Follow-up/Review of Fire Pro Wrestling (X360)

Since plunking down ten dollars for this game on Friday, I have been playing Fire Pro Wrestling on my Xbox 360 constantly. That is both a good thing and a bad thing. Here are my observations after three days of play:

It certainly isn't a Fire Pro game. I'm aware that it wasn't supposed to be since its inception, but it must said again, especially since the hardcore fans won't shut up about it. As many fans seem to forget, the Fire Pro series hasn't always stayed with the same gameplay formula, such as the arcade-based Blazing Tornado, and this entry is no exception. However, it does kinda feel like it needs to be called something like Avatar Pro Wrestling instead.

The Famestar element does help with the game's replayability, with weekly and bonus challenges and special rewards, but it highlights how this game is part of a bigger corporate element instead of its own identity as a wrestling game.

You only have six CAWs, which frankly sucks, except there are bigger character creation problems to address. You can't create characters with different genders. The only gender you can use is what your avatar is set as. Even if you adjust the sex outside the game, upon start-up, the game recognizes the change and your characters automatically change back to this new default look. Your moves, levels, and stats stay the same but you lose all articles of clothing. This is horrible, especially if you want to make someone of the opposite sex, such as joshi stars like Manami Toyota or someone from AAA.

Many players have gone into the game with bought avatar merchandise, such as WWE attires, costumes, and props. If you say want to create lucha John Cena, again, the avatar defaults out.

You unlock moves through the campaign or multiplayer. Some require a specific stat rating before being able to use, so make sure of who you want to create. For instance, if you want to make a lucha wrestler, build up speed and technical. You unfortunately can't re-adjust your stats, as they are final after hitting "Accept".

The moves are very fun. They are more toward the lucha and spotfest style, so expect a lot of opponents with Canadian Destroyers and running Deja Vu. All of them are highly over-the-top, often leading to the sight of seeing players fly in and out of the ring. One instance, I was outside with my opponent. I gave him a Dragon Suplex and he literally flew not only inside the ring but to the right side of ropes.

Gameplay can be an unnerving mess at times. Melee attacks seem to miss often and can be ineffective simply because the opponent turtles up behind blocking. There is a special ability to get a "melee break", where you guard at the exact moment the attack hits you, allowing you a free hit or grapple. This will drive you nuts when facing cheap A.I. in the campaign. The grappling system is fine, more focusing on cat and mouse and psychological warfare than precise timing. If you pick the same grapple button as your opponent, you will counter the move. This gets better if you upgrade your luck stat, which can negate your opponent and allow you to perform a maneuver. You can also hammer throw, i.e. irish whip, the opponent but it is never really effective to use. Running grapples are awful, as you have to bounce off the ropes before using them. Even if you do, your opponent will most likely move out of the way. Ground attacks can be crappy if you have more damaging moves like the camel clutch or German suplex attached; your character will just slap the opponent over and over again, to no effect, until they are in the right position to deliver the move. Stick to sentons and feet stomps.

Finishers, both for singles and tag, are awesome but infuriating to pull off. You can't set any move as the finisher, only a few extremely over-the-top ones, like a giant swing around the world and a vicious ballet routine. To do one, you must successfully pull off moves, then use your taunts. The taunts unleash your stored up offense, allowing the spirit bar to hits its peak. Then, you have tap up on the d-pad, which does your finisher taunt and sets you on fire. Grapple the opponent and watch the show. The problem is that if your enemy hits anything on you, even a little kick, you instantly lose your opportunity and your bar drops back down. Wrestling game logic would stat that the best course of action is to just pick up your downed opponent, as they would be stunned and vulnerable, especially when their health is down. None of that applies here, as once you kick up the opponent to a standing position, they become fresh as a daisy, ready to ruin your shining moment to end the match. I understand being fair, especially for younger gamers, but this is beyond horrible.

The campaign mode consists of nothing but match-ups. You have a cute little story element at the beginning, where your character fights in a dream battle for the world title and you are completely overpowering, unleashing finishers with just the B buttton. After the tutorial, there is no plot to speak off, just a series of matches. During loading times, you have a ticker at the bottom telling you about the other characters, including your so-called rival. Beating them unlocks them for exhibition mode, including copies of the same character with different levels and outfits. Talk about padding out the roster. You will be switching between the three settings (Casual, Champion, Underground), as some stages will have higher leveled opponents than the others. Towards the end, the game gets super-cheap, as it pulls the cardinal sin of handicap matches. You have to fight several 1 vs. 2 matches and one god awful 1 vs. 3 match in order to progress. Only one is okay, as one of the two has low health and doesn't fight at all, but the majority are taxing on the brain and near game-breaking and ruining. Once you defeat everyone, you unlock the title match, where you fight a walking punching bag, who is also your forced-upon tag partner throughout the mode, and that's it.

Online is terrible right now. Pre-Match-ups are handled well but can often fall apart due to connection problems. Once the battle starts, atrocious lag problems surface up. This greatly impacts the grappling, causing you to pick the wrong button or win through flukes. Take your time when playing. Then, there's the usual suspects, like trolls, cheaters, and players who pull the plug once they are about to lose.

The game is $10, though it really is $15; Day One DLC is already out. From what I can gather, the Legends pack is just 20 more characters and 12 more matches, just like the rest of the campaign. You do get more moves and costumes though.

I will say that the game is ultimately dumb fun and a bit addicting, even with its major, major errors. I'm always a sucker for action-RPG type games and the whole colorful and bombastic violence is delightful. It is sure to be good for the casual crowd and kids. It would be better off as a $5 game, unless the extra money will either lead to patches and fixes or the possibility of a future traditional Fire Pro game. If you don't like it or hate the trial version, nothing is stopping you from replaying the older games.