By IGN

September 9, 2008 - Let's be frank: the single-player career in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 wasn't that great. WrestleMania was in the same city every year, the storyline repeated, and characters were forced into situations that they'd never be in on the show so the players never felt like they were actually walking in that Superstar's boots.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is looking to change all that with Road to WrestleMania.

Rather than have a mode that drops whatever character you pick into an incredibly generalized, vanilla story, THQ and Yukes have created six completely original, character-specific storylines for you to tackle this year. Pick up your controller, and you can take on the show-to-show life of Triple H, CM Punk, Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho, or the tag team of Batista and Rey Mysterio.

As you play these storylines, you'll have to deal with fights breaking out backstage, the McMahons interfering, your friends turning on you and more. There will even be optional match objectives -- such as beating someone in a certain amount of time or putting them through a table -- that will unlock SVR 09 bonus content such as hidden characters, new environments, and new match types.

"We really wanted Road to WrestleMania Mode to differentiate itself from Exhibition matches," said Justin Leeper, THQ designer. "Though they all have their own vibe, each story promises plenty of twists and turns while staying true to the characters players follow every Monday, Tuesday and Friday night as part of WWE programming."

Leeper said that the fully voiced cutscenes that drive the tales make up about two and half hours of the -- roughly -- 14 hours it'll take you to play through all six stories. Of course, that overall time estimate doesn't include the multiple paths and multiple endings.

"We've worked hard to make everything look, sound and feel like you're a part of WWE programming," Leeper said. "It's the little details, such as match-specific commentary and end-of-show trademark graphics, which we think hardcore WWE fans will appreciate."