WWE games were once considered among the best console games, particularly during the PS2 generation. My personal experience with these games has been remarkable due to their support for multiplayer mode. While primarily party games, some titles offered in-depth career modes, allowing players to experience the life of a wrestler in the game. However, after the disappointing critical response to WWE 2K20, 2K decided to take a break and start fresh with WWE 2K22, marking a great comeback for the series. With the release of WWE 2K23 this year, it’s safe to say that this is one of the best wrestling games of the past decade.
To begin with, WWE 2K23 offers a plethora of gameplay modes, and the playable wrestler roster is extensive, with over 100 fan favorites included in the game. The roster features current superstars and WWE Legends, providing nostalgic attachment for some players. Additionally, the game offers several new gameplay modes, including WarGames and career modes such as MyGM and MyFaction. For those seeking a casual gaming experience, there is an abundance of single-player content available.
WWE 2K23 has received a considerable visual boost. Developing such a vast roster of playable wrestlers while accurately capturing their likeness with such clarity is a noteworthy achievement. The developers have successfully replicated the personality and appearance of each wrestler, including their signature moves and gestures, with great attention to detail. The realistic animation and physics contribute to the sense of weight that the wrestlers carry in the game, making it feel like a real wrestling match, but with the added benefit of controlling it on a screen.
The gameplay mechanics in WWE 2K23 have undergone significant improvements. Players are now required to use their reflexes and strategic decision-making skills, rather than just button-mashing. To make the game more accessible to newcomers, there is a short tutorial that introduces players to the core gameplay systems. If you have played WWE games before, getting into the action here is straightforward. Each character has their signature moves that can be activated at specific points in the match, requiring the opponent to be in a particular position. Attacks are contextual based on the directional input on the analog stick, and it’s also possible to do reversals in the middle of a beatdown.
The dynamic actions offered in WWE 2K23 provide plenty of replay value, even when playing against AI opponents. However, there are instances when some of the animations glitches, making the game feel a bit unfair. Nonetheless, the combination of systems used to create wrestling matches provides ample variations in attacks.
In terms of content, the game features a massive roster of playable wrestlers, which alone is delightful. There are also several modes to choose from, such as WarGames, which features a two-ring cage match. The MyGM mode focuses on managing the WWE empire, learning how to manage its finances and ratings, while trying to improve it through various actions such as hiring popular wrestlers and creating matchups that generate the most buzz from fans. The MyFactions mode focuses on the online aspect of the game, allowing players to choose from six different factions based on WWE Superstars and Legends.
MyRISE is an engaging mode tailored for players who aspire to live the life of a WWE wrestler. The storyline is intriguing as it endeavors to recreate some of the memorable events from WWE’s rich history. The game offers an extensive range of content, including the Showcase mode, which enables fans of John Cena to relive some of his iconic matches throughout his illustrious career. As with most WWE games, there is paid content, but given the ample content available in the base game, I believe fans will not mind some of the content being locked behind paid upgrades.
However, it was disheartening to note that some of the customizations have been removed, giving the game a more streamlined feel. Customizing entrances and the Create-a-Championship mode are no longer available. For players migrating from WWE 2K22, the game may not feel like a significant leap forward in terms of gameplay. Despite the wealth of exciting new content, the lack of innovation implies that the game plays similarly to its predecessor. Nonetheless, this does not necessarily make it a bad thing, as the gameplay itself is impressive.
Overall, WWE 2K23 was a thrilling experience for me. It stands out as one of the franchise’s most outstanding games in the last ten years. The game boasts a vast roster and a plethora of content, providing an abundance of gameplay options. However, the online multiplayer aspect of the game still feels suboptimal, particularly the net code. As such, I would recommend this game mainly for local play or hardcore WWE network enthusiasts.
WWE 2K23 Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: 2K
- Developer: Visual Concepts
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
