WWE 2K24 REVIEW

The much anticipated WWE 2K24, the latest installment in the heralded WWE 2K series, features breathtaking environments, fluid gameplay, new game modes, cool surprises, and even a few new upgrades that take pro wrestling gaming to a whole new level. 

 

At first glance the game looks absolutely fantastic. Simply put, the graphics are insane. Mind you, I’m playing on the Playstation 4 version of the game, so I can’t even begin to imagine what the Playstation 5 graphics are like. Character models for the likes of Randy Orton, Triple H, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair, and many more even had me fooled a few times, as if I was actually watching an episode of Raw or Smackdown. The lighting is particularly on point, while new camera angles and picture perfect arena layouts take this game to a whole new level.

 

Even the referees look fantastic. I was immediately blown away by Charles Robinson’s in-game model, and was happy to see other officials such as Aja Smith and Jessika Carr in the game as well. 

 

Debuting Superstars include Chelsea Green, Bronson Reed, Isla Dawn, and Alpha Academy’s Maxxine Dupri. We had the opportunity to speak with Maxxine ahead of the game’s release about her possibly making her video game debut, and you can watch the full interview HERE. 

 

Notable omissions are CM Punk, who has already been announced as future DLC, and surprisingly Nia Jax who has also been announced as DLC.  

 

The controls are nearly perfect. Something that has always been concerning once a new game of this caliber drops, is how easy the user can pick up the initial controls, or how different those controls will be from the previous installment of the game. Absolutely no issues here as movements are super fluid, reversals are much easier, and bigtime moves including special finishers are much easier to execute. My jaw dropped when I had Rey Mysterio’s finisher reversed by an opponent mid 619, as Rey’s legs were caught in the middle of the maneuver. Little things like this make all the difference, and I can’t wait to explore other possibilities.  

 

After the successful addition of last year’s War Games game mode, WWE 2K24 introduces several new game modes including Gauntlet Matches, Ambulance Matches, Special Guest Referee Matches, and the much anticipated Coffin Match. These are all solid additions to the game, and are exactly what you’d expect, along with some new fun interactions. You can even fight on top of the ambulance, which makes for a very cool visual and big replay moments. New weapons, weapon usage animations, and new backstage areas also bring a lot to the table. Again, everything is just super fluid. 

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The infamous Create A Wrestler mode may be the best it’s ever been. Navigating this mode can be a little tricky to figure out at first, but the end result will be worthwhile. Simply put, I know a few Indie Wrestlers who have already made themselves for the game and it is absolutely amazing how real they look. You can even create signs and referees. 

 

Fan favorite modes like MyGM and MyFACTION give players tons of control in building their very own WWE Universe with a few new additions. Players can now trade Superstars, negotiate contracts, and more. These modes give the game a ton of depth. 

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WWE Showcase mode is exactly what you’d expect and I’m here for it. As someone who came in during The Ruthless Aggression era, I always appreciate the history lesson that comes along with these showcases. As expected, players go through a gamut of iconic WrestleMania matches, reliving marquee moments, and unlocking new playable characters along the way. I always enjoy the usage of going from gameplay to real life footage back to gameplay during these matches. Cody Graves does a fantastic job narrating this fun game mode. 

 

MyRISE offers two storylines this year. I went with the UNLEASHED storyline which features a female wrestler making her way through the indies, a WWE tryout, and even some wrestling politics as she makes her way to the top. I really enjoy these modes because I love the focus on the independent wrestling aspect of it all. There’s even some indie pettiness, talent poaching angles from "TBD Wrestling", and more wrestling drama, which I’m not going to lie, I absolutely popped for.

 

Conversely the UNDISPUTED storyline for the men’s roster, has you climbing the ladder to become the NEXT guy after Roman Reigns to sit at the top of the mountain in WWE. Roman Reigns even does some voiceover work in this one, as well as Cody Rhodes, Mick Foley, and a few other WWE Superstars. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Samantha Irvin’s ring announcements as the proverbial cherry on top of WWE 2K24. 

 

Simply put, WWE2K24 may in fact be one of the best WWE games in recent memory. The game just feels like a bigtime episode of WWE programming and is incredibly user friendly compared to games of the past. I highly recommend picking this one up along The Road To WrestleMania so you can #FinishYourStory. 

 

BCP+ RATING: 9.1 out of 10

 

WWE2K24 is available now on PS4, PS5, XBOX One, XBOX Series X/S, and PC