WWE 2K23 is coming to a console (and PC) near you relatively soon, and there’s a lot to get excited about in 2K’s latest addition to the WWE 2K franchise. In addition to the typical graphical fidelity and gameplay improvements, 2K23 will also boast a brand new WarGames mode and a new spin on the 2K Showcase mode, starring John Cena on the cover. I got a chance to try out the game during the Royal Rumble festivities and try out WarGames and Showcase, and it was hard not to be impressed. Just like My GM did last year, WarGames immediately steals the show, and while I’m looking forward to getting more time with everything else the game has to offer, it’s already off to a great start.
Let’s start with WarGames, which is playable in 3 vs 3 or 4 vs 4. Just like the WarGames matches you’ve seen on TV, Superstars enter the match every few minutes and the game allows you to adjust those intervals to your preference. When a superstar comes out of the cage, they can choose to take a weapon from under the ring to bring into the cage, and as you might expect, the cage soon becomes cluttered with chairs, tables, stop signs, and more . Once everyone from both teams is in, the match officially begins and absolute chaos ensues.
That magical mayhem is part of the reason fans love the match so much, and it’s beautifully translated into video game form. Choosing a weapon is easy and the game automates the more mundane elements for you, so all you have to worry about is choosing a weapon and hitting the ground once you’re in the cage. Once you’re in the cage, this is your canvas, as you can throw people over the ropes to the other ring, fight in the space between the rings, and climb into the cage. Soon you find yourself jumping on top and throwing people through tables in no time.
WarGames match strategy also comes into play as you want to take advantage of the double team chances when you have them, and going all out to survive until your teammate steps in when you’re outnumbered is also part of that excitement. Switching targets worked seamlessly during my time with the game, and it was immensely fun teaming up with your partners to destroy someone while they waited for reinforcements. Despite all the chaos and guns in the ring, the frame rate never stuttered or slowed down either, which was a surprise with how much was happening, and the graphics and presentation were generally superb.
It’s a shame we don’t have in-game garbage cans to recreate some of the famous IYO SKY and Dakota Kai moments from previous NXT WarGames matches, and the animation to move between rings could be faster and less stilted, but those are relatively minor nitpicks, and didn’t hold back the sheer amount of fun I had.
Moving on to the 2K Showcase mode, this year it’s all about John Cena, and despite being featured in a previous showcase, this version feels completely different. That’s because this time you’re trying to recreate Cena’s most famous losses, and it starts with none other than his famous ECW match against Rob Van Dam. We also got to play his famous match against Kurt Angle, and in both cases the 2K team excelled at recreating the pivotal moments fans remember from those matches and seamlessly transitioning from footage to gameplay and back again. Cena’s little details in the descriptions and introductions give everything a layer of fun and authenticity, and fans of Cena and even those who might not be huge fans will find things to love throughout.
It also feels much easier to actually achieve the objectives during the match, and props to Cena and 2K for not just filming a brief introduction before each match, as Cena does a great job of providing the necessary context for each match, which he remembers most of each, and how it influenced him to move on. Cena’s character model is also impressive, and while there are a few odd moments in his expression, overall Cena and the graphics impress. There will be some character models that look more accurate than others, and we’ve only seen a handful of superstars in our time with the game, but the ones pictured looked pretty good.
There is still so much to discover in 2K23 and hopefully I will get a chance to play more soon. As it stands, 2K23 is already off to a great start, and all I can think about is playing more WarGames, which feels like a great sign.
WWE 2K23 Deluxe Edition and Icon Edition will offer early access starting March 14, while the Standard Edition and Cross-Get Edition will be released on Friday, March 17.
Are you excited for WWE 2K23? Let us know in the comments or as always, talk to me about all things wrestling and gaming on Twitter @MattAguilarCB!
