Hot off their incredible success with UFC 2009: Undisputed, developers Yuke’s Media Creations and THQ have returned to their roots to bring gamers the latest installment in the WWE SmackDown vs Raw series.

After garnering critical praise and lucrative sales with their UFC based mix martial arts fighter in May, it wasn’t unreasonable to believe that THQ might have been content with merely churning out a slightly modified version of last year’s SmackDown vs Raw, then sitting back watching the cash flow in. The tactic, suffice to say, has worked for other sports franchises in the past.

WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2010 however, is evidence that Yuke’s and THQ are still at the top of their game, regardless of what sport they’re replicating.

With an upgraded create-a-fighter, refined controls and a plethora of modes and options for gamers to explore, SmackDown vs Raw 2010 isn’t just a faithful recreation of men and women in ostentatious outfits beating the stuffing out of each other.

It’s also a solidly crafted fighting game that WWE fans and casual gamers alike will be able to enjoy.

Gameplay wise SmackDown vs Raw 2010 isn’t all that different from its predecessors.

The controls have been changed a little to make moves like reversals and grapple transitions feel more natural, but the objective of each match is still to punch, kick, head butt, low blow and body slam your opponents into submission.

Sometimes this means wailing on a rival wrestler using a folding chair, and other times it means wearing them down before executing a series of powerful finishers like the iconic Power Bomb.

Hit detection remains a bit iffy--particularly when the ring is crowded with a number of fighters. But aside from a few nagging technical issues, the combat in SmackDown vs Raw 2010 feels and looks more fluid, and is as bloody and violent than ever.

SmackDown vs Raw 2010 also gives gamers an unprecedented--and almost overwhelming--amount of customization.

For instance, if none of the campaigns that SmackDown vs Raw 2010 offers are to your liking, the game gives you the ability to craft your own story lines using 500 set pieces.

Virtually every aspect of a typical WWE episode, from the backstage drama to the after fight brawl in the parking garage, can be altered. It’s always entertaining to see what radical and ridiculous scenarios people come up with. In addition, SmackDown vs Raw 2010 features the aforementioned robust create-a-fighter, create-an-entrance and a create-a-finisher, giving gamers the chance to customize the action in the ring as well.

There is absolutely no shortage of gameplay modes to experiment with in SmackDown vs Raw 2010 both offline and online. There’s a training facility that walks you through a fairly informative tutorial, which will guide you through Mixed Tag Team, Championship Scramble, First Blood, Hell in a Cell, Royal Rumble matches and more.

Each of these match types are distinctly unique and emphasize a different style of gameplay. First Blood, for instance, mandates that a wrestler be bleeding before they can be pinned. In Royal Rumble matches, the normal fighting is broken up with mini-games that can be completed in order to eliminate an opponent.

The variety in modes keeps the action fresh and exciting, and hardcore WWE fans will love the inclusion of their favorite match types.

The only real gripe that can be made about SmackDown vs Raw 2010 is that its presentation is still a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the game does do a great job of making gamers feel like they’re acting out a broadcast of WWE. Each character has their signature moves and entrances, and most of the wrestlers’ voice overs are performed by their real life counter parts.

And on the other, the graphics are still somewhat of a let down. Some of the character models and environments look dull, and there’s still the periodic clipping issue that look horrible. To its credit, though, SmackDown vs Raw 2010 moves at a very fluid frame rate and loads quickly.

Final Verdict

Not content with merely being another numbered installment in the series, WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2010 pulls no punches when it comes to giving fans of the sport what they want. The gameplay hasn’t changed very much since last year, but the amount of content included in this year’s version is staggering and will be sure to please even the most devout WWE followers.

SmackDown vs Raw 2010 is a game designed for the fans, but at the same time, it also delivers a well developed fighting experience that casual gamers can get into as well. Even if you’re not particularly into the cheesy man drama or ridiculous rivalries, WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2010 is still worth checking out.

Grade: B+

WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2010 is developed by Yuke’s Media Creations and published by THQ. The version reviewed was for Xbox 360 and it is available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 now.