WWE Day of Reckoning
| WWE Day of Reckoning | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Yuke's |
| Publisher(s) | THQ |
| Platform(s) | GameCube |
| Release date(s) |
|
| Genre(s) | Wrestling |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
WWE Day of Reckoning is a professional wrestling video game released for the Nintendo GameCube console in 2004. The game is based on World Wrestling Entertainment and many of the wrestlers who were on the WWE roster at the time of release were included as player characters. The game also features the option to create wrestlers.
The game's single player mode involves the player guiding a created wrestler through the ranks as a rookie and into main event stardom on either of WWE's brands RAW or SmackDown!.
The game was followed by a sequel released in 2005, WWE Day of Reckoning 2.
Gameplay
The game features a control system similar to that of AKI's Nintendo 64 wrestling games with weak/strong grappling attacks and strikes. Players are also able to counter their opponents' attacks with a timed button press. One of the game's unique features is the "Momentum Shift" move - a desperation attack that gives a character an instant advantage during the match.[1] The game's Exhibition mode allows players to wrestle in various match types including Hell in the Cell and Iron Man matches.[2] The game's Story Mode allows players to take a created wrestler from WWE developmental to main event status by wrestling achieving various goals during matches.[1]
Roster
The SmackDown! talent includes Kurt Angle, The Undertaker, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Big Show, Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin, Chavo Guerrero, Hardcore Holly, Rhyno, Doug and Danny Basham, Matt Hardy, Chris Benoit, and Edge.
The Raw talent consists of The Rock, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Kane, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Christian, Val Venis, Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade, Batista, Booker T, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, and Lance Storm..
The Divas talent only includes four female wrestlers, which are Molly Holly, Victoria, Trish Stratus, and Stacy Keibler.
THQ also included a legends roster, and as a result, they are not assigned to a show. These wrestlers include André the Giant, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.
Non-Playable Characters, who only appear in the game's story mode, are Paul Heyman, Jonathan Coachman, Eric Bischoff, and Vince McMahon. Mike Chioda is the game's referee.[3]
Plot
The player assumes the role of a new, WWE developmental superstar that he or she creates. First, the created superstar starts off as a new wrestler signed to a WWE contract attempting to work his way up to the main roster. After this series of matches and cut-scenes, the superstar is allowed to perform on Sunday Night Heat, before he or she finally is allowed to join the main roster. There are two different brands to choose from, each with their own distinct roster of wrestlers - (Raw or SmackDown!). As an effect, this will also choose which stable they will join. Choosing Raw results in joining Triple H's Evolution. Choosing SmackDown! results in joining the Undertaker's New Ministry.
The superstar goes on and works his way up the "rungs of the ladder" in a series of matches, ultimately resulting in the acquisition of the show's World Championship. If the player has chosen Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship will be awarded. If SmackDown! was chosen, the WWE Championship will be awarded.
As the story progresses, Triple H or The Undertaker starts kicking people off the team as they fail him or (as in the case of the created superstar) become a threat to his championship. The final battle is an Iron Man match at WrestleMania XX for the championship.
The story is continued in the sequel, WWE Day of Reckoning 2, though under the assumption that the superstar chose Raw.
Soundtrack
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Bring the Noise | Anthrax & Public Enemy |
| Firefly | Breaking Benjamin |
| Polyamorous | Breaking Benjamin |
| The Angle | Core |
| Can't Stop | pre)Thing |
| Bonecracker | Shocore |
| Superstars | Styles of Beyond |
| Bottom Line | Swollen Members |
| Chasing After | Tantric |
| Alone | Zebrahead |
| Falling Apart | Zebrahead |
Reception
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GameSpot's Alex Navarro lauded the game for its improved story mode and graphics, compared to the WWE's previous GameCube game WWE WrestleMania XIX, as did IGN's Matt Casamassina. However, both sites found fault with the game's limited selection of wrestlers.[1][2] The game itself received "favorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[4] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight, one seven, one eight, and one six, for a total of 29 out of 40.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Navarro, Alex (August 30, 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review". GameSpot. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Casamassina, Matt (August 27, 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning". IGN. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ IGN staff (August 6, 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Roster". IGN.
- 1 2 "WWE Day of Reckoning for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ EGM staff (November 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning". Electronic Gaming Monthly (184): 151.
- 1 2 "Famitsu scores (GT4!)". NeoGAF. January 5, 2005. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ↑ Zoss, Jeremy (October 2004). "WWE: Day of Reckoning". Game Informer (138): 137. Archived from the original on April 28, 2009.
- ↑ Manny LaMancha (November 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro: 110. Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ Reilly, Mike (September 20, 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ Leeper, Justin (September 2, 2004). "GameSpy: WWE Day of Reckoning". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 2, 2005. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ Bedigian, Louis (September 13, 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on November 1, 2008. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ "WWE Day of Reckoning". Nintendo Power. 185: 130. November 2004.
- ↑ Villoria, Gerald (October 18, 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning Review". X-Play. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ Steinberg, Scott (August 31, 2004). "WWE Day of Reckoning". Maxim. Archived from the original on August 28, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ↑ Herold, Charles (September 30, 2004). "GAME THEORY; The Art of the Takedown, by Car, Fist or Robot". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2015.