WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role

WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role
NTSC cover art, featuring Chris Jericho, The Rock, Triple H and The Undertaker
Developer(s)	Yuke's
Publisher(s)	THQ (WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role) Yuke's (Exciting Pro Wrestling 2)
Series	WWF/WWE SmackDown series
Platform(s)	PlayStation ,
Release date(s)	NA November 21, 2000 EU December 1, 2000 JP January 25, 2001
Genre(s)	Professional wrestling, Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: T (Teen)
Media	CD-ROM
Input methods	DualShock

WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role (Exciting Pro Wrestling 2 in Japan) is a professional wrestling video game released on the PlayStation console by THQ and developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators. It is part of the WWF SmackDown! series based on the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) professional wrestling promotion. It is the sequel to WWF SmackDown! and was succeeded by WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It on the PlayStation 2. This was the last of the six WWF games made for the PlayStation.

Gameplay

The Season Mode was also modified in this game. Along with removing the pre-season mode from the original, Know Your Role gave more storylines and more matches per show. These changes were given a mixed reaction, some proclaiming the bigger variety of storylines in the game. Although there were some flaws in the Season Mode, such as skipped matches being fought between two battling meters. Another issue was the long loading times needed for even the most insignificant scenes, such as a wrestler walking down a corridor. However, the Season Mode is multiplayer, with up to four players playing as superstars in a Season. This version also had limited commentary and limited voice overs for specific characters and points in storyline mode.

Screenshot of WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role, featuring Jeff Hardy and Kurt Angle in a ladder match.

The Create-A-Superstar mode improved greatly from its predecessor. Taking ideas from WWF Attitude, fans could now put more detail into the superstars such as facial features and attire. The original head, upper and lower body mode from the original could still be used in this game as well. A new Create-A-Taunt feature was also added in which you can create a new taunt for your superstars.

The arsenal of moves available increased in this game (such as The Rock's spinebuster and sharpshooter), expanded to accompany not only superstars in the game but also those not in the game. Movesets of superstars from other wrestling promotions such WCW or Japanese promotions could be used for created superstars. In terms of gameplay, wrestlers have more striking moves with the inclusion of moves made by combining the X button with a horizontal and a vertical arrow button. Double team moves in tag team matches were also a new inclusion as well, and could be pulled off by placing an opponent in your partner's corner and making a turnbuckle move. However, this made double team moves impossible in Tornado Tag matches.

The entrance style of wrestlers from the previous game still existed in Know Your Role. Although more entrance movies were added, they still appeared in front of a superstar's TitanTron video and not the entrance stage like other wrestling games released around the same time, such as WWF No Mercy.

Such criticisms for the game included wrestlers immediately getting up after receiving a move or jumping off a ladder and missing their opponent. The game also included a lot of glitches such as walking on air. Another glitch - mentioned on YouTube - is women winning titles besides the WWF Women's Championship.

External links

• WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role (PS) at GameSpot
• WWF SmackDown! 2: Know your Role Trailer at YouTube
• WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role at IGN
• WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role at GameFAQs
• WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role at MobyGames