THQ, the company behind the WWE SmackDown game series, was a last minute addition to the Exhibitor list at New York Comic Con. THQ brought three upcoming titles to the show: WWE Legends of WrestleMania, Red Faction: Guerilla and Deadly Creatures. We had a opportunity for a hands-on demo of each game, here our our impressions.

WWE Legends of WrestleMania

Step into the ring with over 40 WWE Superstars and Managers and revisit the “glory days” of WWE’s grandest spectacle. This game covers WrestleMania I – XV. The game features a “career mode” that allows you to play the greatest matches from each WrestleMania. Far more intriguing however are the new modes. Rewrite mode allows you to play a classic WrestleMania match from the loser’s perspective and attempt to change history. Redefine mode allows you to change the options of a classic match, for example you can make the match at WrestleMania III between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant into a Ladder Match. Both of these modes are sure to add hours of replay value to this title, as is the ability to transfer Superstars from WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2009 into this game to create dream match-ups. The roster features all of your favorites from the past, including Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, the two Superstars available in the New York Comic Con demo I played. I selected Hogan and the computer Andre. The manager option was selected by the computer, so Andre was accompanied to the ring by Bobby “the Brain” Heenan. The entrances were well animated and Hogan’s featured his iconic “Real American” Theme. The controls for this game are pared down from SvR09 to make this game a bit more accessible to the masses. SvR is the traditional sim, whereas this game seems to be meant as more of a lighthearted diversion. The controls are fairly simple to understand. Each direction on the analog stick, combined with a face button performs a move. When you get pinned or knocked down a circular meter appears, charting your progress towards a kickout or recovery. Special moves are performed during context sensitive events and require specific button inputs are various points. Also, Bobby Heenan will remind you throughout the match that he is not just there for decoration by getting up on the ring apron to distract you or the referee. Managers will play a major role in the outcome of matches I am told. Entrances in the final game will be show specific. For example, entrances at WrestleMania III will feature the “ring carts” that Superstars rode to the ring in. The final roster is being slowly revealed, though I can tell you that ,besides Hogan, Andre and Heenan, Jimmy Hart, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and the Rock are definitely in the game. The THQ rep demoing the game for us was also kind of to confirm to me that Paul Bearer will be in the game as a manager. Being a huge Undertaker fan, this alone is almost enough for me to buy the game. The game is coming along nicely though gamers are warned that the move list does not have the depth of SmackDown vs. RAW 2009. The game hits shelves for Playstation 3, X-Box 360 and PC on March 24th, in advance of the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania on April 5th.

Red Faction: Guerilla

The original Red Faction introduced the world to the concept of “Geo-Mod.” This meant that you could modify or destroy the environment. You could blow a hole in almost any wall and it allowed to create your own pathways around the level. After a somewhat disappointing sequel by another developer, the original developers have returned and crafted a unique and engaging follow-up to their original game. The game takes place 50 years after the original. Much of the story is still under wraps, but it appears that the group that liberated Mars in the first game has no become so oppressive that you are a soldier in the rebellion against them. The demo they were showing for the game was of the multi-player experience. The game uses the Havok physics engine, but everything else is a proprietary engine they are calling Geo-Mod 2. Everything in the game world is destructible, so you you can gleefully smash any wall you are in front of. In fact, if you do enough damage to the foundations of buildings, they will crumble at your feet. There are several multi-player options, including the standard Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and King of the Hill modes, There is also an intriguing mode were the objective is to destroy three structures and then, using a special weapon found in the level, rebuild them. This game looks fantastic and seems to have an intriguing story and some great new weapons and effects. Adding to this a strong multi-player component leads me to conclude that this could be one to watch as we approach it’s release date on June 30, 2009. The game will be released on the Playstation 3, X-Box 360 and PC.

Deadly Creatures

This is the hardest game for me to write about, and I actually could not play it. You see, I am extremely arachnophobic, and since this game casts you either as a scorpion or a tarantula, I am out. The game allows you to step into the segmented body of either creature, facing off against a wide variety of predators and prey. The game is for the Wii and features simplistic controls and violent finishing moves. This game is mostly designed for kids with a fascination for creepy crawlers. If you have that fascination, this game will make you happy. If not, you can probably skip it. The game is on shelves now.

These titles show that there is quite a bit for gamers to look forward to in the next few months from THQ. We here and Figures and More will continue to cover these games as their release approaches.