WWE 2K24

The latest iteration in the long-running WWE video game franchise has arrived with WWE 2K24. This wrestling game allows players to experience the spectacle of WWE's flagship event, WrestleMania, while also letting them live out their dreams of becoming a WWE Superstar. With new match types, an expanded roster of current and legendary wrestlers, and a variety of creative modes to explore, does WWE 2K24 earn a championship title or does it tap out early?

Reliving WrestleMania's Greatest Moments

One of the most exciting new features in WWE 2K24 is the 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode. This campaign lets players relive some of the most iconic matches in WrestleMania history across 40 years of the event. You can step into the boots of wrestling greats like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, and more while recreating their defining WrestleMania moments against legendary opponents. This nostalgic trip down memory lane is a great love letter to longtime WWE fans.

WWE 2K24 also introduces an all-new MyRISE mode with two distinct career paths. One storyline follows a male NXT rookie trying to become the next big WWE Superstar, while the other charts the journey of a female NXT talent. Both story arcs are packed with original plot lines and voice acting as you guide your own custom characters on their quest for championship glory.

Features and Improvements for Wrestling Fans

Besides the new modes, WWE 2K24 also packs quality-of-life updates for longtime franchise fans. Universe mode now boasts expanded rivalry options between wrestlers, new cutscenes, support for double title matches, and more customization tools for those who want to book their own WWE shows.

Popular modes like MyGM and Create-A-Wrestler are also back with welcome tweaks to improve the experience. And of course, WWE 2K24 touts the deepest WWE video game roster ever thanks to current superstars, returning legends, NXT standouts, and surprise unlocks.

Compared to other recent wrestling games like the AEW: Fight Forever, WWE 2K24 leans more heavily into nostalgia and wrestling fantasy scenario building rather than just focusing on updated grappling mechanics and match types. But there's still plenty here to enjoy for casual and die-hard wrestling fans alike.

Review: 8/10

In the end, WWE 2K24 earns an 8 out of 10. The new MyRISE and MyFACTION modes provide exciting and creative ways to engage with the WWE universe, while the expected upgrades to match types, creation suites, and other legacy features make this feel like the most robust entry yet for longtime fans.

Pros:

• Nostalgic 2K Showcase mode revisits iconic WrestleMania matches
• In-depth, RP-inspired MyRISE career modes with great writing
• Creative team-building vibes with new MyFACTION mode
• Massive roster featuring current wrestlers and returning legends

Cons:

• Minor technical issues like long load times
• Areas like Universe mode lack meaningful innovation
• Commentary can repeat lines too frequently

Since it came out earlier in the year, WWE 2K24 has been a game that I have pretty much played consistently. This is one of the best WWE games in years and a great step up from what last year's game offered. I feel that with this game, they got far more right than they have done in quite some time. I would love to see where they go from here as next year's game has a lot to live up to. This game on the other hand was coming on the heels of a game that was ok and a game that before that was just straight up trash!

The Showcase of the Immortals

I just talked about how much I loved WWE 2K24 so it may seem weird that we are going a bit negative to start with. This year's “showcase” mode is themed around the 40th anniversary of WrestleMania and in theory that is awesome. We get to play a selection of matches from the event's history and we have to try and recreate the magical moments. The problem here is that this was already done in WWE 2K14 for the 30th anniversary of WrestleMania and it was done far better there. The match selection here is just mind-boggling, sure some big matches are here, but there are some very odd omissions. Plus, the amount of blurring during the video packages is just brutal and honestly makes a great deal of the video content unwatchable. As well as this, you also have two create a wrestler story modes, one about a male wrestler and one about a female wrestler and these were both a lot of fun.

GM Mode For A New Generation

While the showcase mode may have been lacking MyGM Mode is where the fun in WWE 2K24 is at! They added in new permanent upgrades and more GMs, and it just feels far more fleshed out in general this time around. I adore this mode, it is legit my favorite thing about the game and despite having the game for PlayStation 5, I also purchased it on Steam so I could play MyGM on my Steam Deck. I just love building my own brand, trying to sign new wrestlers, putting on the best show possible, and sticking it to the other wrestling companies. If you are a wrestling fan and love to fantasy book, this mode is just going to take over your life. The crazy thing is, this is the best GM Mode ever in a WWE game, but being the OCD fan that I am, there are still many things I would love to see added.

Stepping Into The Ring

WWE 2K24 is a great deal of fun to play in the ring! The series has come a long way from that original WWF Smackdown on the PlayStation in 2000 to the god-awful mess that was WWE 2K20! With WWE 2K24, they have built on from what WWE 2K23 offered. They have a great mixture of simulation and arcade fun here, yes, you could just pick up and play and screw around. However, you can have some really fun back and forth matches here, even with the CPU! I found that the reversal system was fair and could not be abused, which was something the CPU was guilty of in past games! If you are a wrestling fan, it is very easy to get into a groove here. I have had a ton of fun just firing the game up and playing some exhibition matches. The large roster and the vast amount of match types make jumping in and having random matches a lot of fun. You also have many other game modes ranging from the fun Universe mode to the predatory and disgusting MyFaction which I will have nothing to do with!

That WWE Style

Apart from the horrible blurring that ruins the showcase mode, WWE 2K24 is a gorgeous looking game! Some of the wrestlers look amazing, like so close to their real-life counterparts it is damn right scary! There are some who do not look as good, but for the most part, the roster looks great. There is a vast selection of venues that you can wrestle in which is awesome. You can also make your own wrestlers, arenas, championships, and even edit actual wrestlers. I will say that I hate and I mean hate like 80 percent of the licensed soundtrack, but that is a personal thing. Also, the commentary gets very repetitive, but this is a problem with the majority of sports games out there.

Pros:

• The MyGM Mode is the best it has ever been
• There are tons of current wrestlers and WWE Legends to play
• The in the ring gameplay is fun
• This game is packed with content that will keep you very busy!

Cons:

• I hate and I mean hate MyFaction mode, it is everything wrong with modern gaming!
• The blurring in the showcase mode ruins the experience as does the selection of matches