Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This At Home

Brad takes to his 'yard' to challenge this new pretender.

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Wrestling. Very much a like it or hate it kind of thing. Although it pains me to say it; I like wrestling. Hitting people with chairs, smashing them through tables, awful scripts and acting. What's not to like? Well if Backyard Wrestling is anything to go by, then there is nothing to like at all. Based on a series of straight to video clip montages of kids emulating their wrestling heroes with obvious and painful looking consequences, this is wrestling with any semblance of intelligence removed. And the game is no different.

Rather than tackling the multi-million Smackdown series of games head on, BYW opts for a different approach more akin to Powerstone. A good idea on many levels, not only does it set itself apart from the WWE property, but is also more in the anarchic spirit of the "sport" on which it is based. Set in a series of non-ring based arenas the opponents battle it out using anything and everything at their disposal, ranging from the expected series of grapples, punches and throws to more zany additions like throwing tyres, armchairs and other assorted weaponry found in each of the unique locations. The arenas themselves also carry their fair share of hazards; BBQ's, mechanics wielding blowtorches and more must all be avoided or utilised in order to take down your opponent which can be done via knockout or the more traditional pinfall.

It would seem that there is a great deal to keep one entertained playing this game, but alas it is not so. Working against Backyard Wrestling are a series of factors which keep it firmly in the shadow of the Smackdown series. Firstly there are no recognisable characters to take control of. The Insane Clown Posse make an appearance, but if that's the kind of thing that would influence your purchase then you are already beyond help. If that hasn't turned even the most ardent Wrestling fan away then let me continue. The rest of the character roster is full of the kind of stereotypes that should have been left in a poor early 80's sitcom, sleazy women in barely enough clothes, Indian representatives bordering on the offensive and of course the already mentioned Insane Clown Posse who's music also adorns this (not so) fine product.

If the awful characters were not enough, the gameplay also does its job in keeping this game firmly below par. The controls are what could only be described as floaty, with characters having no weight to them despite the size of them onscreen. Computer AI is also very, very basic. Their tactic is to merely find the nearest weapon and throw it at the player. If you happen to get close enough to start laying into them they pummel you into the floor. Not fun. Even the usual saving grace of multiplayer cannot save this game. Here the lack of a decent move-set becomes painfully apparent, even despite it's Powerstone sensibilities it is disappointing in the extreme.

Something else the Smackdown series does very well is the "create-a-wrestler" option. It's pretty comprehensive and something any self-respecting wrestling game does it's best to include, and Backyard Wrestling is no exception. But it's done so very badly indeed. Fifteen different bodies with twelve outfits per body, it barely even scratches the surface of "customisable". You can then assign a whopping eight grapples and throws to your wrestler. It begs the question as to why it was even included.

It is admirable that anyone would try and tackle the stranglehold currently applied to the wrestling genre, but the competition is stiff so whatever is done has to be done well and offer something different from the norm. Backyard Wrestling certainly offers something different, but it's done in such a half hearted fashion that even the most hardened Insane Clown Posse/Wrestling fan hybrid would be upset to spend money on this product. I imagine you can create a better likeness of anyone in Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain so I suggest that if you want a wrestling game, get that and leave this one well alone.

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By Brad Davey