The core WWE 2K sequence is taking a break this yr, however that does not imply we’re not getting a 2K wrestling game. Instead of sim-style squared circle battles although we’re as an alternative getting the excessive arcadey motion of WWE 2K Battlegrounds, which is far nearer to classics like WWE All-Stars and No Mercy. Those are each excessive bars to stay as much as, and the reply as to if WWE 2K Battlegrounds meets these excessive bars is …difficult. There’s rather a lot to like concerning the game, however there are additionally some issues holding it again, so let’s get to breaking all of it down.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds trades within the sim-styled gameplay of the principle sequence for excessive arcade motion, and most of the time it succeeds in bringing out these eccentric and pleasant points of World Wrestling Entertainment. Cartoony graphics substitute the photorealistic visuals, and you will shortly discover that tossing somebody into an alligator on the aspect of the ring is simply as efficient as hitting somebody from the highest turnbuckle.
Power-Ups change up the second to second gameplay, that includes every thing from stronger pins and unblockable assaults to fireside fists and ice breath, and every of the phases include a minimum of one loopy interactive ingredient, together with every thing from a helicopter that you may hop on to soar again right down to the ring and a remote-controlled ram that may stun opponents. Each of the superstars even have large colourful auras once they pull ofF tremendous strikes, which look beautiful in movement.
The game comes loaded with 70 superstars at launch and options not solely a full marketing campaign mode but in addition a enjoyable new mode titled King of the Battleground that acts as form of a endless Royal Rumble, which is as ridiculous and enjoyable because it sounds. All of the conventional match sorts are additionally current, and you’ll create your individual wrestler and enviornment besides, all for the worth of $39.99. Not unhealthy proper?
Unfortunately, there are some issues holding it again. While the finishers and supers are cool, these are the principle areas during which the wrestlers differentiate themselves. Everyone has the identical core throws and submissions, and except for the 5 totally different lessons (which do really feel totally different thoughts you), there aren’t sufficient variations between superstars. Aside from her look, finisher, and signature transfer, Bayley does not really feel a lot totally different from Sasha Banks for example, and that is a disgrace as a result of a number of extra distinct strikes or perhaps a distinctive submission would have gone a protracted method to fixing this downside.
The visuals are additionally a little bit of a combined bag. In the ring they give the impression of being incredible, and I dug the excessive cartoony type. When you see faces up shut although (like within the portrait window after you win or lose) it turns into evident that some simply don’t look something just like the real-world famous person. Samoa Joe and Drew McIntyre, for example, are spot on, however then you could have Kofi Kingston, Sasha Banks, The Miz, Alexa Bliss, and even Roman Reigns who appear to be they wanted extra work to get nearer to their real-world counterparts.
Some have expressed points with the microtransaction mannequin, although that didn’t actually hassle me, as superstars are unlockable both by means of enjoying the marketing campaign or common matches, and also you earn Battle Bucks fairly shortly. I haven’t needed to spend a cent, although the choice is there to hurry up the method in case you so select. I’m okay with slightly work to unlock characters, and it hasn’t felt like a grind as I’m having fun with having a motive to hop into matches of various sorts to finish the day by day challenges and win extra Battle Bucks. All in all, this isn’t predatory by any means, a minimum of to me.
That mentioned, I might’ve liked extra creation choices relating to character costumes and equipment, however extra content material can be releasing freed from cost sooner or later, and for $40 it is a actually nice worth. There might be extra depth, however the second to second gameplay is admittedly enjoyable, and the modifications to the Steel Cage match format and issues like King of the Battleground mode stored me coming again for extra.
The marketing campaign was fairly pleasing as nicely, being delivered in comedian type tales that have been lighthearted and enjoyable. I wasn’t an enormous fan of the paintings off the bat, however I’ll say it grew on me, and I discovered myself really laughing a number of instances all through, one thing I did not count on.
This won’t be for everybody, and I don’t assume it reaches the bar set by a number of the traditional games we talked about earlier, however there’s plenty of enjoyable available with WWE 2K Battlegrounds, and for the cash, it’s tough to cross up. A number of fixes may’ve put this in a complete different tier, however because it stands, WWE 2K Battlegrounds delivers a delightfully excessive and genuinely enjoyable expertise within the ring, and I’m excited to see the place it goes from right here.
Rating: three out of 5
ComicBook.com was offered a evaluation code by 2K for PS4.
