Game Review - Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

The North America release of Fire Pro Wrestling Returns was November the Thirteenth. That's a little over two years after the Japanese release. Having spent about two solid weeks with the game in my possession, I think I am able to give a non bias review. I am a long time fan of this series, but I can still recognize it's faults. How does Fire pro Wrestling Returns stack up against the more popular competition? Where to start...

There are no drastic changes to the core Fire Pro game play. It's the same solid grappling system long time fans have grown accustomed to. Those who are new to Fire Pro will need to spend some time getting used to the timing. The fighting system punishes button mashers. I would advice newbies to set COM difficulty to 1 and work their way up to a harder level. This is one of those games where appreciation is only gained after learning the ins and outs.

The series' trademark features are tight game play and a huge roster. FPR boasts a total of 327 real life competitors. To avoid copyright issues, everyone has been given a name modification. Vader is named "Saber", Kenta Kobashi is "Keiji Togashi", etc. Feel free to rename everyone accordingly. You also have the option of changing the attire for default characters. You don't have to sacrifice one of your 500 edit(CAW) slots when your favorite wrestler changes gimmicks.

FPR's all-star roster features wrestlers, boxers and mixed martial artists from around the world. Puroresu legends like Giant Baba, Satoru Sayama(original Tiger Mask) and Jushin "Thunder" Lyger are selecible. As always the default roster is dominated by Puro wrestlers. Some of the fighters well known to American wrestling/UFC fans include Bret Hart, Sting, Andre the Giant, Petey Williams, Mirco Cro Cop and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

A new addition to the series is a "corner to center" attack. When your opponent is knocked down in the middle of the ring, you can hunker down in the corner to set up a spear, super kick or a few other maneuvers. This adds a bit more drama and accuracy to matches that feature characters who set up these attacks a certain way. Because of this new feature, you can create an accurate Shawn Michaels or Bill Goldberg if you were inclined to do so.

A traditional steel cage match has finally been added. Players can use weapons like barbed wire bats, or the cage it's self to inflict pain upon others. Other match types include S-1(boxing, punches only), Gruesome( a 12 sided UFC inspired cage) and the Electrified Barbed Wire Exploding Deathmatch. While the has Hell in a Cell, The Japanese hardcore wrestlers hurl each other on electrified boards covered in skin shredding barbed wired. It's different, but fun none the less

Buzz worthy features include Ref edit, Belt Edit, and Ring/Logo Edit. There is a GM mode called "Match Maker", but is it very limited. All you do is set up matches between fighters and get graded by the percentage of crowd reaction of the match. There strange special events that happen during match maker do very little to expand beyond it's limitations. For some inconceivable reason, created wrestlers are barred from use in Match Maker.

Presentation is nothing special. Menus are serviceable, but accessing some features can be a chore at times FPR's 2D graphics remind me of arcade games like Wrestlefest. Character sprites are not hi resolution, but they are large and detailed. Spike could have easily recycled graphics from Fire Pro Wrestling Z. They instead created new sprites and reanimated some pre existing moves. Some animations seem a bit robotic, but are pretty smooth.

I'm sad to say Spike has once again mapped the pick up weapons button to the run button. Want to get a fluorescent tube from the corner while playing in an exploding barbed wire match? Make sure you are close enough to said tubes. Otherwise you'll go running into the barbed wire ropes, thus end up looking like a complete fool. It doesn't ruin the game or anything, but such neglect of the R2 button has me dumbfounded. Overall that is one of my biggest gripes with FPR.

I don't give numeric scores or grades in my reviews. If I were the type to do that, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns would probably receive a 91. It's the best in the series, but like any other game it has flaws. Even so called classic games that get perfect scores from other reviewers have a few faults or glitches. I recommend this game to anyone who is into pro wrestling or the UFC. You don't have to be into Puro to like FPR, the unique game play and customization options are more than enough to peak ones interest.

Rewritten Content:
The North the us release of hearth seasoned Wrestling Returns became November the thirteenth. it is a bit over years after the japanese launch. Having spent approximately two stable weeks with the game in my possession, I suppose i'm able to give a non bias evaluation. i'm a long term fan of this series, but i'm able to nevertheless recognize it is faults. How does hearth pro Wrestling Returns stack up in opposition to the extra famous opposition? in which to begin...

There are not any drastic adjustments to the core fireplace seasoned game play. it's the equal strong grappling system long term fans have grown accustomed to. folks who are new to hearth pro will want to spend some time being used to the timing. The preventing system punishes button mashers. i'd advice beginners to set COM issue to one and paintings their manner up to a more difficult degree. this is one of those games where appreciation is best gained after mastering the bits and bobs.

The series' trademark features are tight sport play and a big roster. FPR boasts a total of 327 real lifestyles competitors. To keep away from copyright problems, everyone has been given a name change. Vader is called "Saber", Kenta Kobashi is "Keiji Togashi", and so forth. sense free to rename anyone hence. you also have the choice of converting the attire for default characters. You don't should sacrifice one in all your 500 edit(CAW) slots while your favorite wrestler modifications gimmicks.

FPR's all-celebrity roster features wrestlers, boxers and combined martial artists from round the arena. Puroresu legends like large Baba, Satoru Sayama(unique Tiger masks) and Jushin "Thunder" Lyger are selecible. As continually the default roster is dominated by Puro wrestlers. some of the warring parties widely recognized to American wrestling/UFC enthusiasts consist of Bret Hart, Sting, Andre the massive, Petey Williams, Mirco Cro Cop and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

a brand new addition to the series is a "corner to center" attack. while your opponent is knocked down in the middle of the hoop, you could hunker down within the nook to set up a spear, first-rate kick or a few different maneuvers. This adds a bit extra drama and accuracy to fits that characteristic characters who set up those assaults a sure way. because of this new function, you can create an correct Shawn Michaels or bill Goldberg if you were willing to do so.

A conventional metal cage suit has ultimately been delivered. gamers can use guns like barbed wire bats, or the cage it is self to inflict pain upon others. different healthy types include S-1(boxing, punches handiest), gruesome( a 12 sided UFC stimulated cage) and the Electrified Barbed twine Exploding Deathmatch. at the same time as the has Hell in a cellular, the japanese hardcore wrestlers hurl each different on electrified forums blanketed in skin shredding barbed stressed. it's one-of-a-kind, but a laugh none the less

Buzz worth functions consist of Ref edit, Belt Edit, and Ring/brand Edit. there may be a GM mode referred to as "match Maker", however is it very confined. All you do is installation matches between fighters and get graded by way of the percentage of crowd reaction of the suit. There bizarre unique events that occur for the duration of fit maker do very little to make bigger past it is boundaries. For some inconceivable cause, created wrestlers are barred from use in healthy Maker.

Presentation is not anything unique. Menus are serviceable, however accessing a few capabilities may be a chore at times FPR's 2nd photographs job my memory of arcade games like Wrestlefest. character sprites are not hi resolution, however they are large and unique. Spike should have without problems recycled images from fire pro Wrestling Z. They rather created new sprites and reanimated some pre existing movements. a few animations seem a bit robotic, however are quite smooth.

i'm unhappy to mention Spike has once again mapped the choose up guns button to the run button. need to get a fluorescent tube from the corner at the same time as gambling in an exploding barbed twine fit? make certain you are near sufficient to said tubes. in any other case you may cross strolling into the barbed twine ropes, therefore emerge as looking like a entire fool. It does not spoil the sport or something, however such forget about of the R2 button has me dumbfounded. typical that is considered one of my biggest gripes with FPR.

I don't supply numeric ratings or grades in my critiques. If I were the type to do this, fireplace seasoned Wrestling Returns might likely acquire a ninety one. it's the great inside the collection, however like any other sport it has flaws. then again called conventional video games that get ideal scores from different reviewers have some faults or system faults. I advocate this game to every person who is into seasoned wrestling or the UFC. You don't must be into Puro to love FPR, the specific game play and customization alternatives are more than enough to peak ones hobby.