WWE ALL Stars Legends lets
players pit renowned WWE Legends against prominent SuperStars of today's era,
thus allowing for the creation of fantasy matches where fans can determine the
greatest competitors of all time.
Spend a few minutes watching any WWE broadcast,
and it becomes clear that over-the-top spectacle is what it's all about.
Professional wrestling's relentless quest to be larger than life makes it well
suited for the creative freedom of video games, yet it has been years since any
wrestling game really took this idea and ran with it. Now WWE All Stars has
entered the arena and amplified the high-flying, hard-hitting action to an
arcade pitch. Cartoonishly muscular character models and gravity-defying maneuvers
help the game pack a great punch, and simple controls make it easy to perform
high-impact moves. The fighting system is not without its drawbacks, however.
The crucial reversal timing is tough to master, and the exaggerated physics
result in some wonky and unpredictable moments. These issues can cause some
frustration, but the satisfaction of executing a timely counterattack or a
powerful choke slam is undeniable. WWE All Stars captures the excitement and
spectacle of the actual WWE better than any game in recent memory.
With all these powerful attacks flying around,
being able to defend yourself is important. Blocking is effective, but the key
element to a strong defense is reversals. Whether you are being struck or
grappled, there's almost always a moment when you can tap the appropriate
reversal button to turn the tables. Sometimes, your opponent gets a chance to
reverse your reversal, but no matter who ends up powerbombing whom, it is
crucial to get the hang of countering attacks. The timing is very tricky,
however, and tapping the button multiple times all but ensures your attempt
will fail, so you have to nail it. This finicky precision is frustrating, and
there's no tutorial to help you get the hang of it. Timing is also crucial in
determining whose strike or grapple takes priority, but some moves can preempt
others. WWE All Stars leaves it up to you to learn the ins and outs of its
fighting system, and though the basics are easy to grasp, you have to figure
out important elements like timing and move priority for yourself.
Yet while you're striving to master these
elements, don't be surprised if some weird stuff happens that disrupts your
sense of positioning and timing. The exaggerated physics are like a meddling
ringside manager--they can make things much more entertaining, but they can
also mess things up. You might be grappled from an improbably far distance or
be bounced around the ring at strange angles by a powerful strike. And though
you can enter and exit the ring at will, the ropes often act as an invisible wall
when characters are getting knocked around. Fortunately, these strange
happenings don't derail the action; they just add a bit of unwelcome
inconsistency.
You can pit up to four wrestlers of your
choosing against each other in exhibition matches, but aside from dividing up
the teams or adding a steel cage, there isn't much in the way of match
customization. WWE All Stars has two different scenario modes that give your
matches some context and let you unlock new wrestlers and outfits. Path of
Champions sets forth a challenge from a big personality, like The Undertaker,
to meet him in the ring at a big event. As you work your way through the
matches leading up to the event, you get a few cutscenes of your opponent
talking trash, but brash attitudes are largely absent from WWE All Stars. The
other scenario mode, Fantasy Warfare, pits two wrestlers against each other
based on their personalities or skills, so you'll see Andre the Giant versus
The Big Show in a big man match, while Mr. Perfect and The Miz square off to
see who has the biggest ego. These matchups are preceded by elaborate intro
videos that make great use of dramatic voice-over and actual WWE footage,
though the lack of similar video upon the match's conclusion feels like a
missed opportunity.
You should also be prepared to exercise some
patience before attempting to play WWE All Stars, because you have to do some
serious waiting around during the lengthy and frequent load times. Once you get
into the action, the blend of precision and exaggeration means you may be
striving to perfect your timing one minute and then bouncing around the ring at
right angles the next, and this can give the action a bit of a haphazard feel.
Some people may find this off-putting, but wrestling fans are likely to be won
over by the sheer glee of performing the over-the-top signature moves and
finishers. WWE All Stars obeys the spirit of the WWE, if not the letter,
providing some of the liveliest action that sports entertainment video games
have seen in a while.
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