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As promised, the demo for the Xbox 360 version of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 went live today over at Xbox Live Marketplace. Being the wrestling junkies that we are, we immediately downloaded the 1.62GB file and brought out our pen and paper to note down our first impressions on the game.
At this point, we have to say that 2008 is going to be a pivotal point in the WWE series of video game titles. First, this marks the first time that the game will be released on almost all platforms. Aside from the Xbox 360 build, THQ will also be releasing WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, and DS.
Taking off from where its predecessor WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 left, this year's iteration in the long-running wrestling video game franchise does bring a lot of new stuff to the table and at the same time preserving the features that made the title endearing and enduring all these years.
After launching the demo, we immediately felt a sudden rush of wrestling euphoria swell inside us as we heard Triple H's theme song playing in the background. We noticed that this year's build loads a lot faster when compared to last year's, which is actually a very welcome development.
The Main Menu then is home to several choices but the only one activated in the demo is the Exhibition Mode. From here, you can choose between superstars The Undertaker, Bobby Lashley, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton. Two kinds of matches are available, a normal match and a hardcore one.
Each superstar now possesses two distinct fighting style categories that is consistent with the characteristics of the real-life wrestlers. Rey Mysterio, for example can either be a high-flyer or a showman, but he can never be a brawler. Bobby Lashley, on the other hand, can be powerhouse or a technical wrestler.
Do we still need to tell you the kind of match we picked? Well, if you are still not familiar with us here at QJ.NET, we picked the hardcore one and just so you know, we picked the Dead Man (brawler technique of course). An option will also be provided for you to choose where the match will take place. Default choices include Smackdown, Raw, and ECW arenas.
 
We chose ECW and at this point, we can't help but wonder why there isn't a single ECW superstar playable in the demo. Even in the title of the game, the brand ECW was almost taken out completely. With no other real hardcore superstars to choose from, we picked the cocky Randy Orton as our opponent.
We were supposed to get a bottle of Coke or something because we are well acquainted with the game's loading time. But like we said earlier, we were treated to a welcome surprise as the last minute reminders on controls, techniques, and fighting styles shuffled along, one after the other.
The bell rang at this point and we hear the familiar voice of announcers like Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler. Upon setting our eyes on the screen and the new HUD, we immediately knew that WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 received a graphical enhancement and a better shading technique.
 While the models are not all different from their 2007 counterpart, the wrestlers this time look a bit meaner and the Undertaker does look darker. But more than that, this year's entry introduces a whole new grappling system that reflects on the feature Superstar Fighting Styles.
To best share with you how this works, we were doing great with the Undertaker against Orton. We were Irish whipping him against the turnbuckle, we were giving him big boots to the face and the Tombstone Pile driver did the trick for us. However, things suddenly changed when we went up against Rey Mysterio.
You see, Randy Orton's style is different from that of Mysterio's. What works on one wrestler doesn't necessarily mean that it will work effectively on another as well. Each character has his own strengths and weaknesses and for you to be successful, you have to adapt accordingly.
All in all, WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 stands superior over previous iterations. The attitude is still there, the adrenalin rush is still there - heck, even the sledgehammer is still there. And what more can we say but we guaran-DAMN-tee that fans of the WWE series will have a good time when this hits retail stores this November.
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