Wrestling fans around the world can finally play WWE 2K24, the installment of WWE and 2K’s best-in-class wrestling video game franchise.
WWE 2K24 Deluxe ($99.99) and 40 years of WrestleMania ($119.99) editions are now availablefor PlayStation 4 &5, Xbox Series X|S/One and Steam. The Standard Edition ($69.99) will be released this Friday, March 8.
After a remarkable entry in the series last year, fans wonder if WWE 2K24 can be even better. I’ve played WWE 2K24 enough in advance on Xbox Series X to share this review, which I will rate between 1 and 10 at the end.
Gameplay Hits Harder Than Past WWE 2K Titles
The developers of WWE 2K24 did a great job improving the gameplay from last year’s game. At first glance, fans may think the wrestling mechanics is precisely the same as WWE 2K23. However, the newest title adds minor tweaks that make it stand above its recent predecessors.
One of the notable additions in the game is the ability to exchange strikes in the middle of a match. WWE 2K24 adds a fun mini-game where you and your opponent must press a button at the correct meter to land a blow. This allows a fun exchange as you try to get the better of your opponent and take control of the match.
Another interesting decision was making the managers outside the ring as challenging as the opponent standing across from you. A player can choose managers like Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan or Miss Elizabeth, who can cause distractions, hand weapons, or even remove the turnbuckle pad. It makes having or going against someone with a manager competitive, as you deal with a wild card at ringside.
WWE 2K Adds Fan Favorite Match Types
The exact match types, including War Games, are present in the newest game. That said, WWE 2K24 adds a few new matches, like the highly requested Casket and Ambulance match. Both are a great addition to WWE 2K24 and deliver fan service that longtime WWE 2K gamers have hoped to see.
The two new match types also create an exhilarating experience as you try to put your opponent in a position to be victorious. When trying to close the casket or the doors of an ambulance on your rival, you are put to the test in a mini-game of rapidly pressing the right buttons to end the contest.
WWE 2K24 also has the Special Guest Referee match, which puts players in control or at the mercy of an official. I found this returning match type fun when playing online with someone as a referee, as you don’t know if they will keep it neutral and add an exciting challenge.
All Persona Cards we've found so far:
– Elite Cody Rhodes (Pre-Order)
– Elite John Cena
– Elite Hulk Hogan
– Seth Rollins '14
– Sheamus '09
– Trick Williams '22Once unlocked, these MyFaction Persona characters are playable in all other modes! #WWE2K24 pic.twitter.com/JqQFzPUgh6
— SmackDown Hotel 🔥 (@TheSDHotel) March 4, 2024
WWE 2K24 Adds Stakes To My Faction Mode
One of the delightful additions to WWE 2K24 was the improvement on My Faction mode. After WWE 2K23, fans wanted to be able to take characters they collected and play in other parts of the game. The developers have listened to the demand and have effectively made playing My Faction mode important to the overall experience.
WWE 2K24 introduces unique character cards called Personas, which could be a variation of a wrestler or potentially someone completely new. This allows fans to play with that character elsewhere in the game. One of the wrestlers I unlocked when selecting my pack of cards to begin My Faction was Sheamus from 2009, and he had his older theme and appearance.
If anyone had hesitations about playing My Faction in the past, WWE 2K24 makes it worthwhile. The ability to play with unique wrestlers in different game modes allows for more options to the already stacked roster.
My Rise Takes Another Step Forward
This year’s My Rise mode is one of the best efforts of the WWE 2K series. The newest title does stick to the same formula of two different storylines for a created male and female character but improves on past games.
It feels like the developers had fun being creative and thinking of different scenarios for gamers to explore. WWE 2K24 My Rise mode puts your character on the journey to the WWE as you try to become a superstar and champion. Fans also have more options than in the past when creating their character, as WWE 2K24 adds new features like different hairstyles and clothing.
I appreciate WWE 2K developers’ ambition and use of My Rise mode to create fun storylines. Another great addition was having different wrestlers contribute voice acting, making the journey worth exploring. WWE 2K24 My Rise was a delightful surprise and makes me wonder if the 2K decides to focus more on it in the future.
WWE 2K24 WrestleMania Showcase Mode Doesn’t Live Up To Its Past
When it was announced that WWE 2K24 would have a WrestleMania showcase mode, I was excited about the possibilities. The last game that celebrated the history of the ‘Grandest Stage Of them All’ was WWE 2K14, and, unfortunately, the newest title couldn’t replicate what made it special.
2K had 39 WrestleManias to highlight and celebrate some of its legendary matches but made the disappointing decision to showcase 21 bouts, some from the same event. This is unfortunate as WWE 2K14 allowed fans to go through the years and highlight one or two matches at every WrestleMania.
What makes it worse is the decision to have cutscenes of the actual matches occur while you are playing them. This leads to jarring moments that take you out of the experience and makes the 40 years of WrestleMania Showcase mode feel like a chore.
A decade after WWE 2K14’s successful attempt to take fans on a nostalgia trip, the WWE 2K24 showcase feels like a half-baked idea and makes me wonder if the developers had too much on their hands.
Overall Conclusion Of WWE 2K24
WWE 2K24 is a step up from his past titles, especially with the gameplay and new features. The graphics look amazing, as they should for a next-gen console. WWE 2K developers also show that they listen to fan feedback about the game’s improvements.
Although the showcase mode was a letdown, it wasn’t enough to ruin my appreciation of the game. The improvements in My Faction are great and what I believe fans will gravitate toward for replay value as they try to unlock new characters. I also think gamers will be intrigued by going through My Rise to see what unfolds in the storylines.
WWE 2K24 has My GM and My Universe, but it is still relatively the same as WWE 2K23 compared to the other game modes. The game does have me wondering if there needs to be a new WWE 2K game every year, as more time could’ve possibly made the latest installment better. However, it’s hard to deny WWE 2K24 delivers a satisfying experience and overall lays the smackdown on past WWE 2K games. I give WWE 2K24 an 8.5 out of 10.
Review: I give WWE 2K24 an 8.5 out of 10.
