WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role
The best-selling combat sports game on PlayStation.
WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and released on the PlayStation by THQ. It is the sequel to WWF SmackDown! and the second game in the SmackDown series, based on the World Wrestling Federation promotion. The game became the best-selling combat sports game on a single format, selling 3.2 million units.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Yuke's
- Publisher
- THQ (WW); Yuke's (JP)
- Director
- Toshihiko Kitazawa
- Producer
- Norifumi Hara
- Artist
- Taku Chihaya
- Series
- SmackDown!
- Platforms
- PlayStation
- Released
- November 20, 2000 (NA); December 1, 2000 (EU); January 25, 2001 (JP)
Facts from the source article.
Development
Development for WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role began in early March 2000, shortly after the completion of the first game, with Yuke's moving the core team to the sequel to take advantage of the Attitude Era boom. The entire development cycle lasted about 8 to 9 months, made possible by an iterative process that built directly on the engine from the first game. In spring 2000, the team expanded the roster and added features such as Create-A-Moveset and Create-A-Stable that had been cut from the earlier title due to time constraints. THQ publicly announced the game on August 11, 2000, and it released on November 21, 2000. The game is an expanded licensed build of The Pro Wrestling 2, a Simple series title; the two games were developed side by side using the same codebase. SmackDown! 2 served as the premium version with the WWF license, while The Pro Wrestling 2 was the budget-friendly generic version.
Gameplay
The Season Mode in Know Your Role was heavily revised, removing the pre-season mode from the original and adding more storylines and matches per show, a change that received mixed reactions. Wrestlers, moves, and arenas are unlocked as the player progresses through a season, which supports up to four players simultaneously. Unlockable characters include Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Billy Gunn, Mick Foley (including Cactus Jack), Debra, and Michael Cole, who made his second appearance as an unlockable character after WWF No Mercy. Big Show and Ken Shamrock were initially playable but were removed before release; however, they can randomly appear during a Royal Rumble match and be used via a GameShark code, though their names and select screen images were removed. The game introduced advanced Create-A-Superstar, Create-A-Moveset, Create-A-Taunt, and Create-A-Stable, and allowed players to assign managers such as Paul Bearer and Tori to different superstars.
Reception
WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role received universal acclaim according to Metacritic. Daniel Erickson of NextGen praised the many options and multiplayer matches but criticized the Story mode. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40. GamePro's Star Dingo commended the selection of wrestlers, matches, and new options like Anywhere Fall mode, but found Season mode tiresome. Another GamePro reviewer, Lamchop, praised gameplay, controls, and graphics while criticizing the Story mode and noting the lack of commentary and wrestler voices, calling it the best wrestling title for the PlayStation. The game received a Platinum sales award from ELSPA for at least 300,000 units sold in the UK. It was nominated for Best Sports Game (Alternative) at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2000 Awards and was a runner-up for Best Extreme Sports Game and Best Multiplayer Game at Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine's 2000 Editors' Awards. It won the Action award in Readers' Choice at IGN's Best of 2000 Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role released?
WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role was released on November 20, 2000 in North America, on December 1, 2000 in Europe and on January 25, 2001 in Japan.
Who directed WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role?
WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role was directed by Toshihiko Kitazawa.
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