WWE 2K15 : Review

WWE 2K15 has released for Xbox 360 and PS3, while the release for the PS4 and Xbox One isn’t too far away with November 18th as the date fixed. So, we bring you the review for WWE 2K15 with latest experiences of the game.

The game is set to have taken a step back with the removal of a number of features from the game. Fans definitely expected a lot more than what they have received in terms of the features. WWE 2K14 delivered the most comprehensive roster, the deepest history, and the biggest creation suite to date. 2K15's old-gen version is more of a disappointment on all these fronts. Most of the expected new-gen advancements are nowhere to be found in the game. The revamped, more realistic match pacing is nowhere to be found here. The addition of a momentum meter is much appreciated though, removing the guesswork as to when signatures become available and when the window is closing to pull one off before it becomes a finisher. Aside from that, it's the same standard high-speed action that's become commonplace for the franchise over the last few years. The old combat engine isn't inherently bad, mind you. When it comes to standard matches with two to four combatants it's certainly enjoyable, though a bit too reliant on mastering reversals or spamming the unnaturally quick strikes. But get into five or six-man everything-goes matches however, and the fast-paced fighting ceases to approximate anything resembling an actual wrestling match.

However, the addition of 2K Showcase is a positive for the game and is really impressive although it is nothing as nostalgic as 2K14's 30 Years of WrestleMania. It is mainly about two major rivalries – the Triple H-Shawn Michaels rivalry that ran from 2002 to 2004, and the CM Punk-John Cena feud that kicked off the modern "Reality Era" in 2011. There's a handful of throwaway DQ and no-contest finishes from Raw and Smackdown that probably didn't need to be included though, and the complete lack of WrestleMania bouts like Punk vs Undertaker, or Triple H vs Booker T is sad. Still, Showcase ultimately lands a little closer to the "every match matters" feel of last year's 30 Years of WrestleMania than the slew of forgettable recreations peppered throughout WWE '13's Attitude Era mode.

Unfortunately, the Who Got NXT mode is little more than filler. It’s basically a list of four historical matches for each of the five NXT roster members in WWE 2K15. That's already a bit of a letdown, but more luster is lost when you consider that only two of the group are still in the developmental league. Additionally, none of the talent in their standout women's division are highlighted, nor are NXT favorites like Tyler Breeze and Aiden English. Also, there is no set difficulty for Who Got NXT, so some trickier objectives like winning a ladder match without letting your opponent touch the title, winning by submission without using a finisher, or pulling off a move that requires three stored finishers are tougher than they have any right to be. While it's nice that you're given more context than ever before when it comes to performing specific objective, both Showcase and NXT modes occasionally fail to acknowledge when you've completed them, which adds to the frustration.

The gameplay has seen minor changes with none too significant. For example, we can see alterations are in terms of some additional grappling options. Pressing the grapple button at the beginning of the match will initiate a collar-and-elbow tie up. From there, each opponent will press one of three face buttons to place their opponent into a side headlock, a wrist lock or a waist lock with a rock-paper-scissors style outcome.Whomever wins will place their opponent in the corresponding hold while both players rotate the right analog stick to find a "sweet spot". If the attacker finds it first, they'll perform a move, if the defender finds it first, they'll gain the upper hand. Additionally, the attacking wrestler can strike or wrench the opponent's limb, making it harder for them to find the sweet spot.This is admittedly an intriguing addition to the game, though it really only happens about twice during a match.

Apart from all this there are a few new additions which include a three-tier stamina meter which controls the pace of a match, an all-new submission system and more. Also, there are visible improvements in fighting styles of the wrestlers. The game modes are pretty normal and nothing too extravagant, to be honest. It certainly is a lot cleaner than 2K14, and the graphics have slight improvements, but all the other gameplay mechanics feel like too little too late and demonstrate 2K's reluctance for change.

With 63 Superstars, eight Divas, and three managers, 2K15's roster is WWE's smallest and least diverse in years. What new characters have been added generally look pretty good; particularly Goldust, Bray Wyatt, and the NXT Superstars. Little has been done to fix older characters, though. Also, there is a considerable improvement in commentary and presentation of matches with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler making a return yet again for WWE 2K15 and they reportedly recorded a whole lot of new dialogues.

Overall, the game does reflect an image of a NextGen WWE. More of an attempt to transform the game into a true wrestling game as opposed to a fighting game with WWE stars. However, there is nothing much in it that can revolutionize the game. It’s just a move on from the old to the new without any materialistic improvements in gameplay or graphics. Minor enhancements do exist but aren’t too encouraging. Lets hope for better things from the Xbox One and PS4 versions.