The TNA iMPACT! game is geared towards a quick paced, high-impact style of play, with less emphasis on submission moves. It also features straightforward, intuitive controls, with “accurate” and “detailed” character models. Actual scans of the wrestlers were used for the game in place of hand-painted textures to include small details, such as skin textures. Wrestling maneuvers are captured from actual TNA wrestlers in extensive motion capture sessions. Finishers are accessed by building up an “Impact! meter” displayed on the screen, the same place a color-coded damage indicator shows the condition of characters. The game also features mini-games for escaping pin attempts and submission holds. TNA’s exclusive Ultimate X and King of the Mountain are playable match types alongside the more standard singles, tag team and Fatal Four-Way matches.
The game is playable online, and supports tournaments. Eight different venues—including TNA’s main home, the Florida Impact! Zone, and arenas in Japan and England—are be available to house matches, with the Impact! Zone having an increased ringside area for play and hotspots for player interaction. The game also features top wrestling talent such as Abyss, Kurt Angle, Christian Cage, Jeff Jarrett, Booker T, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Sting and more to deliver all of the excitement and action of the television show.
Grab your camera; Midway’s climbing to the top turnbuckle. Find out more in this TNA iMPACT! video review.
Classic ending to that video haha!
Key TNA iMPACT! features are:
* Featuring 25 of your favorite TNA superstars — Take control of top TNA superstars such asKurt Angle, Booker T, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Christian Cage, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Rhino, Christopher Daniels and more! Perform all the wrestlers’ signature moves such as The Canadian Destroyer, The Styles Clash, The Clutch, The Scorpion Deathlock, The Olympic Slam, The Gore, The Axe Kick and many more!
* Innovative Professional Wrestling — TNA’s signature six-sided ring brings unprecedented action and high-flying wrestling moves to players. With TNA’s incredible Ultimate X match, wrestlers climb cables high above the ring in a daring attempt to capture the belt.
* Become A Legend — Build a lifetime of fame through the game’s innovative story mode. Create your very own TNA wrestler with customized costumes, move sets and more as you unfold the back-story of a champion wrestler.
* Compete Against TNA Fans Online! — Online play allows you to create customized match rules and invite friends or foes to compete head to head. Online game modes include Tag Team, Ultimate X, Fatal Four-Way and more!
To quote the IGN video review: “TNA iMPACT! had a lot of potential, but it didn’t follow through on most of it. Beyond the limited/repetitive moves, lackluster CAW, and scaled back online, my main problem is that iMPACT! doesn’t feel like real wrestling. The opponents never stay down long enough, they don’t sell limb damage, there’s an announce table and announcer voices (which are super-repetitive), but no announcer bodies, there are no championship belts to wear or defend even though they’re mentioned in the story, chairs are just sitting around the outside of the ring, there is no rope break, and every match is no count out/no DQ.
Don’t get me wrong, the control scheme is solid as well as a throwback to the wrestling games of old (so it’s sure to appeal to a lot of people) and the Ultimate X Match is fun and provides for some good looking spots, but overall TNA iMPACT! ends up being a shallow game. It’s not going to take you long to see everything this title has to offer and start dreaming about the sequel.”
Presentation — 7.0
Graphics — 7.5
Sound — 7.0
Gameplay — 7.0
Lasting Appeal — 6.0
Overall — 6.4