WWE 2K17: Roster Review and Details of Online Options

Given the hype around its release, the wait for Tuesday and WWE 2K17 hitting store shelves feels something close to the excruciating wait for AJ Styles to finally join the WWE.

Like Styles, already a conqueror of John Cena and a current champion, WWE 2K17 promises to offer some of the best action available upon arrival.

The team at 2K Sports has built an incredible foundation over the years overflowing with features and updates. In this regard it's sort of like the WWE itself after the brand split, where individual pieces get to shine under a brighter spotlight than ever.

From gameplay and graphic improvements to new features and customization, here's a peek at how the game plays online and the gigantic roster reaching far into the company's past.

Details of Online Options

2K Sports once again allows players to take the WWE Universe global via online play, meaning users will be teaming and competing with others and sharing a seemingly endless amount of custom content made possible by the creation suite. 

Fans of the series will recognize a few of the features from last year. 2K Tonight offers challenges and rewards bonus points upon completion, while WWE Live and Team Up offer similar modes with varying numbers of players.

Private matches are where players can make the rules, come together with friends and bring a wealth of customization along for the ride.

The extensive creation suite plays a part:

Whether it's attire, entrances, shows or wrestlers themselves, custom matches let fans of the series go all-out with the universe at their fingertips.

Of course, it wouldn't hurt if the game had a stellar base roster to start with—and it does.

Roster Review

The roster itself, linked above, is downright incredible. 

Spoiler alert—if one had to assign a grade to the roster, it's easily an A+ factor of WWE 2K17.

Think about what a daunting task it must be to reach back into the deepest corners of WWE history and implement everyone into a game. (Seriously, scroll through the WWE Network some time and think about it.)

And even when the fanbase has had complaints about omissions, 2K Sports has been there with a compromise—like the Eddie Guerrero fiasco. Guerrero makes it onto the roster as part of the Legends Pack:

• Brutus Beefcake
• Eddie Guerrero
• Greg “The Hammer” Valentine
• Sycho Sid
• Tatanka

While on the topic of packs, the NXT Enhancement Pack includes the following major names:

• Apollo Crews
• Nia Jax
• Shinsuke Nakamura

The first two there have already made their way onto the main roster, and rest assured the third isn't far behind and poised for a quick rise similar to the rocket WWE strapped to Finn Balor's back.

Finally, the Future Stars Pack includes the following wrestlers:

• Austin Aries
• Karl Anderson
• Luke Gallows
• Mojo Rawley
• Tye Dillinger

Keep in mind these are all simply additions to an already ridiculous base roster. When the biggest omission complaints center on Ryback and CM Punk (two guys who split with the company on poor terms), and Kurt Angle (not currently under a known contract), the roster must have a lot going right for it.

The usual names have a home in WWE 2K17, from some of the most important legends in history right on down to the current champs such as Styles and Kevin Owens. As one can see from gameplay videos, character attire and entrances match the real thing, too.

WWE 2K17 is a game with an understanding as to where its strengths reside. A fully loaded roster is only made better by the fact that the team at 2K Sports can keep up with the changes of real life through patches, and those who don't want to wait can make the changes themselves via the creation suite.

Capable of keeping up with the WWE on a day-to-day basis while making improvements on past iterations, WWE 2K17 passes the roster check and more with flying colors ahead of Tuesday's release.

Follow Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) on Twitter.