Improving the formula
WWE 12 takes wrestling games into a bit of a different direction. THQ did not only change the name from Smackdown vs Raw series to WWE 12 but they've also tweaked the formula.
Most notably is a slight imrprovement in graphics, one of the largest rosters ever seen in a WWE game, with a few updated character models but also plenty of new faces. The controls got yet another complete overhaul for better or worse. It takes some getting used to but it's not really that big of a deal.
A lot of thought has gone into the Road to Wrestlemania mode as story's are long and very creative. If you like wrestling, I'm sure you well enjoy it altho the cutscenes usually force you to loose a match you just fought long and hard to win, it's a bittersweet side-effect.
Creative tools are back with only slight improvements here and there but there really isn't much more you could ask for. A new feature gives you the ability to create your own arena. A nice feature that doesn't really add much tho.
Online has been improved, giving you the ability to share your creations or download characters, stories and arenas from other people. This time around you can tweak downloaded custom characters to get rid of any flaws you might see.
In conclusion: WWE 12 doesn't re-invent the wheel. It's still missing some matchmodes or the ability to have 8 people in the ring instead of just 6. What i miss the most is a story mode with branching paths like in the early Smackdown games on PS2. However, the game heads in the right direction and might bring wrestling games back to the top.
