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Wrestling game that features popular wrestlers, customized characters, eight-man matches, story modes and backstage segments

Wrestling game that features popular wrestlers, customized characters, eight-man matches, story modes and backstage segments

Vote: (23 votes)

Program license: Paid

Developer: 2K

Version: 1.0

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(23 votes)

Paid

Developer

Version

2K

1.0

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Detailed 3D wrestler models
  • Excellent create-a-superstar mode
  • Simplified control scheme
  • Players can book their own events

Cons

  • Heavily reliant on RPG elements
  • Patches are needed to correct bugs

WWE 2K18 is a professional wrestling game based on all of WWE's integrated sports entertainment brands. It comes with a complete roster of superstars that includes popular fan favorites like Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins. On top of this, it offers a number of advances over previous versions of the title.

Many annual sports games fall into the habit of making only a few change and releasing a new title each year. While they might add a few extra wrestlers, you're not going to see major leaps in the way that the game is designed. That's not true with WWE 2K18.

Slick animations featuring extremely detailed character models might very well be the first thing that long-time fans notice besides the sound track. The game uses the same graphical rendering engine that's employed by countless other top tier titles, but it somehow manages to get much more out of it than so many other products have in the past.

You might also notice a plethora of new lighting effects that are designed to mimic the way that WWE's on screen product is presented. All of the entrances, backstage actions and mock interviews have been completely redone to better match what an actual WWE television broadcast might look like.

That's good news for those who really appreciate their televised programs, but fans who are more about the action can disable most of these features. That being said, they'll still appreciate the fact that all of this new code has enabled the game's designers to really boost fan interactions with the wrestlers.

For instance, the arenas are now filled with more realistic models who react based on a character's persona as well as their moves in ring. In spite of the fact that WWE has a reputation for strictly controlling the angles, it's actually possible to get the crowd behind the heel in a match.

Dedicated players can even the crowd to boo a face character if they prefer, though it usually takes someone particularly skilled at using a heel to do so. There's also always the option to either create your own wrestlers or use community models.

A vibrant online group of people who want to share their created superstars have sprung up around WWE 2K18. You can select from countless prebuilt options or mix and match to your heart's content.

The official roster of the game includes some all-time greats who don't actively compete very much any longer. However, if you really want to include a number of classic wrestlers you can download fan-made models from the community center and easily install them. That makes it possible to drastically expand the game's depth.

It also greatly increases its replay value, especially considering that you can book your own matches and even full cards once you've completed the career mode. You should find that there's a virtually unlimited combination of things to do once you've explored gimmick matches and started to put people into events that feature various stipulations.

In spite of the fact that this is supposed to be based on the WWE Universe in 2018, the stipulations you're offered would make Vince Russo blush. The game includes everything from Fatal 4-Way Tournaments to Royal Rumbles and everything in between. You can book events as a Triple Threat and then proceed to have individual wrestlers run in to interrupt the match. If anything, then the actual in ring performances have a tendency to resemble those of the Attitude Era more than the so-called PG Era that many people feel WWE has entered.

That may help to explain why the title was rated T when other similar games haven't been. There's certainly plenty of content here that should please more mature fans who've been looking to emulate a harsher style of wrestling on their PC.

On the other hand, most of these options can be completely disabled if you're playing with younger fans. That makes it relatively flexible, which is good considering a great deal of emphasis has been placed on the game's multiplayer features.

Depending on what type of gamer you're playing against, you even have the option of changing up the submission system's control scheme. You can import the original scheme that debuted in WWE 2K17 or use one that's based more around button mashing than trying to enter sophisticated key combinations.

The amount of damage you've done so far to a particular body part will help to decide whether or not a wrestler taps out to any submission move that you slap onto them. The skill of whoever is putting it on also counts a great deal as well.

If you're using a wrestler that's known for finishing matches with a clean submission hold, then you're going to have a greater chance of success than if you're using someone who usually wins by pinfall. The same goes for heel wrestlers who have a reputation for only winning by cheating or getting behind a referee.

Instead of trying to make this into a detailed simulation like some other WWE titles have, the control scheme is clearly designed to make it seem more like a fun game to just pick up and play. As you might expect, the PC version allows you to redefine the controls to a degree.

A heavy focus on high-quality motion capture ensured that the game never really feels too artificial, however. The developers obviously put a lot of work into making the game feel like an actual traveling wrestling show.

That also helps to add a new dimension to the career mode. Once you get past the first few jobbers in, you'll be free to start unlocking new content. Instead of just rewarding the player, this method makes it feel like you're actually getting ahead in the company. Eventually, you might even be given an option to align with the authority figures of the WWE and dole out punishment on other AI-controlled wrestlers who don't follow the rules as closely as you've proven yourself able to.

Chances are that this kind of open-world approach to the sport of professional wrestling will help to ensure that you don't stop playing for quite a while.

Pros

  • Detailed 3D wrestler models
  • Excellent create-a-superstar mode
  • Simplified control scheme
  • Players can book their own events

Cons

  • Heavily reliant on RPG elements
  • Patches are needed to correct bugs