Review by: James Fudge

Every year THQ puts out two wrestling titles - an updated version of its SmackDown vs. RAW series, and another experimental wrestling game that focuses on legendary wrestlers and casual gameplay mechanics. Last year it was Legends of Wrestling. This year it is WWE All-Stars. Thankfully, the differences between the two are vast.

As has been the tradition with THQ's secondary experimental wrestling titles, the developers dumped last year’s crazy context sensitive play mechanics in favor of a completely new system. While Legends of Wrestlemania felt like a one-off experiment, WWE All-Stars is an actual foundation that THQ can build on to create a sequel for next year. I sincerely hope THQ continues this series and improves on it, because the core gameplay is incredibly fun.

The main concept of the game is old WWE (WWF for those that knew of the wrestling company before the World Wildlife Foundation sued and won a trademark infringement case forcing them to change their name) versus new WWE. The game encourages players to take the likes of Rey Mysterio Jr., John Cena, and The Miz, and pit them against some of the most iconic wrestling legends of all time such as Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, and Bret Hart.

The multi-generational roster is just part of the fun; the game also presents these WWE superstars as would-be super heroes with incredible powers using overly exaggerated physics. The appearance of wrestlers such as The Miz and Rey Mysterio Jr. as jacked-up genetic freaks is jarring at first, but those physical attributes tie in well with the game's ridiculous physics and effects.

Using a combination of Havok-based physics and colorful lighting effects, the game portrays even the most basic of moves in a way that seems unnatural. As players use their basic attacks, grapples, and signature moves to wear down opponents, they fill up a separate meter that powers their ultimate special move. As a rule, special moves cause knockouts that end matches immediately or weaken an opponent to the point where he cannot even kick out of a pin.

WWE All-Stars is all about exaggeration and super human abilities. For example, when executing a choke slam your character lifts an opponent up off the mat by the throat, jumps ten feet into the air, and slams the poor bastard into the mat where he will bounce violently once or twice. As he hits the mat, a shockwave effect will permeate from the point of contact. Most moves are gratuitously flashy and violent.