To say this has been a year of uncertainty for the WWE video game franchise would be a massive understatement. But, with the turmoil behind them, the latest version of in the franchise has finally been released. Does it live up to the pedigree established by the previous releases? Here is my review.

FIGURES AND MORE GAME REVIEW

Title: WWE2K14

Publisher: 2K Games

Developer: Yukes Media Creations

# of Players: 1-6

Version: Playstation 3

Also available on: Xbox 360

It is fair to say that WWE fans were more than a little worried when it was announced in December of 2012 that THQ, the maker of the highly successful WWE video games, had filed for Bankruptcy and was liquidating it’s assets. By January of 2013, THQ was no more. And, while most of it’s licenses had found new homes, the WWE license had not. In February of 2013, Take-Two games confrimed the acquisition of the WWE license, and announced work had commenced on the new game, which would be known as WWE2K14. In addition, 2K announced the retention of most of the people from THQ, who worked on the WWE series, including Yuke’s, the developer of most of the previous titles. 9 months later, the finished product is revealed. And, in my humble opinion, not only does it put to rest any fears or misgivings about the new handlers of the beloved franchise, but it heralds the beginning of a new era for the venerable series.

WWE2K14 builds on the foundation of the previous game, retaining the redesigned game engine, which allows for faster, more fluid gameplay to more accurately replicate the action as seen on WWE’s television and Pay-Per-View broadcasts. Matches are fast-paced affairs, with the AI displaying a level of “Ruthless Aggression” that Mr. McMahon would be proud of. Reversals can happen at anytime, so you really have to be on top of our game. The “TV style” camera angles and the faster pace are designed to make you feel as if you are “really” on RAW or SmackDown, and not just playing a game. The presentation is slick and virtually flawless. Because of the fact that you have to expend some effort to win a match, the sense of accomplishment when you are victorious is very rewarding. The controls themselves are largely the same as in WWE ’13. The left stick is used for movement. Grapples are accomplished by pressing the x button. Different moves are available by pressing the x button and ↑, ↓, ← or → on the left stick. You can also use the right stick to change holds. Striking is accomplished by tapping or holding the square button. An irish whip is performed with a tap of the Ο button. The L1 button is used to pick up objects. The L2 button is used along with the left stick to run. The R1 button is used in conjunction with the face buttons to activate the limb target system. And the R2 button is used for the reversal system, which requires you to press the button at the just the right time to reverse attacks. Mastering this time is essential to success. Once you have dealt enough damage to your opponent, you will gain enough momentum to unleash a Signature Move. This is a move that will usually deal enough damage to your opponent for you to follow up with your Finishing Move. These are the stunningly devastating moves that usually signal the end of the match. They are replicated here in amazing detail, and are so real that you would swear you can feel the bone-crunching impact from some of them. New to the series this year are “Catch Finishers.” This is exactly what it sounds like, a finisher done to an opponent after they are caught in mid-air. These are jaw-dropping to watch. Also in this year’s game are OMG moments. These take place under extraordinary circumstances around the ringside area and include breaking through the ringside barricade. I also pleased to report tight controls for Ladder matches and a greatly improved meter system for escaping a Steel Cage.

WWE2K14 boasts the largest roster in the history of the series. Out of the box, you are gives access to 42 WWE Superstars, 5 Divas and 1 Legend (Stephanie McMahon). The current Superstars roster is surprisingly up-to-date, a remarkable accomplishment considering the amount of roster shakeup that can happen in WWE in a year. With the exception of a few Superstars who are either taking time off or are recovering from injury, everyone on the roster is currently on the WWE active roster. But, this is only the tip of the “roster iceberg”, because in what I can only describe as the ultimate amount of fan service, 2K has added an entire additional roster of over 30 Legends you can play as in any exhibition matches once you unlock them in the 30 Years of WrestleMania mode. This makes the entire playable roster over 75 characters. However, 2K isn’t finished yet. The recently announced DLC packs will add more Superstars, Legends and alternate attires, bringing the final character count to close to 100.

If there is a centerpiece to this year’s game, it has to be the 30 Years of WrestleMania mode. In this mode, you play through 46 of the greatest matches from the 30 year history of WrestleMania. It begins with Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd at the very first WrestleMania and goes all the way up to John Cena vs. Rock 2 at WrestleMania 29. This is 2k’s “love letter” to WrestleMania. Each arena has been painstakingly replicated in extremely intricate detail. Little, but important touches, such as the motorized entrance carts from WrestleMania III are faithfully preserved. In addition, each match features both a recap of the background story to the match and a video background drawn from WWE’s extensive video library. You play as the eventual victor in the contest, and it is your main objective to win the match. However, supplemental objectives are added to each match. Accomplishing these extra feats will unlock extra roster characters and arenas. One of these extra conditions is the “WrestleMania Moment.” In each of the matches selected, there was a specific sequence that stood out. When the proper moment in the match arrives, you play a button pressing minigame to attempt to recreate this standout sequence. It is a great deal of fun to watch sequences that are burned into your memory recreated faithfully on screen. This mode brought back so many fond memories for me. It is a great way to rediscover some of the greatest moments from the last 30 years and, in a vicarious way, experience what it is like to perform on the “Grandest Stage of Them All.”

Obviously, no mode on the history of WrestleMania would be complete without including the greatest WrestleMania record of all time: The Undertaker’s 21-0 Streak. 2K Sports has decided to play homage to this feat in a special sub-mode based solely around the Streak. In this mode, you either play as the Undertaker, in Defend the Streak, trying to defeat as many challengers as possible, in a Gauntlet match, or as any other Superstar, in Beat the Streak, trying to do what no one else has been able to, defeat the Deadman at the Showcase of the Immortals. Be warned, if you take on this challenge though. The Undertaker is incredibly powerful and it will take a Herculean effort to put him down. It really does give you the sense of what a monumental achievement the Streak is, and it gives you the sense of trepidation that 21 other Superstars have had standing across the ring from the Phenom. Being a huge Undertaker fan, I would like to personally Thank 2K for this amazing opportunity to experience the Streak for both sides. It has given me an even greater appreciation of the significance of this most amazing of WrestleMania records.

However, it should be noted that ,despite all of the focus on the 30 Years of WrestleMania mode, the main game is not sparse on options at all. For 1-on-1 matches alone, there are 12 match types, which include such favorites as Hell in a Cell, Iron Man, I Quit, Inferno and Extreme Rules. There are also options for 2-on-2, Triple Threat, Fatal 4-Way, 6 Man and Handicap Matches. There are 4 Specialty Match Types (Backstage Brawl, Royal Rumble, Special Referee, Title Match and 1 Specialty Match that is unlockable through 30 years of WrestleMania Mode). There are also three Tournaments available: Gold Rush, King of the Ring and Tag Team. With all these options, there will be no difficulty in crafting a unique match experience each time, with makes the replay value on this game extremely high.

For those of you who want to experience a more personalized WWE Experience with total control, WWE Universe mode returns. This mode allows to take control of the rosters, shows, storylines and more and edit them to your heart’s content. You can create new brands, new shows, new PPV’s and play out an entire year of WWE storylines. Edit Superstars. Change brands. Turn them face or heel. Make new storylines. Create new rivalries. WWE Universe mode gives you the power to do all this and more. Each week, you will see the list of matches for each show on the calendar. You can have the computer simulate the matches, or you can play any Superstar in any match. It really is all up to you in this mode.

Graphically, the game just keeps pushing the limits on what current generation consoles can do. Player models are more detailed than ever, with realistic hair and clothing animation. The moves have been re-captured and the new animations are more fluid and realistic than ever before. The sets are picture perfect representation of their real-life counterparts, with the RAW and SmackDown sets exactly matching their current incarnations. Small tweaks, like the addition of the new Superstar name bars, complete with Social Media information, add to the realism. Entrances are picture perfect, with the proper TitanTron and entrance stage videos and lighting. Supplemental effects, such as the Undertaker’s fog, are particularly impressive. I, for one, cannot wait to see what the have planned graphically for next generation consoles. Also if note this time is the crowd, which is very impressively animated, with appropriate signs throughout. The look very realistic and not at all flat, there is a depth to them which has not been there before. One of the coolest graphical tweaks is in the 30 Years of WrestleMania mode. To accurately depict the evolution of the show throughout the years, a “fuzzy filter” is in place for the first shows and the graphics get sharper as you move toward the HD era. Also, Ring Announcer Howard Finkel’s appearance changes thoughout the years until he matches his current appearance.

The audio on the game this year is also superb, with the correct entrance music used for each Superstar and Legend, meaning you will hear some themes in this game that you have not heard in a WWE game in quite a while, and that you probably thought you would never hear in a WWE game again. Commentary is again handled for all of the “current” WWE action by the RAW broadcast team of Michael Cole and Jerry “the King” Lawler. “Current” introductions are handled by RAW Ring Announcer Justin Roberts. For the 30 Years of WrestleMania mode, however, it’s time to step into the wayback machine. Commentary for this mode is handled by the legendary announce team of WWE Hall-of-Famers Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler. And, Ring Announcing is handled by the equally legendary Howard Finkel. I cannot even begin to tell you how awesome it was to hear JR and the King on the mic again, even if it is only in a video game. I am pleased to report that the Commentary in general is a bit more fluid and less repetitive than it has been. There is also more banter between the Commentators. I also enjoyed the fact the Commentators make remarks about the Superstars during their entrances, further adding to the authenticity of the presentation. During the 30 years of WrestleMania mode, JR and the King bring their vast knowledge and experience to bear, adding fresh new observations on these classic contests.

Before summing up my review and giving my score, I would like to talk about one more significant aspect of this game, the DLC or Downloadable Content. For most games I play personally, I usually don’t bother with DLC. I’m not big on Challenge Maps or extra character skins. For the WWE games however, I have been a huge fan of the DLC. This game is no different. In fact, I would implore EVERYONE who gets this game to purchase any available DLC. Why? Because 2K is using their DLC program to make an already exceptional game BETTER! The DLC for WWE2K14 currently consists of 3 announced packs, which all contain gameplay enhancements and additions to what many people, myself included, already believe is the greatest roster ever assembled. Still not convinced? I’m going to cover the DLC in a separate feature, but I’ll give you a teaser with 3 little letters: nWo!

In the end WWE2K14 is everything any fan of the series could have possibly hoped for. 2k has shown that they are not only capable of continuing to meet the bar set by the previous installments, but that they are capable of elevating that bar to a level of near perfection. In doing so, they have proven themselves worthy keepers of the flame. Having seen what the next generation of systems is capable of, all I can say is: BRING ON WWE 2K15. The Bottom Line, as Stone Cold would say is: If you are a WWE fan, you MUST own this game.

SCORE: 5 out of 5

Here are some screenshots to drool over

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For more information on WWE2K14, visit the official website here.