Developer: Saber Interactive
Publisher: 2K Games
Release Date: 17th September 2020
Platforms: PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch & PC
Reviewed on: PS4 Pro
▫️ Code provided by the publisher ▫️
For what feels like the best part of a decade, wrestling fans have been asking for THQ and latterly 2K to take a year off from the WWE simulation titles to allow a two-year development cycle. The hope was that this might provide real changes to the franchise instead of just minor adjustments. Well, it may have taken the colossal disaster that was WWE 2K20, but finally, fans are getting that two-year gap as we transition to next-gen systems.
2K doesn’t want to leave WWE fans without a new wrestling title though so in steps WWE 2K Battlegrounds from Saber Interactive. An arcade-style beat ’em up in a similar vein to Legends of WrestleMania back on the PS3/360. So does this budget-priced, over the top grappler land like a Stone Cold stunner or fall as flat as a Roman Reigns babyface push? Let’s find out!
GRAPHICS & PRESENTATION
I really love the visuals in the game. The caricature art-style suits the arcade gameplay perfectly. When playing the game I was instantly reminded of Celebrity Deathmatch. A staple of edgy TV when I was an early teen. Moves look wonderfully over the top and convey a real force behind them. The different arena’s and environments are brilliant as well, completing a really visually impressive game.
Wrestler entrances lack a little detail, unfortunately. There are some cool moments like when Stone Cold Steve Austin comes out a big boulder of ice drops from the sky to the ramp and he kicks his way through it before posing. You don’t actually see them walk to the ring though. Instead, they pose on the ramp before it fades to black and the next star enters. Also, only a few big names get unique entrances. Most drop-down in a generic crate which looks cool at first but then becomes the instant telltale sign that the particular wrestler wasn’t important enough for their own animation.
The game’s performance, on the other hand, could be better. The vast majority of the time the frame rate is smooth, but sometimes when more wrestlers are on screen or you pull off a certain move (usually a signature one) you can experience some major issues. It’s not always even just a drop in the frame rate, it can sometimes stick completely for a split second. Hopefully, this can be addressed in a future patch as it does hamper the enjoyment.
WRESTLERS
The roster is pretty great. I have been a fan of WWE (then WWF) since 1992 and throughout my fandom, I have gone back and watched everything from 1985 onwards down to even the weekly syndicated TV. So to see such an expansive lineup of wrestlers is truly impressive. This doesn’t mean you can just bust old any superstar in an exhibition match though. No, no. That’s not how 2K operate.
Instead, you start with around 20 wrestlers unlocked and from there you have to build up in-game currency to unlock the rest – or in classic 2K fashion, pay real money to add them to your roster. This does feel a little less egregious than usual though. The currency you gain for wins across the different game modes is such that you can unlock a lower-tier star every 4 or 5 wins. Maybe double that for a top star.
Some wrestlers are also unlocked via the game’s campaign as well, so you do feel like you are never too far from your next unlock. As well as the 70+ wrestlers available at launch, 2K has announced that another 60+ will be added to the game as free DLC post-launch. I can’t wait for the likes of Mr Perfect, Bret Hart, Trish Stratus and even for a laugh the likes of Typhoon and Doink the Clown – all of whom are confirmed. You can find a list of all launch and post-launch wrestlers here.
It should also be noted that the wrestler unlock screen is just absolutely magical. Each locked star is inside a plastic box just like a wrestling figure. The character will pound on the plastic wanting out and when you complete the purchase they kick their way out and pose. As an old collector of wrestling figures this screen instantly became my favourite part of the game and I know I won’t stop until I have unlocked everyone.
GAMEPLAY
The gameplay is a little bit of a mixed bag. By no means is it bad, it’s just a little bit more of a pick-up-and-play button masher than I had hoped for. Instead of wrestlers having completely unique move sets, each wrestler is assigned a type, like a brawler, high-flyer, technician etc. That then assigns them they move list of that character class and rounds it out with a few signature moves and a finisher.
I get the trade off here. Doing it this way allows for way more characters to appear in the game, so it’s a sacrifice I would have made as well, but it’s worth pointing out. Player switching in a fatal four-way or Royal Rumble match can be a pain at times, but nothing game breaking. It feels like the gameplay in certain situations may appeal more to non wrestling fans, which likely opens it up to a larger audience while bursting with nostalgic characters to cater to everyone.
GAME MODES
I was pleasantly surprised with the campaign. I must admit I didn’t think we would get anything more than a king of the mountain tournament, but I really enjoyed this mode and spent most of my time here. The story is that Paul Heyman wants to set up a new branch of WWE looking for new stars. He recruits Steve Austin to help him and they set off across the world to find new stars.
You then take control of different created characters (seven in total) as you bid to become the next top star. You start in New York as Bolo Reynolds, working your way through matches with story beats intertwined between the gameplay. It’s fun and the story beats play out in a comic strip, which I loved.
Aside from this you also have the classic one on one, tag team, triple threat, fatal four way, cage match and Royal Rumble. I particularly enjoyed the cage match where you have to climb up the cage and grab money to fill your money-meter before you are allowed to escape the cage. Why? I’m not really sure, but it’s over the top action and it doesn’t need to make sense!
You do also have your standard online modes where you can battle friends and the best online competitors. I checked this area out briefly so I could report that there were no noticeable glaring issues, but online isn’t my wheelhouse and I am unlikely to venture back over to that mode.
Lastly, Battleground Challenge Mode lets players create their own WWE Superstar and battle through the ranks. You can customise your character in loads of ways, including vanity items and fighter type. Most of the fun I had in WWE 2K Battlegrounds was when using classic superstars, but this gives you options should you wish to create a new star.
VALUE
When all is said and done with the free DLC you’re going to have over 130 wrestlers at your disposal. There is a decent amount of modes and if you enjoy playing online this one is going to keep you busy for a long time. The £35 price tag may be an issue for some, but at least microtransactions can be avoided.
TROPHIES
There’s no way around it. This is a bad list. As with previous Saber Interactive games like NBA 2K Playgrounds, there is no platinum. It’s really frustrating that this is still happening on the eve of the PlayStation 5. I really hope this is something we leave behind next generation, but I wouldn’t bet on it. As for the 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 9 Bronze trophies we do have, it’s just the bog standard perform X amount of finishers, win a Royal Rumble etc.
VERDICT
Overall I really enjoyed WWE 2K Battlegrounds and it is a game I will continue to dip in and out of, especially when the DLC characters are added. The limited move lists were a bit of a disappointment but both the graphics and the campaign over-delivered. Microtransactions may still be an issue for some, but they can be avoided. I have no problem having to grind to unlock characters. It’s the way things used to be.
-Craig ✌️
