WWE 13

Why I bought it: It's the road to Wrestlemania.

Thoughts: Some of you may have noticed that my presence here on the blog has diminished significantly since our record-setting month of January. This game is a the reason why. I have invested hours and hours into it. However, 80% of that has probably been invested in creating wrestlers, downloading their entrance music and finding compatible files to use as their entrance movies. That is right, this year we can use youtube videos and the like for create-a-wrestler entrance movies. It's not that simple and you need to download a few programs to be able to read the Xbox 360 usb sticks on your computer, but man is it worth it. The possibilities this feature opens up are endless. Not only can I create myself as a wrestler, but I can film my own entrance movie! How incredible is that? With THQ going under, that might have to get me through a few years. And I think it can!

Anyway, on to the gameplay. This is the same engine they used in WWE 12 (the game that was advertised as revolutionary compared to SvR 2011 when it ended up being pretty similar). However, those bugs the bogged down WWE 12? Most of 'em are gone in WWE 13. Moreover, the Attitude Era mode has replaced their traditional story mode. And my God, is it amazing. You follow DX, Stone Cold, Rock, Mankind and the Brothers of Destruction in 5 separate, yet interwoven timelines. You relive the moments that defined the Attitude Era and are given bonuses for recreating them accurately. From throwing Mankind through the top of the Cell at King of the Ring 1998 (the King of the Ring 1998 arean is in the game!) to knocking out the ref at Wrestlemania 14 in Boston and having Mike Tyson count the 3 count (Mike Tyson is in the game!), this game stays very true to its source material. The roster of this game is also incredible. I will post it now. Try not to get too excited.

•           Alberto Del Rio

•           Big Show

•           Brock Lesnar

•           Chris Jericho

•           CM Punk

•           David Otunga

•           Dolph Ziggler

•           Epico

•           Jack Swagger

•           John Cena

•           John Laurinaitis

•           Kane

•           Kofi Kingston

•           The Miz

•           Primo

•           Santino Marella

•           The Rock

•           R-Truth

•           Tensai (DLC)

•           Triple H

•           Zack Ryder

•           Alberto Del Rio

•           Antonio Cesaro (DLC)

•           Booker T

•           Brodus Clay

•           Christian

•           Cody Rhodes

•           Damien Sandow (DLC)

•           Daniel Bryan

•           Drew McIntyre (DLC)

•           The Great Khali

•           Heath Slater

•           Hunico

•           Jey Uso (DLC)

•           Jimmy Uso (DLC)

•           Jinder Mahal

•           Justin Gabriel

•           Mark Henry

•           Randy Orton

•           Rey Mysterio

•           Ryback (DLC)

•           Sheamus

•           Sin Cara

•           Ted Dibiase

•           The Undertaker

•           Wade Barrett

•           Yoshi Tatsu (DLC)

Attitude Era

•           Animal

•           Big Bossman

•           Big Show (Attitude Era)

•           Billy Gunn

•           Bradshaw

•           Bret Hart

•           Brian Pillman (DLC)

•           British Bulldog

•           Cactus Jack

•           Chainsaw Charlie (DLC)

•           Chris Jericho (Attitude Era)

•           Christian (Attitude Era)

•           DDP (Fan Axxess Exclusive DLC)

•           Dude Love

•           Eddie Guerrero

•           Edge (Attitude Era)

•           Faarooq

•           Gangrel (DLC)

•           Godfather

•           Goldust (Fan Axxess Exclusive DLC)

•           Grand Master Sexay (DLC)

•           Hawk

•           Hunter Hearst Helmsley

•           Kane (Attitude Era)

•           Ken Shamrock

•           Mankind

•           Mark Henry (Attitude Era)

•           Mike Tyson - Pre-order exclusive

•           Mr. McMahon

•           Rikishi (DLC)

•           Road Dogg Jesse James

•           The Rock (Attitude Era)

•           Scotty 2 Hotty (DLC)

•           Shane McMahon

•           Shawn Michaels

•           Stone Cold

•           Triple H (Attitude Era)

•           The Undertaker (Attitude Era)

•           Vader

•           Val Venis (DLC)

•           X-Pac

Legends

•           Edge

•           JBL

•           John Cena (Doctor of Thuganomics attire)

•           Kevin Nash

Divas

•           AJ Lee (DLC)

•           Alicia Fox

•           Beth Phoenix

•           Brie Bella

•           Eve

•           Kelly Kelly

•           Kharma

•           Layla (DLC)

•           Lita

•           Natalya (DLC)

•           Nikki Bella

•           Lita

Attitude Era Divas

•           Lita (Attitude Era)

•           Stephanie McMahon

•           Trish Stratus

NPCs

•           Paul Bearer (Manager)

•           Ricardo Rodriguez (Announcer/Manager)

•           Jim Ross (Attitude Era Mode Commentary)

•           Jerry Lawler (Attitude Era Mode Commentary/In-Game Commentary)

•           Michael Cole (In-Game Commentary)

•           Justin Roberts (Announcer)

•           Tony Chimmel (Announcer)

Anyway, to the best of my knowledge, this game boasts the largest roster of any wrestling game ever. However, thanks to TNA's existence, it lacks some of the necessary components to truly have everyone we want. But like I said before, with custom music and entrance videos and the ability to download create a wrestlers by people who are much more talented than I was, I have some very accurate and satisfying versions of the Hardy Boyz, Dudley Boyz and pretty much anyone else you don't see on the above list.

If I were living in Massachusetts and we were all playing this game like we have played previous versions (creating ourselves, but now with custom music and entrances!), this would have the chance to become my favorite wrestling game of all time (and close to the top of favorite game of all time). Yes, the gameplay isn't perfect and the reversal system isn't as good as it was 10 years ago, but the amount of content and customizability makes this game a must for any wrestling fan. Thankfully, you all have me as a friend and will be forced to play it at some point. I am going to go play this now.

Should I have bought it: Oh hell yeah