WWE 2K23, developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K, marks the latest installment in the long-running WWE 2K series. With every new iteration, fans anticipate improvements in gameplay, graphics, and the overall WWE experience. In this review, we’ll dive into eight different aspects of the game to assess whether WWE 2K23 delivers on these expectations.

Gameplay in WWE 2K23: A Familiar Ring with Room for Evolution

WWE 2K23, much like its predecessors, centers its gameplay on delivering an authentic wrestling experience, allowing players to step into the shoes of their favorite WWE superstars and create memorable moments in the ring. However, while the core mechanics remain largely unchanged, there are notable aspects of the gameplay that deserve attention.

The foundation of WWE 2K23’s gameplay is the wrestling action, which seeks to replicate the moves, holds, and strikes seen in WWE broadcasts. Players engage in grapples, perform signature moves, execute strikes, and, ultimately, aim to pin or submit their opponent.

This familiarity with real-world wrestling adds authenticity to the game, and fans of WWE will feel right at home. The control scheme remains consistent with previous iterations, ensuring that long-time players can easily jump into the action. This consistency can be both a strength and a limitation, as it retains the series’ identity but can also make matches feel somewhat formulaic.

Each WWE superstar in the game comes with a unique set of moves, abilities, and finishers, replicating the real-life performers’ wrestling styles and personas. These character-specific movesets allow players to tailor their in-ring experience to their favorite wrestling style, whether it’s high-flying acrobatics or powerhouse grappling.

Stamina management is crucial in WWE 2K23. Performing strenuous moves and strikes depletes a wrestler’s stamina, affecting their overall performance. This adds a layer of strategy, as players must balance aggression with conservation to avoid being exhausted and vulnerable to their opponent’s attacks.

The game offers a variety of match types, from standard one-on-one and tag team matches to more exotic bouts like Hell in a Cell and ladder matches. This diversity ensures that players can recreate their favorite WWE moments and experiment with different strategies.

The environments and arenas are accurately modeled, contributing to the immersive experience. Wrestlers make their entrances with authentic music and pyrotechnics, and the audience reacts dynamically to the action in the ring.

One of the series’ strengths is its robust creation and customization tools. WWE 2K23 continues this tradition, allowing players to design their own wrestlers, complete with unique appearances, entrances, and movesets. The level of detail available in character creation is impressive and caters to players who enjoy crafting their own personas.

Beyond wrestlers, players can create custom arenas, championships, and even entire shows. This feature encourages creativity and personalization, fostering a sense of ownership over the WWE experience.

Challenges and AI Behavior

While WWE 2K23 provides an enjoyable experience, it’s not without its challenges. The AI behavior in the game has been a point of contention among players. Some find that computer-controlled opponents can exhibit predictable patterns and struggle with decision-making in certain situations. This can lead to matches feeling less dynamic and strategic, especially in single-player modes.

In terms of gameplay, WWE 2K23 offers a familiar experience that may satisfy fans of the series but falls short of providing substantial innovation. To keep the series fresh and engaging, future iterations need to introduce new gameplay mechanics and refine existing ones. Addressing issues with AI behavior and pacing in matches can also improve the overall experience.

Graphics and Animation: A Mixed Bag

WWE 2K23 boasts a mix of impressive and underwhelming visuals. Character models of top WWE superstars look incredibly lifelike, with detailed facial expressions and accurate body proportions. The attention to detail in their attire and entrances adds to the authenticity.

However, the same level of detail doesn’t extend to the audience and the arena environment. The crowd often appears flat and lacks the liveliness seen in other sports simulation games. Additionally, there are instances of awkward animation transitions, which can break immersion during matches.

Roster and Character Creation: A Star-Studded Lineup

One of the key draws of any WWE game is the roster, and WWE 2K23 doesn’t disappoint in this department. It features an extensive lineup of WWE superstars, past and present, as well as a selection of NXT and legends. The inclusion of newer talents adds a fresh dynamic to the game, allowing players to recreate recent WWE storylines or create fantasy matchups.

Character creation tools remain robust, letting players craft their own wrestlers, arenas, and championships. This feature continues to be a highlight of the series, offering endless possibilities for customization and personalization.

Story Modes: A Missed Opportunity

WWE 2K23 introduces a story-driven campaign mode, which follows a created wrestler’s journey through the ranks of WWE. While this addition is a step in the right direction, it falls short of its potential. The storytelling feels disjointed at times, with abrupt shifts in tone and pacing.

More depth and character development would have enhanced the experience, making players more invested in their created wrestler’s journey. The campaign mode could benefit from taking cues from other successful sports simulation games that have delivered compelling narratives.

Multiplayer and Online Features: Mixed Bag

Multiplayer modes are a staple of WWE games, and WWE 2K23 offers various options for both local and online play. Local multiplayer remains a blast, allowing friends to duke it out on the couch, creating their wrestling drama.

The online component, however, has been a mixed bag in past WWE 2K games. Lag issues, server instability, and limited match types have been common complaints. It’s crucial that these issues are addressed to provide a smoother online experience for players who want to test their skills against opponents worldwide.

Sound and Commentary: Authentic Atmosphere

The audio design in WWE 2K23 helps create an authentic WWE experience. The entrance music, crowd chants, and ring announcements add to the immersion. Commentary, provided by WWE announcers, contributes to the atmosphere, making matches feel like genuine WWE broadcasts.

However, commentary can become repetitive, with certain lines and phrases getting recycled frequently. A more extensive commentary library would be appreciated to keep the in-game commentary feeling fresh and dynamic.

DLC and Microtransactions: The Fine Line

WWE 2K23 follows the industry trend of including DLC and microtransactions. While downloadable content can extend the game’s longevity by introducing new wrestlers, arenas, and features, it’s essential to strike a balance. Players should feel that they’ve purchased a complete game without the need for additional content to enjoy the full experience.

Microtransactions, especially in a full-priced game, can be a contentious issue. They should enhance the game experience without compromising gameplay or creating a pay-to-win environment. Striking the right balance between offering additional content and avoiding predatory practices is crucial for the game’s overall reception.

Conclusion: Reception and Fan Expectations: A Continual Challenge

The reception of WWE 2K23 has been a mixed bag, reflecting the challenges faced by annual sports simulation game series. While some fans appreciate the incremental improvements in graphics and roster updates, others yearn for more significant innovation in gameplay and storytelling.

The WWE 2K series has historically faced criticism for issues like bugs, glitches, and AI behavior. It’s vital for the developers to address these concerns to maintain player satisfaction and trust.

In conclusion, WWE 2K23 offers a familiar wrestling experience with a star-studded roster and robust character-creation tools. However, it falls short in terms of innovation in gameplay and storytelling. Addressing issues like animation transitions, commentary variety, and online stability is crucial to improving the overall experience. The game’s reception reflects the ongoing challenge of meeting fan expectations in an annual release cycle.