WWE 13 Review: Gameplay Impressions, Roster and Features for Hit Wrestling Game | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
This is where WWE 13 shines the brightest. To say the options available are jam-packed would be an understatement.
Match Types
Almost every match type is available in the game, and that includes the newly added special referee and I Quit match types. No previously included match stipulations were removed, so this aspect of the game just got bigger.
Gamers can even setup and play their own King of the Ring tournaments. That was very good news as I've always loved the KOTR. I wish the WWE would bring it back to their pay-per-view rotation, but that's a story for another day.
The Creation Suite
The creation suite is simply the most complete set of customizable options I've ever seen in a console sports game. From creating Superstars with oodles of layers and details, to creating signature entrances, names, move-sets, finishers and more.
Making your own Superstars or Divas isn't the only vehicle of creation gamers will have. There's a solid Create-An-Arena option as well. Even more textures, backgrounds and goodies have been opened up for you to customize the perfect wrestling environments.
This is video game customization at its best. Having the ability to customize so much adds limitless replay value to the game.
WWE Universe 3.0
Wrestling is a macho soap opera. It blends two of the things (violence and drama) that people love most about entertainment into one product. The source of violence in a wrestling game is easy to find, but the drama is a bit tricky.
The Universe mode is designed to bring the role-playing and stories into your experience. THQ has done a decent job at that in previous versions, but Universe 3.0 takes it up a notch.
Gamers have been able to create and share their own stories before, but now those stories can be even more in-depth. This year's version introduces branching story lines. This varies the outcomes of the angles even more, and gives each created story multiple outcomes.
Blending your created stories and other options into WWE Universe 3.0 mode makes it a perfect complement to the extensive customization options.
Not only can you pull all of your creations into your own alternate wrestling universe, but the mode opens up even more opportunities to make the experience unique to every gamer.
Fans can give birth to their own weekly shows and pay-per-view events. You can choose existing venues or use the ones you've created in the Create-An-Arena mode. You can choose what days of the week the shows or events will take place.
You can even rearrange the pre-existing WWE schedule to accommodate your new programs. With Universe 3.0 being the equivalent to a franchise mode in the sports video game genre, it ranks right near the top of the list in that respect.
Attitude Era
I was all prepared to be blown away by Universe 3.0 and the creation suite, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Attitude Era mode.
To say I enjoyed it is understating the facts. I friggin love it.
The presentation is great. The matches feel retro, and the commentary from Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler is on point. The objectives of the match are fun, clear and easy to follow. The mode succeeds as a guide through WWE history, the execution of special moves and an alternate experience to the other modes.
In case you aren't committed to buying the Fan Axxess pass, the Attitude Era mode is where you'll gain access to extra content. Playable versions of locked wrestlers, alternate attires, venues and championship belts.
It's fun following the story lines, seeing the cut-scenes and taking part in the reenactments. I didn't think I'd like it, but I was wrong.
The Bottom Line
It's hard to imagine how THQ could have given gamers more in this aspect of the game. They really nailed it here, I have no complaints.
Game Modes and Options Score: 10 out of 10
