Every wrestling title ever made has
always offered a much more fun multiplayer experience than playing by yourself could offer. All of that is about to change!
Here Comes The Pain is the first wrestler in a long line of games to make the single-player experience not only a blast to play, but also very, very addictive. This is not to discredit the multiplayer games, but just like when watching the WWE on Spike TV, you're guaranteed to be drawn into the soap opera-like storylines. And just like when watching on the boob tube, the stories seem to only get better and better.
With Here Comes The Pain's Season Mode, you won't just wrestle match after match. You won't even get bored with a limited story. While there are actions that will repeat with different characters, the soap opera always seems to throw something new at you when you least expect it. With many unexpected twists along the way, your superstar or created wrestler will get involved in everything from backstage brawls to spraying milk over your opponents with the truck you just drove ringside. Also, as you progress, you will be able to create Stables and (new) Factions of wrestlers to disrupt the WWE. But the best part of the Season Mode is that the story will progress only according to your responses to questions and criticisms. And as you continue on, you will gain and lose points used to buy unlockables, as well as attributes. Choose your path wisely, and prepare to layeth the smackdown on as many people as you can.
Of course, no wrestling title would be complete without an intense multiplayer setup. Here Comes The Pain is no exception, and unlike Raw 2, keeps the pace running smoothly and quickly. The competition can be fierce, but the fluidity of the game (even with 6 wrestlers on screen) is outstanding. THQ has even added more grappling combinations and a better button layout with the addition of specific reversals, all without increasing the learning curve that much. And for those of you who like to team up, newly added Tag Team moves have also been created. I just can't say enough good things about WWE Smackdown!: Here Comes The Pain.
New to this year's Smackdown! are a few extras too. On the match side of things, not only does this year's game continue to include greats like Hell in the Cell and Royal Rumble, but also the new Elimination Chamber and (for those looking to get a cheap thrill) the Bra & Panty match, specific to WWE Divas. And for those of you (and me) crying for the addition of WWE (or WWF back in the day) Legends, your wish has been granted. Sergeant Slaughter, Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, and George 'The Animal' Steele are among the former greats to grace Smackdown! 3 on your PlayStation 2. Unfortunately (and surprisingly), the man who helped make wrestling what it is today, Hulk Hogan, is nowhere to be found. Huh?
