Me and Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

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I just wanted something to write about. I want to feel important!

A few years ago in school I was in the computer lab watching a YouTube video showing gameplay from Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for the PlayStation 2. A friend of mine looked at it and asked about it. I told him what it was and that it's better than the wrestling games out there now. He replied with annoyed disgust, "How is that better?"

I didn't have the right words to say at the time and I wasn't in the mood to really explain my reason. Looking back I'm ready to make my case clear.

Most modern games have a create-a-wrestler feature; Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is almost nothing but customization. I can create a wrestler, add in their move set out over 1600 moves to choose from, adjust their CPU logic when you play against them. You can decide if you want them to be a high flying aerialist or an unstoppable monster heel. Nothing is creatively set in stone in Fire Pro. You can make a big guy a

high flyer or small guy a hard hitter. I can create my own ring down to the referee.

I don't have to unlock or earn anything I just play. Granted creating your own ring logo from scratch can be a real pain in the ass due to awkward menu design and the match maker mode is only limited to only pre-created wrestlers. But hey, nothing is perfect.

One thing about the gameplay: It's not for button mashers! No need to learn complicated button sequences. It's all about timing. Basically every move is set up in a series of weak, medium and strong attacks. Other than customization its gameplay uses an art that's forgotten in most games today: simplicity.

Now SmackDown! VS RAW may look good graphically but if you sit down and play the game it becomes boring after awhile. The series haven't been good since its SmackDown! years. They're trying to be like the Madden Franchise and come out with the same game with new features every year.

Fire Pro Wrestling is a 2D game, but how is that a bad thing? Just take an hour to thirty minutes to play it. Graphics don't make the game! You can still have fun with any game in the 8-bit and 16-bit era. Having fun and looking fancy graphics are two different things.

Now if you not willing give this a chance? Then go back to your glorified roster update that is SmackDown! VS RAW. Hope you have 60 bucks to spend on it next year while everyone else with Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is still having fun.