NDD

Well the storyline mode for a created character does seem different this time around. Thing is, they definitely let you work up the ranks pretty fast. I got my first IC Title shot within a year. A WWE title shot within two years. It was pretty easy. You can get through the season pretty quick. All you need is a couple hours. I really only do the season to build up my attribute points. Once you get good enough to compete on the Heavyweight Title level, there's nothing new about the storyline. It's just the same thing over and over with different characters in different roles. I'm sure storyline mode for specific WWE characters is a little more detailed.

The storyline also doesn't make much sense. They have Kane playing the friendly role, which right off the bat makes absolutely no sense. They actually have Undertaker...UNDERTAKER "involved" with Trish Stratus. It's really strange.

I'm actually excited to do some of the exhibition mode challenges so I can win some cash and unlock the rest of the moves, superstars, and arenas. Should be easier now that I have all my attribute points. I'm pretty excited to create a belt too.

WhoAmI_ea

I've been playing it more and it is better than HCTP, finally got into it. I really like the challenges they throw in there, it adds something more to the game so that you feel like you're actually doing something usefuil when playing a basic match.

I really don't care for the parking lot match that much, it gets old really fast and the fact that you don't have many backstage areas kind of sucks as far as the whole hardcore thing goes.

PapRoach123

I got the game last week, been playing it a little bit over the last few days. I chose Batista to play the season mode, since I was playing with him during my last two seasons of HCTP too. He's definitely improved since the last game. He's kinda like in the real show, a mixture of Goldberg and Brock Lesnar of the last game. He has all their favorite moves, with the exception of the finishers, of course. He has a better running clothesline, but I had to put his spinebuster into his moveset myself.

Overall, I think the characters definitely have improved. I have only played with a few thusfar though, I always wait with trying out more so that the game doesn't get old too fast.

When I was playing the game, I felt happiness and disappointment at the same time. I love the improvements, but some things just downright suck. One example is the absence of the Hardcore and Tag Team title belts. That really blows. Another thing that annoys me is the SmackDown stage and how it looks so rectanglish and unfinished. Ric Flair's entrance music. I'll list more of the things I like and dislike later when I've played some more.

Right now I have a question. How do you actually play a challenge game? I tried to select them, but all they did was give me information regarding what they do when you win them... Do I have to unlock them first or something?

NDD

No, I think you just set up the game rules to Default and just do the match. I'm expecting that after the match is over, they will somehow inform you what points you have earned.

PapRoach123

Hmm, perhaps you need to create the match in a PPV. I've done exhibition matches where I took out my opponent with 2 finishers, and nothing happened...

PapRoach123

And that was because I started the match with one finisher icon. lol

Anyways, I got it now. I love the fact that you can do several challenges in one match. I tried to do the following:

Make Chris Benoit tap out to the Crossface (1) without using the X button (2), while not hurting his limbs (3), in under 3 minutes (4).

I ended up only accomplishing 1, 2 and 3.

But this stuff really makes for great matches. I had a match with the Undertaker using Kane. I stole two Tombstones, Powerbombed him through the announcers' table, Chokeslammed him through the other one, clotheslined the referee and got a chair to bust Taker open with it, got a full dirty tactics meter, and eventually finished the match with one more Chokeslam in the middle of the ring.

Meanwhile besides all of his basic moves, Taker did the old school ropewalk, threw me into the steel steps, introduced my head to the ring post, Chokeslammed me twice, then Tombstoned me once, but got a rope break. It was a close one.

This match should have taken place at WrestleMania XX, with Taker winning the match instead!