Let’s get ready to rumble
Get ready to rumble with the four-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, former UFC Heavyweight Champion and decorated NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar as he graces the cover of the flagship WWE video game franchise—WWE 2K17. All of your favourite Superstars and Divas are here including current WWE World Champion AJ Styles, WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens, emerging NXT wrestlers, WWE Hall of Famers, and WWE alumni from years gone by. Featuring more than 135 playable Superstars, WWE 2K17 delivers the largest roster in WWE games history.
Visual Concepts, best known for developing Take-Two Interactive’ s 2K series of sports games, and Yuke’s long-time veterans of WWE game development, have several tweaks and enhancements over last year’s WWE 2K16. While there are many improvements and tweaks added to WWE 2K17, l will touch upon some of the most important key enhancements you will see in WWE 2K17.
Platform(s): Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Release Date: October 11, 2016
Developer(s): Yuke’s and Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports
Genre: Professional wrestling, sports, fighting
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Recreate the drama and excitement with WWE Universe mode
WWE Universe mode allows you act as a general manager of sorts to recreate all the drama and excitement you see every week on Raw, SmackDown Live and NXT. Although the WWE Universe mode has been around for several years, WWE 2K17 features some tweaks and enhancements over previous games. The new Show Presentation system gives you a more authentic feeling as if you are actually playing though one of the weekly episodes of any WWE TV or WWE Network shows. Now, there are even possibilities of run-ins, and attacks before and after matches—it’s just like TV, you never what might happen next.
The story lines in WWE 2K17’s WWE Universe mode are much less repetitive than previous years. It used to be that if you picked a feud between two characters, all the shows would feature the same match each week, and then at the pay per view there would be no real payoff. However, WWE 2K17’s WWE Universe mode has a much more natural pace to it and feels more realistic. For example, I had a feud between Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair. The first week it was Sasha Banks versus Nikki Bella and Charlotte interfered. The second week was Charlotte versus Bayley and Sasha was down at ringside waiting to cause havoc.
Additionally, another new feature in this year’s WWE Universe mode are promos. Using a brand new Promo Engine, WWE 2K17 allows the WWE Superstars to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions just like you would see between weekly bouts. Moreover, WWE 2K17 features a completely revamped offering of all Universe Mode cut scenes—it is easy to see that this year’s WWE Universe is the most comprehensive and authentic version of the mode to date.
New creation features
Another notable improvement to WWE 2K17 is the WWE 2K17 Creation Suite where you can customize, build and share your own unique WWE Superstars, Arenas, Shows, Entrances and more. New creation features include more parts, additional adjustment options and elements like body hair. These are just a tiny example of what has been added to this game’s massive set of customization options.
Furthermore, a full Highlight Replay system has been added, which allows you to record video highlights from your matches. You can then use this video in the new Create a Video feature, which allows you to create videos for custom entrance videos for your created Superstars. This is easy to do and seeing a custom entrance video that you have made up on the Titan Tron will send shivers down your spine.
Enhanced gameplay with a rewarding experience
WWE 2K17 features a deep, technical grapple system that rewards those who take the time to learn it, and don’t simply mash the buttons. The game has an authentic feel to it that simulates professional wrestling better than any other game to date. Gameplay has shifted from an arcade-centric, fighting game style to simulation-based gameplay where you now have more control over the exact type of attacks you want to do in any given situation.
2K Sports have listened and WWE 2K17 marks the return of playable backstage and the ability to finally fight crowd areas—something that fans like you and I have been clamouring for. Taking the fight into the crowd is a fantastic! Here is a little tip that will add to the excitement, head north-west of the announce desks and you will find an area loaded with weapons. I have to say thought that backstage battles are my favourite. You can wrestle pretty much anywhere around the gorilla position, Authority office, and dressing room, and pull of brutal finishers that are absolutely devastating like the powerbomb. It’s awesome!
A big part of WWE 2K17’s gameplay enhances come in the greatly improved responsiveness of your character and the updated game systems like Ladders, Taunts and the introduction of a new secondary submission system. There are even new in-game moves such as Charlotte’s Swingout Neckbreaker, and Samoa Joe’s Face Wash Combo that contribute to the authentic WWE experience.
WWE 2K17 NXT Edition
For die-hard wrestling fans, like you and I, there is a totally awesome special edition of WWE 2K17. WWE 2K17 NXT Edition comes with exclusive playable NXT superstars such as Nia Jax, Apollo Crews, Shinsuke Nakamura, and an exclusive 8-inch Demon Finn Balor collectable statue.
That’s not all, you also get the exclusive Goldberg Pack—2 playable versions of WCW and WWE Goldberg, as well as WCW Monday Nitro and Halloween Havoc playable areas—an exclusive Canvas 2 Canvas lithograph signed by Shinsuke Nakamura, and more. If you want the ultimate WWE experience, you have to get this special edition of the game.
Final Thoughts
As a long-time fan of WWE, I was completely captivated by WWE 2K17. I’ll be honest; the game is not perfect but it is one of the best wrestling games in recent memory. It’s clear that Visual Concepts and Yuke’s listened to the feedback they received and in turn produced a game that, in my opinion, is the best in the franchise to date.
The sheer amount of playable characters is nothing short of astonishing, the amount of gameplay modes and customizations are marvellous, and the deep gameplay will keep you coming back for more. To be honest I was a little bit disappointed that the 2K Showcase didn’t make it into WWE 2K17. Though 2K had good reason, many of the historic WWE Superstars needed were not available for inclusion in the game—it is understandable. I’m glad that instead of giving us a half-baked version of the 2K Showcase they decided to focus on building and delivering great content.
If you are a WWE fan you will not want to miss out on WWE 2K17, it is the one of the most comprehensive pro wrestling games to date.
+ The biggest roster of playable WWE characters ever
+ Exceptional amount of customization options
+ The return of playable backstage and crowd areas
+ Storylines are more varied
– 2K Showcase mode is missing
– Little to no graphical upgrade from previous version
– MyCareer mode is not as polished as other modes
OVERALL
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 3.5/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.1/5 (82%)
Get WWE 2K17 for PlayStation 4
Get WWE 2K17 NXT Edition for PlayStation 4
Get WWE 2K17 for Xbox One
Get WWE 2K17 for PlayStation 3
Get WWE 2K17 for Xbox 360
