WWE '12

Last updated

WWE '12
WWE '12 box art.jpg
Cover artwork featuring Randy Orton
Developer(s) Yuke's
Publisher(s) THQ
Series WWE
Platform(s) PlayStation 3
Wii
Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: November 22, 2011 [1]
  • EU: November 25, 2011
  • JP: January 26, 2012
Genre(s) Sports
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

WWE '12 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. It was released on November 22, 2011, in North America, November 25 in Europe, and on January 26, 2012, in Japan. [2] A Europe-exclusive WWE '12 WrestleMania Edition was released on May 25, 2012. [3]

Contents

The thirteenth overall installment in the WWE series, WWE '12 is the successor to WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 , and first game in the series to be developed exclusively for the seventh generation of home consoles.

The game was succeeded by WWE '13 in 2012.

Gameplay

Exhibition Mode

The weak/strong grapple system from the past games has been removed. Characters now perform different moves based on their opponent's current physical state. Players now have a window of opportunity to attack while still in a downed state and can also interrupt moves and Royal Rumble eliminations with attacks. Similarly, the pinning meter from the past games has been reworked to make it more difficult to kick out as a wrestler takes more damage. The game's artificial intelligence has also been adjusted to prevent players from overusing the same move. In addition, the ability to store finishing moves has returned. A new feature called "Dynamic Comebacks" gives players on the verge of losing the opportunity to successfully hit a combination of moves to gain two finishing moves. New "wake up taunts" bring a downed opponent to their feet for a finishing move (such as Randy Orton pounding on the ground before his RKO finishing maneuver). [1] Players also have the ability to target specific limbs during matches and perform submissions through a new "Breaking Point" submission minigame, [4] named and branded after the 2009 one-off submission-themed pay-per-view of the same name.

WWE Universe

"WWE Universe", the mode in which players participate in matches and storylines that are booked automatically, returned from the previous year with additional cutscenes. Changed from the previous iteration, the mode allows for players to create a title match on any given date rather than exclusively on pay-per views. Although the ability to change rosters manually is available, the game features a two-week WWE draft event. Storylines that are made can be changed and revamped by including another superstar or diva or by interfering in matches, with some storylines allowing rivalries to turn into alliances and vice versa. The player is also given the option to change SmackDown and Raw into their own original or cancelled WWE shows, though changes are limited for Superstars and shows must remain on the same calendar date. The mode is also improved to strengthen the line of division between exhibition and universe mode, with the former no longer affecting universe mode stats and with the latter's match card being forced to be complete before advancing on to an event, unless the matches are simulated through the Universe Calendar. The mode also allows for players to injure other superstars through uses of multiple finishers or weapon shots. Superstar momentum has also been furthered, with superstars on winning and losing streaks attributes rising and falling respectively. [5]

Road to WrestleMania

The "Road to WrestleMania", the mode in which players participate in a pre-scripted storyline featuring actual WWE wrestler voices also returned. Instead of choosing one of a number of different stories lasting three months each, the mode in WWE '12 consists of a single storyline taking place over eighteen months of WWE programming and encompassing two WrestleMania events ( WrestleMania XXVI and WrestleMania XXVII ). The mode is split into three acts, the first of which sees the player assuming the role of the villainous Sheamus. The second act is centered around the heroic Triple H and the final act features the player taking control of a created superstar named Jacob Cass (voiced by then-TNA wrestler Austin Aries). [6] The game also includes creation modes for superstars, entrances, finishing moves, storylines, highlight reels, and introduced for the first time create-a-arena where the player can add color to the ring, aprons, turnbuckle, mat, change to steel or normal barricades and add custom logos. With future games having career showcases instead of storyline driven modes, WWE '12 is the final entry in the series to feature the "Road to WrestleMania" mode.

Roster

WWE '12 marks the video game debuts of 13 superstars.

Development and release

There are noticeable differences in the appearance of the wrestlers in WWE '12 as opposed to SmackDown vs. Raw 2011. In this case, Randy Orton is wearing different attire and his hair has grown back. WWE '12 Predator Technology.jpg
There are noticeable differences in the appearance of the wrestlers in WWE '12 as opposed to SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 . In this case, Randy Orton is wearing different attire and his hair has grown back.

WWE '12 was first announced on June 1, 2011 [7] with the slogan, "Bigger, Badder, Better", which was the slogan of WrestleMania III. [8] THQ promoted a new animation system dubbed "Predator Technology". [9] The "Predator Technology" makes the wrestlers in the game look more realistic. In addition to allowing players to interrupt moves, attack animations such as John Cena's Five Knuckle Shuffle and Booker T's scissor kick no longer warp players to the center of the ring. [10] More realistic ring rope physics have also been added, with ropes moving as characters are slammed to the mat. The developers have also made efforts to prevent the collision detection problems that have affected the series in the past. [1] On July 28, 2011, it was announced that those who pre-ordered the game would be able to play as The Rock and also receive alternate attires for The Miz. On August 13, 2011, Jerry Lawler was announced as downloadable content (DLC). [11] Total Nonstop Action Wrestling performer Austin Aries voiced the main character of Jacob Cass in the Road to WrestleMania mode. [12]

On October 26, 2011, THQ revealed that the first DLC pack would consist of Shawn Michaels, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross, Michael Cole, alternate attires for The Road Warriors, and tag team attires for Christian and Edge. [13] The next day, information regarding the Divas DLC pack was released, announcing new playable characters including Trish Stratus, Kharma, Nikki and Brie Bella, Vickie Guerrero and Alicia Fox. [14] It was also announced that Alicia Fox would be free DLC. The third DLC pack would include Batista, [15] Brodus Clay, Randy Savage [16] and Mick Foley. [17] Released alongside the third DLC Pack was what THQ called "Make Good DLC", a masked version of Kane. The item was available free for the first two weeks to make good for the game's many technical issues. [18] Some Xbox 360 users experienced a glitch with the Kane download in which they were forced to pay for the content, although the money was later refunded. [19]

Reception

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of WWE '12 received generally positive reviews. IGN gave the game a 9.0 out of 10, stating that the gameplay changes are "breathing new life into its core mechanics". This makes WWE '12 one of IGN's highest rated wrestling game ever. [43] Mike D'Alonzo of G4 called it "the best wrestling game ever made". However, Andy Hartup of Computer and Video Games gave the game a 6.7 out of 10 and wrote that the game "offers little more than some new gloss painted over an old product". Game Informer 's Dan Ryckert echoed the sentiment, stating, "Thanks to a severely downgraded story mode and a lack of substantial improvements, this is the weakest WWE title in years."

Related Research Articles

<i>WWE 2K</i> Video game series

WWE 2K, formerly released as WWF SmackDown!, WWE SmackDown!, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw, WWE, and Exciting Pro Wrestling in Japan, is a series of professional wrestling sports simulation video games that launched in 2000. The premise of the series is to emulate professional wrestling, specifically that of WWE, formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The series began with WWF SmackDown! on the original PlayStation and has continued as an annual release. It was originally exclusive to PlayStation platforms until 2006's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, which expanded the series to other platforms. In 2013, the series was rebranded as WWE 2K, beginning with WWE 2K14.

<i>WWE WrestleMania 21</i> (video game) 2005 video game

WWE WrestleMania 21, also known simply as WrestleMania 21 or Wrestlemania XXI, is a professional wrestling video game released exclusively for the Xbox in 2005. It was published by THQ and developed by Studio Gigante based on the WWE pay-per event of the same name though it does feature the Wrestlemania XX event and not its namesake. It is also the successor to Raw 2. The game was the last WWE game released on the original Xbox. WWE Wrestlemania 21 was the last game to be released by Studio Gigante.

<i>WWF WrestleFest</i> 1991 video game

WWF WrestleFest is a professional wrestling video game developed and released by Technōs Japan for arcades in 1991, featuring stars of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The game was distributed by Technōs in Japan and North America, and by Tecmo in Japan, Europe and Australasia. It is the sequel to Technōs' previous WWF game, WWF Superstars. Compared to Superstars, WrestleFest adds a variety of different wrestlers to the roster as well as enhanced graphics and sound. There are more voice samples, including commentary and pre-match introductions by WWF ring announcer Mike McGuirk. The voiced cut scenes featuring Gene Okerlund from Superstars returned as well.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007</i> 2006 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ in 2006. It is the third game under the WWE SmackDown vs Raw name, the eighth game overall in the video game series based on the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) professional wrestling promotion, and is the successor to 2005's WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006. The game was released worldwide in November 2006 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, and a month later for PlayStation Portable. The Xbox 360 version was the first game in the series to be published on a seventh generation video game console. A PlayStation 3 version was also planned as a launch title but was later canceled.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008</i> 2007 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a professional wrestling video game published by THQ in November 2007, and developed by Yuke's for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation Portable video game consoles, with Amaze Entertainment overseeing development for the Nintendo DS version.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009</i> 2008 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Xbox 360 video game consoles, with TOSE overseeing development for the Nintendo DS version. The game was first released on November 9, 2008, in North America. It is the tenth overall installment in the video game series based on the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) promotion, and the fifth game under the SmackDown vs. Raw name, named after the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brands. It is the sequel to 2007's SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 and the second game to feature the promotion's ECW brand.

<i>WWE Legends of WrestleMania</i> 2009 video game

WWE Legends of WrestleMania is a professional wrestling video game featuring legends of the professional wrestling promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), who have appeared at WrestleManias 1 to XV in the 1980s and 1990s; during that time, WWE was known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The game was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2009 to coincide with WrestleMania 25. The game was developed by Yuke's and published by THQ, the same developer and publisher for the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw video game series. The retro WWE logo featured in the game was a slight modification of the 1980s and early 1990s WWF logo to match the letter design of the current logo. Unlike all other WWE Smackdown vs. Raw games released, this game was not ported over to the PlayStation 2 or Wii.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010</i> 2009 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable (PSP), Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, and iOS. It was released worldwide in October 2009, with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions for Japan in January 2010. TOSE oversaw the development for the Nintendo DS version, which was the last installment to be released for the handheld. 2010 was also the first installment to be released as an iPhone app, launching on App Store on December 23 the same year.

<i>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011</i> 2010 professional wrestling video game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable (PSP), Xbox 360, and Wii systems. The game was released worldwide in October 2010, with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions for Japan in February 2011.

<i>WWE All Stars</i> 2011 professional wrestling video game

WWE All Stars is a professional wrestling video game published by THQ and developed by THQ San Diego for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems and Subdued Software for the PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 2 systems. The game features current and former WWE wrestlers competing in fast-paced wrestling matches. It was released on March 29, 2011, in North America and April 1, 2011, in Europe. It is also the only WWE video game to be available for the Nintendo 3DS and the last WWE video game to be released on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable.

<i>WWE 13</i> 2012 wrestling video game

WWE '13 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. It was released on October 30, 2012, in North America and November 2, 2012, in United Kingdom. It is the fourteenth overall installment in the WWE series, the sequel to WWE '12, and the last installment to be released on a Nintendo Wii console until WWE 2K18 in 2017. It was also the last WWE-licensed game to be published by THQ before the company's demise in January 2013, ending their relationship with WWE after 14 years. Following THQ's liquidation, Take-Two Interactive would acquire the publishing rights to future games, as the WWE series would be rebranded as the WWE 2K series and would be published by 2K.

<i>WWE 2K14</i> 2013 wrestling video game

WWE 2K14 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was released on October 29, 2013, in North America, October 30, 2013, in Japan, October 31, 2013, in Australia, and November 1, 2013, in Europe and India. The game's box art features The Rock as the cover athlete.

<i>WWE 2K15</i> 2014 video game

WWE 2K15 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows. It is the sequel to WWE 2K14, and was succeeded by WWE 2K16. It was released on October 28, 2014, in North America and on October 31, 2014, in Europe for last generation consoles and released on November 18, 2014, in North America and on November 21, 2014, in Europe for current generation consoles. It was released for Microsoft Windows on April 28, 2015, and was the first WWE game to be released on the platform since WWE Raw, which was released in 2002. Online server play was shut down on May 31, 2016. It is the first game in the series to use the new WWE logo since it was introduced earlier in 2014, which was originally used as the logo of the WWE Network.

<i>WWE 2K16</i> 2015 video game

WWE 2K16 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. It is the sequel to WWE 2K15, and was succeeded by WWE 2K17. It was released on October 27, 2015, in North America and on October 30, 2015, in Europe, while being released on PC on March 11, 2016.

<i>WWE 2K17</i> 2016 wrestling video game

WWE 2K17 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. It is the eighteenth game in the WWE game series, serving as the following from their previous game WWE 2K16, and followed by WWE 2K18. This is the fourth and final installment to be released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms and on those platforms still follows the gameplay blueprint of WWE 2K14.

<i>WWE 2K18</i> 2017 video game download

WWE 2K18 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K. It is the nineteenth instalment in the WWE game series and a follow-up to WWE 2K17. It was released worldwide on October 17, 2017, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. With its release, WWE 2K18 became the first in the series to be exclusively released on eighth generation hardware and also the first in the series to be released for PC and consoles simultaneously. A Nintendo Switch version followed on December 6, 2017, the only release of the series for the Switch and the first WWE game to be released for a Nintendo platform since WWE '13.

<i>WWE 2K19</i> 2018 wrestling video game

WWE 2K19 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K. It was released worldwide on October 9, 2018, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is the twentieth game in the WWE series, the sixth under the WWE 2K banner, and the successor to WWE 2K18.

<i>WWE 2K20</i> 2019 video game

WWE 2K20 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. It was released worldwide on October 22, 2019, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is the twenty-first installment of the WWE series, the seventh under the WWE 2K banner, and the successor to WWE 2K19. 2K20 is the first game in the series not to be developed by Yuke's, which had developed every entry in the series since its inception in 2000. Visual Concepts, who had previously worked with Yuke's as co-developers since 2014, took over as lead studio for the series.

<i>WWE 2K22</i> 2022 video game

WWE 2K22 is a 2022 professional wrestling sports video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. It is the twenty-second overall installment of the video game series based on WWE, the eighth game under the WWE 2K banner, and the successor to 2019's WWE 2K20. It was released on March 11, 2022, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The follow-up title, WWE 2K23, was released on March 14, 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Miller, Greg (May 31, 2011). "E3 2011: WWE '12 Release Date and Cover". IGN. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  2. ↑ "PlayStation 3用ゲームソフト WWE'12 日本語版公式サイト". December 31, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ Middleton, Marc (April 2, 2012). "Flair Back Working For TNA, FCW Teases Major Updates, WWE '12 News" . Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  4. ↑ "WWE '12 Dated and Detailed". Eurogamer. May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  5. ↑ "WWE Games | Inside WWE '12 Universe Mode - Part 1". Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  6. ↑ George, Richard (October 18, 2011). "WWE '12: A New Road to Wrestlemania". IGN . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "WWE '12 – Announcement Trailer". THQ. June 1, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  8. ↑ Mrosko, Geno (November 18, 2011). "WWE '12 video game 'Bigger, Badder, Better' official launch trailer". Cageside Seats. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  9. ↑ Godfrey, Jeff. "WWE '12 Developer Blog – Predator Technology". THQ . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ Miller, Greg (May 31, 2011). "E3 2011: WWE '12 Rises". IGN. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  11. ↑ "WWE '12 Roster". THQ. Archived from the original on September 5, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  12. ↑ George, Richard (October 18, 2011). "WWE '12: A New Road to Wrestlemania". IGN . Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  13. ↑ "WWE '12 DLC PACK #1 ROSTER PROFILES REVEALED!". THQ. Archived from the original on December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  14. ↑ "WWE '12 DIVAS DLC PACK RELEASED!". THQ . Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  15. ↑ Williams, Kenny (November 10, 2011). "Batista Officially Confirmed As WWE '12 DLC". Wrestling News Source. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  16. ↑ "WWE '12 GETS THE MADNESS! OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH YEEEEEAAAAAH!". THQ. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  17. ↑ "THE HARDCORE LEGEND IS BACK, RIGHT HERE, IN WWE '12!". THQ. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  18. ↑ "WWE '12 Title Update Notes and DLC Mysteries Revealed". THQ. February 26, 2012. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  19. ↑ "WWE '12 Masked Kane Refund Update". THQ. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  20. ↑ "GameRankings: WWE '12 (Wii)". GameRankings . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  21. ↑ "GameRankings: WWE '12 (X360)". GameRankings . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  22. ↑ "WWE '12 (PS3)". GameRankings . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Metacritic: WWE '12 (X360)". Metacritic . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Metacritic: WWE '12 (PS3)". Metacritic . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Metacritic: WWE '12 (Wii)". Metacritic . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  26. ↑ Hartup, Andy (November 22, 2011). "WWE '12 Review". Computer and Video Games . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  27. ↑ D'Alonzo, Mike (November 22, 2011). "WWE '12 Review (Xbox 360)". G4 . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  28. ↑ D'Alonzo, Mike (November 22, 2011). "WWE '12 Review (Wii)". G4 . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  29. ↑ D'Alonzo, Mike (November 22, 2011). "WWE '12 Review (PS3)". G4 . Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  30. ↑ Ryckert, Dan (November 23, 2011). "WWE '12 (PS3)". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  31. ↑ Ryckert, Dan (December 23, 2011). "WWE '12 (Xbox 360)". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  32. ↑ Meunier, Nathan. "WWE '12 Review". GameSpot . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  33. ↑ "WWE '12 Review". GameTrailers . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  34. ↑ George, Richard (November 18, 2011). "IGN: WWE '12". IGN. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  35. ↑ George, Richard. "WWE '12 Review". IGN . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  36. ↑ "WWE '12". Nintendo Power . December 2011. p. 81.
  37. ↑ Scullion, Chris. "WWE '12 Wii review". Official Nintendo Magazine . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  38. ↑ "WWE '12 Review". Official Xbox Magazine . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  39. ↑ Rudden, Dave. "WWE '12 review". Official Xbox Magazine . Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  40. ↑ Giunta, Cody. "WWE '12 Review". PALGN. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  41. ↑ Cowen, Nick. "WWE '12 Review (PS3)". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  42. ↑ Cowen, Nick. "WWE '12 Review (Xbox 360)". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  43. ↑ "Video: IGN Gives WWE '12 "Amazing" 9/10 Rating". November 18, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.