There was a time, not that long ago, when the future of WWE 2K games felt bleak. While the less said about WWE 2K20 the better for everyone, it’s simply worth noting that it’s lacklustre delivery really had 2K rethink how they delivered their yearly sports entertainment franchise. Smartly, the publisher took 2021 off, and came back with a revised and update game in WWE 2K22. That success carried on with WWE 2K23, so it should be no surprise that this year’s instalment, WWE 2K24, continues to wave the banner proudly.
Like the upcoming Wrestlemania XL, this year’s game is strongly inspired by cover boy Cody Rhodes’ desire to “finish the story” and claim the WWE Championship. In the case of WWE 2K24, it’s not just one story you’re finishing. Instead, you’ve given the opportunity to finish multiple stories as you play through the Showcase of the Immortals in celebration of 40 Years of Wrestlemania.
Being able to play through classic moments from various ‘Mania’s is definitely a cool concept, and WWE announcer Corey Graves does a solid job giving backstory to each match you encounter. Like previous instalments, though, you don’t play through a match straight. Instead, you aim to hit various markers to progress as the match seamlessly flips between classic footage and gameplay. Your mileage will vary as to how you like that particular creative decision.
WWE 2K24 contains two significant match type additions this year, with Ambulance Matches and Casket Matches. Both are a lot of fun, in no small part because of their interactive nature. Climbing to the top of an ambulance and throwing your opponent down to floor is strangely satisfying, as is battling to close the casket on a prone wrestler. It’s also worth noting that blood is an option in WWE 2K24; you’ve got to turn it on, and when you do, it looks damn realistic.
There are two new storyline modes this year in MyRise, one dedicated to women and another for male talent. I haven’t played the latter as of yet, but I’m in the midst of MyRise Unleashed and I’m really enjoying it. As a wrestling gamer, my inclination is to just play matches with my favourites. I’m not someone that creates my own characters, but I’m right into the story for Allie Blaze, the name I created for the female wrestler in this story. The writing in MyRise is excellent, as is the voice work of some familiar faces like Shotzi and the returning William Regal.
On the topic of creating wrestlers, I am amazed at the whole online gaming community devoted to creating accurate superstars and arenas from across the professional wrestling world. Already, in just a few short days, there are hundreds of characters to choose from, including updates to in-game wrestlers to stars from AEW and yesterday. Although the WWE 2K24 roster is huge, with more than 200 wrestlers to choose (including multiple iterations of icons like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, John Cena, and The Undertaker), there are names that you’d want to play as that aren’t there. It doesn’t matter, though, because the online community are going to create them.
Gameplay mechanics for WWE 2K24 are pretty consistent from previous years, though the addition of back and forth slaps and punches in a striking mini game is pretty cool and adds something extra to the proceedings. Like the majority of move delivery, it’s all about timing to connect and win the battle.
The one aspect of WWE 2K24 that remains too static from year to year is the commentary. It’s not that Corey Graves, Michael Cole, and Byron Sexton do bad jobs; to my ears, the problem is always the lack of flow. There are moments where it sounds like the trio are calling a match, but there are others where commentary just doesn’t feel cohesive enough. Though I’m not a sports gamer, for me, the greatest example of sports commentary comes from the NBA 2K franchise, where you feel as though you’re immersed in a real game. Of all the things I’d love to see updated for next year, it’s a commentary revamp. Book Pat McAfee and Wade Barrett for a few days, and lets get those guys into the mix to freshen things up.
Overall, there’s nothing to complain about for sports entertainment fans with WWE 2K24. The game feels very much like an accurate and fun representation of everything the WWE Universe loves. The only question now for fans is whose story will YOU finish?
