Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K
ReleaseDate: 11th March 2022
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4 & PS5
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
▫️ Code provided by the publisher ▫️
Let’s call a spade a spade. WWE 2K20 was a mess. It was developer Visual Concept’s first solo attempt at the WWE license and to put it nicely, the kinks hadn’t been worked out before the game launched. What this resulted in, was no simulation-style WWE game in 2021 for the first time in over 20 years. So has the extra years development, complete with extended delays been worth it? Or does the series need to rest in peace?
GAMEPLAY
Gameplay has always been key in wrestling games, and while the series has had a pretty decent formula for a while there is no denying that it started to feel stagnant, with legacy issues plaguing several iterations. WWE 2K22 ushers in a much needed new control scheme though, focusing on combos for strikes along with light and heavy grapples. The result is a faster-paced experience, but one that manages to ebb and flow more realistically than anything 2K or THQ has achieved before.
Gone is the limited amount of reversals from the previous game and instead, it is now all about timing. Prompts for when to initiate a reversal appear at different times depending on the move, so you really have to stay on your toes. There is also a dodge mechanic, which despite seeming useful in the tutorial I must admit I didn’t use particularly often. You also have the option to match your opponent’s strikes during their combo and if you guess right it will lead to you taking the advantage. Every change to the gameplay feels like a positive in 2K22 and it combines into a really fun experience.
That’s not to say that everything is perfect. You press the same button to pick up a weapon off the ground as you do to fish another out from under the ring, and so if you have a weapon lying on the mats outside it can be an absolute mission trying to pick it up without your character instead fishing around under the ring for something completely new. Also, finishers and signature moves still require two button presses which despite sinking over 20 hours into the game still doesn’t feel natural. On the whole, this really is the pinnacle for the series in the ring though.
PRESENTATION
Superstar entrances all look great, with lots of little attention to detail mannerisms that really sell each individual character to you. A tutorial mode is available to ease you into the new control scheme and the pause menu during matches has a handy move list that you can refer to at any time. Legacy issues with the games menu navigation remain though, with items automatically previewing on your wrestler during creation which slows things down to a standstill. Also at the main menu if you even tab past the online section, be prepared to be stuck there for anywhere from 10 seconds to… well having to close the game and re-launch it while it searches for updates.
MODES
This year’s Showcase mode is centred around cover star Rey Mysterio. The premise is that you get to relive a dozen of Rey’s best matches, completing set objectives that actually happened in the match you are emulating. The problem here is that outside of two or three of the matches, the bouts chosen are real head-scratchers. Rey v Miz from a random episode of RAW? Rey v Kane at Cyber Sunday? I’m having none of that. In fact, only ONE match was chosen from his WCW run and that’s Halloween Havoc 1997 against Eddie Guerrero.
I get that it’s a WWE game and we have to act like WCW didn’t really matter, but his matches with Dean Malenko (Great American Bash 1996) and Psychosis (Bash At The Beach 1996) would make almost any wrestling fans lists. I realise that this would mean the creation of two more wrestlers for this specific mode, but it would lead to a more varied and accurate list. However, I definitely need to give Visual Concepts some real credit here, because the way matches seamlessly transition from gameplay to archive footage is outstanding and left me wanting more.
It wouldn’t be a sports game in 2022 without some FIFA Ultimate Team style mode and WWE 2K22 delivers in the form of MyFaction, which gives you a deck of cards and challenges you to win matches, complete objectives and earn in-game virtual credits to build the crew you desire. 2K has been quick to point out that this mode does not force microtransactions and I must say so far I have been pleased with how this has been handled.
MyRise returns as the game’s narrative-driven story mode and offers both male and female options. Create your superstar and swagger straight into the Performance Center thanks to the bold Todd at the front desk whose job appears to be on a knife-edge. Work your way through NXT, onto the main roster of RAW and Smackdown and all the way to the grandest stage of them all – WrestleMania. The story is non-linear and has branching paths which have me itching to go back and experience again.
Universe mode returns and provides a sandbox that content creators are going to live off for a long time to come, giving you the freedom to put cards and matches together the way you want. The one potential disappointment is MyGM. Fans were delighted to hear that the highly regarded management mode was making a return but while fun, it certainly lacks a lot of the depth you would have hoped to see. The draft is unquestionably a lot of fun, but duration options are limited to 15, 25 or 50 weeks. Furthermore, you only have one male and one female world champion. No tag belts, no Intercontinental, US or even the dreaded 24/7 title. I still enjoyed my time as GM, but it definitely feels like something that needs to be built on for next year.
GRAPHICS
A lot had been made of the updated visuals before release and I must say for the most part I have been really impressed. Big stars such as Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch, Brock Lesnar, Charlotte and more look better than ever. As do legends like the Rock, Stone Cold and even the likes of wacky early 90’s voodoo master Papa Shango. There are some on the roster who don’t feel like they’ve been given the same level of polish though. The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and Shane McMahon are two that spring to mind, with the former looking more like Noel Edmonds.
The arenas in wrestling games have always been a hot button issue for me and unfortunately, 2K22 doesn’t remedy my problems. It’s not that they look bad by any means. In fact, they look better than ever. It’s the lack of variety that gets to me. Every arena fits into the same mould. The entranceway comes from the left-hand side and the ramp or isle is a set length. How about giving us the L shaped isle from SummerSlam 88? The entrance from the top of the screen like WrestleMania X? (or any other 90’s event held in Madison Square Garden), or get really crazy and include Club la Vela when they would host WCW Nitro once a year? Basically, I’d love to see some variation, but instead, even the WrestleMania stadium still has the same length of ramp as RAW. That said, the attention to detail in the likes Halloween Havoc and Bash at the Beach looks great, as does the Thunderdome, which is a nice touch.
AUDIO
Commentary during matches has been drastically improved, with announcers making smarter calls and having more to say about the wrestlers involved than before. This even really cleverly extends to the legends roster as well, with the commentators having gimmick specific comments that really add to the immersion. The atmosphere during matches is also on point, giving the feel of a proper live event. The only downside for me was the soundtrack, which mostly consists of heavy metal noise that made me mute my TV more than once. Thankfully you can head into the jukebox, turn all of that off and instead have a personal playlist of all your favourite WWE stars entrance themes.
VERDICT
WWE 2K22 has exceeded all my expectations. This feels like one of the rare occasions where a slogan is justified. It really does hit different. A stacked roster, a wealth of game modes and most importantly the best gameplay to date. After a few years on a downward trend, this is a serious return to form for WWE.
-Craig ✌️