After a long break, WWE 2K22 is finally out for Deluxe Edition owners, and the feedback from wrestling fans has been good. While it's a return to form, it also makes an improvement over its predecessors by adding more features, as well as featuring an updated graphics engine that's more in line with the NBA 2K series.
It's no secret that the developers at Visuals Concepts need a win with this entry. The bad press that WWE 2K20 received made national news, and investors at WWE were understandably upset. This year, WWE 2K22 is an important release for both the studio and the WWE, as the games tend to have the knock-on effect of renewing fan interest. After spending some time with the game, the time is right to dive into what is great and not so great about WWE's new title.
8 Loved: The Presentation
Straight of the gate, the first thing fans will notice is the improvement in WWE 2K22's visuals. The most noticeable improvements can be seen on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, but the last-gen machines are no slouch either when it comes to graphics.
The presentation also extends to the commentary work. It's still not as good as NBA 2K22, but WWE 2K22's commentary is noticeably better than its predecessors. There's less repetition this time, and seems to be more on par with EA'sUFC series in terms of quality.
7 Loved: The New Control System
A lot has been said for the game's new combat system, with the "It hits different" tagline. Thankfully, different means better in WWE 2K22. The system is almost reminiscent of wrestling games like WCW/NWO Revenge, WWF No Mercy, and Fire Pro Wrestling in the way the grapple moves are initiated by locking up.
The combo system takes some getting used to, but it works surprisingly well in the way it is integrated with light and heavy grapples. Reversals seem to be easier to initiate compared to how they're performed in previous games. In addition to reversals, there are grapple break counters that rely on reading one's opponent. This can lead to very skilled and entertaining matches full of counters, reversals, and ways to counter reversals. It has to be said, however, that gamers playing this entry right after playing WWE 2K19 and WWE 2K20 may need some time to adjust to the new mechanics.
6 Loved: MyGm Mode
There have been some complaints that the new General Manager mode (AKA MyGM Mode) isn't as in-depth as Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 or the Fire Promoter mode in Fire Pro Wrestling World. That may be the case to some degree, but it's far from a terrible experience and it makes for a welcome addition to this entry.
The new MyGM mode tasks players with managing a wrestling show as a singular promotion. This means that the player will need to draft a roster of wrestlers and legends and book successful shows every week for 15, 25, or 50 weeks. The biggest drawback is after the season is over, the player has to start again. It's not a deal-breaker though, and is a nice break from the in-ring action.
5 Loved: Showcase Mode
This year's entry focuses on Rey Mysterio in the Showcase mode. It's an entertaining run that merges real footage of some of Rey's best matches into the gameplay, giving the player set tasks to complete.
Each match seems to provide a different challenge for the player to overcome. Fighting powerhouses like The Undertaker and Batista offer a very different challenge to Eddie Guerrero and Gran Metallik. It's also interesting to note that playing the mode will also unlock Shawn Michaels, Batista, and JBL, so they get added to the roster. It's also the best way to get accustomed to the game's new mechanics.
4 Loved: Wrestler Creation
The 'Create a Superstar' mode in the WWE 2K series has been the lifeblood of the series for a long time. It allows players to create almost anyone they want: wrestlers in other promotions, missing Legends, or random celebrities.
The mode has an incredible amount of depth, and players can fine-tune almost every aspect of the created wrestler's face. Moreover, one can upload their own photo to make their created superstar look even more accurate. There are already realistic-looking Chris Jericho models to be downloaded.
3 Loved: The Most Polished Launch In Years
With every entry in the WWE 2K series, one has come to expect a certain amount of bugs at launch. However, WWE 2K22 is easily the most polished entry in the series in years, with no major hiccups at launch.
There are some minor issues that can easily be patched out with future updates. However, after the disastrous launch that was WWE 2K20, fans can rest assured that a few early bugs aside, WWE 2K22 runs great from the start.
2 Didn't Love: No Chain Wrestling Option
One thing that makes a significant difference to the gameplay in WWE 2K22 is the lack of a chain wrestling option. The developers at Visuals Concepts seem to have adopted a faster wrestling style. However, for those that prefer an accurate simulation of a wrestling match, the removal of chain wrestling altogether is a significant loss.
In previous versions, players could adjust a slider to turn off or turn down its frequency in the Balancing Settings. Taking it out entirely is disappointing for those that enjoy the technical side of wrestling. As a result, WWE 2K22 leans a bit more on the side of an arcade fighting game, so a lot of matches will start with the opponents trying to hit their biggest moves from the start without any consequences.
1 Didn't Love: Can't Adjust Wrestler AI
A long-requested feature that some fans of Fire Pro Wrestling were hoping for in WWE 2K22 was the ability to adjust a wrestler's AI. This feature means that wrestlers would behave as close to their real-life counterparts as much as possible.
Being able to adjust a wrestler's logic in the ring would add longevity to the game's single-player features and make it feel closer to a real-life wrestling match. Changing wrestler's behavior would also add more depth to the "Create a Superstar" mode, making sure that a character performs their moves in the correct order. This is less a criticism of the game, but more of a hope that such a feature will be possible in a future entry.
WWE 2K22 launches on March 11, 2022, on the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.