WWE 2K22 hit harder and better after its hiatus, laying the foundations to allow the most recent offering, WWE 2K23, to potentially be even stronger. With returning game modes, a rejuvenated roster, a focus on John Cena, and a chance to improve on its shortcomings, has WWE 2K23 managed to become a showstopper? Or has the recent success seen developers Visual Concepts rest on their laurels this time around instead?
WWE 2K22 hits different. It hits way better than the last outing and only the game modes really hold it back from being considered a main event masterpiece. If you love wrestling, you should contemplate stepping into the squared circle with WWE 2K22.
After the shambles that is WWE 2K20, I think we can all agree that the series needed a break to recover from the backlash. The publishing giants 2K obviously felt so too and drafted in Saber Interactive to develop an altogether different wrestling game for WWE fans. Alas, WWE 2K Battlegrounds is the resulting product, which completely avoids going down a realistic route and instead appears to be a zany, over-the-top representation of wrestling. Is WWE 2K Battlegrounds on Xbox One the refreshingly fun experience we’ve all been waiting for?
The most recent offerings of the WWE 2K series have been incredibly disappointing in terms of technical issues, with not much to shout about for the career mode either. One thing you can always rely on though is an authentic experience and it delivers by including a ton of your favourite Superstars, official arenas and title belts. Given how all the build up for the latest instalment, WWE 2K19, has been so promising due to news of a returning mode and an overhaul to many other areas, wrestling fans have reason to be hopeful that this year’s game is much better, right?
As a fan of wrestling since way back when the WWE shared its name with the panda foundation, I’ve seen the highs of the Attitude Era and a fair few lows since then. The same goes for the video games based on professional wrestling, with recent yearly offerings from 2K and Visual Concepts dipping in quality. WWE 2K17 was massively disappointing in a lot of areas, which almost guarantees that the latest title, WWE 2K18, will be an improvement, right? The developers have learnt from their mistakes... surely?
2K want realism, simulation, and ultimately, to bring what you see on television straight onto the consoles. Most of the time, making things too realistic can in fact be boring, just take a look at the various unwelcome simulators out there. Can WWE 2K17 create that balance between realism and fun, to ensure it’ll tide the fans over for another year?
There was a sense of disappointment last time the WWE 2K series ventured out into the world, with many left wondering how it all went wrong. So now, there’s a chance for a story of redemption where WWE 2K16 is concerned.
2K have made a DLC Showcase surrounding some of The Ultimate Warrior's greatest moments with the WWE and called it “Path of the Warrior”. Will it be a worthy trip down memory lane for the Warrior fans out there?
“Hall of Pain” is the latest WWE 2K15 downloadable Showcase content pack. Will re-inducting some of Mark Henry's greatest and even largest enemies bring you some delight or instead, simply send you into a world of pain?
