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The pain of waiting was well worth it, and all wrestling fans are grateful for the latest release of THQ's WWE Smackdown wrestling game series, WWE Smackdown: Here 
Comes the Pain. Building on its predecessors, this game has enhanced every mode of play to become the best wrestling game to be released, bar none.
For one, the graphics in this game are much cleaner than those of its predecessors. Gone are the abnormally long loading times and odd hiccups. As a matter of fact, I have yet to have the game stick at all, a problem I ran into quite alot in the previous Smackdown games if I was ever daring enough to have a six-man tag match full of created-wrestlers. No, in this installment, a 30 man battle-royal filled with created wrestlers didn't even pause. The characters move with more fluidity, and the color use is much more vivid.
The Create-a-wrestler Mode has become much more organized and realistic. Body characteristics look truer, except of course for the ones that are completely out of the ordinary and are just put there so people can make a guy with a dog face. I got a kick out of that! I named him K-9. Anyway, clothing is organized in an easier format, starting with overall style. Once selected, you then have your choice of picking a pattern or a solid color. Then, you are able to choose the shade. This makes for easier access to varying styles. Once through with that, you can select from the usual ring entrances and songs. Nothing too new in this area, but if there was no room for improvement, what would they do with the next installment?
New additions as far as match types include a First Blood Match-the mission of which is evident in the title, an Elimination Chamber Match-much like a six-man Royal Rumble with a steel cage and elimination by pin, and the most advertised new feature, a Bra and Panties Match which the boys should be overjoyed with, but I am angry about for reasons that I'll discuss later. There is also a new button configuration for moves which I found to be a little harder at first but enjoyed it as it was more organized than that of the previous games. I knew what buttons to press to get to my moves-pressing them was another story entirely, at least until I grew slightly more accustomed to the game play. A new system is also set up for location-sensitive damage, working to make submissions more believable. If you're attempting a figure-four leg-lock, you better have worn down that leg first or else you aren't getting anywhere! Another ode to realism comes in the form of size-sensitive moves. Lightweights can not lift heavyweights and no 500lb wrestler will be racing across the ring at top speed no matter how many attribute points you tack on to him.
The story mode has become more interesting and varied. I played in it three times with the same character and new things kept on happening. Another thing I like about this story is that instead of the traditional beginning, middle, and end sequence it has a beginning, middle, and this is only the beginning sequence which carries a good message about determination in your chosen field. One annoying aspect was the sound. After playing this for an hour I wanted to scream at the music director. GET SOME NEW SONGS!! I wanted to hear more than the Smackdown and Raw themes repeatedly, and this was not provided.
Okay, now for my rant. My favorite wrestler is Lita. She wrestles with grace and intelligence. Naturally I wanted to play story mode with her. DENIED! There are no story mode for female wrestlers! Gone are the days when female wrestlers got any play in video games, even despite the fact that the female division is stronger than it has been in a long time! Rather than give them their own story, females are relegated to bra and panty matches, fashion shows, and being another (male) wrestler's manager. This is unfair and managed to turn me off to the game a little. Has Lita not proved her worth in the WWE? Has she not wrestled enough to get her own story? The blatant sexism in this game and in wrestling, for that manner, is disappointing.
WWE Smackdown: Here Comes the Pain has improved nearly every level. I enjoyed it and there is much room left for repeated play which is a huge feature I look for when I wish to purchase a game. This game should continue to keep me busy for a while. If they add a female story mode to Smackdown's next installment, I won't be able to stay away.
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