No matter who you are, you want to be entertained! Whether it’s a fantastic book, enthralling and dramatic play, captivating TV series, or an enticing video game, you don’t care. All you want is to be amused and distracted from start to end. However, there is one genre that blends many of these elements to deliver an OTT and exciting spectacle. I am, of course, talking about wrestling! Men and women put their bodies and livelihoods on the line to amuse their many spectators. So, what better way to expand its fanbase than by releasing an associated video game? WWE 2K22 is the latest instalment of scantily clad men and women fighting one another for your entertainment.
Developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Games, this is a real to life sports simulation title. Its predecessor WWE 2K20 was a failure and flopped within moments of being released. Furthermore, it was a buggy mess that disappointed many players. Therefore, I’m hopeful that both publisher and developer have learnt from the past, and this latest instalment is a marked improvement.
WWE 2K22 brings a lot to the table.
Let’s cover the elephant in the room and accept that there are bugs and glitches. Sadly, there are lots of them, but they are mostly harmless and amusing. The majority focus on visual issues and rarely do they impact the gameplay. However, they shouldn’t be there and this is something that will be patched out…I hope.
Performance issues aside, WWE 2K22 brings a lot of action to the table. The amount of detail, depth, and options are almost overwhelming. Subsequently, fans will be spoilt for choice as they take on traditional modes, become a GM, create a wrestler, and so forth. There is also a fantastic training section, online play, couch co-op, and more. Furthermore, you can select from the modern roster of athletes, legendary wrestlers, and upcoming stars. Alongside this, there is also the inclusion of custom wrestlers to add spice to the recipe.
I spent an unhealthy amount of time designing my fighter, but it amused me nonetheless. I designed the beautiful and childish It Che Frush, who was deadly and irritating. She was a solo fighter, as she was always thwarted in tag team matches by the Can Es Ten Duo. Right, enough about my immature approach. Let’s get on with this!
Take on a career or enjoy quick tournaments.
What makes WWE 2K22 particularly great is its depth. Whether you are playing for an extended session or jumping in for five minutes, it has you covered. Furthermore, this is easy to play online against friends and strangers. Therefore, it’s accessible as well as community-focused. Unsurprisingly, though, the lobbies are a tad childish and this can be tedious. The “banter” can be ignored or avoided altogether, so it’s a minor issue.
I’m not a massive wrestling fan, so the slow-paced elements of the GM mode were lost on me. However, if you love finer details, and organising every element of a show, then you’ll adore it. You must hire a roster of superstars, organise the fights, and wow the crowds. On top of this, you’ll have objectives to hit, finances to balance, and a rival to overcome. You can also take part in every battle, or simulate them to speed things up. Subsequently, it’s the perfect option for a wrestling superfan. You’ll finally get to manage the team of your dreams while becoming the most popular GM on the planet.
It offers everything you’d expect and more.
Other than the GM mode, you’ll experience the normal custom/exhibition matches, the much-loved Sandbox world of “Universe”, Showcase, MyFACTION, and MyRISE. The latter two are new to the franchise and bring it in line with other sports simulation titles.
MyFACTION is similar to Fifa’s Ultimate Team, and it allows you to create a special roster of wrestlers. Here you’ll unlock rare cards, find superstar wrestlers, and more. You’ll build up a stable of athletes and take on the world.
MyRISE is your go-to story mode for your created character. Here you’ll experience a unique plot depending on your sex. Furthermore, you must start rivalries, build friendships, and experience many twists and turns.
Finally, the game’s key mode is Showcase! Here you take on the role of Rey Mysterio and relive his fabled career. It is a narrative-driven affair with objectives to complete and characters to unlock.
Plenty to do, but is it worth it?
It’s not unusual for a sports title to go all out with its features. So, what we really want to know is, is it worth it? Well, yes, it is. The action far surpasses anything previously seen in the franchise. Obviously, there are the aforementioned bugs and glitches, but these won’t bother you. You’ll adore the high-energy matches, the variety of rules and regulations on offer, and the intense rivalries. Moreover, if you follow modern wrestling, you’ll enjoy the familiar characters and storylines.
On top of this, the transition between offline and online action is seamless. The gameplay flows beautifully thanks to the well-designed UI. Also, the cross-play features allow every player to enjoy the full customisation options normally reserved for PC gamers. This was a nice touch from the developers and one that expanded its appeal exponentially.
WWE 2K22 looks amazing.
Wrestling is all about the show and the razzmatazz. Luckily, WWE 2K22 captures this perfectly! Its graphics are bright, crisp, flashy, and in your face. What’s more, it looks great, plays smoothly, and is a treat to look at. I loved the real to life images of each wrestler, and the bizarre looks of every custom creation. For me, sports titles don’t come better than this.
To enhance the drama further, you’ll enjoy a curated soundtrack from Machine Gun Kelly. The eclectic blend of tracks has some world-famous artists performing their hit songs. Consequently, this adds to the showbiz nature of the gameplay. Alongside the badass tracks, you’ll enjoy some crunching sound effects and OTT commentary. Neither of these elements is surprising, but they add drama and were wonderful to listen to.
An excellent tutorial.
I always worry that wrestling games will be complex and annoying to play. There is always a niggling doubt that the developers will overcomplicate matters. Luckily, however, WWE 2K22 has a phenomenal tutorial. Subsequently, within minutes, you’ll be grappling, punching, and kicking your way to victory. The controls are also extremely responsive and this saves you from mashing the buttons. Yes, there are some detailed elements that require time to master, but it’s pretty straightforward and great for newcomers.
Thanks to its deep career paths, online and offline action, and amusing customisation options, this will keep you entertained. Moreover, you can waste hours creating a super roster of wrestlers or take minutes to battle a mate online. Consequently, this has masses of replay value and longevity.
WWE 2K22 is a wrestling fan’s dream.
I wouldn’t go as far to say that I now love wrestling again, but this did amuse me. WWE 2K22 is perfect for the avid wrestling fan while also offering enough to entertain those sitting on the fence. There is something for everyone and this ensures you won’t tire of it easily. I enjoyed it and I recommend you to buy it here! Can you defeat every contender and become a champion? Or perhaps you’ll become a world-renowned GM. Whatever you decide, this is one wrestling title that has you covered.
