Game review: WWE 2K17 – omission of 2K Showcase knocks it down for the count
The new edition of the pro wrestling game scraps the popular classic storyline mode, instead putting gamers into a mediocre career mode with a jarring lack of real-life audio sound bites
WWE 2K17
2K Sports
2/5 stars
WWE 2K17 was a risk for developers Yuke’s and Visual Concepts, as well as publisher 2K Sports.
The team went out on a limb to introduce some new features into the latest edition of pro wrestling’s flagship video game, and in the process gambled that all the new additions would outweigh the total removal of a recurring feature.
Sorry to say, it didn’t quite work out.
Instead, the team cited a desire to focus on improving the other two core modes, WWE Universe and MyCareer. The results of that decision are mixed.
WWE Universe fares better of the two. The mode feels more polished than ever, and the level of show customisation has been ramped up. With 2K Showcase on the cutting room floor, this is the only solo mode worth sapping your precious time.
The biggest addition to both modes is a promo system. It’s a great concept with lifeless execution. Promos involve picking the best dialogue option for the particular crowd of the evening, but it’s all text based. The superstar behaves like he or she is talking to the crowd, but there’s no audio beside the hum of the crowd.
Asking all 100-plus superstars in the game to record varied audio is unrealistic, and obviously so for the deceased WWE Legends. But without audio, players just read the cheesy dialogue to themselves. It does not work. For that matter, neither does the awful commentary team.
At least the core gameplay is still excellent when it comes to action in the ring. Many of the superstars look better this year, too.
With enough refinement, there’s little doubt next year’s WWE can shine. However, this year’s game (for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS3 and X360) is for diehard fans only.
