it all truly relies on the WWE Universe. The millions and millions of fans that tune in or show up every Monday night for Raw, every Friday night for SmackDown and, now, every Wednesday night for the Main Event, It is these fans that are the source for the true culture of innovation.

Change is what we continue to seek in the realm of sports entertainment. Last Summer, one man revolutionized change. He stepped on end a ledge and proceeded to hop on one foot. He spoke of things that no other wrestler would’ve dared . He became the voice of the voiceless. That man, is CM Punk.

There hasn’t been a movement like this since Austin in the attitude era, and era that solidified the WWE and put the corporation in its prime.  So, who better than THQ to grasp that concept and redefine the Attitude Era with the superstars of then and now? This is WWE 13.

The in-ring experience is more superior than it’s ever been. The fluidity in each match gives WWE 13 the edge its previous installments have left unexploited. If that isn’t enough, before going into each match you have the ability of determining the experience. Meaning, that you can choose to make the match Quick, Normal or Epic. Now, who wouldn’t prefer the match of a lifetime, Punk vs. Austin, to be Epic?

When creating some tag team action, you now have the ability to control both partners. In addition, the computer A.I. is more responsive in tag mode, interfering more before pins and during finishers.

Mixed gender matches are also back, but expect forced tags in gender matches. If you proceed to step in the ring and strike a lady, you will be disqualified. Shame on you!

In WWE 13 it all begins with the match types. Like the two returning modes, the King of the Ring tournament has any match type and a special guest referee. It’s always entertaining to enact as the mischievous ref, possibly calling the match down the line.

The I Quit match is also pleasurable. The match itself hasn’t been seen since 2002 in WWE SmackDown: Shut Your Mouth. Now, as far WWE Live shows, John Cena v. The Miz was the most recent match and The Rock vs. Mankind was one of the greatest!

The match requires you to pummel your opponent to where they can no longer endure the brawl. When  they’ve taken enough  of a thrashing, you can call the ref in to confirm the have indeed given up. When calling in the ref in WWE 13, you can tap your d-pad to intimidate the opponent , causing their meter shake. Each unsuccessful tap makes the “No” meter change positions. The more of a beating that you take, the harder it is not to give up.

You may be a bit disappointed  with the lack of voiceovers for the match itself. Referees in WWE SmackDown used to ask “what do you say?” Here, nothing. Wrestlers simply nod their heads, which isn’t a legit confirmation as the wrestler should say “ I quit” and the ref should ask a question.

Backstage Brawls are pretty limited. In fact, nothing back there has changed from WWE 12. There’s only one new mechanical difference which is whip-lashing.  In WWE 13,  you can grab the opponent by the trousers and throw them into the environmental areas.

Two other matches that felt awkward were arena brawls, as commentary continued, but no commentators were physically present. It wouldn’t be as much of an issue if they called the action from backstage, but they tend to mention the announce table collapsing as if they were there.

Then there is the Hell in the Cell, and the lack of moves that you perform outside of the ring when close to the cage. It was impractical to watch John Cena eye gouge and elbow to the back his way to a victory. I finally get the “U Can’t See Me” motto he goes by.

WWE Attitude Era is indisputably the bread and butter of WWE 13. Revisiting the Attitude Era, is like reliving the golden days of childhood all over again. Replacing the Road to WrestleMania for the Attitude era was the utmost decision ever made.

All the feuds during the 90’s define what the WWE has become today. Watch how the group Degeneration X was formed or the heart of the Austin era, but most importantly how the WWE became the most dominant brand it is today.

Just a side note, almost 100 unlockables are presented through completion of various moments of the Attitude Era.

WWE Universe is well worth the playtime, if you can pull yourself away from the Attitude Era. It’s full of fun and quick decisions to influence the outcome of the live shows moving forward. With all the changes, I was curious to see if you could fight wrestlers that just sit by the announcers. In displeasure, the game freezes up. The opponent no longer fights you nor can you hit them. Cole and Lawler however will talk about all your missed punches.

Other than that issue, WWE Universe is incredible.

As for multiplayer, I appreciate the tweaks. Before even joining a session, you can choose to have the game monitor weight detection, if a mixed gender match is acceptable and more. Online sessions are improved in comparison to WWE 12.

Graphics are cream of the crop! When we normally see great graphics, it’s through cutscenes. WWE 13 maintains the high quality details and enhanced the camera angles to prove it. While mentioning camera angles, they at times, begin to go haywire when performing some diving moves to the outside.

WWE 13‘s audio supports momentum. Not only did THQ boost audio for gameplay, it gives you that LIVE SHOW atmosphere while you’re playing with your favorite superstar. It’s an adrenaline rush for gamers to hear the crowd reaction blast through your television or headsets.

With the addition of “OMG” moments, improved gameplay and of course the Attitude Era mode, THQ has made more changes this year than ever through their one year span.

This is the year that ALL WWE fans can leave No Mercy and WrestleMania 2000 in the dust, and proclaim WWE 13 as the best experience ever! Even if you’re simply a wrestling fanatic that doesn’t play games, you should own this as the “perfect” interactive collector’s edition of WWE’s history. Embrace the Revolution.

In the words of Damien Sandow, “You’re Welcome.”

The Scores

Gameplay: 4.75/5

Visuals: 4.75/5

Audio: 4.5/5

Controls: 4.5/5

Replay Value: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5