WWE 2K22 for PlayStation 4

This game is a huge improvement on the 2020 version. Here’s why-2K22’s most significant change lies within standard gameplay. Our ultimate goal remains to pin the opposing wrestler, wearing them down through light and heavy attacks, using reversals for countering hits, and combos for more technical strikes. This time, we’ve got expanded defensive options like blocks and dodges, while predictable foes can be countered by matching their attack input, adding extra strategy.Thanks to overhauled character animations and controls, 2K22’s combat feels fluid, everything’s more polished. Even from Drew Gulak’s initial tutorial, you can tell the difference. It still has off moments, such as attack animations landing awkwardly, but it remains fun.The WWE 2K22 roster boasts over 170 wrestlers. Between current superstars like Brock Lesnar, Finn Balor, and Becky Lynch, to classic wrestlers like The Rock or Andre the Giant, fans of all eras can take their pick. There’s just one problem, and we must stress this isn’t the fault of Visual Concepts, but the real-life WWE business itself.During the Covid-19 pandemic, WWE shed significant talent, releasing many wrestlers from their contracts, and 36 appear in WWE 2K22. That includes bigger names like Keith Lee and Mickie James. You could fill an entire Royal Rumble in-game with these wrestlers to put that into context. It’s not a massive problem, it just makes this line-up feel slightly dated even at launch.2K22 includes some expansive modes. Showcase Mode provides a deep dive into cover star Rey Mysterio’s career, recreating some of his biggest fights. Real-life footage cuts through the gameplay at crucial moments, and Rey provides commentary like a mini-documentary. Unlike regular fights, your goal isn’t pinning opponents, as doing that ends a match early. Instead, you're hitting set objectives, hitting specific moves against your opponent.Some moves are tricky to pull off, but achieving every objective unlocks the final match. It’s a fun mode, but we’re missing some of Rey’s biggest highlights. Big fights with Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle are absent, while questionable choices like a Raw Match with Gran Metalik cut. We couldn’t help but feel disappointed.Showcase houses great moments like Rey’s match with Eddie Guerrero during WCW Halloween Havoc 1997, but the wider Showcase could have been more. Even with these omissions, 2K22 still provides a fun look at one of wrestling’s most notable superstars and for unfamiliar, an entertaining introduction.2K22’s real longevity comes from MyGM, a mode missing in action since WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008. Playing a General Manager, you’ll choose Sonya Deville, Adam Pearce, William Regal, Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, or a custom character, competing against an AI or another player (local multiplayer only). Here, you’ll control one of WWE's four brands: Raw, SmackDown, NXT, or NXT UK.Fighting head-to-head to become WWE’s most popular brand, this builds towards a pay-per-view (PPV) event every five weeks, eventually leading to Wrestlemania. Booking 3 matches per week with two championships up for grabs (Men’s and Women’s singles), GMs must draft a minimum of eight superstars, sticking to a budget before setting up a weekly show. It pays to keep a varied roster between your opener, mid-card, and main event, as two similar wrestlers fighting just isn’t exciting for fans.It’s essentially a balancing act, and if you blow your budget on drafting talent, you’ll learn this the hard way. Every match type costs money (regular fights excluded), affecting the fan ratings. A Tables, Ladders, & Chairs contest looks nice if you’ve got $5k spare, but an Extreme Rules fight? Try $20k. Fancy a better arena or improved special effects? Start paying up. The more exciting a match type, the more stamina a superstar uses too, and if that drops too low, they risk injury. Once a week’s over, your performance is ranked on four key factors: Star Power, Match Quality, Show Quality, and Rivalries.MyCareer mode also returns, now rebranded as MyRISE. Letting you play in the Men’s or Women’s Division, you can choose one of four character backgrounds, such as a mixed martial arts (MMA) experience or rising through the indies. Each path brings unique story content, and according to 2K, MyRISE holds 50 hours’ worth of gameplay. How this story develops is your choice, becoming the hero or villain. Expect the usual shenanigans for a WWE storyline, but comparatively, MyRISE just isn’t as developed or as engaging as MyGM.MyFACTION is another new addition, working as WWE 2K22’s FIFA Ultimate Team equivalent, and yes, microtransactions are present. Acquiring superstar cards of varying rarities to build up a faction, you’ll create a team to rival the nWo, collect new wrestlers, upgrade existing ones, and participate in weekly events. Unfortunately, MyFACTION lacks a multiplayer mode. Despite 2K’s efforts to flesh out the mode, it did little to bring me roundPersonally, I’ve never enjoyed this style of gameplay, so while I can appreciate the effort put in, 2K’s latest attempt did nothing to bring me around.All in all though after the disappointment of the previous version I feel like this game is a huge improvement and is well worth purchasing if you’re a fan of the WWE games.

Liked it

Good game hard tho

I can't speak for everyone else but my 9 year old boy loves it, we both do. We play each other but he still beats me. We have a lot of giggles.The graphics are pretty good too, hours of fun with old and new characters. Good all round

I buy every year for a friend who wants a newer version but can’t afford to pay the full new release price and is prepared to wait. Amazon weren’t the cheapest for this game (Smyths we’re cheaper by a couple of pounds) but their superb next day delivery service wins out again.I’m not reviewing the game as everything’s been said before, but my friend loves it and is happy with her purchase.

So i decided to purchase WWE 2K22 without judgement or seeking reviews. I just randomly thought since i hadn't played a video game for just over a year let me see if the new WWE game will be any different from previous WWE games. Luckily for me i didn't purchase WWE 2K20 because i knew it would be bad before 2K announced it.Pros:Visually impressive.New additions of suplex moves.CONS are all listed belowCONTROLSWhen i first played WWE 2K22 i was greeted with a tutorial fight, me playing Rey Mysterio vs Matt Riddle, i would've skipped this option but i was curious about the tutorial so i went ahead and noticed the control system was all over the place which is horrible. Especially since i gotten so used to the control system that WWE 2K19 had.You now have to press 'circle' to grab an opponent before initiating 'square' for light grapple and 'x' for heavy grapple.I really think a lot of variety moves have been removed in favor for other features that are pointless.PACINGI hated the fast paced action in 2K19 but it seems 2x faster in 2K22. The wrestling pace they have seems like they're amped up on illegal narcotics. it has lost the realistic style of wrestling which is rather disgusting. WWE 2K17 had the perfect pace to put on a good show which was near enough close to realism.NEW ADDITIONSMyGMVery limited but then again i couldn't be bothered to even try it out since the game mechanics is complete garbage.MyFACTIONI'm curious as to who wanted this feature because it's online and the servers will end in 2023.STRANGE VISUALS*Auto middle turnbuckle climb which is very annoying when it's not your intention to climb.*Pickup animation from the ground that randomly takes place when no opponent is on the ground to pickup.*Blue screen whilst being pinned, should you kick out of the pin you're stuck with the blue screen throughout the entire match rendering you guessing where your opponent might be or is s/he near you.REMOVED*Trash cans*Fire extinguishers*Briefcases (i think MITB briefcase can be used as a weapon)*Weapon grapples*Chain wrestling*Tired finishers*Fatigued moves*Squash matches*Working holds*Double stacked tables*create an advanced entrance*universe mode promos*OMG momentsBreaking the barricadelight/heavy strikes/grapples to break the barricade but the crowd only recognizes it as a normal thing. You cannot interact your opponent on to steel steps.BACKSTAGEAlthough it looks nice, that's all it has going for it because you can hardly do much with it with so much being taken out.MY FINAL THOUGHTSI'm not exactly surprised by the fanbase of 2K. It is the fanbase that allow 2K to tarnish the yearly games so that the player base can wait another year for a game with even more downgrades in favor of visual updates & change up the gaming controls to make the game seem new with even more things taken away so that players think they have the incentives to wait for a patch when really it's 3 patches a year and on to the next WWE game!Although i bought this without doing any research or judging i realise now why i should judge a book by its cover. I will head back to 2K19, 2K17 and if i feel like i need an arcade style type wrestling game i'll get 2K16.So even with all the things that are removed from the game were to be in the game i would have no choice to to send it back because it's not new nor is it old but it feels very much the same as before.The way i look at these yearly WWE games is that they are patches not a new game! changing the gaming mechanics and visual update whilst taking away the cool features that made the WWE 2K franchise is not a new game. So i basically paid to have a downgraded version of WWE 2k19I will be sending the game back and issuing a refund.

Bought for my son and he absolutely loves it. Would like to buy the updated version so he is saving his pocket money. In the meantime this seems to keep him and his brothers amused!

Ok