As is standard, I began with the “Career Mode.” I was pleasantly surprised by its distinct setup, a departure from the typical career mode structure. The narrative begins with Paul Heyman, the legendary wrestling agent, pitching an idea to Vince McMahon, CEO of WWE, proposing a recruiting tour to discover fresh talent.
To ensure the acquisition of suitable talent, Heyman enlists the assistance of WWE veteran “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as a talent scout. The player follows the talents discovered by Austin through a series of matches, which must be won to progress to WWE. Unlike conventional career modes, this journey unfolds in a comic book format. The story is conveyed frame by frame, eschewing animated sequences. This approach feels like a strategic choice, particularly after the problematic animated sequences in WWE 2K20. The storyline itself is both engaging and well-executed.
Regarding gameplay graphics, the aesthetic is intentionally not realistic. In a significant departure from 2K20, the game adopts a “cartoonized” visual style. The roster of approximately 70 playable superstars, spanning both past and present eras, are rendered in a style reminiscent of Funko POP! figures blended with traditional Nick-style animation, making them easily identifiable.
Beyond Career Mode, players can engage in a diverse selection of match types, including Steel Cage, Fatal Four Way, Tag Team, Royal Rumble, and the new Battlegrounds Challenge. These modes allow the use of either a created character or a pre-existing character from the roster. The Royal Rumble mode proved particularly enjoyable, replicating the chaotic and iconic wrestling spectacle, with a new wrestler entering the ring every 90 seconds until the maximum of 30 participants is reached.
Turning to less favorable aspects, the online multiplayer mode presents issues. Prospective buyers primarily interested in this mode should exercise caution. Attempts to find a match were consistently unsuccessful, possibly indicating a low player population or underlying problems with the matchmaking functionality.
Another point of concern revolves around the prevalence of microtransactions. While the game boasts an impressive roster of 70 playable characters, only approximately 20 are accessible from the outset. Unlocking the remaining characters requires extensive grinding to earn credits, which may lead to player fatigue before completion.
Finally, the Create-a-Wrestler feature, while present, is somewhat limited. Players can create a custom wrestler and assign them to one of five classes: Powerhouse, Brawler, Technician, High-Flyer, or All-Rounder. However, these created wrestlers are not playable within the Career Mode.
Despite these drawbacks, which I consider relatively minor, the game offers a considerable degree of lighthearted fun. I found myself engrossed for hours, thoroughly entertained by the experience. It evoked nostalgic memories of watching WWE during my childhood. For those who appreciate arcade-style games, this title provides a genuinely entertaining experience.
