Fire Pro Wrestling Returns (PS2) Preview
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 08.28.2007
Vitals
Genre
Wrestling
System
PS2
Release Date
09/15/2005
Hands-on preview.
This week, I got a chance to visit Sandbox Strategies to get a first look at Agetec's Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for the PlayStation 2 .
Previously, fans of the series would have to import the game from Japan as only the Gameboy Advance has seen an English translation, but this fall, fans will finally get a localized version for the PS2 .
As I arrived into the studio, developer Jay Fitzloff wasted no time in getting a controller in my hands, eager to show me what the game had to offer. Now we only had a Japanese version to play with so we were limited to what could be seen based off the inability to translate all the menus but what I saw was enough to wet my appetite.
The game features over 200 playable characters and allows you to customize your own characters with different set moves, looks, AI and styles to bring the roster up to 500. You'll find a large amount of Japanese wrestlers from various promotions along with some of your favorites from the U.S. such as Sting, Bret Hart and Andre the Giant without the actual names of course as there is no licensing here. Of course it's obvious who these guys are and you can simply edit their names. All sorts of other wrestlers from ECW, WCW and the WWF/E can be created here and there moves can be duplicated just as easily.
The customization doesn't stop there as you'll be able to create your own rings, logos, referees and championship belts. With that out of the way, we got into a standard 1 on 1 match and immediately saw the resemblance to WWF Superstars and WrestleFest from the arcades years ago. The cartoon-y art direction frees up some resources to give developers the ability to create a deep game. Each wrestler can have over 100 different moves and various outfits. To perform moves you simply get close to your opponent and they will automatically grapple. From that point, it's a matter of who can perform their moves quicker so you better have some fast fingers. Multiplayer action isn't just limited to 2 players as up to 8 players can get it on locally.
I also got a chance to see the infamous Electrified Barbed Wire Ropes Exploding Deathmatch in which the ropes are covered in barbed wire and the outside of the ring includes exploding tables covered in barbed wire. The wrestlers will suffer cuts easily in this match and while myself and Jay were both bleeding profusely, I managed to knock him to the outside and he literally exploded. Of course I also suffered Jay's wrath as a back suplex complete with a perfect bridge got me for the 1-2-3 in another match.
I was told that in the next few weeks we'd get a chance to look at an early English build and I look forward to it so we can navigate the menus easily and get a taste for what else is offered in the game. From the Japanese version, I was impressed with how the game plays and I look forward to getting more hands-on time with a localized version very soon. Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is a game that all wrestling fans should keep an eye on.
Stay tuned to 411mania in the coming weeks as we countdown it's release with weekly columns unveiling new features and announcements.
Fire Pro Wrestling is currently scheduled for an October 2007 release date.
