So here we are 3 days into November 2015… an exciting month to be a fan of the WWE! With a free month of WWE Network on offer to entice new subscribers and the WWE Network’s long-awaited UK launch happening at 8pm today (now delayed until further notice), fans waiting for the Xbox One and PS4 release of WWE 2K15 should have plenty to do for the next few weeks. Meanwhile, for Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers here’s the verdict:
This year’s WWE video game release is the first to have 2K as its publisher from the very beginning, and first to be developed by Visual Concepts (& Yukes). Coming to current-gen consoles for the first time and featuring a brand new comprehensive career mode, WWE 2K15 aims to usher in a new era for the franchise.
Of course we have two and a half weeks to go before we get our hands on the current-gen version, but for now at least, reviews of the old-gen version are rather mixed; Xbox360 & PS3 don’t really have all of the new improvements that you’ve been hearing about, so although the gameplay is at least as good as last year and the momentum meter is a very welcome addition, there is still a sense of it being ‘more of the same’.
Who Got NXT mode is a great idea, and it’s hugely exciting that NXT has finally been included in the game, however it does suffer from some issues with spikes in difficulty, a lack of detail, videos & cut-scenes, and a very small roster. In fact, the game roster overall is the weakest we’ve seen in years.
However, the 2K Showcase mode is nice, with in-depth detail and commentary on matches from the Triple H-Shawn Michaels and John Cena-CM Punk rivalries, it is a satisfactory follow-on from the Attitude Era and Wrestlemania history we’ve been treated to over the last few years.
Disappointing for CAWs.ws members though is the somewhat stripped down create mode, with items removed and the create a story and create a finisher omitted completely. On the bright side, we can all look forward to the high resolution CAW models on PS4 and Xbox One, where 2K have opted to have the CAW models match up nearly perfectly to the in-game superstar models.
With the PS4/Xbox One’s new replacement for the paint tool to look forward to as well, it’s good to see there is an effort to overhaul and improve things. Making big improvements to the game while still trying to retain the incredible feature-set and creation suite that we’re used to was always going to be a tough balancing act, but for people who want to fully expand their roster we’re at least pleased that the PS3/360 version of the game still offers 100 CAW slots over the new-gen version’s 25.
In a recent Q&A session on Twitter, the following info was confirmed about WWE 2K15:
– Universe Mode is offline-only.
– You can have 6 superstars in-ring at once.
– There will be no WCW Arenas, despite Sting being in the game (a shame, considering!).
– MyCareer mode is single player, and all CAWs can be used in it. Playing it unlocks NXT talent.
– 90% of the wrestlers in the game were facially scanned.
– Online policies will be more strictly enforced.
– Everyone on the roster can be edited, including Divas. There are more options to do so than before.
– Paige’s release date will be announced soon, and her moveset will be up to date.
– Although not in this game, 2K hopes to add facial scanning to CAW mode in the future games.
– The WWE World Championship is not in the game.
– Lana is the only manager that can’t be paired with anyone, she is locked to Rusev only.
– The Shield have separate entrances and attires.
With the brilliant new MyCareer mode, despite its flaws this is still a solid wrestling game that WWE fans can get their teeth into and enjoy, and we’re definitely looking forward to trying the current-gen version in all its glory, which will be released on November 18th (US), November 21st (UK/EU/International).
Buy or pre-order your copy now:
Our UK Store *:
XB One | PS4 | XB360 | PS3
Our USA Store *:
XB One | PS4 | XB360 | PS3