IGN: SvR 2009 Road to WrestleMania Info.

[Sunny]

September 9, 2008 - Let's be frank: the single-player career in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 wasn't that great. WrestleMania was in the same city every year, the storyline repeated, and characters were forced into situations that they'd never be in on the show so the players never felt like they were actually walking in that Superstar's boots.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is looking to change all that with Road to WrestleMania.

Rather than have a mode that drops whatever character you pick into an incredibly generalized, vanilla story, THQ and Yukes have created six completely original, character-specific storylines for you to tackle this year. Pick up your controller, and you can take on the show-to-show life of Triple H, CM Punk, Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho, or the tag team of Batista and Rey Mysterio.

As you play these storylines, you'll have to deal with fights breaking out backstage, the McMahons interfering, your friends turning on you and more. There will even be optional match objectives -- such as beating someone in a certain amount of time or putting them through a table -- that will unlock SVR 09 bonus content such as hidden characters, new environments, and new match types.

"We really wanted Road to WrestleMania Mode to differentiate itself from Exhibition matches," said Justin Leeper, THQ designer. "Though they all have their own vibe, each story promises plenty of twists and turns while staying true to the characters players follow every Monday, Tuesday and Friday night as part of WWE programming."

Leeper said that the fully voiced cutscenes that drive the tales make up about two and half hours of the -- roughly -- 14 hours it'll take you to play through all six stories. Of course, that overall time estimate doesn't include the multiple paths and multiple endings.

"We've worked hard to make everything look, sound and feel like you're a part of WWE programming," Leeper said. "It's the little details, such as match-specific commentary and end-of-show trademark graphics, which we think hardcore WWE fans will appreciate."

Sounds cool, no? Well, we'll have a full-fledged hands-on preview going up next Monday, but today's announcement is also going to be reflected in the IGN SmackDown Countdown, which is where we reveal a SVR 09 Superstar every day. Starting tomorrow -- Wednesday, September 10 -- the Countdown will begin profiling the seven Superstars from Road to WrestleMania and giving you video snippets of their storyline in addition to their traditional Countdown vid.

It's a good time to be a wrestling fan on IGN.

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[stunner15]

When you play as Chris Jericho it makes Finlay look like a huge pussy

[Smacktalks]

The Terminate Jericho code looked quite cool

[The Smackethdown]

...and thats why Jericho is beast.

That storyline looks epic.

[takersfan]

Would have been better if there was story for kane,hbk,rko and atleast 20 people. Im hoping for another mode so we can use others.

[Sunny]

That's what dlcs are used for but, unfortunately it won't be utilized right this year. Let's hope for Storyline Season Packages for next year.

[Big Bizang]

Excuse me what? We only do story mode with 6 characters? Is that what we're getting at here? Because if that's all we get this year, it's bullshit.

[phil]

LMAO at Punk's face!

Edited September 13, 2008 by phil

[Joe =/]

I don't think I want to spend

[Smacktalks]

Pick up your controller, and you can take on the show-to-show life of Triple H, CM Punk, Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho, or the tag team of Batista and Rey Mysterio.

Why of all the tag teams to use in storymode, would you put Batista and Rey together? Why not use one of the actual teams like The Hardys, Miz & Morrison, Priceless or Cryme Tyme?

[Joe =/]

3 Letters. T-H-Q

[bigpoppn]

Big fucking meh.Road to Wrestlemania is going to be the storyline mode?Oh please, six superstars won't make anyone happy at all.This make me relieved that I bought Impact.

[Sunny]

Right on bro. U can't even play as ur CAW as ithas been confirmed by that interview Cory Ledesma did.

[r-ratedsupastar]

why have they got the old ecw belt i want the new silver one :@

[DA FREAK]

I have heard rumors that if you play as the undertaker their are scenes where you can throw some one is a casket and throw people thrue the ring ( chokeslam i imagine) any truth?