When WWE: Day of Reckoning was released awhile back ago it not only made GameCube gamers happy to have yet another console exclusive but it also satisfied the need for the GameCube to have a game worthy of the wrestling franchise. With WWE: Day of Reckoning 2 the wrestling franchise is back and while it might not look all that different the game still has all the goodies we loved the first time around as well as some changes that makes this one another Must Have.

As a GameCube exclusive, THQ wants to deliver a slightly different WWE wrestling game that sets itself apart from the PS2-only SmackDown! series of games and, I’m happy to report, it manages to pull it off perfectly with the Day of Reckoning series. With a deep and involving story mode, 10 different match types and all the WWE superstars present and accounted for there’s much to love about this series and if you haven’t bought the first game then I suggest you pick this one up first. Why? Well, the small changes you find here make this one a far more complete package from last year’s title. For starters, the roster is a bit more complete this time around and there’s even the option to unlock legendary grapplers such as The Rock, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Mankind, Hulk Hogan and Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

Yet the changes that are far more noticeable come in the form of the gameplay mechanics. I loved last year’s game because the controls felt good on the GameCube, but this year they seem to feel more responsive and, thanks to the new Stamina meter and a submission system, it's less of a button-masher and more of a thinking gamers’ grappler. This doesn’t mean there’s less fist-pounding (you can still pummel Chris Jericho without mercy) action, it just means you can have the choice of unleashing more pain until your opponent submits or taunt them using the C Stick. The new Stamina meter gives the game a more realistic approach by naturally introducing the notion that wrestlers can’t simply perform high-flying moves or a non-stop barrage of kicks without getting tired. You can regain energy, of course, but now you can come up with strategies to tire out your opponent and use their lack of energy against them.

The opponent AI sees a change and it not often for the better. Last year’s game saw computer-controlled opponents that knew better than to wait patiently for you to get back up, but this year it seems that The Big Show would rather get a boot to the face than start laying down the smack while you’re rolling on the canvas in pain. Then again they’re mighty quick when it comes to pulling off reversals and turning what you thought was going to be the perfect pile driver into a backbreaker that will have your grappler writhing in pain. At least you can pull off some special moves of your own and it’s easy to perform the more complex moves.

The game once again offers a Story mode that uses one of your created characters (the Create A Superstar is back and there are dozens of new creation options available). At the start of the story, Bischoff makes a most startling announcement. It seems that when Chris Jericho pinned current champion Triple H during a RAW match it created quite a controversy that the match itself was called a draw and thus the World Heavyweight Title is up for grabs. With the lovely Stacy Keibler as your main squeeze and having won Wrestlemania last year, your character sets out to win the title by making your way back to Wrestlemania and defeating all those that stand in your way. Thankfully this Story Mode is a lot longer than the first game but if you’re expecting some serious drama or twists and turns WWE-style then you won’t find it here.

The rest of the game is composed of a nice number of game modes that range from single, tag team, Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, Handicap and the always-fun-to-play Royal Rumble matches. The best part, though, comes from the match types each mode supplies. There are Cage, Ladder, TLC, Hell in a Cell, Ironman and Last Man Standing matches and the always-popular Bra & Panties match.

Graphically speaking, Day of Reckoning 2 is one gorgeous-looking game when it comes to character models, flashy effects and displaying each unique arena. Sure it still has a number of awful clipping problems and sometimes the video footage played during intros are a mess but the rest of the graphics are a big improvement over last year’s game. Really, this is the best Triple H I’ve seen in a game and even your created characters look more fleshed out. The arena is alive with fans that still look a bit off but it’s a nice improvement.

As for the game’s sound there’s too much heavy rock riffs that scream 80s hair band and there’s no commentary again. In fact, there’s no dialogue either during the Story Mode. There is a ring announcer, though, and he does a great job of kicking off each match. Even each Superstar’s theme music comes up. The rest of the sounds come during the match with fans going wild cheering on their favorite wrestler while you’ll hear your opponent’s body slam against the canvas or hear the loud fleshy slap of a clothesline. In the end it’s not bad at all, but then again it’s not great either.

WWE: Day of Reckoning 2 is, by far, the best wrestling game the series has produced thus far and it’s one no GameCube gamer should be without. It’s not too different from last year's version, but with new additions that make a big difference, it just brings more wrestling goodness to an already great GameCube exclusive series. If you’re a fan of WWE wrestling, this is one game you don’t want to miss.

Gameplay: 8.5
The solid controls from last year’s game somehow feel way better in Day of Reckoning 2. There are new elements, such as the addition of a Stamina meter, keeps things more interesting and keeps the game from being just another button-mashing grappling game.

Graphics: 8.9
Quite possibly one of the most eye-pleasing wrestling games available on the GameCube, this sequel certainly sees improvements on character models and the flashy televised feel. Sure, there isn’t much in terms of natural expressions and there’s some serious clipping problems but each grappler looks so much like the real deal that it's scary.

Sound: 7.0
Lacking the commentary from the PS2 WWE games, there’s plenty of crowd chants and the sounds of bodies getting slammed on the canvas. Even the heavy rock riffs that play during matches or during the story mode’s cutscenes lack a little extra flavor. Still every superstar’s entrance music is here and the announcer makes each match seem like an ultimate battle.

Difficulty: Medium
The AI isn’t as sharp as the first Day of Reckoning but there are some seriously difficult opponents (Triple H is even dangerous in video game form) to beat and some matches, particularly the tag team battles, can have you going back for a rematch.

Concept: 9.0
All the things we could ever ask for in a wrestling game using the WWE franchise are all here and it’s done right. Whether you’re into brutal cage matches or watching the WWE Divas like Trish Stratus and Victoria go head-to-head in a Bra & Panties match then you won’t be disappointed. There are even legends of the canvas to unlock like Hulk Hogan and the People’s champion The Rock.

Multiplayer: 8.5
While there’s no online multiplayer, there’s much multiplayer fun to be had here and with matches that allow up to four players this is once again another reason to get your friends together for some serious wrestling action. Can you say Party Game?

Overall: 8.8
Day of Reckoning 2 isn’t a radical departure from what we played last year but it continues to remain a great wrestling franchise on the GameCube and this is the game that truly proves that. Sure we would like to see a different approach to the game’s story mode but what’s here is not only better but still way too much fun. You can’t go wrong with this one, wrestling fans.