Much like a WWE Superstar tries to stand out with their own personality amongst their peers, so too does the WWE 2K series in regards to the world of video games. Sometimes you have a giant monster running roughshod over everyone. Other times you have a superstar get by with quick wits or overall skill. WWE 2K18 looks to take the concept of being bigger, with the largest roster to date. They then combine it with the idea of adding a few tricks up its sleeve with some new additions and refinements. So does WWE 2K18 make it the monster among games, or is this a local jobber that should be squashed by its competition? Have your tickets ready and file into the arena: here’s the review.
Much like its predecessors, WWE 2K18 has refined some core parts of the overall game. This being the first installment to forgo last gen consoles, the focus this year is to make the game look and play better than ever. In-ring competition has been refined to add a new lift and drag control. This allows players to move their opponent into one of four positions to set up or land a move from varying situation: moves that can’t always be performed through grapples. It also helps with setting up moves with more accuracy. It’s a small touch, but it goes a long way in helping the player set up for extreme moments or more powerful attacks. This new mechanic feels like it had more attention given to it than whipping opponents.
Action outside the ring has been expanded from last year. Backstage areas from last year have been expanded to include a parking lot and catering area. Moves can also be performed from different areas as well as using different weapons. This is one of the more interactive backstage areas since the SmackDown video games era. More often than not, you’ll find yourself leading a fight that goes to an office, locker room, or an expanded area of the backstage. This helps makes the fights feel less stifling because of being stuck in a hallway.
Being an annual franchise, it also means other areas might not shine as much as others. Most of the character models do look a lot better, while some still look like they could use some improvement. Sound design is a vast improvement to previous installments of the game. There’s a noticeable difference in audience noise when in front of a smaller crowd and a larger one. The NXT arena, for example, tends to be a bit quieter until bigger moments or chants break out. The larger RAW or SmackDown shows will have more crowd noise.
WWE 2K18 is the first game in the series to allow up to eight superstars in the ring at the same time. This makes things like the Royal Rumble a bit more challenging, especially with the new Rumble elimination mini-game. Granted, there is a lot of chaos, but this adds to some more fun in the unpredictability of the Royal Rumble. Also, this can lead to a more traditional Survivor Series type match. It’s a step forward from having six people in the ring at the same time. The major drawback of this is the game does noticeably slow down with eight people in the ring.
Like last year, WWE 2K18 has decided to forgo the 2K Showcase this year. This makes the game built more for the players in it for the long term. MyPlayer mode appears to have more focus this year. MyPlayer has been given a new look, which allows players to walk around backstage before matches. While backstage, players can form alliances, attack rivals, or strategize for matches, among other things.
The downside to MyPlayer is that there is no longer the ability to import created characters. Each MyPlayer has to be created from scratch from a limited supply of attire options, moves, and skill sets. To unlock items, players must use in-game currency or play Road to Glory. Road to Glory has each MyPlayer take on a set of challenges online. Then, they play a match against the AI to unlock exclusive rewards. Depending on how you feel about playing online, playing against others can be a mixed bag.
Universe mode in WWE 2K18 has largely been unchanged. This allows players to control their version of the WWE as they see fit. The players will progress through each show leading up to a Pay-Per-View event and take part in storylines. The player can mostly control the outcome of everything by playing through it. Although, there are occasions when the game will try to make its own storylines.
Both MyPLAYER and Universe mode has the promo system in place again this year, and it still needs work. Players must use the opening line to take the promo in a certain direction. From there, dialog options are given to choose from. The problem lies in that the options aren’t always clear to take the direction. Not to mention, you have a small window of time to pick your option. This makes things easy to mess up and it tends to be quite frustrating. It would have helped to make options more clear, such as a “good, bad, and in between” type option.
The best part of WWE 2K18 is the creation features. Creating a WWE Superstar is getting as deep as it ever has been in the series. New features have been added to just about every part of the Creation mode, not just for the Create-A-Superstar. Not to mention the online creation suite will have something if you can’t find/create it yourself. While it is time-consuming, it’s pretty sweet seeing your creation when everything is just right.
Issues in WWE 2K18 stop it from reaching the full potential of being great. There could have been improvements in Universe mode and the promo system. There are a few technical issues that bog the game down. However, those issues should be resolved with future patches. The game feels geared towards rewarding online players more than those who prefer offline. It’s too bad because the game is definitely for those players that like the long haul of Universe and MyPlayer modes.
WWE 2K18 is the game for hardcore WWE fans. With more control and creation options added this year, this is a creator-friendly game. The game gives you the keys to the WWE Universe to do with it as you please. The in-ring (or out of the ring) action will find it comes as close to what you would see on Monday, Tuesday, and the occasional Sunday nights as you can get. The total overall presentation is still top notch when it comes to sports games…even if you don’t consider it a “real sport”. While more improvements can be made, it’s not to take away how much fun WWE fans can have in the game.