View source for WWE '12

{{Short description|2011 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
<!--Consensus is to NOT add rosters. Please see the talk page of this article for more information, that means rosters should not be added.  Edits adding rosters will be reverted. -->
{{Infobox video game
|title        = WWE '12
|image        = WWE '12 box art.jpg
|caption      = Cover artwork featuring [[Randy Orton]]
| alt         = A picture of Randy Orton is shown on a background with a fire behind him. The game's logo appears on the top right.
|developer    = [[Yuke's]]
|publisher    = [[THQ]]
|series       = [[WWE 2K|''WWE'']]
|released     = {{Video game release|NA|November 22, 2011<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Greg|title=E3 2011: ''WWE '12'' Release Date and Cover|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1171523p1.html|publisher=IGN|access-date=May 31, 2011|date=May 31, 2011}}</ref>|EU|November 25, 2011|JP|January 26, 2012}}
|genre        = [[Sports game|Sports]]
|modes        = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|platforms    = [[PlayStation 3]]<br />[[Wii]]<br />[[Xbox 360]]
}}
'''''WWE '12''''' is a [[professional wrestling]] video game developed by [[Yuke's]] and published by [[THQ]] for [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]] and [[Xbox 360]]. It was released on November 22, 2011, in North America, November 25 in Europe, and on January 26, 2012, in Japan.<ref name="Yuke's">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe12.jp/|title=PlayStation 3用ゲームソフト WWE'12 日本語版公式サイト|date=December 31, 2011|access-date=January 7, 2012}}</ref> A Europe-exclusive ''WWE '12 WrestleMania Edition'' was released on May 25, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2012/0402/551389/ric-flair/|title=Flair Back Working For TNA, FCW Teases Major Updates, WWE '12 News|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=April 8, 2012|author=Middleton, Marc}}</ref>
The thirteenth overall installment in the [[WWE (video game series)|''WWE'' series]], ''WWE '12'' is the successor to ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011]]'', and first game in the series to be developed exclusively for the [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh generation]] of home consoles.
The game was succeeded by ''[[WWE '13]]'' in 2012.
== Gameplay ==
=== Exhibition Mode ===
The weak/strong grapple system from the past games has been removed. Characters now perform different moves based on their opponent's current physical state. Players now have a window of opportunity to attack while still in a downed state and can also interrupt moves and [[Royal Rumble match|Royal Rumble]] eliminations with attacks. Similarly, the [[pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] meter from the past games has been reworked to make it more difficult to kick out as a wrestler takes more damage. The game's [[artificial intelligence (video games)|artificial intelligence]] has also been adjusted to prevent players from [[Spam (gaming)|overusing]] the same move. In addition, the ability to store [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Finisher|finishing moves]] has returned. A new feature called "Dynamic Comebacks" gives players on the verge of losing the opportunity to successfully hit a combination of moves to gain two finishing moves. New "wake up taunts" bring a downed opponent to their feet for a finishing move (such as Randy Orton pounding on the ground before his [[Cutter (professional wrestling)|RKO]] finishing maneuver).<ref name=IGN /> Players also have the ability to target specific limbs during matches and perform submissions through a new "Breaking Point" submission [[minigame]],<ref>{{cite web|title=''WWE '12'' Dated and Detailed|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-31-wwe-12-dated-and-detailed|publisher=Eurogamer|date=May 31, 2011|access-date=June 2, 2011}}</ref> named and branded after the [[WWE Breaking Point|2009 one-off submission-themed]] pay-per-view of the same name.
=== WWE Universe ===
"WWE Universe", the mode in which players participate in matches and [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|storylines]] that are [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Book|booked]] automatically, returned from the previous year with additional [[cutscene]]s. Changed from the previous iteration, the mode allows for players to create a title match on any given date rather than exclusively on pay-per views. Although the ability to change rosters manually is available, the game features a two-week WWE draft event. Storylines that are made can be changed and revamped by including another superstar or diva or by interfering in matches, with some storylines allowing rivalries to turn into alliances and vice versa. The player is also given the option to change SmackDown and Raw into their own original or cancelled WWE shows, though changes are limited for Superstars and shows must remain on the same calendar date. The mode is also improved to strengthen the line of division between exhibition and universe mode, with the former no longer affecting universe mode stats and with the latter's match card being forced to be complete before advancing on to an event, unless the matches are simulated through the Universe Calendar. The mode also allows for players to injure other superstars through uses of multiple finishers or weapon shots. Superstar momentum has also been furthered, with superstars on winning and losing streaks attributes rising and falling respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251539/inside-wwe-12-universe-mode---part-1 |title=WWE Games &#124; Inside WWE '12 Universe Mode - Part 1 |access-date=September 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102034013/http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251539/inside-wwe-12-universe-mode---part-1 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 }}</ref>
=== Road to WrestleMania ===
The "Road to WrestleMania", the mode in which players participate in a pre-scripted storyline featuring actual WWE wrestler voices also returned. Instead of choosing one of a number of different stories lasting three months each, the mode in ''WWE '12'' consists of a single storyline taking place over eighteen months of WWE programming and encompassing two [[WrestleMania]] events (''[[WrestleMania XXVI]]'' and ''[[WrestleMania XXVII]]''). The mode is split into three acts, the first of which sees the player assuming the role of the villainous [[Sheamus]]. The second act is centered around the heroic [[Triple H]] and the final act features the player taking control of a created superstar named Jacob Cass (voiced by then-[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA]] wrestler [[Austin Aries]]).<ref name="IGN Cass">{{cite web|last=George|first=Richard|title=''WWE '12'': A New Road to Wrestlemania|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/120/1200905p1.html|work=[[IGN]]|date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> The game also includes creation modes for superstars, entrances, finishing moves, storylines, highlight reels, and introduced for the first time create-a-arena where the player can add color to the ring, aprons, turnbuckle, mat, change to steel or normal barricades and add custom logos. With future games having career showcases instead of storyline driven modes, ''WWE '12'' is the final entry in the series to feature the "Road to WrestleMania" mode.
=== Roster ===
''WWE '12'' marks the video game debuts of 13 superstars.
== Development and release ==
[[File:WWE '12 Predator Technology.jpg|left|thumb|200px|There are noticeable differences in the appearance of the wrestlers in ''WWE '12'' as opposed to ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011|SmackDown vs. Raw 2011]]''. In this case, [[Randy Orton]] is wearing different attire and his hair has grown back.]]
''WWE '12'' was first announced on June 1, 2011<ref name=Announcement>{{cite web|title=''WWE '12'' – Announcement Trailer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOQebho5VLU|publisher=[[THQ]]|date=June 1, 2011|access-date=January 22, 2012}}</ref> with the slogan, "''Bigger, Badder, Better''", which was the slogan of [[WrestleMania III]].<ref name=BBB>{{cite web|last=Mrosko|first=Geno|date=November 18, 2011|title=''WWE '12'' video game 'Bigger, Badder, Better' official launch trailer|url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/2011/11/18/2572577/wwe-12-video-game-bigger-badder-better-official-launch-trailer|publisher=Cageside Seats|access-date=January 9, 2012}}</ref> THQ promoted a new animation system dubbed "Predator Technology".<ref name="Predator Technology">{{cite web|last=Godfrey|first=Jeff|title=''WWE '12'' Developer Blog – Predator Technology|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/248569/wwe-12-developer-blog---predator-technology|work=[[THQ]]|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> The "Predator Technology" makes the wrestlers in the game look more realistic. In addition to allowing players to interrupt moves, attack animations such as John Cena's [[Professional wrestling attacks#Fist drop|Five Knuckle Shuffle]] and Booker T's [[Professional wrestling attacks#Scissors kick|scissor kick]] no longer warp players to the center of the ring.<ref name=Warping>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Greg|title=E3 2011: ''WWE '12'' Rises|date=May 31, 2011 |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1171529p1.html|publisher=IGN|access-date=December 29, 2011}}</ref> More realistic ring rope physics have also been added, with ropes moving as characters are slammed to the mat. The developers have also made efforts to prevent the [[collision detection]] problems that have affected the series in the past.<ref name=IGN /> On July 28, 2011, it was announced that those who pre-ordered the game would be able to play as [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] and also receive alternate attires for [[The Miz]]. On August 13, 2011, [[Jerry Lawler]] was announced as [[downloadable content]] (DLC).<ref name=THQRoster>{{cite web|title=''WWE '12'' Roster|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/view/roster|publisher=THQ|access-date=September 13, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905163441/http://wwe.thq.com/go/view/roster|archive-date=September 5, 2011}}</ref> [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] performer [[Austin Aries]] voiced the main character of Jacob Cass in the Road to WrestleMania mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/121/1210005p1.html|title=''WWE '12'': A New Road to Wrestlemania|date=October 18, 2011|access-date=October 21, 2011|last=George|first=Richard|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
On October 26, 2011, THQ revealed that the first DLC pack would consist of [[Shawn Michaels]], [[Jerry Lawler]], [[Jim Ross]], [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]], alternate attires for [[The Road Warriors]], and tag team attires for [[Christian Cage|Christian]] [[Edge and Christian|and]] [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]].<ref name="DLC Pack 1">{{cite web|title=''WWE '12'' DLC PACK #1 ROSTER PROFILES REVEALED!|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251517/wwe-12-dlc-pack-1-roster-profiles-revealed|publisher=[[THQ]]|access-date=December 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213165837/http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251517/wwe-12-dlc-pack-1-roster-profiles-revealed|archive-date=December 13, 2011}}</ref> The next day, information regarding the Divas DLC pack was released, announcing new playable characters including [[Trish Stratus]], [[Kia Stevens|Kharma]], [[The Bella Twins|Nikki and Brie Bella]], [[Vickie Guerrero]] and [[Alicia Fox]].<ref name="Divas DLC">{{cite web|title=''WWE '12'' DIVAS DLC PACK RELEASED!|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/252285/wwe-12-divas-dlc-pack-released|publisher=[[THQ]]|access-date=December 30, 2011}}</ref> It was also announced that Alicia Fox would be free DLC. The third DLC pack would include [[Dave Batista|Batista]],<ref name=WNS>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Kenny|title=Batista Officially Confirmed As ''WWE '12'' DLC|date=November 10, 2011|url=http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/21775/VIDEO-Batista-Officially-Confirmed-As-WWE-12-DLC/|publisher=Wrestling News Source|access-date=December 30, 2011}}</ref> [[Brodus Clay]], [[Randy Savage]]<ref name="Macho DLC">{{cite web|title=''WWE '12'' GETS THE MADNESS! OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH YEEEEEAAAAAH!|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251903/wwe-12-gets-the-madness-ooooooooohhhhhhh-yeeeeeaaaaah|publisher=[[THQ]]|access-date=December 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104213625/http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251903/wwe-12-gets-the-madness-ooooooooohhhhhhh-yeeeeeaaaaah|archive-date=January 4, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Mick Foley]].<ref name="Mick Foley DLC">{{cite web|title=THE HARDCORE LEGEND IS BACK, RIGHT HERE, IN ''WWE '12''!|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251887/the-hardcore-legend-is-back-right-here-in-wwe-12|publisher=[[THQ]]|access-date=December 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106122208/http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/251887/the-hardcore-legend-is-back-right-here-in-wwe-12|archive-date=January 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Released alongside the third DLC Pack was what THQ called "Make Good DLC", a masked version of [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]. The item was available free for the first two weeks to make good for the game's many technical issues.<ref name="MakeGood">{{cite web|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/252593/wwe-12-title-update-notes-and-dlc-mysteries-revealed|title=''WWE '12'' Title Update Notes and DLC Mysteries Revealed|publisher=[[THQ]]|date=February 26, 2012|access-date=February 26, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302163512/http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/252593/wwe-12-title-update-notes-and-dlc-mysteries-revealed|archive-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> Some Xbox 360 users experienced a glitch with the Kane download in which they were forced to pay for the content, although the money was later refunded.<ref name="Refund">{{cite web|url=http://wwe.thq.com/go/article/view/252664/wwe-12-masked-kane-refund-update|title=''WWE '12'' Masked Kane Refund Update|publisher=[[THQ]]|date=February 2, 2012|access-date=February 26, 2012}}</ref>
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| title =
| state =
| GR = 80.00% (1&nbsp;review)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/632406-wwe-12/index.html|title=GameRankings: ''WWE '12'' (Wii)|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (Wii)<br />75.44% (34&nbsp;reviews)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/632403-wwe-12/index.html|title=GameRankings: ''WWE '12'' (X360)|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (X360)<br />71.81% (21&nbsp;reviews)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/632402-wwe-12/index.html|title=''WWE '12'' (PS3)|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (PS3)
| MC = 71/100 (52&nbsp;reviews)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wwe-12/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=Metacritic: ''WWE '12'' (X360)|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (X360)<br />72/100 (28&nbsp;reviews)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wwe-12/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=Metacritic: ''WWE '12'' (PS3)|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (PS3)<br />74/100 (6&nbsp;reviews)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wwe-12/critic-reviews/?platform=wii|title=Metacritic: ''WWE '12'' (Wii)|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (Wii)
| CVG = 6.7/10<ref name=CVG>{{cite web|last=Hartup|first=Andy|title=''WWE '12'' Review|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/326943/reviews/wwe-12-review/|publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]]|access-date=November 23, 2011|date=November 22, 2011}}</ref>
| GRadar = 8/10
| G4 = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/65319/wwe-12/review/|title=''WWE '12'' Review (Xbox 360)|first=Mike|last=D'Alonzo|date=November 22, 2011|publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (Xbox 360)<br />{{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/65318/wwe-12/review/|title=''WWE '12'' Review (Wii)|first=Mike|last=D'Alonzo|date=November 22, 2011|publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (Wii)<br />{{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/ps3/65317/wwe-12/review/|title=''WWE '12'' Review (PS3)|first=Mike|last=D'Alonzo|date=November 22, 2011|publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (PS3)
| GamePro = 3.5/5
| GI = 5.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/wwe_12/b/ps3/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125052644/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/wwe_12/b/ps3/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2011|title=''WWE '12'' (PS3)|first=Dan|last=Ryckert|date=November 23, 2011|publisher=[[Game Informer]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (PS3)<br />5.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/wwe_12/b/xbox360/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125010422/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/wwe_12/b/xbox360/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2011|title=''WWE '12'' (Xbox 360)|first=Dan|last=Ryckert|date=December 23, 2011|publisher=[[Game Informer]]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> (Xbox 360)
| GSpot = 6/10<ref name="GameSpot Score">{{cite web|last=Meunier|first=Nathan|title=''WWE '12'' Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wwe-12/reviews/wwe-12-review-6347341|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref>
| GT = 6.3/10<ref name="GT Score">{{cite web|title=''WWE '12'' Review|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=14909|work=[[GameTrailers]]|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> (Xbox 360)
| IGN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/objects/109/109900.html|title=IGN: ''WWE '12''|first=Richard|last=George|date=November 18, 2011|publisher=IGN|access-date=November 18, 2011}}</ref> (PS3)<br />9/10<ref name="IGN Score X360">{{cite web|last=George|first=Richard|title=''WWE '12'' Review|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/121/1212852p2.html|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> (Xbox 360)
| NP = 6.5/10<ref name="Nintendo Power">{{cite periodical |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |title=WWE '12 |date=December 2011 |page=81}}</ref>
| ONM = 80%<ref name="ONM Score">{{cite web|last=Scullion|first=Chris|title=''WWE '12'' Wii review|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/32618/wwe-12-wii-review/|work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref>
| OXM = 8.5/10<ref name="OXM Score">{{cite magazine|last=Rudden|first=Dave|title=''WWE '12'' review|url=http://www.oxmonline.com/wwe-12-review|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref>
| OXMUK = 7/10<ref name="OXMUK Score">{{cite magazine|title=''WWE '12'' Review|url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/36431/reviews/wwe-12-review/|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref>
| PALGN = 8/10<ref name="PALGN Score">{{cite web|last=Giunta|first=Cody|title=''WWE '12'' Review|url=http://palgn.com.au/playstation-3/19939/wwe-12-review/|work=PALGN|access-date=December 23, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206031543/http://palgn.com.au/playstation-3/19939/wwe-12-review/|archive-date=December 6, 2011}}</ref> (PS3)
| Play = 50/100 (PS3)
| VG = 6/10<ref name="VG.com Score">{{cite web|last=Cowen|first=Nick|title=''WWE '12'' Review (PS3)|url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/wwe_12/review.html|work=VideoGamer.com|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> (PS3)<br />6/10<ref name="VG.com Score X360">{{cite web|last=Cowen|first=Nick|title=''WWE '12'' Review (Xbox 360)|url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/wwe_12/|work=VideoGamer.com|access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> (Xbox 360)
}}
The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of ''WWE '12'' received generally positive reviews. ''[[IGN]]'' gave the game a 9.0 out of 10, stating that the gameplay changes are "breathing new life into its core mechanics". This makes WWE '12 one of IGN's highest rated wrestling game ever.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sescoops.com/news/video-ign-gives-wwe-12-amazing-910-rating/ | title=Video: IGN Gives WWE '12 "Amazing" 9/10 Rating | date=November 18, 2011 }}</ref>  Mike D'Alonzo of [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]] called it "the best wrestling game ever made". However, Andy Hartup of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' gave the game a 6.7 out of 10 and wrote that the game "offers little more than some new gloss painted over an old product". ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s [[Dan Ryckert]] echoed the sentiment, stating, "Thanks to a severely downgraded story mode and a lack of substantial improvements, this is the weakest ''WWE'' title in years."{{clear}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Portal|Video games}}
*{{Official website|http://wwe.thq.com/}} {{in lang|en}}
*{{Official website|http://www.wwe12.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{WWE video games}}
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