WWE 2K14 Review: YES! YES! YES! YES!

Game Reviewed: WWE 2K14

Release Date: October 29, 2013

Developer: Yuke’s Media Creations

Publisher: 2K Sports

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360], PlayStation 3

Genre: Wrestling

Rated: T for Teen

Year over year the WWE superstar put their bodies on the line to achieve greatness. To reign victorious. To become champion. They hold some of the most iconic events in history like the Royal Rumble, Hell in a Cell, Money in the Bank and the mother of all shows, where “The Streak” lives on, WrestleMania.

Formerly in the hands of THQ and now under the wings of 2K Sports, WWE 2K14 is back.  WWE ’13 was indeed electrifying, especially allowing gamers to relive and experience firsthand what truly personified and took the industry to the top, the Attitude Era. This year we get to visit all of the key events from what’s always been called by Vince McMahon the “Granddaddy of them all,” WrestleMania. It’s respectively called “30 Years of WrestleMania.”

It all began March 31^st, 1985 when the dawning of a new era known as WrestleMania began. Since then, WWE history has soared higher than ANY other sports event seen today. Revile the era’s that pushes past the Attitude,  Stone Cold, The Rock, HBK and many others to reemerge Hulk Hogan, Yokozuna, The Ultimate Warrior and Andre the Giant.

The experience is just as phenomenal as the Attitude Era, definitely much better than the Road to WrestleMania. I am truly in awe as I revisit my childhood. Once again there are key moments (WrestleMania Moments) added to give you the opportunity to recreate those memorable scenes from WrestleMania history.

I noticed that the moments were much easier to perform in comparison to last year’s Attitude Era. While this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, it felt a bit odd. Also during these moments you’ll feel like you miss a bit of the key flashback due to having to monitor the upcoming QTE. It doesn’t hurt the overall game mode though as you’ll find yourself, whether it’s memory land or your first time seeing it all take place, it’s worth the ticket of admittance.

You can also play as the Undertaker keeping the streak alive or create your own WrestleMania moment by defeating the Undertaker at his own game. While a bit of a challenge, it didn’t feel noteworthy beating the Undertaker, at least no more than fighting the Undertaker in Universe Mode.

While mentioning Universe Mode, there wasn’t much of a difference in terms to gameplay, but it left me unsatisfied. The previous years of WWE games saw the Universe Mode receive major improvements.  This year was no different, but there were also some huge setbacks.

Two things that immediately standout is rivalries and the news updates. Rivalries in WWE 2K14 allows players to create the ultimate story between characters or at times randomly attempts to build a storyline. Unfortunately, it’s all a bit stale. I found most matches were nothing more than one on one buildups to a main event or possibly pay per view. The lackluster was the expectation of cutscenes to support the rivalries; it wasn’t there. At least not enough.

The flaws however was a huge disappointment and a step backwards for Yuke’s. I had simple issues like winning the Royal Rumble but not getting my title shot at WrestleMania. Well that’s actually huge! It made me feel like Triple H and Vince screwed me out of my match. Granted, I won Money in the Bank shortly after to win the championship.

The reversals in WWE 2K14 are better than ever before, especially considering previous taking forever due to the simplistic mechanic. When performing reversals, over half the time wrestlers will string an attack along with without prompt.

Commentary was awful. Granted new lines were added into gameplay, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler were speaking some of the same quote dating back to WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011, if not earlier. I probably should’ve expected as much seeing Jerry with the same shirt as well. In 2K14 however, they were naming moves I didn’t perform. For example, when performing an OMG from the top turnbuckle, Cole stated I took an opponent through the barricade.

There’s plenty of exhibitions to choose from as well, just none of them creating a specific uniqueness this time around. The Royal Rumble did have a better camera angle. Instead of being the one camera that focuses on the entrance, WWE 2K14 sticks with the normal television broadcast, zooming in as opponents hit the floor and elimination.

Customization this year also receives a heavy focus. You can create your superstar or even edit current wrestlers on the rosters. No more recreating Daniel Bryan because he changed his hair style or beard length. Instead you can find the appropriate changes in the threads.

Outside of the Universe Mode this year, WWE 2K14 is once again outstanding. I am truly excited to see exactly what changes 2K will make this year for the development for 2K15. Commentary for one MUST be a primary focus. Second, cleaning up the mechanics.  Third verifying they’ve created the best experience in the world!

30 Years of WrestleMania was the greatest addition to 2K14, giving the title a chance to be an installment on its own instead a simple rinse and repeat of WWE ’13. Wrestling fans can expect a slobber knocker with a wide variety of DLC and superstars to come in the near future. Is WWE 2K14 worth it? YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

The Scores

Gameplay: 4.5/5

Visuals: 4.75/5

Audio: 4/5

Controls: 4.5/5

Replay Value: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5