THQ's latest attempt at a wrestling game for the GameCube, WWE Day of Reckoning 2, does a good job of providing a solid and fun gaming experience on the platform but doesn't really go out of its way to innovate too far above and beyond the latest title on the PS2 (WWE SmackDown Vs. RAW). Perhaps having Yuke's working on both franchises is holding back THQ's GameCube franchise in that regard. Despite that, DOR2 gets the job done with flying colors and does offers some slight improvements over last year's game. If you're a WWE wrestling game fan, than no doubt you've already bought the game, but for the rest of the world, we offer a run down of what's great and not so great in Day of Reckoning 2.

The first thing fans of last year's wrestling game will notice is a souped up graphics engine that is slicker cleaner and more robust. Yuke's has put a lot of work into improving the presentation in DOR 2 and that work has paid off. Characters, backgrounds, and the overall presentation of the game is head and shoulders over Day of Reckoning. The game looks as good -- if not slightly better -- than as SmackDown vs. RAW.

The next big noticeable change in DOR is the heavy use of stamina. Now players and the A.I. can get tired out while fighting, making the game more strategic. When a player gets tired they actually stop being able to move or perform an attack. Waiting a few minutes and avoid your opponent will build it back up. This makes it so that players will have to balance laying a beatdown on their opponent with conserving energy. In some situations this makes the gameplay even more challenging than the old vanilla way of doing things in DOR.

The next noticeable change is the submission meter. Although a bit confusing at first, this new gameplay mechanic is very useful and strategic. When players get an opponent in a submission move they get several options by flicking the C-stick. Submit (Up-C) puts extra pressure on a weakened part, Drain (Right-C) obviously drains the opponent's stamina, Taunt (Left-C) takes from your opponent's crowd momentum pool and Rest Hold (Down-C) increases the player's stamina. If your opponent predicts your submission hold then they get the chance to counter or cancel your move. Overall the system is very useful and adds a more strategic dynamic when applying a submission hold to your opponent.

Beyond those elements DOR 2 offers an extended storyline where the player from last year's game is a more seasoned veteran on the hunt for the world title. The storyline isn't exactly Shakespeare and only has a few plot paths it can take, but it is a heck of a lot longer than DOR's was.

So what's left after these elements? There's a large roster of WWE superstars and a handful of legends like Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Stone Cold, Mick Foley and the Rock. The game also offers a variety of unlockable moves and arenas via the WWE Shop Zone, and plenty of multiplayer match types to keep players busy long after the single player game is a memory. There's the usual hardcore matches, cage, Bra and Panties, three-way and all your other favorite gimmick matches to choose from for up to three other players. The Create-A-Wrestler mode is there as well and offers some new options and improvement's over the previous iteration that fans will appreciate.

If there's on thing that still needs work it's the way the AI in the game always targets the player. This is made tougher in matches where you have three other opponents in the ring. The AI is just so sloppy at times that you'll find your self being attacked by characters that are supposed to be on your side. In three way matches, players often find themselves the exclusive target of all the other participants, and in Royal Rumble or 4-ways the player has to contend with what always ends up being a group mugging. This was a problem in the very first wrestling title Yuke's created for the GameCube, it was a problem in Day of Reckoning and it remains an issue in Day of Reckoning 2. Yuke's has done a grand job of fixing everything else in the game so it makes no sense why this continues to be an issue.

Overall Day of Reckoning 2 is a good solid wrestling affair. The game could have used some additional features, but what's there is fun. Yuke's has done a decent job of improving the GameCube franchise, but it is still playing catch-up with the SmackDown series. For anyone that owns a GameCube and loves WWE this purchase is a no-brainer.