WWE 2K17: Features That Will Make or Break Upcoming Game

The WWE gaming experience has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years since being taken underneath the 2K umbrella, and early indications are that WWE 2K17 will build upon the foundation that has been laid over the past few editions of the game.

While most of the game modes and features in 2K17 have been carried over from last year, they have undergone tweaks and received additions that will go a long way toward determining how well the game is received by the WWE Universe.

With 2K17 set to hit shelves Oct. 11, here is a look at some of the top features that will make or break the game.

Universe Mode Improvements

The WWE 2K series offers enough gameplay options to keep players engaged for months on end, but there is little doubt that Universe Mode is the primary feature that hooks gamers over the long haul.

Universe Mode allows anyone to create their own version of WWE by setting the rosters, shows and pay-per-views, as well as creating whatever rivalries they choose and determining the titleholders. WWE 2K17's signature mode essentially allows gamers to experience what it's like to be owner Vince McMahon.

That has been the case for the past few editions of the game, but Universe Mode takes another leap forward this year in several aspects, including the overall look and feel, as seen in this photo, courtesy of WWE 2K17 on Twitter:

The new features don't stop there, though, according to WWE.2K.com. Chief among them is the addition of a new promo engine that allows players to put Superstars on the mic and have them call out potential rivals to set the stage for feuds.

Storylines can also be furthered through the use of planned run-ins that can be scheduled to take place at certain points in matches. There are also random run-ins, maintaining the unpredictability that makes WWE so entertaining.

MyCareer Additions

MyCareer has been an important part of the WWE 2K video games for the past couple years, and it has enhanced the replayability substantially given it allows players to create a Superstar and guide them from being a rookie in NXT to becoming a WWE Hall of Famer.

There are many challenges along the way, but 2K17 makes that road even more exciting with a few notable add-ons.

Per WWE.2K.com, the promo engine added to Universe Mode is also incorporated into MyCareer, and the decisions made on the microphone can shape the path the created Superstar takes.

Also, since Brock Lesnar is the cover athlete, he plays a big role in MyCareer and has an impact on the direction.

Much like last year's game allowed the player to choose whether they wanted to join The Authority or go against them, the same can be done in 2K17 with regard to the Beast Incarnate and his advocate, Paul Heyman.

Lesnar is arguably the most dominant force in WWE history, and his involvement adds a ton of intrigue to MyCareer regardless of the choices made by the player.

Largest Roster Ever

There is a penchant for going bigger and better with each passing year, and that is especially true when it comes to the roster in WWE 2K17.

Along with adding several big names to a WWE video game for the first time, such as AJ Styles, Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura, WWE 2K17 features the bulk of the Raw, SmackDown and NXT rosters, as well as many of the biggest legends in wrestling history.

One of the best things about the roster is it allows gamers to stay true to the current version of WWE if they so choose, but they are also capable of making their own fantasy universe and booking dream matches that haven't happened, and some of which could never possibly take place.

While some might view the massive roster as a detriment, offering too many options and perhaps taking away from the current Superstars, hardcore WWE fans will undoubtedly be thrilled with the possibilities at their disposal.

Gaming is about getting away from reality and enjoying things that aren't always possible in the real world, and while WWE 2K17 offers the most realistic virtual WWE experience ever, it also makes creating an alternate universe with its diverse roster a fun and enjoyable experience.

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