What better way to spend your time in lockdown then by wrestling in an empty arena? Or, if that’s not your thing, then by playing 2K’s latest wrestling game – WWE 2K20.
WWE 2K20, much like previous games in the series, is a wrestling sim based on the WWE Universe. Though it adds new features, such as straying away from realism with 2K Originals; themed content showcasing new arenas and characters, the game follows the trend set by 2K since 2015.
The game is possibly the most supported WWE game in terms of DLC content (Southpaw Regional Wrestling is a nice touch), which is a shame as if more time and effort was put into development, it could have succeeded. Even the inclusion of The Fiend which got many fans interested is a double-edged sword, as he is locked behind the ‘Bump in the Night’ pre-order pack.
Can you smell what 2K is cooking?
When it comes to the WWE franchise 2K seems to be heading the way of this generation’s Bethesda; as what was once charming is now just plain broken. Most matches now have weird animations/clipping which can be hilarious at times, but isn’t great quality-wise. In general gameplay is slow and buggy, even in its post-release state, and is missing features.
The game has been full of bugs since launch, some of which have been fixed, such as the game breaking on January 1st 2020 (ironic I know). Others however, like pinfalls sometimes not counting still remain.
A large chunk of the roster is also missing from action (though in the current state of things this is pretty accurate). The game states that it features the stars of NXT UK, however more included would have been nice to see (Walter, Gallus, Grizzled Young Veterans, Ilja Dragunov, Kay Lee Ray etc.).
Those that did make the cut however may find that their likeness isn’t very well portrayed, as even cover star Becky Lynch looks like she’s seen better days. Player models are inconsistent in general as some look decent (Randy Orton, Aleister Black, Shayna Bazler) and some look like different people entirely (Randy Savage and even The Rock).
This could be due to longtime developers Yukes leaving 2K during development, putting the fate of 2K21 into dispute as they go off to work on their own project. This was confirmed by the announcement of WWE Battlegrounds, a cartoonier take on the wrestling game genre, similar to that of WWE All Stars.
Areas for improvement
The game has some good additions; Towers (similar style to Mortal Kombat) are a fun challenge, Showcase is interesting at least, and mixed match tag team matches are welcomed. I would like this expanding on however, as triple threat and fatal 4-way tag team matches would be fun to see more of.
The controls need to be addressed, as they have been altered for no real reason that I can see. For instance I don’t feel as though changing reversal from R2 (on PlayStation) to triangle really adds anything or streamlines the controls in any way. A full rework should be done going forward into future titles, with the focus being on simplicity and fluidity.
The same goes for gameplay, as WWE 2K20 doesn’t feel as snappy or responsive as games from previous eras did. Moves can also miss easily without being countered or can bug out. The overall slower pace of matches, combined with the controls and some questionable design choices, makes matches often feel boring, regardless of how interesting the stipulation.
Finishers, while again not nearly as devastating as they used to be (opponents can kick out of multiple finishing maneuvers), are the highlight. OMG moments in particular, as these grand spots are what can elevate a match and make the whole thing seem more true to life, which in the world of professional wrestling, is ridiculous.
Entrances could also use some love, and need to start being relevant to their real life counterparts, with possible variations depending on the situation. For some wrestlers this is included, however Kyle O’Reilly still needs his belt guitar moment.
Time for change
My Career should be scrapped entirely, as too much dev time is needed to flesh out the mode. My Career, which looked to be getting better year on year, with superstar voice acting and more cutscenes being added, is a mess in WWE 2K20. The mode falls flat with cringey writing, glitchy gameplay and all around bad visuals. GM Mode or Road to Wrestlemania (or both) would go better in its place.
Universe mode is okay, it’s no GM Mode from WWE games past, and promos still suck, but making dream matches and having them lead up to PPVs is fun. Creating events and characters remains a highlight, and these can be included in Universe mode. Having matches spontaneously interrupted so a competitor can gain the upper hand also adds to the realism.
Road to Wrestlemania or GM Mode simply needs to make a return in future WWE titles, and I would happily see Universe mode and My Career replaced with these. This would save the franchise, as other WWE games (Here Comes The Pain & SmackDown vs RAW on PS2) all featured way more fleshed-out and polished content.
Final thoughts
WWE 2K20 seems to want to do too much, spreading itself too thin and executing it all poorly in the process. Only purchase if you are a massive WWE fan, as even with the huge discounts that accompany the game at this time of year, the value and fun isn’t there when compared to previous instalments. 2K20 just doesn’t do wrestling games justice, a far cry from the classics of the past.
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WWE 2K20
The Good
- Unique wrestling move sets
- Back and forth commentary (gets annoying during entrances)
- Fun to relive past story lines in Showcase mode
- New Day's inclusion in 2K Originals
The Bad
- Inconsistent player models
- Repetitive soundtrack
- Way too many bugs and glitches
- Missing superstars from roster