WWF Warzone

Developer - Iguana West
Publisher - Acclaim
Players - 1-4
Extras - Memory card, Multi Tap

Graphics

At the outset if you are a fan of WWF wrestling, you will feel right at home playing this game. From the introduction movie to the gritty surroundings portrayed throughout menu screens and FMVs, the atmosphere matches that of the current WWF. As for the graphics in-game, at first I wasn't sure just how good the characters would look, as on the menu-select screen they all looked a little "wide". I needn't have worried as they really do represent their real-life counterparts extremely well, with the digitised faces of the wrestlers wound around the polygonal head of the models (although this technique actually makes Shawn Michaels look a little more like Rob Van Dam close up). Animation also lives up to expectations, with motion capturing and smooth transitions between moves, and though everything moves slower than a normal 3D fighting game, this is to be expected as wrestling for the most part is a slow "sport". The create-a-wrestler feature can also make just about any wrestler around today (though it can take some imagination and clever techniques to do so) and like the menu screen, the characters look much more like their real life wrestlers when actually put into the ring.

Sounds

Iguana West have really gone to town with the sound in WWF Warzone. Hard rock music belts out at the title and menu screens, and each wrestler has been assigned his true ring music, which is played in a biography screen and also played for a short amount of time when entering the arena. There is even a few bonus tunes that can be assigned to a created wrestler, although these do pale in comparison to some of the music available from the ready made characters. Sound effects are simply superb, with punchs, kicks, and various other hits that pack alot more punch than other fighters, and give a real sense of satisfaction when you impact into someone from the top rope. Commentary from Vince McMahon and Jim Ross also works well, though I did notice that they can fall behind on occasion, calling a high impact move a few seconds after it has actually happened. An exellent feature is the crowd, who react to risky moves with cheers and chants, and individuals call out nasty things to wrestlers if they are not performing up to par (eg. "I hope you die Rocky!!").

Gameplay

The gameplay is a mixed bag in WWF Warzone. The menu screens work well and are not hard to use, and there are lots of modes and secrets to be unlocked that increase the replay value of the game. The in-game control system is very much a simplified version of those used in other 3D fighters, creating more of an arcade feel than a simulation. It is not overcomplicated however and with a little practice even the most spectacular of moves can be pulled off with ease. This however is where WWF Warzone starts to fall down. If anything the game can be too easy, especially once wear-down combinations are learned and perfected, and while it can take a long time unlocking all the secrets, some of them just aren't worth the effort of getting. The other major problem the game seems to suffer from is collision detection, as on occasions I did top rope moves which clearly missed my opponent by a good inch on screen, and yet still knocked him into the middle of next week, which can really detract from the feel of realism that the programmers were trying to get across. All things considered, WWF Warzone is still very playable, and does have that "one more go" feel that lacks in so many of today's titles.

I feel a verdict coming on

If you are a fan of WWF wrestling, or of pro wrestling in general, then this game is a must purchase. I have even found that people who were not fans of wrestling still have immense fun playing WWF Warzone, especially in multiplayer mode. There are quite a few different options to use, ranging from cage matches, weapons, tag team and tornado bouts. This gives alot of variety, but most definitely the most entertaining mode I found was 2 player weapons match, as there is no disqualification or countouts during the bout, and a real feeling of satisfaction when beating on your best friend with a television monitor or ring bell. So if you like WWF wrestling or arcade-type wrestling games, don't hesitate to get this title, even if you don't, rent it. It may surprise you.

Review by D.R.T.Barrett