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Taken from IGN:
Genre: Wrestling
Age Rating: 16+
Release Date: Apr 2005
Multiplayer: Yes
Xbox Live!: 2-4 Players
Downloadable Content: Cross
WrestleMania can define a legacy, and yours is about to be written. The greatest spectacle in sports-entertainment comes to Xbox with WWE WrestleMania 21. The WWE experience has never been more lifelike with Superstar voice-over and commentary, an all-new pro-reversal system and motion capture technology making this the most realistic looking grappler to date. Create the ultimate Superstar and watch him evolve as you earn new move-sets, costumes and abilities in your quest for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. WrestleMania 21 will immortalize your legacy forever. The Question is how will you become a Legend?
Superstar voice over and commentary
Become a Legend Online via Xbox Live
New online create-a-belt feature will change the wrestling genre
Character Evolution - Unique character building story mode allows you to upgrade you Superstar's appearance, abilities, entrance, costumes and move-set as you attempt to win the Heavyweight Championship
Superstar moves and animations come to life like never before with motion captured technology
Pro reversal system - First wrestling game to ever feature a countering system that incorporates a contrary reversal for each and every attacking move
That’s how you will become a legend!
Credit: mi7ch
All this stuff has been confirmed till now.
General Information
Publisher
THQ
Developer
Studio Gigante
Genre
Wrestling
Origin
USA
Number of Players
TBC
Rating
16+
Release Date - America
March 8th, 2005 *
Release Date - Europe
TBA, 2005 *
Percentage Complete
It just went alpha
* = Release dates are subject to change.
Gameplay
Included in the game are four different wrestler classes. Each class determines a unique movement style and grapple/attack preference.
The new 'Heat Meter' lets you know how well the crowd are reacting to the match and your superstar. The higher the meter is, the better the match is going. And when the meter is at it's fullest, you can pull off your special move.
Weight detection system considers the size and stature of a wrestler when determining the outcome of any wrestler-versus-wrestler interaction. So if Tajiri tried to lift the Big Show, he probably won't be able to pull it off.
Just like Smackdown and Day of Reckoning, this game features limb-specific damage. Work on your foe's leg and he'll be vulnerable to a leg submission move.
There are six different attributes per wrestler, each one has a distinct effect on playing the game. They are:
Stamina
This determines how much pain your superstar can take.
Speed
This allows you to move quicker around the ring and when climbing turnbuckles.
Strength
Sets the amount of damage your wrestler does after completing a move.
Submission
This gives your more skill in making your opponent tap out.
Countering
Your superstar will be more capable to reverse on-coming moves.
Charisma
The crowd will get behind you more, allowing you to build up heat quicker.
So if you were to play Kane, Stamina and Strength are likely to be high, while his speed would be low. Rey Mysterio, on the other hand, would have high Speed and high Carisma, but low Strength.
There are four types of grapple for each wrestler, these are 'Quick', 'Strong', 'Submission' and 'Speciality'. After performing one of these grapples, you're given another selection of moves to perform. Every wrestler in the game has an extensive movelist, to create a very realistic grappler.
There is support for all possible grapple states, including against the turnbuckle, against the ropes, ladder, outside of the ring, and so on.
Every move in the game can be countered or reversed with a respectable move (for example, reversing a piledriver into a backdrop), using the Pro Reversal System. This system allows for skilled players to reverse a grapple move or finisher during the course of the move, giving you a second chance to avoid a damaging attack.
Superstar-specific mannerisms, including taunts and fighting styles, bring life to each individual wrestling personality.
Exhibiton
We have no idea whether or not this is the final list of match types, but this is the list so far:
Match Types
» Single
» Tag Team
» Handicap
» Triple Threat
» Fatal Four-Way
» Battle Royal
» Royal Rumble
Match Type Count: 7
Choose The Outcome
Just like the match types, we're not sure on the final set of stipulations. We're almost certain it'll contain all the stipulations Smackdown! contains. Until then, though:
Stipulations
» Normal
» Hardcore
» Table
» Ladder
» TLC
» Cage
» Hell In A Cell
» Bra and Panties
Stipulation Count: 8
Choose Your Arena
There will be 16 WWE arenas featured in WMXXI, and 12 PPV events. So far, we know the following are included:
Arenas
» Gymnasium
» Training Facility (fully destructable)
» Civic Center
» Industrial Basement
» Wrestling Club
» HeAt
» Velocity
» RAW
» Smackdown!
» Armageddon
Arena Count: 10
Arena Details
Yes, not only do the in-game characters look fantastic, but the arenas that surround them also look the part. Details you'll notice around the environments are dynamic lighting effects (which affect the wrestlers in the ring, the crowd and the arena). Enhanced rope and turnbuckle features have also been tuned up on.
Career Mode
Like other career modes, this lets you take an existing superstar or a man-made creation from the bottom of the WWE ladder to the top, in a pit to become WWE World Champion.
"Our career mode doesn't focus on a rivalry between the two shows, although there is that underlying tension throughout." - John Tobias // Studio Gigante's Creative Director.
You can complete challenges in this mode. On successfully completing a challenge, you are rewarded with attribute points which you can use to upgrade your appearance, moves and/or entry to the ring.
Extensive use of cutscenes is executed nicely in the career mode, as is a full set of voiceovers.
Rivalries are built into the Career Mode, because Studio G wanted to manage the drama to make the mode much more compelling.
There is no word yet on if there are mutliple storylines.
Create A Wrestler - a.k.a. CAW
We don't know much about this mode so far, but we do know that this mode has been massively expanded over the Xbox's RAW2. There's a huge selection of customisation options including body types/shapes, different costumes/designs and a selection of gear.
You can also take your created superstar through the offline Career Mode, to allow for gradual upgrades. As they progress through the mode, they'll evolve effectively and you'll unlock new moves and clothes throughout.
If that's too easy for your creation, though, take the challenge of defending your titles online with your CAW (you can also use in already-made wrestlers online, too).
The CAW mode in this game has been limited. Studio G didn't want people to be making "purple skinned wrestlers with massive heads and tiny feet," as it would go against the realism of the game. However, there are many customisation options on offer, and the created guys will look as realistic as the in-game wrestlers.
You can assign any moves to your wrestler, but that might not mean they'll execute them perfectly. If your creation is a technical, high-flying wrestler and you've given him a huge array of powerful moves, he won't be able to pull them off as well as he would a moonsault.
Music ripping has also been added, so you can give your created wrestler whatever music you want him to have during his entrance.
Create A Championship (Belt) - a.k.a. CAB
You're now given the chance to engineer a Championship (Belt) of your own. You can choose specifically what the belt is to be made of, the style of face and side plates, and any additional things you wish to add to make the belt unique.
As you advance through the Career Mode, you'll unlock various belt parts which you can add to your Championship at any time. This will add to the belts value (making it more worthy of being challenged for).
At any time (in exhibition) the belt can be defended. Be it against your mate playing as Player 2 or against the computer, the option is yours. If you need more of a challenge, though, you can take your belt onto the internet and enter the online ring.
The Roster
Overall, there is to be around 35 male wrestlers, 6 divas and 5 legends. So far, we know the following superstars are set to feature in WMXXI.
Male Superstars
» Batista
» Big Show
» Bubba Ray Dudley
» Chris Benoit
» Chris Jericho
» Christian
» Edge
» Hurricane Helms
» John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL)
» John Cena
» Kane
» Kurt Angle
» Randy Orton
» Rey Mysterio
» Rhyno
» Ric Flair
» Rob Van Dam (RVD)
» Shawn Michaels
» Shelton Benjamin
» Spike Dudley
» Stacy Keibler
» Triple H
» Undertaker
Superstar Count: 21
Divas
» Stacy Keibler
Diva Count: 1
Non-Playable/Misc.
» Jerry "The King" Lawler
» Jim Ross
» Teddy Long
Non-Playable/Misc. Count: 3
Legends
» Andre The Giant
» The Rock (circa 1997)
Legend Count: 2
Graphics
Studio Gigante have included bump-mapping to their new title, allowing for cloth wrinkles, extra muscle definition, veins and individual hair fibers. The new hair and cloth physics show a level of detail never seen before.
The new pixel shaders create dozens of surface effects, which makes for ultra-realistic highlighting on leather and the gloss of "oily" skin. Also using "per-pixel" lighting effects, the immediate lack of blockiness in the character models is obvious right away, making this game look more and more like the real thing.
Endomorph muscle flexing allows for chests to expand with each breath, biceps to bulge when flexed and calves to clench when the wrestler strains. Endomorph facial deformation makes for accurate lip-synching, and the ability to show lots of expressions on the wrestler's faces.
The crowd looks as if it's had just as much time taken on them as the in-game wrestlers have. With lots of individual animations and looks, these guys all react differently to what's going on in the game.
Online Options
Advancing over Smackdown Vs. RAW's online play, WMXXI supports up to four players via Xbox Live, where you can compete in most of the single player exhibition modes (the final match types available is still to be confirmed, however). You can also take your created championships (belts) online to increase its reknown and face-value (the more you win, the better it gets).
This mode also supports live videochat, which allows you to perform your own taunts and trash-talk.
Downloadable content will NOT be featured in this game. However they have plans for this in the sequel, should there be one.
The Sound
We do know that there will be 15 (with 4 exclusives) licensed songs on the soundtrack. However, we don't know what these songs are yet.
Commentating and voice-overs have been added, too, but has been vastly improved over SDvR. It includes over twice as many voice-overs and commentator phrases (provided by both teams of Tazz and Michael Cole, and Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler) and has very accurate lip-synch.
Credit: Mister_Socko
WWE WrestleMania 21 - SHOPZONE
* Legends - Both playable characters and legendary WWE items.
(Who are you hoping for as a legend, and what could they mean by legendary items?)
* Arenas - Purchase some arenas for play online.
Many venues to be playable online. Sweet!
* Weapons - Forget chairs and tables, there are much deadlier weapons you can store for a match.
(Oh, goodness, this is the shining moment for all you hardcore fans. More deadlier than tables and chairs? Could this be the first appearance of the barb-wire bat? We'll have to see)
* Attributes
(Nothing amazing here, but at least we'll be able to make our CAW the way we want it to be)
* Create-a-Superstar - Accessories which unlock as you progress. These include items for head, upper body, and lower body, plus moves and entrances.
(Now, I know we all hope for a better showing this year in the CAW apartment. And I certainly hope we have many customizable tights also for CAW mode. Moves and entrances? Maybe we could see some we've all been wanting as extras? DX Moves with DX Music on Hard Drive...Oh...how I wish...)
* Create-a-Belt - Expect some really extravagant decorations for your championship belt.
(I know we all pine for more customizable belts than SvR, so I hope we actually have REAL parts to belts, aka Hardcore belt)
* Movies
(What do you you think they could mean by this?)
* Diva Photos - Hulk Hogan in a feather boa not included.
(Mmmmmmm...good stuff as always.)
* Screens
(Again, I'm not sure what they could have in store for this aspect.)
* Misc.
(Other things that couldn't be in other categories, possibly just extras like Credits)
Genre: Wrestling
Age Rating: 16+
Release Date: Apr 2005
Multiplayer: Yes
Xbox Live!: 2-4 Players
Downloadable Content: Cross
WrestleMania can define a legacy, and yours is about to be written. The greatest spectacle in sports-entertainment comes to Xbox with WWE WrestleMania 21. The WWE experience has never been more lifelike with Superstar voice-over and commentary, an all-new pro-reversal system and motion capture technology making this the most realistic looking grappler to date. Create the ultimate Superstar and watch him evolve as you earn new move-sets, costumes and abilities in your quest for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. WrestleMania 21 will immortalize your legacy forever. The Question is how will you become a Legend?
Superstar voice over and commentary
Become a Legend Online via Xbox Live
New online create-a-belt feature will change the wrestling genre
Character Evolution - Unique character building story mode allows you to upgrade you Superstar's appearance, abilities, entrance, costumes and move-set as you attempt to win the Heavyweight Championship
Superstar moves and animations come to life like never before with motion captured technology
Pro reversal system - First wrestling game to ever feature a countering system that incorporates a contrary reversal for each and every attacking move
That’s how you will become a legend!
Credit: mi7ch
All this stuff has been confirmed till now.
General Information
Publisher
THQ
Developer
Studio Gigante
Genre
Wrestling
Origin
USA
Number of Players
TBC
Rating
16+
Release Date - America
March 8th, 2005 *
Release Date - Europe
TBA, 2005 *
Percentage Complete
It just went alpha
* = Release dates are subject to change.
Gameplay
Included in the game are four different wrestler classes. Each class determines a unique movement style and grapple/attack preference.
The new 'Heat Meter' lets you know how well the crowd are reacting to the match and your superstar. The higher the meter is, the better the match is going. And when the meter is at it's fullest, you can pull off your special move.
Weight detection system considers the size and stature of a wrestler when determining the outcome of any wrestler-versus-wrestler interaction. So if Tajiri tried to lift the Big Show, he probably won't be able to pull it off.
Just like Smackdown and Day of Reckoning, this game features limb-specific damage. Work on your foe's leg and he'll be vulnerable to a leg submission move.
There are six different attributes per wrestler, each one has a distinct effect on playing the game. They are:
Stamina
This determines how much pain your superstar can take.
Speed
This allows you to move quicker around the ring and when climbing turnbuckles.
Strength
Sets the amount of damage your wrestler does after completing a move.
Submission
This gives your more skill in making your opponent tap out.
Countering
Your superstar will be more capable to reverse on-coming moves.
Charisma
The crowd will get behind you more, allowing you to build up heat quicker.
So if you were to play Kane, Stamina and Strength are likely to be high, while his speed would be low. Rey Mysterio, on the other hand, would have high Speed and high Carisma, but low Strength.
There are four types of grapple for each wrestler, these are 'Quick', 'Strong', 'Submission' and 'Speciality'. After performing one of these grapples, you're given another selection of moves to perform. Every wrestler in the game has an extensive movelist, to create a very realistic grappler.
There is support for all possible grapple states, including against the turnbuckle, against the ropes, ladder, outside of the ring, and so on.
Every move in the game can be countered or reversed with a respectable move (for example, reversing a piledriver into a backdrop), using the Pro Reversal System. This system allows for skilled players to reverse a grapple move or finisher during the course of the move, giving you a second chance to avoid a damaging attack.
Superstar-specific mannerisms, including taunts and fighting styles, bring life to each individual wrestling personality.
Exhibiton
We have no idea whether or not this is the final list of match types, but this is the list so far:
Match Types
» Single
» Tag Team
» Handicap
» Triple Threat
» Fatal Four-Way
» Battle Royal
» Royal Rumble
Match Type Count: 7
Choose The Outcome
Just like the match types, we're not sure on the final set of stipulations. We're almost certain it'll contain all the stipulations Smackdown! contains. Until then, though:
Stipulations
» Normal
» Hardcore
» Table
» Ladder
» TLC
» Cage
» Hell In A Cell
» Bra and Panties
Stipulation Count: 8
Choose Your Arena
There will be 16 WWE arenas featured in WMXXI, and 12 PPV events. So far, we know the following are included:
Arenas
» Gymnasium
» Training Facility (fully destructable)
» Civic Center
» Industrial Basement
» Wrestling Club
» HeAt
» Velocity
» RAW
» Smackdown!
» Armageddon
Arena Count: 10
Arena Details
Yes, not only do the in-game characters look fantastic, but the arenas that surround them also look the part. Details you'll notice around the environments are dynamic lighting effects (which affect the wrestlers in the ring, the crowd and the arena). Enhanced rope and turnbuckle features have also been tuned up on.
Career Mode
Like other career modes, this lets you take an existing superstar or a man-made creation from the bottom of the WWE ladder to the top, in a pit to become WWE World Champion.
"Our career mode doesn't focus on a rivalry between the two shows, although there is that underlying tension throughout." - John Tobias // Studio Gigante's Creative Director.
You can complete challenges in this mode. On successfully completing a challenge, you are rewarded with attribute points which you can use to upgrade your appearance, moves and/or entry to the ring.
Extensive use of cutscenes is executed nicely in the career mode, as is a full set of voiceovers.
Rivalries are built into the Career Mode, because Studio G wanted to manage the drama to make the mode much more compelling.
There is no word yet on if there are mutliple storylines.
Create A Wrestler - a.k.a. CAW
We don't know much about this mode so far, but we do know that this mode has been massively expanded over the Xbox's RAW2. There's a huge selection of customisation options including body types/shapes, different costumes/designs and a selection of gear.
You can also take your created superstar through the offline Career Mode, to allow for gradual upgrades. As they progress through the mode, they'll evolve effectively and you'll unlock new moves and clothes throughout.
If that's too easy for your creation, though, take the challenge of defending your titles online with your CAW (you can also use in already-made wrestlers online, too).
The CAW mode in this game has been limited. Studio G didn't want people to be making "purple skinned wrestlers with massive heads and tiny feet," as it would go against the realism of the game. However, there are many customisation options on offer, and the created guys will look as realistic as the in-game wrestlers.
You can assign any moves to your wrestler, but that might not mean they'll execute them perfectly. If your creation is a technical, high-flying wrestler and you've given him a huge array of powerful moves, he won't be able to pull them off as well as he would a moonsault.
Music ripping has also been added, so you can give your created wrestler whatever music you want him to have during his entrance.
Create A Championship (Belt) - a.k.a. CAB
You're now given the chance to engineer a Championship (Belt) of your own. You can choose specifically what the belt is to be made of, the style of face and side plates, and any additional things you wish to add to make the belt unique.
As you advance through the Career Mode, you'll unlock various belt parts which you can add to your Championship at any time. This will add to the belts value (making it more worthy of being challenged for).
At any time (in exhibition) the belt can be defended. Be it against your mate playing as Player 2 or against the computer, the option is yours. If you need more of a challenge, though, you can take your belt onto the internet and enter the online ring.
The Roster
Overall, there is to be around 35 male wrestlers, 6 divas and 5 legends. So far, we know the following superstars are set to feature in WMXXI.
Male Superstars
» Batista
» Big Show
» Bubba Ray Dudley
» Chris Benoit
» Chris Jericho
» Christian
» Edge
» Hurricane Helms
» John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL)
» John Cena
» Kane
» Kurt Angle
» Randy Orton
» Rey Mysterio
» Rhyno
» Ric Flair
» Rob Van Dam (RVD)
» Shawn Michaels
» Shelton Benjamin
» Spike Dudley
» Stacy Keibler
» Triple H
» Undertaker
Superstar Count: 21
Divas
» Stacy Keibler
Diva Count: 1
Non-Playable/Misc.
» Jerry "The King" Lawler
» Jim Ross
» Teddy Long
Non-Playable/Misc. Count: 3
Legends
» Andre The Giant
» The Rock (circa 1997)
Legend Count: 2
Graphics
Studio Gigante have included bump-mapping to their new title, allowing for cloth wrinkles, extra muscle definition, veins and individual hair fibers. The new hair and cloth physics show a level of detail never seen before.
The new pixel shaders create dozens of surface effects, which makes for ultra-realistic highlighting on leather and the gloss of "oily" skin. Also using "per-pixel" lighting effects, the immediate lack of blockiness in the character models is obvious right away, making this game look more and more like the real thing.
Endomorph muscle flexing allows for chests to expand with each breath, biceps to bulge when flexed and calves to clench when the wrestler strains. Endomorph facial deformation makes for accurate lip-synching, and the ability to show lots of expressions on the wrestler's faces.
The crowd looks as if it's had just as much time taken on them as the in-game wrestlers have. With lots of individual animations and looks, these guys all react differently to what's going on in the game.
Online Options
Advancing over Smackdown Vs. RAW's online play, WMXXI supports up to four players via Xbox Live, where you can compete in most of the single player exhibition modes (the final match types available is still to be confirmed, however). You can also take your created championships (belts) online to increase its reknown and face-value (the more you win, the better it gets).
This mode also supports live videochat, which allows you to perform your own taunts and trash-talk.
Downloadable content will NOT be featured in this game. However they have plans for this in the sequel, should there be one.
The Sound
We do know that there will be 15 (with 4 exclusives) licensed songs on the soundtrack. However, we don't know what these songs are yet.
Commentating and voice-overs have been added, too, but has been vastly improved over SDvR. It includes over twice as many voice-overs and commentator phrases (provided by both teams of Tazz and Michael Cole, and Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler) and has very accurate lip-synch.
Credit: Mister_Socko
WWE WrestleMania 21 - SHOPZONE
* Legends - Both playable characters and legendary WWE items.
(Who are you hoping for as a legend, and what could they mean by legendary items?)
* Arenas - Purchase some arenas for play online.
Many venues to be playable online. Sweet!
* Weapons - Forget chairs and tables, there are much deadlier weapons you can store for a match.
(Oh, goodness, this is the shining moment for all you hardcore fans. More deadlier than tables and chairs? Could this be the first appearance of the barb-wire bat? We'll have to see)
* Attributes
(Nothing amazing here, but at least we'll be able to make our CAW the way we want it to be)
* Create-a-Superstar - Accessories which unlock as you progress. These include items for head, upper body, and lower body, plus moves and entrances.
(Now, I know we all hope for a better showing this year in the CAW apartment. And I certainly hope we have many customizable tights also for CAW mode. Moves and entrances? Maybe we could see some we've all been wanting as extras? DX Moves with DX Music on Hard Drive...Oh...how I wish...)
* Create-a-Belt - Expect some really extravagant decorations for your championship belt.
(I know we all pine for more customizable belts than SvR, so I hope we actually have REAL parts to belts, aka Hardcore belt)
* Movies
(What do you you think they could mean by this?)
* Diva Photos - Hulk Hogan in a feather boa not included.
(Mmmmmmm...good stuff as always.)
* Screens
(Again, I'm not sure what they could have in store for this aspect.)
* Misc.
(Other things that couldn't be in other categories, possibly just extras like Credits)
Page:
I've gotta get this...
But I don't get why Torrie Wilson isn't in? Shes easily the best looking diva!
But I don't get why Torrie Wilson isn't in? Shes easily the best looking diva!
There's an explosion of coverage at IGN.
Game's looking really good.
Game's looking really good.
No Mercy kicked so much ass...after playing that game to death, I've yet to think a wrestling game was really good.
I remember No Mercy.
With its cage matches with doors.
With its cage matches with doors.
Yep, I hope so. No Mercy is still the best wrestling game of all time in my opinion..
I have high hopes. Everything looks good, I just wish there was confirmation of a story mode with multiple paths.
It'll either beat or come second to No Mercy. Either way that'll be damn good for a first outing.
It'll either beat or come second to No Mercy. Either way that'll be damn good for a first outing.
I look forward to it. I'll definately be buying it. It sounds good although I'm not so sure it will live up to expectations.
Cao wrote:
> So Stacy Keibler's a superstar and a Diva now?
> And the "all new" things just make me go
> "ahahahahahahaha".
> I don't think it could be more like SvR if it tried.
Yeah it'll probably basically be that game, except with a better controller.
> So Stacy Keibler's a superstar and a Diva now?
> And the "all new" things just make me go
> "ahahahahahahaha".
> I don't think it could be more like SvR if it tried.
Yeah it'll probably basically be that game, except with a better controller.
Not looking too bad at the moment. I shall wait for final reviews and such but sounds like an improvement on SvR. May well be worth £30 depending if they add a few more wrestlers. Also if the go back to having the tag belts and such. I felt that was just poor missing them out on SvR.
So Stacy Keibler's a superstar and a Diva now?
And the "all new" things just make me go "ahahahahahahaha".
I don't think it could be more like SvR if it tried.
And the "all new" things just make me go "ahahahahahahaha".
I don't think it could be more like SvR if it tried.
Page: