WWE 2K24 review: One of the Best WWE Games in Years

WWE 2K24 is among the most highly-anticipated wrestling video video games in fairly a while. The yr 2024 marks the fortieth anniversary of WrestleMania, the largest wrestling occasion on the planet, and WWE 2K24 pays tribute to the milestone with the ‘Showcase… of the Immortals’ sport mode.

Alongside model new MyRISE storylines, one other version of MyGM, thrilling new match modes and new mini-games, has followers intrigued in regards to the new sport. Having reviewed NBA 2K24 in September 2023 and being happy with what we noticed, GIVEMESPORT have been fortunate sufficient to get our fingers on this 2K sport a little bit early. After a weekend of taking part in the sport, we’re right here to let you know why this yr’s version of the annual WWE online game is among the greatest in years.

Cowl stars

There are three totally different editions of the video with totally different covers

Earlier than we get into issues, let’s discuss in regards to the cowl stars for WWE 2K24. There are three totally different editions of the online game this yr, the usual version, the deluxe version and the 40 Years of WrestleMania version. All three video games function totally different covers, and whereas each the deluxe and 40 Years of WrestleMania editions can be found on March 5, you will have to attend till March 8 for the usual model of the sport.

The usual version options fan favorite Cody Rhodes on the quilt, and is devoted to his continued quest of ‘ending his story’. This version is priced at £64.99 on the PlayStation retailer. The deluxe version of the sport options two of WWE’s hottest feminine stars, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. The 2 are destined to play enormous roles for the corporate over the following decade, and this model of the sport will present gamers with the WWE 2K24 season move, three-day early entry, WWE 2K23, and several other bonus packs for the MyFACTION sport mode. It is priced at £89.99 on the PlayStation retailer.

Associated Triple H tells Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley & Bianca Belair they’re WWE 2K24 cowl stars What a ravishing second for the three WWE Superstars, and so they really need to be the brand new cowl stars of the most recent sport.

Lastly, the 40 Years of WrestleMania version of the sport will value gamers £104.99 on the PlayStation retailer, however gives loads of bonuses, together with a 40 Years of WrestleMania pack for MyFACTION. The quilt is a particular one too, that includes a plethora of the largest stars in WWE historical past, together with John Cena, The Rock, Hulk Hogan and lots of extra. Now that is lined, let’s get into issues, beginning with WWE 2K24’s spectacular gameplay.

Gameplay

WWE 2K24 tweaks the gameplay a little bit

Previously, there’s been a good quantity of criticism geared toward WWE video video games, however they’re very hardly ever regarding the gameplay on provide. When it comes to the controls and the in-game mechanics, there’s been little or no to take problem with through the years, and the identical might be stated about WWE 2K24. The controls are simple, however how strikes are executed feels state-of-the-art.

There are penalties to the strikes, and the motion of the WWE superstars in-game feels extra genuine than ever. A number of new gameplay options enhance the person expertise too, with a brand new ‘Buying and selling Blows’ mini-game that happens as soon as a match when the wrestlers start buying and selling punches backwards and forwards, brand-new match varieties together with a Casket Match and a Particular Visitor Referee match the place you management the official and new tremendous finishers amongst others. These are all little tweaks that improve the final gameplay in matches, however have the sport modes delivered? Completely.

2K Showcase… of the Immortals

The WrestleMania-themed showcase takes gamers on a visit down reminiscence lane

In honour of the fortieth anniversary of WrestleMania, this yr’s WWE 2K sport contains a brand-new version of the Showcase sport mode, this time specializing in the historical past of WrestleMania and among the best moments and matches to happen on the occasion. The sport mode locations gamers in management, as they navigate via among the most iconic matches throughout 40 years of WrestleMania. For essentially the most half, they smash it out of the park too.

Beginning at WrestleMania III, you kick issues off taking part in as Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat throughout his unbelievable bout in opposition to ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage. From there, you relive extra of essentially the most unbelievable matches to happen at WrestleMania, with every match seamlessly morphing in-game animation with real-life footage by way of 2K’s Slingshot Tech.

It delivers a really satisfying expertise, and never solely helps you to play a key position in reliving some nice WrestleMania moments, however it additionally gives perception to the bouts. There are a number of targets that gamers can obtain via every match that assist unlock the legendary superstars participating in them, however there’s additionally the choice to easily play via the match and win in your individual vogue if you want. The one problem with the mode is an absence of notable matches as a consequence of WWE now not having the licensing rights to a few of their former stars’ likenesses. It is one thing we noticed in 2022, with Rey Mysterio’s profession showcase noticeably lacking a few of his greatest matches because of the wrestlers concerned being unavailable, and that is the case once more this yr.

That does not matter an excessive amount of, although, as followers shall be left happy sufficient with what the sport delivers. It is a enjoyable journey down reminiscence lane and highlights the unbelievable historical past of WrestleMania and why the occasion has change into the worldwide phenomenon that it’s.

MyRISE

WWE’s story mode gives an interactive expertise the place each alternative has an affect

WWE 2K24 brings two new tales to the MyRISE sport mode. On provide, there’s Undisputed, a narrative primarily based on males’s wrestling, and Unleashed, a narrative primarily based on ladies’s wrestling. Undisputed follows the profession of your individual created star, who rises to the principle occasion image in WWE after Roman Reigns determined to vacate his WWE Common Championship. From there, you management your future, with matches in opposition to a few of WWE’s greatest names reminiscent of Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes.

Unleashed follows the profession of a feminine wrestler who, after making a reputation for herself on the impartial wrestling scene, joins WWE and takes issues to the following stage. The 2 modes provide an interactive expertise for gamers, who not solely management their created stars within the ring but in addition their future outdoors of it. Each alternative you make issues and might take the story in several instructions, making certain you’ll be able to replay the mode again and again, with very totally different outcomes.

With stars reminiscent of Reigns, Rhodes and The Miz all offering voice work for the mode, it is a very satisfying and entertaining version to the MyRISE sport mode, and it is an enormous enchancment on previous editions.

MyGM

2K have fine-tuned GM mode with a number of tweaks that take it to the following stage

After years of crying out for the return of a basic supervisor sport mode in WWE video video games, 2K introduced it again a few years in the past, however one thing felt lacking. That is not the case anymore, although, as WWE 2K24 fine-tunes the little points that MyGM has had up to now to ship a way more handy and entertaining expertise.

The favored WWE model administration simulation continues to develop with new GMs and types to select from, together with WCW and ECW, extra match varieties, extra dramas, extra Championships, expertise scouts, Celebrity buying and selling between manufacturers, Celebrity contract administration and the brand new Celebrity Journey, which permits Superstars to earn XP, practice and stage as much as achieve new advantages after taking part in matches. Customers battle for scores supremacy as the final supervisor of their very own WWE model and have the choice to commerce superstars to different reveals whereas attempting to placed on the very best reveals attainable.

MyGM is simply a lot simpler to navigate this yr, with important modifications to deciding on your model’s champions, how your reveals are arrange and the way the rivalries that happen between your wrestlers progress. It won’t be sufficient to appease followers nonetheless desperately ready for one thing just like the previous GM mode from the Smackdown vs Uncooked period of WWE video video games, however it’s actually a step in the proper route.

MyFACTION

The MyFACTION mode returns with extra of the identical

The team-building mode by which gamers gather, handle, and improve an array of WWE Superstars and Legends to create their final four-person factions returns with a brand new direct buy card market and up to date multiplayer expertise. Gamers can now compete in ranked on-line QuickPlay with distinctive rewards and seasonal leaderboards, problem themselves with Weekly Towers, and tackle a revamped Faction Wars 2.0, that includes extra real-world factions, extra 4v4 match varieties, a Faction Wars-specific reward store and extra.

New themed card packs and objectives will proceed to roll out recurrently all year long with seasonal content material refreshes, and there’s lots to get pleasure from throughout the mode that may preserve you entertained for hours. MyFACTION was first launched in WWE 2K22, however it feels as if they’ve now utterly discovered what works and what does not, as that is the strongest version of the mode but.

Universe mode

A staple of WWE video games that continues to shine

One of the standard points of any WWE sport is the Universe mode which permits gamers to regulate the whole WWE panorama. Reserving matches on each main WWE present, dictating rivalries and the future of each WWE celebrity within the firm, Universe mode has impressed once more this yr.

With quite a few additions to the mode, together with brand-new minimize scenes, match varieties, rivalry actions and storyline eventualities, it feels contemporary and gamers will lose themselves within the unbelievable universe for hours, as they’ve with previous editions of the sport mode.

Different points

The creation suite and the soundtrack are each stable

One factor that almost all of WWE 2K gamers like to do, is change the panorama of WWE via the creation suite. Whether or not it is making a brand-new WWE celebrity, a brand new championship title, arenas, move-sets or entrances, there’s lots out there to let your artistic juices circulation, and issues have gotten much more intricate in WWE 2K24.

Now, gamers can create a brand-new referee, and even create indicators for the WWE Universe to parade proudly within the viewers throughout matches. The extent of element included is astounding. One other key element of WWE video games is the soundtrack that accompanies them. This yr, Put up Malone has labored carefully with WWE, to assemble the proper soundtrack for the sport. The star has accomplished a wonderful job too, with a chic mix of rock, nation, rap, pop and extra.

Our verdict

8/10

All in all, after hours and hours taking part in WWE 2K24, we’re very impressed. The additions to this yr’s instalment within the franchise make it some of the satisfying and entertaining in years. Every sport mode has much more to love about them than in any other case. The Showcase… of the Immortals sport mode is a standout and does an exquisite job capturing the extremely wealthy historical past of WrestleMania, MyGM takes a significant step ahead this yr and MyRISE has two implausible tales the place your enter feels extra essential than ever.

After a number of lacklustre additions to the WWE 2K franchise a couple of years in the past, the final couple of entrants have stepped issues up and that is continued this yr. It is not excellent, it is exhausting to discover a sport that’s, however there’s a lot to like about WWE 2K24, and it is a sport that almost all of wrestling followers will fall in love with.

General, WWE 2K24 is an extremely immersive expertise that rewards gamers throughout all of its sport modes. The in-game mechanics are as crisp as they’ve ever been. For our cash, this may simply be the very best WWE sport in years.