WWE 2K15: Expert Reviews for Next-Generation Release

The release of WWE 2K15 for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Tuesday was one of the most anticipated this year, and fans of the genre have not been disappointed by this year’s edition.

2K Sports has made wholesale visual upgrades on the next-generation consoles and the graphics are impressive. With a focus on motion-capture technology and the ability to add your own face to the game in the Superstar Studio, fans are able to fully immerse themselves in the latest installment of the series.

The visual upgrades were the main focus for developers assigned to the next-gen games, and the result is the most visually appealing edition of the WWE video game in history. Developer 2K Sports has set the bar high moving forward.

Another drastic improvement is in the actual game play. Over the past several years, the controls were not ideal and it was easy for gamers to mash buttons to have a distinct advantage in a one-on-one matchup. For this year’s game, the 2K Sports team rebuilt the way fans control wrestlers in the game.

While there are some downfalls to the new gameplay style, Michael Huber of GameTrailers.com spoke about the major upgrades and what fans should expect:

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This year, the gameplay has been slowed down considerably for a more deliberate pace. During the early moments of a match, initiating a grapple starts a lock-up hold that you can build off of to get ahead. It’s a simple rock/paper/scissors game between opponents that can help give a player an edge over their opponent, offering a welcome meaningful start to a match.

Striking speed has also been slowed to encourage counters and reduce button mashing. Each successful strike feels significant and it’s a great way to build up momentum.

Unfortunately, the slower movement doesn’t benefit the sense of control as it feels clunky and awkward. Even light-footed specialists like Rey Mysterio feel as heavy as the Big Show and lining up targets can be problematic, especially if there are more than two wrestlers in the ring.

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The controls aren’t the only major upgrade this year, though. Fans of the WWE 2K series have been yearning for a career mode that lives up to the expectations of the NBA 2K Series, and MyCareer in WWE 2K15 could be the most exciting addition to this year’s game.

MyCareer mode is only available on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and the detail surrounding the mode is incredible. For gamers and hardcore wrestling fans looking for the ability to follow a wrestler’s career from the WWE Performance Center to the main event of WrestleMania, this is a dream come true.

The mode is exactly what gamers wanted in theory, but Dave Rudden of IGN.com talked about some of the downsides of the mode in his review of the game:

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The new-gen exclusive MyCareer mode is that same sense of purgatory writ large. I spent well over 10 hours bringing my created superstar from NXT tryouts to WWE pay-per-view matches, and ultimately, to championship gold.

Along the way, however, not much else really happened. I ran afoul of some factions, had a few one-on-one feuds, and occasionally had to endure difficult tests from authority figures, but I also had to endure an excruciating amount of filler.

In between these major events, the vast majority of MyCareer is spent taking part in storyline-free tune-up bouts and dark matches. I would have gladly traded these fights and their utility in improving my character's stats for something a third as long that only included the unique story stuff.

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The WWE 2K15 edition of the MyCareer mode is a great start to what should become a franchise staple, but there is still plenty of room for improvements. With the groundwork now in place, gamers should expect drastic improvements in next year’s MyCareer mode.

One mode that has lived up to expectations—and exceeded many fans’ hopes—is the 2K Showcase mode looking at two of the top rivalries in WWE history. The focus on Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels and John Cena vs. CM Punk will allow fans to relive two of the most important storylines of the 21st century.

Add in the fact that the now defunct Punk is also in the game, and fans of wrestling will be able to relive some of the moments that made them fall in love with wrestling in the first place.

Nick Schwartz of the USAToday.com breaks down the 2K Showcase mode and what additional changes were made to make the game play feel special:

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2K Showcase is the centerpiece of the game and is a perfect example of the game at its absolute best. You play through two famous feuds—Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels, and John Cena vs. C.M. Punk—recreating some of the most memorable matches of the last decade.

The Punk-Cena storyline begins at Money In The Bank 2011, where Punk left the building with the WWE title on the night that his WWE contract expires, and everything from Cena’s stoic entrance to Punk celebrating with fans at the end is presented with amazing attention to detail.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler deliver specific, informative commentary throughout (you can tell they put in work in the studio for 2K Showcase, though it doesn’t really translate to other modes) that makes each contest feel far more alive than the average match. 2K Showcase is the most polished aspect of the game by far, and it’s a joy to play.

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Overall, it is clear that 2K Sports put a huge focus on the graphics.

When making the transition from one generation of consoles to the next, there will be obvious growing pains. Add in the fact that the company is also developing games for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and 2K Sports’ resources are focused on what equates to two very different games.

Those gamers with newer consoles will get the extra content they need to justify the wait for the game’s release, while the new game modes should keep hardcore wrestling fans and gamers alike satisfied for weeks.

The hope is that the lessons learned from this year’s next-gen release will help make next year’s edition of the WWE 2K series even more impressive.

*Information via WWE.2K.com.

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