Day of Reckoning 2 boasts a more developed story mode than the first game. This time around, gamers don't need to start at the bottom. They have already become the WWE champion. But something happened and they lost the title. As players advance through the story, the mystery is unraveled. Of course, even being a former champion has its perks. The created superstar will still have immediate access to pay-per-view matches, as opposed to the amateur circuits the original game initially served up. Because DoR 2 is a continuation, gamers will notice that many grudges from the first game are constantly references. Meanwhile, in the sequel, players will also develop partnerships, or pick up a girlfriend, and fight to maintain the relationship.

     Unfortunately, the limitations of the Gamecube Optical Disc, significantly smaller compared to the DVD standard that both PS2 and Xbox use, has made it impossible for THQ to include voice acting in the game. The only way it could have done so would have been to cut or severely compress a number of wrestler entrances, which would have probably been an even bigger disaster. As a result, the story sequences currently have an awkwardness to them that definitely needs to be addressed before the game wraps up development. Cinematics transpire in real-time and while models move fluidly, complete with facial animation, and look great up close, they don't make any sound. Instead, text is displayed directly beneath them. There is currently no music during these sequences, which is probably why they stand out as odd. THQ, however, is toying with the idea of laying down some standard rock riffs or other music as background noise during the exchanges.  

 

The Matches
Day of Reckoning 2 boasts a healthy selection of different match types regardless of a player's personal preference. We've listed all of the included modes below:

Single Tag Team Triple Threat Fatal 4 Way Handicap

Royal Rumble Hardcore Ladder Table TLC

Steel Cage Hell in a Cell Last Man Standing Bra and Panties Ironman match

Gameplay
Day of Reckoning 2 plays like an extension of the first game, which is exactly what it is, of course. Fights are fast and revolve around the grapple system, as before. In our experience, the action seems to move a bit quicker than before, which is preferred. Although strong and weak grapples, mixed with a variety of punches and kicks, still make up the majority of the bouts, Yuke's has introduced a new submission system that injects a layer of strategy into the brutal action. When a submission hold is activated, players can try to guess what type of hold their opponent is going for and if they guess correctly, they'll immediately break from the potentially match-ending grasp. If, on the other hand, they choose incorrectly, they'll remain stuck in the hold. The system has come a long way since we first saw signs of it months ago and now feels like an intuitive addition to matches.

Review

9.0	Presentation Massively improved, stylized menu interface, a strong selection of wrestlers, arenas and match types, but lack of spoken dialogue and level loads damage the experience.
10.0	Graphics  Is this really Gamecube graphics?!? Man this one of the best looking gamecube games out there. Photorealistic wrestler.
6.0	Sound No VOICE OVERS!! But the music is ok. Even though some is the same from the previous wrestlering games.
8.5	Gameplay  Fast and Arcadey. The light and heavy grapple system works great and the new stamina/submission/momentum shift systems eliminate button mashing and add strategy.