WWE 2K15: Impressions of MyCareer Gameplay, Presentation and Superstar Creation
Visual Concepts and 2K Sports have revolutionized the single-player campaign mode in sports video games with their MyPlayer/MyCareer concept.
The NBA 2K series has shown just how engrossing the mode can be. It's hard to find a NBA 2K gamer who doesn't play MyCareer.
The moment 2K Sports announce that it had acquired the WWE license for video games, the anticipation for a MyCareer experience in the virtual world of sports entertainment began.
Last year's WWE 2K14 didn't bring the concept, but WWE 2K15 will be the first to use MyCareer. Last Thursday, I was at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida for a press event. We got an opportunity to test the mode extensively.
Here are my takeaways.
The Concept
When you begin, you create the Superstar you plan on guiding through the career process.
You begin with a quick tryout in front of WWE Performance Center head trainer Bill DeMott. You take on a fictional superstar who is also looking to gain a spot in NXT.
It's traditional gameplay, but DeMott is sitting ringside and you can hear him shouting at you.
Essentially, you're looking to ascend to the ranks of NXT with William Regal, and then to the WWE main roster where Vickie Guerrero and Triple H will oversee your endeavors, and potentially to the Hall of Fame.
There's a role-playing element that enables each person's journey to be unique. Gamers will be allowed to have two separate MyCareer saves. You could basically create a heel and a baby face to find out what virtual life will be like on both sides of the spectrum.
Perhaps the most awesome aspect of the mode is called Career Invasion. Gamers are able to import up to five of their friends' created wrestlers into their MyCareer experience.
These wrestlers will invade at random points to supply a cool element that has never been implemented in any other version of the concept. It's also possible to purchase assistance in the form of managers and other helpful elements along your journey.
Adding moves and attributes also helps to keep the mode fresh and new.
Superstar Creation
The first question almost everyone will have when it comes to creating a superstar is whether gamers will be allowed to scan their own faces like in NBA 2K15.
The answer to that question is: No.
However, I was told that it was possible the feature could be added down the road, but it was unclear whether that would be post-release for WWE 2K15, or next year and beyond.
The facial-creation process does have some sculpting options that should enable gamers to flex their creative muscle, but there's no doubt the lack of face-scanning technology will be disappointing to some.
They may be a bit more discouraged when they see the amount of hairstyles (18 in all), facial paint and other accessories for created wrestlers have also been limited.
From what I could tell, the mode seemed to be finalized. Unless more options are added post release, this is what gamers will have to choose from in the way of superstar creation. More information on this aspect of the game figures to be revealed when 2K discusses its creation suite.
Mode Presentation
From a presentation standpoint, the mode looks great. The WWE Performance Center was rendered about as accurately as possible. DeMott's voice offers a cool departure and different experience during gameplay.
The menu system within MyCareer was easy to follow, which is something that can be taken for granted. A jumbled set of menus can be frustrating and can cause gamers to lose their way and motivation while playing the game.
We were told that the in-game commentary has been overhauled. Michael Cole (who was present in Orlando) talked about how he and Jerry "The King" Lawler worked in the same studio for this project.
There's certainly new lines for each, but I didn't get an opportunity to hear the conversations that Cole and Lawler will have in the MyCareer mode. Perhaps that will shine through more during 2K Showcase or Universe mode.
Overall
WWE 2K15 still looks great and plays like a wrestling simulation. The MyCareer mode seems to be set to succeed in introducing a new concept into the already popular mode with career invasion.
That will likely be the feature that sets the experience apart. There will be gripes about the decreased amount of options available to customize, but the NBA 2K version of the mode flourished for years before the developers opened up the flood gates for the upcoming release.
There's a chance that the WWE 2K15 version of MyCareer will offer a journey compelling enough to encourage gamers to look beyond what they can't customize.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
