WWE 2K24 Review: For The Casual Fans From A Casual Fan

Courtesy of 2K Games

I haven't played a WWE 2K game since 2K16—the one with Stone Cold Steve Austin on the cover. So, to those die-hard wrestling fans—I'm sorry I failed you. To the casual wrestling fans who maybe see a clip or two of Bianca Belair's greatness on social media—this one's for you. 

I was able to play WWE 2K24 ahead of its scheduled release date of March 5, 2024, and shockingly, I had a blast. For the sake of brevity, I decided to focus solely on two different modes: 2K Showcase...of the Immortals: 40 Years of Wrestlemania: and MyRise. 

But before we dig any deeper, let's cover gameplay. 

Courtesy of 2K Games

Gameplay

I don't know how 2K23 felt, but I do remember 2K16 feeling clunky. And it seems 2K Games has made considerable progress since then because, man, the fighting is lowkey smooth. If you're hoping for an arcade-like over-the-top style of combat, you will not find that here, and you will be greatly disappointed. 2K and Visual Concepts are pushing forward with more realistic efforts in the ring. If you take it for what it is—a wrestling simulator—it's pretty fun. They've elevated the flow of battle. And the game is SUPER casual and fan-friendly. So, if you've never played a wrestling game or maybe you haven't played a game in a while, this game welcomes you with open arms. 

Technically speaking, 2K24 incorporates more specialized skills into the mechanics, like an expanded version of playing possum, Super Finishers, the Trading Blows mini-game (super dope), jumping from the top rope into a gaggle of foes outside the ring (hilariously dope), and even double title matches. 2K24 also expounds upon their Payback mechanic, creating more ways to get your wrestler back in the fight. And, if you're a fan of wild, chaotic wrestling (like myself), you will be happy to know even more weapons are available at your disposal. We're talking trash cans, guitars, microphones, and the ability to throw weapons at your opponents. Real referees have also been added to the game to provide each match with an additional layer of authenticity. 

And if you're having issues with learning your way around the mat, the game has an in-depth tutorial that tackles everything—new and old.

2K Showcase...of the Immortals: 40 Years of Wrestlemania

I'm a sucker for pop culture history. For example, after seeing the reveal trailer showing Muhammad Ali's inclusion, I was sold on the game. I was curious why he was being included as DLC, and I found out he was a guest referee in the first-ever Wrestlemania. So, naturally, I was excited to dive deeper into the culture and history of wrestling's biggest nights. And WWE 2K24's Showcase mode didn't disappoint. Unlike previous installments in Showcase, 2K24 didn't focus on the wrestler's journey. Instead, as the name suggests, players were treated to the journey of Wrestlemania through 21 iconic matches. 

For die-hard fans of the WWE, I see this mode causing a bit of a debate amongst the community and arguing about which matches deserve to be included/excluded in the mode. And I understand that licensing issues may have prevented certain wrestlers from getting their Wrestlemania shine. BUT I'll admit, it was jarring not seeing Edge and Christian, Hardy Boyz, and the Dudleyz not included in a dope Wrestlemania X-7 moment (one of my favorite Wrestlemanias of all time). Like, at all. The same obstacle could be why they also didn't include the Bret Hart vs Owen Hart Wrestlemania 10 match.

Courtesy of 2K Games

Nonetheless, I had a great time playing it! I'm not going to spoil too much for you, but for my pop culture history-loving self, it's almost the perfect game mode. "The Dragon's Roar," the first showdown in Showcase, features the iconic 1987 match between Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage. WWE2K24 includes archived footage from the match and mixes it into the actual gameplay, a maneuver dubbed "slingshot technology" by 2K Games. As players satisfy specific objectives in the match, they're treated to almost 1:1 creations of the actual fight with footage sprinkled in between. It was a beautiful way to honor the WWE's past of giants and legendary acts. There is something particularly charming about reliving some of the matches from my childhood. And, for the matches they did include, they did a solid job showcasing the evolution of Wrestlemania and its lust for upping the stakes each year.

Also, the attention to detail is appreciated, too. Kurt Angle pulling down his leotard straps, the crazed look in Hulk Hogan's eyes, and even the Ultimate Warrior's facepaint smearing as a match intensifies is such an immersive touch. Whoever's idea that was, give them a raise.

This mode is most definitely worth it—even if you've never played previous installments of WWE 2K.

MyRise

So, My Rise was my unexpected introduction to the WWE 2K24's mechanics. And it was a crash course—for better or for worse.

In this year's game, fans can witness two separate experiences in the My Rise universe: Unleashed and Undisputed. As per 2K Games, players "forge career paths with 80 rewards to be unlocked, including arenas, Paybacks, entrances, MyFACTION cards, and championship belts." Unleashed follows the wrestling career of the ladies, while Undisputed documents the men. Both stories feature voiced cutscenes from actual wrestlers, but Undisputed seems to have more. Actually, Undisputed seems to have been crafted with more love than Unleashed, now that I think about it. Undisputed follows your Superstar competing for a vacated title belt with tons of twists and turns. Unleashed follows a female character as you fight through an independent wrestling brand. To progress, the player must complete very strict objectives in this experience. I found it sucking the fun out of some of the matches after a while. Undisputed is by far the better experience. 

WWE2K24's 2K Showcase...of the Immortals: 40 Years of Wrestlemania: and MyRise are too interesting introductions to the game's breadth of content. And for a super casual fan like myself, it was definitely super dope. I'll be playing again soon. 

Courtesy of 2K Games