The world {of professional} wrestling is at all times altering. Whether or not it’s a mix of differing types making their approach to the forefront; brand-new promotions surfacing with hopes of offering an affordable quantity of competitors; or legendary acts returning for nostalgia’s sake—there may be sure to be one thing for each single fan possible.
That’s simply the tip of the iceberg in relation to WrestleQuest, the soon-to-be-released wrestling recreation that makes use of fantasy RPG parts, courtesy of Skybound Video games and Mega Cat Studios.
Full disclosure: I’m extremely specific in relation to my RPGs. Even after I assume I’ll like one right here and there, I are likely to take my candy time with getting round to ever enjoying via it. Now put the phrase fantasy in entrance of RPG, and also you’ll nearly miss me utterly. Until in fact, you handle to tie all of these parts into the world of wrestling, which is strictly what WrestleQuest has finished right here.
Maybe you’re nonetheless pining for the great ‘ol days {of professional} wrassling, lamenting the truth that as we speak’s panorama not resembles the 80s and 90s and that you’ve, in truth, aged. Effectively, you’re in luck, partially, as WrestleQuest begins with the enduring “Macho Man” Randy Savage saving an auditorium filled with followers from a reptilian creature bent on burning it to the bottom. I imply, simply have a look at the statue devoted to his heroics on the high of the web page.
This brings us to one among our leads, aspiring skilled wrestler Randy Santos, who very similar to Ash Ketchum units off to turn into the perfect—although, in a manner that one man earlier than him very a lot already was. Santos clothes, strikes, and speaks like “Macho Man.” He retains a poster of Savage on the wall contained in the gymnasium the place he each trains and evidently sleeps. And but, regardless of this larger-than-life persona, Santos doesn’t consider he’s portraying a personality.
!["Muchacho Man" Randy Santos WrestleQuest.](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wrestle-quest-muchacho-man-rise-and-grind.jpg?fit=640%2C675)
Santos options prominently, however he isn’t the one character gamers will be capable to discover. There may be additionally Brink Logan of the revered Logan household, whose intensive household tree and information of the craft, to not point out their Canadian roots, bear a resemblance to the legendary Hart household.
And don’t you are worried, old-school wrestling followers, there are notable names throughout this recreation. From Diamond Dallas Web page and Jake “The Snake” Roberts to Jeff Jarrett (he nonetheless wrestles, you understand) and Sprint Expertise, who’s one-hundred p.c “The Nature Boy” Ric Aptitude with out the identify, you’re certain to acknowledge a good few people all through your respective journeys. However we’re not right here to spoil each likeness. The place is the enjoyable in that?
The 2 areas I previewed have been Boxwood and Pondfork. The previous is the place Santos’ journey actually begins whereas the latter is the place the Logans reside. In Boxwood, streets are dimly lit and the retailers are worn down. Rats with tattered beanie hats run in packs. No person desires to be your good friend, however will your skilled wrestling persona prevail?
In Pondfork, it by no means stops snowing. You’ll encounter moose waxing poetic about maple syrup. There can be burly lumberjacks pining for pancakes whereas wanting ahead to the night wrestling match. Everybody lives in a cabin. Is that this Canadian sufficient for you? Although, it’s troublesome to say the place the dinosaurs slot in. Irrespective of.
But in each areas, gamers will discover wrestling promotions. Treasure hunts exist. Hazard could also be lurking. And retaining with our loosely established Pokémon theme from earlier, if you happen to lock eyes with a fellow competitor, you’ll must settle issues contained in the ring. Most significantly, as with all RPG, how one decides to construct from there turns into a collection of selections.
![WrestleQuest Honest Bucks vs. The Logans](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wrestle-quest-gotta-let-em-win-script.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Fight in WrestleQuest couldn’t be a lot easier. Generally, a selected transfer will merely require the participant to nail the right arrow button mixture. Different occasions, you’ll must be cautious of the Dramatic Moments goals. Whereas non-compulsory, they’re a great way to safe seemingly endlessly customizable gear and different equipment. Visually, gamers might discover similarities between Tecmo World Wrestling (1989) and RetroMania Wrestling, although the in-ring motion firmly resembles the previous.
For these conversant in the jargon, gamers will uncover completely different territories as they appear to make it to the big-time promotions. Mixing the precise gimmick along with your wrestler’s hype sort is essential to overcoming any and all opponents, however different components will must be taken into consideration whenever you’re teaming along with one and even two different aspiring wrestlers. Oh, and luxuriate in these entrance units. Fast query: Do you want the concept of a metal chair being thrown at you? A follow-up: How about a number of of them without delay?
Getting again to fight, maintain these transfer mixtures in thoughts. Sure territories will include elemental benefits. One faction may even alter the climate remotely if you happen to can consider that. Standing strikes are essential. Enjoying with tag staff mixtures shouldn’t be ignored.
![WrestleQuest Moose Snowmobile](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wrestle-quest-whomst-among-us-hands.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
There may be silliness so far as the attention can see. Potatoes freezing their pores and skin off for the sake of constructing a pun. Hazard at each flip, together with dinosaurs, lizards, rat goons, and post-apocalyptic raiders. Extra treasure hunts. Spotlights that will kill you. And the life-shattering notion that sure, whereas superior, skilled wrestling comes from a script. Effectively, relying on the place you might be.
It is going to be fascinating to see what number of territories can be found to search out in WrestleQuest. Likewise, will probably be enjoyable to notice simply what number of likenesses to wrestlers previous and current gamers will discover. Till then, every primary quest feels distinctive. There may be an achievable aim on the finish of them. The basic story of fine versus evil, or relatively, babyface versus heel. Gamers might not be capable to do it on their own, however they will type a secure of a number of to assist ease the burden.
Skybound will at all times maintain a particular place in my coronary heart for stepping in to complete Telltale’s The Strolling Lifeless, however now they’re permitting me to stay out my skilled wrestling fantasies in all their splendid glory. Plus, the place else can “Macho Man” battle aliens aside from in our goals?
WrestleQuest releases for Nintendo Swap, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Sequence X|S on August 22.