WWE 2K17: A Deep Dive into the Wrestling Simulation

WWE 2K17: A Deep Dive into the Wrestling Simulation

WWE 2K17, the fourth installment in the 2K Sports wrestling simulation series, developed by Yuke’s and Visual Concepts, aimed to deliver a realistic wrestling experience with an expansive roster, deep customization options, and intense in-ring action. While it successfully built upon the strengths of its predecessors, it also fell short in certain areas, leaving some aspects of the single-player experience feeling somewhat incomplete. This review delves into the game’s features, strengths, and weaknesses, providing a comprehensive assessment of its overall impact on the wrestling game genre.

An Expanded Roster and Enhanced Gameplay

WWE 2K17 boasts a significantly expanded roster compared to its predecessors, featuring a wide array of WWE superstars, both established legends and rising stars. This vast selection caters to the desires of hardcore wrestling fans, providing them with a plethora of familiar faces and in-ring styles to choose from. Beyond the sheer number of wrestlers, the game also focused on refining its core gameplay mechanics. The grappling and striking systems received notable improvements, offering a more responsive and fluid experience. Players could execute intricate chain wrestling combinations, perform realistic reversals, and manage their wrestlers’ stamina effectively, adding a strategic layer to the matches. The improved pacing resulted in more dynamic and engaging back-and-forth action, enhancing the overall excitement of each bout. This refinement extends to the variety of match types available, encompassing classic encounters like Hell in a Cell and Royal Rumble, alongside the inclusion of backstage brawls, offering players a broader spectrum of gameplay experiences. The AI, too, underwent adjustments, providing a more competitive and challenging opponent in single-player modes, leading to more unpredictable and exciting matches.

Deep Customization: A Fan’s Playground

One of WWE 2K17’s defining features, and a long-standing strength of the series, is its extensive customization options. Players are given an almost limitless capacity to craft their own unique wrestlers, designing their appearances, attributes, and movesets. This extends beyond character creation, allowing players to construct custom arenas, championships, and even design entire wrestling shows. This level of freedom allows players to truly immerse themselves in the world of WWE, bringing their own creative visions to life within the game’s virtual wrestling arena. The ability to create custom shows and storylines within Universe Mode provides a vast sandbox for players to design their fantasy matches and rivalries, potentially scripting dream matchups between wrestlers from different eras or creating entirely new factions and storylines. The depth and scope of the creation suite undoubtedly cater to players who appreciate the ability to shape their own wrestling experiences, and this remains a significant draw for the game.

MyCareer and Universe Mode: Exploring Different Paths

WWE 2K17 offers two prominent modes that allow for prolonged engagement and replayability: MyCareer and Universe Mode. MyCareer mode places players in the shoes of a rising wrestler, guiding them through their career journey from the developmental league NXT to the main roster. Players make choices that impact their character’s progression, building rivalries, winning championships, and ultimately working their way to the top of the WWE hierarchy. This mode presents a structured narrative for single-player enjoyment. Universe Mode, on the other hand, provides a significantly more open-ended experience. Players are tasked with controlling WWE programming on a week-to-week basis, booking matches, setting up rivalries, and managing the overall direction of the storylines. The level of control is immense, enabling fans to orchestrate dream matches, revive old feuds, and even change the course of the fictional WWE universe entirely. Both MyCareer and Universe Mode add considerable replayability to the title, offering distinct ways to engage with the game beyond single matches.

Presentation and Audio: Immersion and Authenticity

WWE 2K17 succeeds in creating an immersive and authentic wrestling atmosphere through its visual and audio design. The game boasts well-rendered wrestler models, detailed arena environments, and flashy entrance sequences that capture the spectacle and excitement of a live WWE event. The attention to detail extends to lighting effects, crowd animations, and motion capture technology, which work together to enhance the sense of realism. However, some inconsistencies are apparent; some character models suffer from outdated textures or stiff animations, detracting slightly from the overall visual fidelity. The audio design features authentic commentary from WWE’s established commentary team, adding to the game’s realism. Arena sound effects and an explosive soundtrack curated by Puff Daddy (Sean Combs) further enhance the game’s ambiance, providing a strong musical identity that captures the high-energy atmosphere of a live WWE event. The use of licensed music and authentic commentary significantly elevates the sense of immersion, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game.

Shortcomings: Missing Features and Unfulfilled Potential

Despite its considerable strengths, WWE 2K17 suffers from certain shortcomings that prevent it from achieving its full potential. The most notable omission is the absence of a traditional Showcase Mode, a staple of previous WWE games that provided structured narratives based on iconic WWE moments and storylines. This lack of a dedicated single-player story mode creates a noticeable gap in the single-player experience, particularly for players who prefer a more guided, narrative-driven approach. Furthermore, the Promo Engine, a feature intended to add depth and personality to the MyCareer mode, falls short of expectations. While the concept is sound, its execution is repetitive and lacks the impact it should have, failing to create compelling interactions or meaningfully influence the storyline. Finally, while the customization options are substantial, they are not as expansive as in previous titles, which might disappoint players accustomed to the extensive creation tools available in earlier installments.

Conclusion: A Solid Entry, But Not Without Flaws

WWE 2K17 delivers a refined wrestling simulation experience with improved gameplay mechanics, a massive roster, and deep customization capabilities. The improvements to the in-ring action, along with the inclusion of backstage brawls and the enhanced pacing, result in more dynamic and engaging matches. MyCareer and Universe Mode offer considerable replayability, providing different paths for players to explore and engage with the game’s world. The immersive presentation and authentic audio design further enhance the overall experience, creating a compelling atmosphere. However, the absence of Showcase Mode, the under-developed Promo Engine, and the reduction in customization options from previous iterations prevent WWE 2K17 from achieving greatness. While it represents a step forward in several respects, it ultimately falls short of its full potential, leaving the single-player experience feeling slightly incomplete despite its many positive aspects. For hardcore wrestling fans seeking a vast roster and deep customization, the game remains a compelling option. However, those seeking a strong narrative-driven single-player experience might find themselves wanting more from this installment.