With an overhauled fighting system and other improvements in the graphics, visuals, soundtrack and game modes, WWE 2K22 is a large jump in quality from its predecessor WWE 2K20.
In the fall of 2019, WWE 2K20 released to great controversy amongst fans and critics.
The game experienced frequent bugs that would delete save data had a slower gameplay pace than that of WWE 2K19 and had major problems in character models looking, unlike their real-life counterparts.
Due to this, 2K’s developmental team decided to skip a year of their typical game cycle to work extra hard on fixing the problems with 2K20.
Did it work out as planned? I’d say so.
Some of the improvements that 2K22 has made over 2K20 are clear before you even get to play your first match.
For one, the visuals on the cover and in the menus are a lot more vibrant and exciting, paired with a soundtrack that includes more hard-hitting tracks and with less pop, indie rock and EDM than in recent years.
Kudos to Machine Gun Kelly for assembling a soundtrack that includes Wu-Tang Clan, Motorhead, Turnstile, KennyHoopla, Poppy, Asking Alexandria, Bring Me The Horizon and more, all of which really fit a wrestling soundtrack.
Once you do finally step into a match the gameplay is going to feel a bit jarring.
This year the game has moved towards a combo system that requires various combinations of light attacks, heavy attacks and grapples to perform moves.
Overall this style of controls, paired with the more difficult AI, gives the game a more arcade-like feel that requires more skill rather than a simulation style.
For new players, this may be a bit challenging but experienced players shouldn’t take too long to get used to the challenge of the new control scheme.
2K22 has also experienced massive improvements in the graphics and the quality of models.
Some of the largest improvements include the models of The Rock and Edge which went from looking like mediocre custom superstars to being nearly deep fake levels of having really captured their likeness.
The game has also made improvements to some of the game modes.
In-Universe Mode, you can now play as one wrestler for the duration of a year, acting as a callback to the Season Mode in older games.
GM Mode has also made a return, included with four different general managers to choose from along with a custom GM option.
These modes with the addition of the MyFaction and MyRise modes will ensure that any player will have a lot to explore within the game before they get bored.
Despite all the improvements, the game isn’t without its fair share of issues.
There are far too many “secret wrestlers” locked behind game modes that are only usable within that mode, which is very disappointing.
The game’s roster also has removed numerous wrestlers from previous games in the series, including legends like Lita, Mankind, Molly Holly and Vader, along with current era stars like Mark Andrews.
Overall WWE 2K22 is a big step in the right direction in almost every area for a game series that desperately needed it.