Graphically, the game hasn't changed much. The visuals are still stunning for the PlayStation, with multiple light sources and huge character models. While the texture quality isn't quite up to snuff with games such as Final Fantasy IX or even the Crash series, they do the job just fine. Besides, when are you going to find the time to look at the exact details of each face when you're being wooped with a steel chair? The game environments themselves are also excellently (is that even a word?) modelled. The Smackdown venue is back in all its glory, along with some great backstage environments such as the boiler room, the parking lot and the dressing room. Some of the backstage areas are extremely well done, especially the parking lot, where you can actually get hit by passing cars while fighting in certain areas. The hand crafted animation is extremely well done, and it's apparent when you see moves such as Kurt Angle's Olympic Slam, Triple H's facebuster and of course, The Rock's patented People's Elbow. The video used for the introduction and the wrestler's entrances are well done and look extremely crisp. It's too bad THQ and Yukes didn't go the extra mile and actually add in entrance taunts like the ones that existed in Wrestlemania 2000.

As far as how the game sounds, the background music isn't all that bad. Sure, it's your generic hard rock background music, but it's something that wouldn't necessarily distract you from the action at hand. All the entrance themes for each wrestler wins in crystal clear and really set the mood for the rest of the game. Hearing the 'beep. beep. beeeeeeeeeeeeeep' of Tazz's music, or the glass shattering when Stone Cold enters the arena makes you feel like you're front row centre at a WWF event.

Gameplay wise, I've never been a fan of the Smackdown engine, but I still respect it as it's extremely flexible and generally solid. Smackdown!2 relies heavily on ready moves; unlike the N64 wrestling games where you would have to grapple and then execute your desired move, you just need to press a button (X or Circle) and you get a move instantly. Yukes and THQ did improve on the engine this year, improving the collision detection and including some awesome double team moves, such as the ever popular 3D and the double powerbomb. The action is extremely fast paced, as opposed to the slower, more technical WWF No Mercy; Smackdown!2 actually feels a lot like an arcade wrestling game than anything else. As in the first game, special moves can be done at any point in the match, so long as you have a stock of specials saved up. Special move stocks are acquired by being offensive and gaining meter (think of it like a super combo meter in Street Fighter), and then pressing L1 at certain times to execute your finisher. Some wrestlers use their finishers when their opponent is dazed and standing, while others (like Jeff Hardy) need to use theirs in other situations.

With the multitude of different matches in the original Smackdown!, you'd think that THQ might half ass it and release a meager yearly update, but never fear because that is so totally not the case. Smackdown! 2 has more types of gameplay modes than its N64 cousin, featuring Hell in the Cell, a Casket match, where the wrestler to put their opponent in a casket wins, an Ironman match (most pins in a time limit wins), Ladder Matches, and best of all, Table Matches. The season mode also returns with an updated interface, although it's still the relatively boring affair that the first installment had.

Like previous wrestling games, this game is directed only to fans of wrestling. Anyone who dislikes wrestling will obviously stay far away from this title. That being said, this is one of the best wrestling games to come out on any system, and for this writer, second only to WWF No Mercy.

Bottom Line: Great addition to any wrestling fan's library.

· · · Reno