I know it's kind of trendy right now to talk about the problems the Impact video game has had in reaching its customers, and I had the same problems. I wanted the game on 9/9, and I had to wait until 9/10, like most of the Gamestop customers who pre-ordered the game. I guess TNA's continually problematic shipping deal is continuing, as I have been bitching about their DVD shipping being poor for months on end.
It appears there may be more to the shipping issues than meets the eye. As much as it angers me that TNA is shorting the fans that they desperately need for the evolution of their product, I'll keep my commentary on the distribution of the game to my blog. For now, I'll just talk meat and potatoes about the game itself, if and when you do pick it up.
Anyway, I have been playing it as much as I have been able to since I got it, I'm 35% in to the story mode, and I have some things I would like to report and review about the game. I know some people have said that the game is awful, and some have not really given it much in the way of a positive review. While I am not going to rave and rant about the game, there are aspects I like, and there are aspects I don't. If you'll permit me, I'll go in to it now.
Initially, I was kind of bummed out because it appeared to not have a lot of available wrestlers from the onset. While good names like Styles, Joe, Sting, Daniels, Storm and others are listed, I didn't notice one half of 3D, (Ray), Abyss, Black Machismo, Roode, and others. Obviously, you have to go through the story mode to unlock them. 35% in to the game, I got Ray, I got Roode, I got Machismo. I don't think I got any more TNA stars, yet, but again, I'm doing this from memory at work, and not with the game in my hand to refer to.
The gameplay is stripped down. The controls are simplified, but a little convoluted to remember. Reversals using the R1 button (on PS2, which is what I have), is difficult for me, because I keep forgetting. I think they could've maneuvered the buttons for controls better. I haven't checked to see if I could move the controls, which I will do tomorrow, and if that happens, I'll be a happy panda. If I can't, I'll deal with it. I gotta admit, I'm so used to Smackdown vs. Raw controls that getting used to this is aggravating, but I'll manage.
I enjoy the six sided ring in a video game environment. It's bigger, it gives more variety, and it's just different.
I was told by a customer in a Gamestop store before the game came out, (He played it at a gaming convention), that the game was "very fast." He's right. The gameplay during singles matches is incredibly faster than any other wrestling game I have seen, including Fire Pro. The drawback here is, tag team matches are drastically slower. I'm involved in the "tag team" portion of the story aloingside Eric Young, and the matches are a labor to endure due to the drastically different pace of the tag matches. I also don't like how they don't have created tag team entrances. I know there's truly only two created teams that I can see that are in the game, those being 3D and LAX. It'd be nice to have combined entrances for them, and maybe even AJ & Tomko, who I'm currently facing.
The entrances are nice, they're shorter, which makes me happier, because it's a quicker way in to the match. The commentary, although you can only handle or stomach so much of Tenay and West, the commentary is drastically more purposeful than the Smackdown vs. Raw games. On the WWE games, they'll talk about one wrestler who's not in the match all together. On the TNA game, they'll specifically talk about the moves, but not name the talents in the ring. It's less personal, but it's more purposeful, and I like it.
The graphics are OK. Are they stellar? No. Are they Fire Pro bad? Not even close. The movement of the wreslters in the game, while it may be fast, is pretty fluid. One thing about the gameplay and graphics, I've already run in to two glitches, one where I was literally stuck in the ropes, and unable to move. (Not pinned to the ropes by having them tied around my arms, but literally, unable to move away from the ropes, no matter what I tried. I also had a setup where I was in the ring and moving fine, but it appeared I was literally walking through the canvas, and my feet were hitting the floor. I was able to get out of that one, but when I was out, it appeared I had rolled out from under the ring, ala Hornswoggle & Brie Bella. (Ooops, WWE reference in a TNA column).
I don't see the King of the Mountain match yet, but I assume it's coming at the story mode, in some respect. So, I won't comment there. I don't see any belts yet, but with only 35% done, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I hope that you're going to be able to defend the belts in exhibition mode, ala the WWE games. It's the main reason why I buy the WWE games, and hold on to them for a long period of time.
"Suicide's" costume rocks. While it's a bummer from what I can tell about not being able to construct your own character customly. However, "Suicide's" costume is really cool, and if they're having one of the talents dress as Suicide and compete on iMPACT, it's going to be good for business, and the game itself.
The storyline plot seems OK, for now. I'm only 35% in, so I can't comment too fully. What I can comment on is this. There's an awful lot of tomato can wanna be wrestlers in this thing that can be used as characters for exhibition matches. Couldn't Midway have spent a little more money to put more TNA talent on this game?
Look, the bottom line here is this. This is not a gem. This is not a failure, either. It's in the middle. I'm trying it out, because I'm very interested and anxious to see what transpires. As I go through the journey, I'll update it on my blog.
2 1/2 stars. Right in the middle, ladies and gentlemen.
Ok, time to go with the picks for No Surrender.
The ROCK n' RAVE INFECTION vs. The PRINCE JUSTICE BROTHERHOOD
Jimmy Rave, Lance (Hoyt) Rock & Christy Hemme vs. Curry Man, Super Eric & Shark Boy
It's really funny how the shellfish version of Stone Cold always manages to figure out a way on to a pay per view. What is this going to be, a 2 on 3 match? I don't see Hemme making a huge impact on this match, although it'll be hysterical to see what Super Eric does with Hemme, if given the chance, if you've played the video game, and saw the interview segment in the storyline with Christy & Eric Young, you'll know what I mean. I don't have a tremendous amount of interest in this match, and I expect Rock, Rave & Hemme to get the win, because the PJB have zero to lose if they do lose, and that can't be said for Hemme's boys.
WINNERS: The Rock N' Rave Infection
ABYSS & MATT MORGAN vs. TEAM 3D
I haven't had the chance to witness the rebirth of Abyss, but if he's close to the way he was as portrayed in his Best Of DVD, then the team of Abyss and Morgan will be damn fun to watch. Those guys vs. 3D oughta look more like a Bingo Hall Brawl than a wrestling match. Unfortunately, one way or another, 3D will get the win for one simple reason, they're the established team. I don't see Russo putting 3D in the jobber seat for this one. Not possible. They just re-upped, and TNA wants to make sure they stay happy.
WINNERS: Team 3D
Falls Count Anywhere
O.D.B. vs. AWESOME KONG
Can you all see Gail Kim, if she's renewed with TNA, resurface here, and help out ODB? I could. Easily. Because frankly, ODB needs help if she's going to survive. I don't care what you say about anything here. Kong is indestructible against any female opponent, and can only be beaten by the pen, and not the fist. Nothing else to say here. Kong destroyed Roxxi this past week, and any other result outside of that will shock the hell out of me.
WINNER: Awesome Kong
Ladder Match
SONJAY DUTT vs. JAY LETHAL
Sonjay Dutt as a heel just does not work for me. This feud has gone on WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY TOO LONG. How come is it Dutt, who is an incredible athlete, has not yet still held X Division championship gold? What right does the former Daivari have to be in the title match, while Sonjay is still embroiled in this thing? Something to ponder, ladies and gentlemen, and frankly, I'm stunned Sonjay hasn't made more of a stink about it. This match, from a spot perspective, should be off the charts. Both men are acrobats in the ring, and this oughta be one in a million. May be worthwhile to buy the DVD for this one match. Lethal wins, because I don't see Val turning heel. This has to end, for both of their sakes, they have to move on from this, now.
WINNER: Jay Lethal
A pay per view with all of the companies titles on the line. What a shock! What a surprise! It's a stunner! APPLAUSE, everyone!
TNA Knockouts Championship
TAYLOR WILDE vs. ANGELINA LOVE
If Wilde loses this match, it's because of the interference of Love's partner, Velvet Sky. I don't see Love beating Wilde on her own merit, although that is entirely possible, if the option was offered. Question is, does TNA want to put a heel at the top of the women's division again? Answer, I think, is yes. I think Love and Sky have the most to offer at the top of the women's division, and although Taylor's surprise win over Kong was nothing short of a stunner, I think she falls here, and they re-invent the division, especially if a certain talent does jump ship back to Stamford.
WINNER: Angelina Love
TNA World Tag Team Championship
BEER MONEY, Inc. vs. The LATIN AMERICAN XChange
Robert Roode & James Storm vs. Homicide & Hernandez
Storm and Roode as tag team champions makes me sick. Storm as a tag team wrestler is one thing, but he has zero in common with Roode, and this gimmick is awful. LAX has become my second favorite tag team in TNA, behind the defunct duo of Styles & Daniels. LAX could be the most complete team in wrestling with speed, power, agility and toughness. It's a match that I hope, falls in LAX's favor, but the fact remains, I would be stunned if they did multiple title changes. I'm gonna pick the challengers here, and hope this is a Bound For Glory 2007 moment, where all the titles change hands, or at least, multiple ones do. I doubt it, but I'm gonna let my heart do the talking on this one.
WINNERS: The Latin American XChange
TNA X Division Championship 3 Way Match
PETEY WILLIAMS vs. CONSEQUENCES CREED vs. SHEIK ABDUL BASHIR
With all due respect, what in the bluest of blue hells has Creed & Bashir done to warrant a title shot? I think this match will be competitive, fun, and the whole X Division stalwart, but damn, this match is way off base as far as I can see for title contenders. Williams retains.
WINNER: Petey Williams
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Four Ways to Glory Match
SAMOA JOE vs. BOOKER T. vs. CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. KURT ANGLE
Yawn, yawn, yawn.
I'm sorry, but if you think I'm going to get up for a match like this, you're crazy. TNA's been there, done that, repeatedly. Joe will retain here, and go further. I don't know what they're trying to do with this match, but personally, I think they need to re-invent Joe, and make him a "dominant champion", instead of a constantly "pissed off whiny champion". That may result in a title change, and a quick change, but one thing is definitely for certain. This match bores me to tears. Don't get me wrong, it'll probably be a lot of fun to watch, but I am so sick of these guys always getting title shots, and guys like well, AJ for one, and foremost in my mind, a former World Champion, I don't remember even once seeing him challenge for the TNA belt. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a shame.
WINNER: Samoa Joe
Let's talk. I'm waiting. :)
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