Game Reviews

As wrestling fans wait for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 to arrive next week, we do have an alternative to turn to; one that opens the door to the fascinating history of Lucha Libre wrestling. Some well-known superstars of the US ring grew up with Lucha Libre in their blood, including WWE’s own Rey Mysterio and several other superstars, such as La Parka and Vampiro. Made by the Mexico-based team at Slang, Lucha Libre AAA can’t take WWE head-on, but

You have eight Lucha Libre superstars to start with. There are several familiar types here, but the ones you’ll probably want to start with are La Parka and Vampiro, although you’re welcome to choose whoever As you proceed, you can unlock additional characters and other bonus goodies. The more the roster opens up, the more variety you have available.

Heroes del Ring features a number of matches, all based on traditional Lucha Libre set-ups. Mask vs. Hair is always a favorite, and you can even set up your own referee, either as a face (good guy) or heel (bad guy) to keep the crowd at bay. Other types are also available, including Fatal Four Way, Triple Threat, and the option to go into a Handicapped Match – though you’d be crazy to do so.

The main draw is the Story mode, where you learn the ropes (literally) as you work your way to Lucha Libre stardom. A word of warning – the difficulty ramps up in this mode, and the last few matches will put you in a world of hurt if you’re not ready. Thankfully, there’s a tutorial function that teaches you the basics, along with the quick matches for practice. You can also challenge your friends as well, either locally or online through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.