WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum (2024)

WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum (1)

In a single year, the world of wrestling can undergo many shocking changes. Just one year ago, Cody Rhodes being in WWE seemed completely impossible, but now he’s set for the main event of WrestleMania this year. While it’s a wild ride for the TV product, it means any wrestling video game is out of date virtually the moment it releases.

The WWE 2K series has slowly gotten better at dealing with this over the years and despite a few out-of-date gimmicks like T-Bar (please take a moment to laugh at this stupid name) and Nikki A.S.H, this year’s roster is more robust than ever before, especially with the new DLC wrestlers on the way.

WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum (2)

Small but meaningful improvements are the name of the game this year. It’s understandable and what we expected. 2K22 saw such a huge overhaul to the series, and there’s no point in throwing that all away just for the sake of novelty. WWE 2K23 takes the solid foundations of last year’s game, picks at every detail of every game mode, and finds ways to make it better.

MyGM is one of the most obvious improvements. You can now have up to four players in a game at once, you can have both mid-card and tag titles on your show, and there are more GMs, match types, rivalry options, production options, and anything else you can think of for the mode. It’s still not on the level of the classic Raw vs Smackdown games, but it’s a lot closer than anything else has come to date.

Universe mode has just one addition, but it’s surprisingly deep. With expanded rivalry options, you have greater control of what happens before, during, and after a match. You can even set stakes for the rivalry, like number one contender feuds, or feuds where the loser is fired. It’s by far the mode with the least improvements, but this single system sets the stage for something a lot greater in the years to come.

WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum (3)

Showcase mode is an interesting case. Playing as Cena’s opponents was a brilliant decision, letting us play as a variety of wrestlers, instead of 2K22’s 12-straight Rey Mysterio matches. However, Showcase is still a fundamentally boring mode. You can progress each match simply by winning the thing, but what you’re supposed to be doing is fulfilling the objectives – playing each match as it happened in real life – which isn’t fun.

It’s just a checklist of moves and actions you need to carry out, broken up by occasional cutscenes, where real-life footage is spliced in for effect. It feels more like a documentary than a game mode, and some of the objectives can be really frustrating – especially when they rely on the AI doing something for you to react to.

Simply copying what happened in real life isn’t enjoyable for a video game. I think back to modes like 2K14’s “Beat the Streak” mode, where you had to beat a ridiculously overpowered Undertaker, and wish we could have cool stuff like that instead.

WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum (4)

Ultimately, though, Showcase is a very small part of what I get out of these games. Since I was a teenager I’ve put hundreds of hours into every WWE game playing them against my friends, and 2K23 won’t be any different.

The core gameplay of a match is something that always pulls me back in. It may not be as fast-paced as some of the classic titles, but the more realistic presentation and timing-based gameplay make it a unique fighting game. Combine that with the almost 200 wrestlers on the roster, all with their own memorable movesets and cool actions, and you’ve got endless replayability.

This year sees stamina become a much bigger part of gameplay after being a non-factor in 2K22. If you’re relentless on offense then you’ll quickly find yourself out of stamina, which gives the perfect opportunity for your opponent to launch a counterattack. This is aided by the momentum bar, which now has several functions besides charging your signature move.

WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum (5)

Unique Payback moves like the low-blow or surprise pin use up that bar now, as well as actions like ring escapes and instant recoveries. It creates a much more delicate balancing act in matches, forcing you to choose between small advantages instantly, or big advantages later.

WWE 2K23 does what any annual sports series should do. It gets the roster as up-to-date as it can, expands on the game modes that are already there, and refines gameplay little by little. In a year when the WWE games will finally have a big competitor in the upcoming AEW: Fight Forever, this is a solid entry to remind everyone who the king of the mountain is.

Score: 8/10

Version tested: PS5

WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum (2024)

FAQs

WWE 2K23 review: Making the most of the series' momentum? ›

It may not be as fast-paced as some of the classic titles, but the more realistic presentation and timing-based gameplay make it a unique fighting game. Combine that with the almost 200 wrestlers on the roster, all with their own memorable movesets and cool actions, and you've got endless replayability.

Why is the WWE 2K23 so good? ›

WWE 2K23 takes the huge improvements made with last year's game and adds all manner of polish and tweaks. The game modes are each enhanced, while superstar and custom wrestler models look better than they ever have before.

Is WWE 2K23 better than 2K24? ›

2K24 runs a bit smoother than 2K23 so it makes the game feel better overall but if you just want to play a newer wrestling game and do not care about having the latest roster or game tweaks than 2K23 will be fine.

Does difficulty matter in WWE 2K23 showcase? ›

Don't Be Afraid To Lower The Difficulty While Playing Showcase Mode. John Cena's showcase mode in WWE 2K23 is up there with the best in the series' history. Yet, while it is a lot of fun, it isn't easy to beat, especially on the higher difficulty levels.

Is WWE 2K23 MyCareer good? ›

WWE 2K23 is a decent sequel that builds off last year's foundation in several meaningful ways. MyGM has been heavily improved, and the two new story modes feature some interesting scenarios and carve just enough of their own new and interesting paths.

Who is the lowest rated player in WWE 2K23? ›

1 Eric Bischoff (64)

Eric Bischoff gets the lowest rating of all the playable Superstars in WWE 2K23. It should not come as a surprise that he receives the lowest rating due to the fact that Bischoff was not a professional wrestler during his time with WWE.

What is Brock Lesnar's rating in WWE 2K23? ›

WWE 2K23 ratings: every rating from highest to lowest
WrestlerWWE 2K23 ratingChange from 2K22
Roman Reigns99+4
Brock Lesnar97+3
The Rock96+3
Becky Lynch96+4
156 more rows
Mar 3, 2023

What happens if you team with Miz? ›

For those who choose to side with the Miz, you will receive the following rewards as you complete each section of the story: Men's Down Up Down Up Jacket. Down-Up-Down-Up Arena. "Zero" Sapphire MyFaction Card (78)

How long is WWE 2K23? ›

When focusing on the main objectives, WWE 2K23 is about 7½ Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 109 Hours to obtain 100% completion.

What is the difference between WWE 2K23 Deluxe and normal? ›

The deluxe edition includes the game itself, plus the following: 3-Day Early Access. Season Pass: Includes all 5 post-launch DLC character packs, the MyRISE Mega-Boost pack, with 200 additional Attribute Points, and the Supercharger pack which unlocks all base-game WWE Legends and throwback arenas.

What features are missing from WWE 2K23? ›

In-match Features

Further, weapon grapples and weapon finishers, such as steel chair finishers, which were included in older WWE titles, have not been included in WWE 2K23. Another big omission is double-title matches, especially since the WWE currently has Roman Reigns as WWE Champion and the Universal Champion.

What is the best mode to play in WWE 2K23? ›

Showcase Mode is the best thing in WWE 2K23, and it's not very close. It's not even a surprise either, considering the mode focuses on legend's careers throughout WWE history. This year, the focus was on John Cena, and 2K gave it their all.

Do choices matter in WWE 2K23? ›

WWE 2K23's MyRise has two different storylines to follow, but any choices made in either one only affects the next immediate chapter. While these choices are directly related to the story, the fact that their impact is almost immediately forgotten means that MyRise has less replayability in each career path.

Who is the best character in WWE 2K23? ›

This list focuses on some of the best powerhouses in WWE 2K23.
  • 8 Vader. ...
  • 7 Braun Strowman. ...
  • 6 The Undertaker. ...
  • 5 Hulk Hogan 1980s. ...
  • 4 John Cena. ...
  • 3 Roman Reigns. ...
  • 2 Bobby Lashley. ...
  • 1 Brock Lesnar. As a multiple-time WWE champion and former UFC Champion, Brock Lesnar is one of the most recognizable and convincing stars in wrestling.
Apr 11, 2023

Who has the highest overall rating in WWE 2K23? ›

  • 8 The Undertaker - 95. ...
  • 7 John Cena '12 And John Cena '14 - 96. ...
  • 6 The Rock - 96. ...
  • 5 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin - 96. ...
  • 4 Becky Lynch - 96. ...
  • 3 Brock Lesnar - 97. ...
  • 2 Roman Reigns - 99. ...
  • 1 Super Cena - 100. A common joke on the internet is that John Cena is invisible.
Mar 3, 2023

Is there a story mode in WWE 2K23? ›

WWE 2K23 offers a variety of game modes to enjoy, but MyRISE is a unique narrative-based journey on which you can live out your Superstar aspirations. Before he became a world-renowned success, John Cena was a wide-eyed prospect eager to leave an imprint on both the mat and WWE history.

Why 2K23 is the best game? ›

NBA 2K23 is a undertaking in a different way than most sports games, which essentially tout tiny iterative adjustments each year. Instead of doing that, 2K23 rethinks why you play a sports game, creating a framework that lets every sports fan lead the league in any fashion they choose.

Will WWE 2K23 be better than 2K22? ›

There are some improvements over last year and the matches are so much more fluid and smooth. So far, I'm noticing all aspects of the game are just a little better than 2k22. Graphic presentation is better, gameplay has more options for adjustability, roster is more up to date.

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