This is NOT Smackdown vs. Raw
Legends is a title that is a little hard to take a first, if you're still coming into the ring with a Smackdown mindset. Legends might be a different then expect and something that you need to get used to. The action in Legends is simplified with only the face buttons being used in the ring. Grappling has been moved into a strong and normal grapple move that moves up in power levels as you gain momentum during a match. Momentum is earned by successfully connecting on moves and keep the chains running in your direction. There are three levels and at each level you can perform a different grapple. At the third level you can execute your finish which is a quick time event set in three stages. This is a lot more realistic to what you see on TV. Each wrestler usually has a string of attack moves they piece together before the final blow.

The issue I have with the new gameplay mechanics is that they feel extremely stiff and don’t flow as naturally as Smackdown has become. Plus I have to question the A.I.s tactics because I have been cheated out of more than few victories in the game.  The main problem comes in some cheap submissions. I could have beat down the other guy for ten minutes straight without more than one move done hit on me and then someone like Rick Rude, or Stone Cold can slap you in a headlock and get the predetermined submission. In a few of them it becomes a typical button mashing race of insanity, but others its just wham-bam, it is over. Both mechanics really feel dated and unfair. I wish Yuke's could have thought up something a better, or at least borrowed the Smackdown system. I wasn’t too fond of the kick out mechanic either. This timing, button mashing system feels a little too unreal without the player having full control of the character. Like the submissions I thought it could have been handled better.

For the good, well, the chain moves are love-hate deal, but I definitely like the steal cage and ladder mach mechanics. I felt like they had a simplified control scheme with a one button, one movement approach that would make the game very accessible to all gamers. In the past I have shied away from Ladder matches because they have become frustrating, however that is not the case in Legends. Overall it is interesting that Yuke's switched up the entire system. Yuke's could have easily dumped in the old Smackdown game mechanics. It’s good to see something new, I guess, but like the Smackdown series, Legends hasn’t quite found its groove to match up with other sports, or alternative sports titles. It will be a remarkable day when a wrestling game feels as intuitive as scoring a few goals in NHL, or even knocking off a few rounds in Virtua Fighter.

Under the graphics category Legends looks more polished then Smackdown vs. Raw. The character models carry the same uncanny likeness to the real characters in their animations and the graphics are picking up nicely. Since we are dealing with Legends a few of their body types and size has been slightly exaggeration. Hulk Hogan is an absolute beast and Dusty Rhodes has slimmed down and toned up a bit for Legends. A few people might not be interested in the cartoonish look at the Legends, but in my books I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The slight over exaggeration fits their in-ring persona and most fans memories. I know I'd rather remember these wrestlers as high energy, knuckle down brawlers then overweight, out of shape, past their prime men. A few of the wrestlers really had me going with the attention to detail in all the aspects. Kamala is absolutely hilarious and does all his patented weird moves in the ring. It’s fun to see Kamala lock horns with Umaga, or better yet set them up as a tag-team. The only real area that you could scrutinize Legends is its lack of presentation and the background characters that surround the ring. It’s starting to get old Yukes, and hopefully something changes with the upcoming Smackdown vs. Raw 2010.

The commentary in the game is provided by Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler. I know it’s not the original combinations that used to be on the air like Heenan, Monsoon, Ventura or even Vince McMahon himself. Ross and Lawler are today’s standard and highest rated commentary team in professional wrestling and do a wonderful job adding colour commentary to the matches. Sure like all sports games you’ll hear the same thing every once in a while, but on a whole it’s half-decent. I would actually go as far as saying its better than last years Smackdown. Besides the commentary Legends is straight forward, all the ring music is right on and the mat sounds do the part. All-in-all Legends is a solid running game that performs on at the level you would expect. It’s not going to test the new Fight Night title for showmanship, but it is a step in the right direction.

WWE Legends of Wrestling is the one game all old school "WWF" fans should pick up. No other wrestling title has come close to matching the same level of nostalgia that Legends conveys in its close attention to detail and Wrestlemania Tour mode. The entire package seems too made with love towards the sport and the tradition of the main events. The only reason Legends might turn you off is the simplified gameplay mechanics because they have been drastically changed from what you might be used to in Smackdown vs. Raw.

Before purchasing keep in mind that this isn’t an extension on Smackdown vs. Raw; it’s definitely its own game with its roots being the Smackdown foundation. The best advices I can give is rent, or download the demo and try it out before you purchase the game. If you feel confident that you candle quick time animations controlling your fate, then by all means roll into your store and purchase this long awaited grappler.

Reviewed by Downtown Jimmy | 03.25.09