“WWE 2K24 finishes the wrestling series’ comeback story with its best installment yet.”
Pros
Fine-tuned wrestling
Top-tier roster
Great Showcase mode
MyGM reaches its full potential
Cons
AI continues to be troublesome
Lacking recent concepts
Though the annualized WWE 2K collection reveals no indicators of slowing down, I can’t assist however see this yr’s WWE 2K24 because the final match in a trilogy.
In the wrestling world, there’s an artwork to that three-fight story between heated rivals. The first match showcases a feud’s potential, letting audiences see the opponents’ chemistry and leaving everybody wanting extra. Match quantity two may be trickier to nail; you may’t depart all of it within the ring forward of a grand finale. That third match, although, is what actually counts. That’s the place wrestlers can lastly go all out, taking each teased spot to its final conclusion to get the group on its ft one final time.
That metaphor completely maps onto the final three years of WWE 2K video games. Following a brief break after a disastrous entry in 2019, WWE 2K22 set the stage for a extra promising wrestling simulator with some room for development. WWE 2K23 would provide enhancements, however it nonetheless felt like there was far more the Visual Concepts group may do with its successful formulation.
That’s all come to a head in WWE 2K24, which is the capper the relaunched collection deserves. Every characteristic the group has constructed up over the previous few years is at its greatest right here, making this yr’s installment the collection’ greatest to this point. Though identical to many multimatch wrestling tales of this nature, the repetitious nature of the collection’ well-trodden modes would possibly depart you prepared for a inventive shake-up.
No ring rust right here
Like final yr’s installment, WWE 2K24 focuses on refinement over large modifications. That’s nice, contemplating that WWE 2K22 launched some rock-solid foundations which have solely gotten higher with every new entry. The core wrestling programs are largely unchanged. I management the motion with a collection of sunshine and heavy strikes, combining them with grapples, submissions, high-flying offense, and extra. It’s not new, however I’m impressed by how easy all of it feels at this level. There’s an incredible variety of strikes I can do in any given match, from hitting a suplex-pin mixture to diving on an opponent exterior the ring. Some require some superior data of the controls, however I can hit loads of flashy spots simply by experimenting with button faucets. It’s a wholesome steadiness between informal and complicated.
Matches nonetheless really feel as dramatic as they had been in 2K23, because of that installment’s tweak to reversals. While the 2022 version gave gamers a beneficiant window to counterattacks, final yr’s recreation made these button timing instructions a lot tighter. That continues right here, making reversals really feel slightly rarer and extra dramatic consequently. That drama is additional heightened by 2K24’s solely really new characteristic, a brand new minigame that may pop up throughout fights which have gamers buying and selling blows. That’s carried out in a back-and-forth button-pressing recreation that completely captures the sensation of the real-world punch-outs it’s based mostly on.
It actually looks like WWE’s equal to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Rather than altering a lot, the emphasis appears to be extra on widening out the roster of playable wrestlers. That focus goes a good distance in direction of making 2K24 the collection’ greatest entry to this point. The supersized listing feels extra complete than current entries, that includes everybody from Cody Rhodes to Andre Chase. Anyone that’s lacking, like CM Punk and Kairi Sane, is already confirmed for future DLC. Visual Concepts’ dedication to getting new expertise from NXT within the recreation particularly pays off right here. Tiffany Stratton is having a breakout second in actual WWE programming proper now after a lightning-hot debut. Previously, we’d have needed to have waited a yr for 2K to capitalize on that. The future-proofed roster makes positive that 2K24 received’t really feel completely outdated by subsequent yr.
On the opposite facet, the roster additionally contains the collection’ greatest collection of legends to this point. That’s because of its concentrate on Wrestlemania historical past, which dictates that each one the foremost gamers have to be included. George “The Animal” Steele and Harley Race be a part of staples like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. It actually looks like WWE’s equal to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Everyone is right here.
2K Games
That multi-generational roster isn’t only a good back-of-the-box characteristic. It permits gamers to experiment with a variety of wrestling types, outdated and new, with out altering the core formulation. You get the fast-paced offense of Dragon Lee in the identical recreation that options Andre the Giant’s heavy strikes. WWE 2K24’s fine-tuned motion is versatile to help each ends of that spectrum, paying homage to the complete breadth of WWE historical past.
It’s not misplaced on me that quite a lot of that success is because of the stability of the WWE product itself proper now. When WWE 2K22 launched, it was within the wake of an infinite layoff wave that put a number of fashionable superstars out of labor. The recreation’s roster was laughable consequently, crammed with fired stars that highlighted the corporate’s mismanagement by the hands of Vince McMahon. With McMahon now formally out of the corporate amid a intercourse trafficking scandal, the corporate has discovered some much-needed stability below new management.
WWE is healthier off with out Vince McMahon, and so too is the WWE 2K collection.
Old modes, new methods
WWE 2K24’s concentrate on refinement is additional seen in its tweaks to current modes. The wrestling simulator doesn’t add something new this time, solely bringing a handful of additional bout varieties like Coffin and Ambulance Matches. Otherwise, it options the very same suite of core modes, every of which is identical at worst and considerably improved at greatest. MyFaction sees the least modifications right here, principally getting tweaks to on-line play and its microtransaction-filled store. It is what it’s at this level.
Everything else will get some welcome bumps. The sandbox Universe mode, which lets gamers information a wrestler via simulated TV programming, will get a number of recent choices that enhance its storytelling potential. This yr, I made a decision to play out the story of a lowly jobber with NXT’s Scrypts. I shortly discovered some nice storytelling in a feud with Noam Dar, which kicked off with a disrespectful handshake fake-out and ended up with some post-match ladder beatdowns.
2K Games
I can additional e-book my dream TV reveals with MyGM, which will get a extra vital improve this yr. The mode, the place gamers handle their very own rosters and put collectively weekly reveals, has extra inventive choices than ever. There are considerably extra match varieties accessible, further methods to construct tag group feuds, and a wholly new celebrity recruitment system that’s extra in-depth than earlier variations. Though the most important replace is available in a light-weight RPG hook that permits superstars to stage up and steadily acquire new perks. My promotion is fronted by Finn Balor, who will get additional star bonuses in Ambulance matches and may swap between fighter and bruiser model with a promo. Details like that add extra flexibility and technique to the mode, making me assume tougher about what sorts of matches I e-book my stars in.
What I’m particularly joyful about this yr is a revitalized Showcase mode. Like earlier installments, this acts as a playable documentary of WWE historical past. This yr’s recreation has an particularly robust hook, trying again on the most iconic matches in Wrestlemania historical past. Each one, from Hulk Hogan’s conflict with Andre the Giant to Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes’ notorious 2023 showdown, does a incredible job at contextualizing every match and telling its story utilizing narration, actual match footage, and documentary interviews.
A legitimately helpful wrestling historical past lesson.
One small change goes a good distance right here. In earlier variations, the mode would ask gamers to finish a listing of duties all through the match. It by no means confirmed tips on how to carry out them on-screen, although, usually sending me to menus to remind myself tips on how to carry out sure strikes. This yr, Visual Concepts has lastly put controls on-screen. That fully modifications the move of the mode, making it really feel as immersive because it was at all times meant to be.
That’s to not say that it’s excellent. I discovered myself hitting a lot of frustration in matches because of the collection’ notoriously hit-and-miss AI. “Macho Man” Randy Savage’s large victory at Wrestlemania V was tainted for me when he received, because of Hulk Hogan wandering round at ringside till he was unceremoniously counted out. In different matches, I fought towards uncooperative AI as I attempted to carry out again grabs or get them planted within the nook of the ring. I discovered myself giving up on aims in moments like that, as getting computer-controlled gamers the place they have to be is not any straightforward process. Even with that quirk, that is nonetheless probably the most useful model of the mode I’ve seen but and a legitimately helpful wrestling historical past lesson.
Superstar shake-up
While I’m happy with the tweaks throughout the board, I can’t assist however discover that I’ve been enjoying the identical set of modes for 3 years straight now. I don’t have an excessive amount of of an issue with that, contemplating that every mode is at its greatest right here, however I’m arriving on the level the place I’m curious to see what else the 2K group may convey to the desk somewhat than continuously remixing one thing like MyFaction. Even one of the best modes threat getting stale at this level with out some new blood to shake it up.
It’s laborious to think about that I’ll be as enthusiastic about subsequent yr’s recreation if it’s as brief on recent concepts.
I can particularly really feel that rigidity in MyRise, which has lengthy been the collection’ most hit-and-miss story mode. To 2K’s credit score, this yr’s pair of narratives are extra inventive than typical. The male-centric Undisputed mode is a spotlight, telling the story of a darkish horse champion residing in Roman Reigns’ shadow. Rather than telling one other rags-to-riches story, it’s an awesome little wrestling story a couple of champ combating again imposter syndrome after a tainted victory. (For the file, I created a 100-pound goblin named “Greek Steve” for the mannequin who had an infinite tattoo of Reigns on his chest, and I like him dearly.)
The different story, Unleashed, is the place I start to really feel slightly exhausted by the idea of MyRise. Here, I tackle the position of a hardcore indie darling who turns into a member of the WWE roster. Its well-trodden territory by now, as soon as once more exhibiting off an outsider’s rise to the highest. It’s a stale mode slowed down by basic MyRise issues, equivalent to poor voice performing and infrequently cringe-inducing writing. One weird mission set-up in Undisputed entails an NPC complaining about “snowflakes” who can’t bear to attend in line to get their turkey burgers. When did turkey burgers develop into the brand new avocado toast!?
2K Games
Part of me goals of what the WWE 2K group may do if it didn’t need to pump out new variations of the identical 5 modes yearly. How lengthy will or not it’s till we get one other nice thought like MyGM if the group has to tug collectively new MyRise and Showcase tales annually? I wouldn’t thoughts seeing the suite swap issues up now that its core modes have reached their full potential. Perhaps that’s a tall order on this planet of annualization, however it’s laborious to think about that I’ll be as enthusiastic about subsequent yr’s recreation if it’s as brief on recent concepts.
That’s a inventive drawback for 2025, although. As far as this yr goes, Visual Concepts has executed the one factor that even its cowl star, Cody Rhodes, has but to do: end its story. WWE 2K24 looks like the ultimate step of the collection’ comeback. It’s a richly detailed wrestling simulator with a collection of improved modes, a superb roster, and probably the most highly effective inventive suite in maybe any fashionable online game. This is what the highest of the mountain appears to be like like. Acknowledge it.
WWE 2K24 was examined on a PS5 hooked as much as a TCL 6-Series R63570 TV.
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