Last yr’s WWE 2K22 was a vital launch for the franchise, efficiently overcoming the botched mess of a launch that was WWE 2K20, whereas additionally incorporating some key new options such because the addition of the MyGM and MyFaction modes, extremely improved visuals, redesigned entrances and rather more. WWE 2K23 is not an overhaul on the identical stage of final yr’s recreation – it as an alternative builds on the foundations that WWE 2K22 set in place, delivering a extra meaty and mature expertise that is positively price your whereas.
Inside the squared circle, the gameplay will really feel largely acquainted should you performed WWE 2K22. The largest change is the addition of a brand new pin meter which swings forwards and backwards quite than being centered round button mashing (though you possibly can return to the outdated system if you wish to), and in our opinion, it is a welcome characteristic that provides a bit extra unpredictability to pin makes an attempt. Some of the extra delicate enhancements this yr embody the power to lure opponents into “possum” assaults, together with a major array of recent animations for strikes and transitions, and these upgrades add as much as to essentially the most fluid and pleasant gameplay expertise that 2K has delivered with the WWE collection thus far.
Speaking of fluidity, 2K has actually pulled off some nice work relating to the menu design and speedier loading occasions in WWE 2K23 (MyRise apart), giving the sport a real AAA high quality really feel. This clearly extends to the gameplay presentation too, the place the graphical enhancements of final yr have been bolstered as soon as once more. This is very evident in entrances, the place the character fashions, video trons, area designs and lighting are all given a highlight… you would be forgiven for getting just a few goosebumps infrequently throughout a few of these sequences!
Outside of the ring, WWE 2K23 has once more made large enhancements. One of our complaints with final yr’s recreation was that regardless of the sport modes being pleasant, they felt a bit of underneath baked. We’d argue that is nonetheless the case to a level in 2K23, however positively to not the identical extent. The Ultimate Team-style MyFaction provides on-line play for the primary time this yr albeit in restricted type, MyRise introduces two story modes which might be fortuitously extra narrative-driven than final yr, Universe mode permits you to get extra inventive with cutscenes, and MyGM continues to be our favorite technique to play 2K’s WWE video games as of late, that includes many extra match varieties and limitless seasons as you try to outwit as much as three different basic managers to placed on the most effective present you possibly can.
As talked about, there are nonetheless areas of enchancment that may very well be made to all of those recreation modes, comparable to MyFaction offering extra significant causes to indicate off your playing cards, and Universe implementing higher AI to assist develop extra immersive rivalries. The same factor is also stated of the John Cena centered Showcase mode, which is nice by way of the true life footage and the way it transitions into the sport, however its objective-heavy focus can sometimes develop tiresome at occasions because it did final yr. On the entire although, we’re actually pleased with WWE 2K23’s collection of recreation modes, that are assured to maintain us busy for probably a whole bunch of hours.
Of course, we should not overlook that WarGames has been created for WWE 2K23 as properly, marking the primary time this match sort has ever appeared in a WWE recreation. It’s instantly change into some of the pleasant choices on provide, permitting you to compete in 3v3 or 4v4 matches throughout two rings with a metal cage fitted round them (together with loads of weapons you possibly can convey into the combination). The large takeaway right here is that 2K has clearly put loads of effort into making WarGames a memorable expertise – the whole lot about this match sort feels meticulously well-designed.
As enjoyable as it’s, there are nonetheless just a few minor downsides to WWE 2K23’s gameplay throughout the board, and so they’re the identical outdated limitations that we have change into used to over time. This is definitely the most effective model of the engine we have seen thus far, permitting for unimaginable jump-out-your-seat moments at its peak, however collision detection points can nonetheless crop up when wrestlers get caught in animations, and weapons are typically a bit tougher to choose up than they need to be.
The factor that we actually wish to see get a serious focus subsequent yr is sound design. The means music is applied is nice, however the fake-sounding crowd noise (particularly throughout entrances) can take you out of the immersion a bit, the commentary typically comes throughout as too compelled, and characters within the MyRise tales typically sound like they’re sitting at dwelling studying their traces into an inexpensive recording gadget, even after they’re presupposed to be standing in the midst of the ring!
There are another nitpicks that we may level out, however we do not wish to dwell on these. The positives massively outweigh the negatives with WWE 2K23, and we’re having essentially the most enjoyable we have had with a WWE recreation for the reason that PS2 glory days of SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain. You may really feel prefer it’s price skipping the 2023 model should you purchased final yr’s entry, however in our opinion that is an improve that really deserves your hard-earned cash.
Conclusion
WWE 2K23 builds on final yr’s already spectacular effort to ship arguably the most effective wrestling recreation Xbox followers have ever seen. The gameplay feels smoother and extra entertaining than ever, almost all the recreation modes have obtained welcome enhancements, WarGames is a incredible addition to the array of match varieties, and that is in the end essentially the most enjoyment we have had with the collection in properly over a decade. It’s nonetheless a bit of tough across the edges in some locations, however you may most certainly be having an excessive amount of enjoyable to care.
