WWE '12

“*Bigger. Badder. Better.*”
―Tagline
***WWE '12*** is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. It is the first game in the *WWE* series and the thirteenth overall in the combined series.

## Gameplay

### Exhibition

The weak/strong grapple system from the past games has been removed. Characters now perform different moves based on their opponent's current physical state. Players now have a window of opportunity to attack while still in a downed state and can also interrupt moves and Royal Rumble eliminations with attacks. Similarly, the pinning meter from the past games has been reworked to make it more difficult to kick out as a wrestler takes more damage. The game's artificial intelligence has also been adjusted to prevent players from overusing the same move. In addition, the ability to store finishing moves has returned. A new feature called "Dynamic Comebacks" gives players on the verge of losing the opportunity to successfully hit a combination of moves to gain two finishing moves. New "wake up taunts" bring a downed opponent to their feet for a finishing move (such as Randy Orton pounding on the ground before his RKO finishing maneuver). Players also have the ability to target specific limbs during matches and perform submissions through a new "Breaking Point" submission minigame.

### WWE Universe

As in last year's game, the mode in which players participate in matches and storylines that are booked automatically with additional cutscenes. Changed from the previous iteration, the mode allows for players to create a title match on any given date rather than exclusively on pay-per views. Although the ability to change rosters manually is available, the game features a two-week WWE draft event. Storylines that are made can be changed and revamped by including another superstar or diva or by interfering in matches, with some storylines allowing rivalries to turn into alliances and vice versa. The player is also given the option to change SmackDown and Raw into their own original or cancelled WWE shows, though changes are limited for Superstars and shows must remain on the same calendar date. The mode is also improved to strengthen the line of division between exhibition and universe mode, with the former no longer affecting universe mode stats and with the latter's match card being forced to be complete before advancing on to an event, unless the matches are simulated through the Universe Calendar. The mode also allows for players to injure other superstars through uses of multiple finishers or weapon shots. Superstar momentum has also been furthered, with superstars on winning and losing streaks attributes rising and falling respectively.

### Road to WrestleMania

Instead of choosing one of a number of different stories lasting three months each, the mode in WWE '12 consists of a single storyline taking place over eighteen months of WWE programming and encompassing two WrestleMania events (27th annual). The mode is split into three acts: The first of which sees the player assuming the role of the villainous Sheamus. The second act is centered around the heroic Triple H and the final act features the player taking control of a created superstar named Jacob Cass (voiced by then-TNA wrestler Austin Aries).

## Roster

The game has a number of 63 superstars and divas (with 13 new superstars), plus 18 downloadable superstars, for a total of 81 superstars. Superstars who are *italic* means downloadable superstars.

Though Attitude Era versions of Edge, Christian, and Kane are playable in this game. They are not playable in WWE Universe mode, only in exhibition mode.

## Arenas

### Weekly Shows

* Raw
* SmackDown
* NXT
* Superstars

### Pay-per-Views (PPV) / Special Events

* Over the Limit '10
* Fatal 4-Way
* Money in the Bank '10
* SummerSlam '10
* Night of Champions '10
* Hell in a Cell '10
* Bragging Rights '10
* Survivor Series '10
* TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs '10
* Tribute to the Troops '10
* Royal Rumble '11
* Elimination Chamber '11
* WrestleMania XXVII
* Extreme Rules '11

### WCW Arenas

* WCW Monday Nitro
* Clash of the Champions XXXV
* WCW Starrcade '97

## Reception

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of *WWE '12* received generally positive reviews. IGN gave the game a 9.0 out of 10, stating that the gameplay changes are "breathing new life into its core mechanics". Mike D'Alonzo of G4 called it "the best wrestling game ever made". However, Andy Hartup of Computer and Video Games gave the game a 6.7 out of 10 and wrote that the game, "offers little more than some new gloss painted over an old product". Game Informer's Dan Ryckert echoed the sentiment, stating, "Thanks to a severely downgraded story mode and a lack of substantial improvements, this is the weakest WWE title in years."