WWE 2K16

WWE 2K16

Cover art featuring "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Developer(s) Yuke's
Visual Concepts
Publisher(s) 2K Sports
Distributor(s) Take-Two Interactive
Series WWE 2K
Platform(s) PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Xbox 360
Xbox One
Release date(s)
  • NA October 27, 2015
  • EU October 30, 2015
  • AUS October 29, 2015
Genre(s) Professional wrestling, fighting, sports
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

WWE 2K16 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and Visual Concepts, and is published by 2K Sports for the PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox 360, and Xbox One.[1][2][3] It is the seventeenth game in the WWE games series (third under the "WWE 2K" banner), and is the follow up to WWE 2K15.

Marketing and promotion

On June 16, 2015, this game was officially announced by the WWE and 2K, when they revealed the first six Superstars and Divas, who would be included on the game's roster.[4] On July 6, 2015, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was announced as the cover superstar for this year's game.[5] The debut trailer was released, where it features "Stone Cold" Steve Austin digging up at the desert, uncovering his customized WWF Championship belt and putting it over his shoulder, before turning his head to stare down and at the camera.

On July 27, 2015, 2K announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 Terminator (both The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day versions) will be a playable character available as a pre-order exclusive.[6] On the same day, the second trailer featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Daniel Bryan, Eva Marie, Paige, Finn Bálor and Dean Ambrose was released to promote the inclusion of the Terminator character in the game. The trailer was a re-enactment of the bar scene from Terminator 2: Judgment Day.[6] 2K then released the first official screenshot of the game, the Raw announce table with John "Bradshaw" Layfield's cowboy hat sitting on it.[7]

On August 4, 2015, IGN revealed the first screenshots, gameplay and entrances for WWE 2K16 at Gamescom.[8] IGN then handled the release of newer screenshots, animations, features, and artwork which would be included in the game. They also handled the weekly release of superstars who would be featured in the game, dubbing it "IGN's Roster 3:16".[9] An Arabic localization has been announced for Middle Eastern countries.[10] The demo for the game was playable at selected Walmart locations across the United States as part of the "WWE 2K16 Early Access Tour".[11] 2K then released a trailer detailing the MyCareer mode of the game on September 25, 2015.[12] The series of trailers featuring Stone Cold preaching from "The Book of Austin" gave details on the game's roster, three man commentary, the game's soundtrack, and the game's feature set. The third live action trailer, titled "Bonfire" was released starring Austin, Sting, Seth Rollins, Rusev, Paige, Kane and Ambrose on October 20, 2015.[13]

Downloadable content

2K revealed the game's post-launch season pass and DLC information on October 7, 2015.[14] Included in the season pass will be the Legends Pack featuring playable characters Big Boss Man, Dusty Rhodes, Lita, Mr. Perfect, Roddy Piper, and Trish Stratus, the 2015 Hall of Fame Showcase featuring wrestlers inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015, including playables matches Randy Savage vs. Jake Roberts, Rikishi vs. The Rock, Alundra Blayze vs. Paige, Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Ric Flair, The Bushwackers vs. The Natural Disasters, The Outsiders vs. Harlem Heat, and Ricky Steamboat and Dustin Rhodes vs. The Enforcers, a New Moves Pack featuring several new animations and wrestling moves, and a Future Stars pack featuring playable characters Samoa Joe, Blake and Murphy, and Los Matadores.[14] In addition, a MyPlayer KickStart was announced as a boost for player stats in MyCareer mode.[14] A digital deluxe edition, featuring the game, Season pass, MyPlayer boost, and a digital theme was also announced.[14] All season pass content is set to be released by March 31, 2016.

Gameplay

Reversals have been changed so players have a set amount of reversals per match, preventing players from spamming reversals all match.[8] On next-gen versions, there are no loading screens between entrances, and players have the ability to attack other wrestlers during their entrance.[8] Referee and manager AI has been improved.[8] The chain wrestling minigame has been reworked.[15] Pins and submissions have been reworked and improved, with a new system replacing the previous one, allowing for fairer breakouts and newer animations have also been added,[8] including dirty pins and canceled pins.[16][17] Online matchmaking has also been improved.[15] The game will also feature rest holds characters can use to regain stamina.[15] Gameplay in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions remains largely the same as in previous iterations on those respective consoles, though does include smoother animations for a number of moves.

Match types

Ladder tag team, handicap tag team, and tornado tag matches, all of which were removed in 2K15, return in 2K16.[8]

Roster

2K announced on their social media accounts that WWE 2K16 will feature the "largest roster in the game's history", featuring over 120 unique playable characters, nearly double the 67 that were in last year's game.[18] A developer for the game then clarified that the 120 unique playable characters count does not include potential DLC, and that all 120 characters are included and will be released with the game.[19]

2K revealed that despite "push(ing) as hard as we could" to include them, for "various reasons," Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Bayley (the Four Horsewomen of NXT) will not be in the game or included as DLC.[20][21][22] 2K also revealed that WWE denied them the inclusion of Cody Rhodes as himself in the game, though he was included as his Stardust gimmick.[23]

WWE 2K16 marks the WWE video game debuts of Aiden English, Alundra Blayze, Baron Corbin, Blake, Col. Robert Parker, Colin Cassady, Enzo Amore, Eva Marie, Finn Bálor, Hideo Itami, Kalisto, Kevin Owens, Larry Zbyszko, Mikey Whipwreck, Murphy, Rosa Mendes, Samoa Joe, Savio Vega, Simon Gotch, Stevie Ray, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Tyler Breeze. In addition, Diego, Fernando, Kama Mustafa, and Stardust all make their debuts under those gimmicks.

Visuals and audio

Screenshot showing the improvement in detail of Neville's character model

The commentary team has been expanded to three members, with John "Bradshaw" Layfield joining the returning Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.[8] Jim Ross returns to call matches alongside Lawler in the Steve Austin showcase.[24] The game features new cloth physics and animations, creating more realistic attire.[25] The variety of the crowd has been improved as well.[25] Hair physics and sweat features have been improved.[25] In the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, only Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are present for commentary outside of Showcase mode. WWE 2K16 features a licensed soundtrack that consists of twelve songs.[26]

Game modes

2K Showcase

The 2K Showcase mode also returns, with one showcase detailing the career of cover star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.[15][27]

MyCareer

MyCareer returns from 2K15, with 2K claiming the mode will be significantly expanded from last year's game.[8] The mode will only be available on PS4 and Xbox One. Several changes have been made in order to give the player more control over their superstar. The character's personality can be influenced through actions, such as forming alliances and rivalries. The Authority are featured in the mode, with the player having the option to support or defy them, causing their career to be influenced.[28][29] Players are also able to interfere in other superstar's matches in order to create rivalries.

WWE Universe

The WWE Universe mode has been tweaked, with the game now allowing a single superstar to be booked on multiple shows.[8]

Creative Suite

Create a Diva, Create a Show, Create an Arena, and Create a Championship, features that were in previous games but removed in WWE 2K15, are back in 2K16.[8] The create a superstar feature will include several new features, such as hair dye,[30] change material properties (for example, having a mask or shirt be vinyl, cloth or satin)[31] and new face photo importing tool.[32]

The amount of available save slots for created superstars has been increased to 100, the same number as in 2K14 and four times the amount available in 2K15.[33]

Custom soundtrack remains absent on the PS4 and Xbox One versions but returns in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, albeit for created superstars and divas only. However Create a Story and Create a Finisher remain absent on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Reception

WWE 2K16
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS4Xbox One
Game Informer6.25/10 [34]6.25/10
Game Revolution[35]
GameSpot4/10[36]4/10
GamesRadar[37]
IGN88/100[38]88/100[38]
Aggregate scores
Metacritic74/100[39]73/100[40]

WWE 2K16 received "mixed" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[39][40] Eurogamer called the game "best wrestling game in years", praising the gameplay changes and deep roster, while noting long load times.[41] In a positive review, IGN called the game a "step in the right direction" for the series and praised the gameplay and roster features, but criticized overall inconsistency within the game. GameSpot rated the game a harsher 4 out of 10, praising the 2K Showcase mode and the return of Jim Ross on commentary but saying that "Little else in the game makes much of a positive impression."[42]

References

  1. ↑ Owen S. Good. (May 18, 2015). "WWE 2K16 launches Oct. 27 on current and past consoles, says Take-Two". Polygon. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ Tiples, Dondi. (May 19, 2015). "'WWE 2K16' Gets Fall Launch Date for Last-Gen and Current-Gen Consoles (VIDEO)". Christian Post. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  3. ↑ Seth G. Macy. (May 18, 2015). "Take-Two announces WWE 2K16, coming October". IGN. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  4. ↑ Artus, Matthew. (June 16, 2015). "First 6 superstars and divas revealed for WWE 2K16". WWE.com. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  5. ↑ davetach. "Stone Cold Steve Austin to grace the cover of WWE 2K16, maybe WrestleMania afterward". Polygon. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  6. 1 2 Vince Ingenito (27 July 2015). "Play as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator in WWE 2K16". IGN. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Dean James. "First WWE 2K16 Image Teases Commentators". Attack of the Fanboy. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 GAMESCOM 2015: FIRST WWE 2K16 GAMEPLAY DETAILS REVEALED, Ingenito, Vince. August 4, 2015.
  9. ↑ "IGN's Weekly WWE 2K16 Roster Reveal". IGN. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  10. ↑ "2K Announces Arabic Localization for WWE 2K16". 2K Sports. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  11. ↑ Damian Seeto (6 October 2015). "Play The WWE 2K16 Demo At Walmart Stores This Month". Attack of the Fanboy. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  12. ↑ "'WWE 2K16' Unleashes 'My Career' Trailer, Allowing Gamers To Tell Their Own Storylines". Tech Times. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  13. ↑ GameZone. "2K Sports reveal latest WWE 2K16 trailer!". gamezone.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Eddie Makuch (7 October 2015). "WWE 2K16 Getting $25 DLC Pass, Here's Everything It Comes With". GameSpot. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Artus, Matthew WWE 2K16 gameplay features revealed by 2K. WWE.com August 5, 2015.
  16. ↑ WWE2K16 Dirty Pins 2KDev on Youtube. August 14, 2015. 2K Sports
  17. ↑ WWE2K16 Cancelled Pin 2KDev on Youtube. August 20, 2015. 2K Sports
  18. ↑ "Jimmy Uso On His New WWE SmackDown Role, News On The WWE 2K16 Roster, WWE - Tokyo Update". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "WWE2Kdev on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  20. ↑ "NXT’s Four Horsewomen Have Been Left Out Of WWE 2K16 And Won’t Be DLC -". UPROXX. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  21. ↑ An Announcement about Divas and WWE 2k16 September 18, 2015. 2K Sports.
  22. ↑ Geno Mrosko. "WWE 2K16 roster won't include Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch or Charlotte". Cageside Seats. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  23. ↑ Damian Seeto. "Why Cody Rhodes Is Not In WWE 2K16 But Stardust Is". Attack of the Fanboy. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  24. ↑ WWE 2K16 COMMENTARY: JIM ROSS RETURNS, THREE-MAN TEAM DEBUTS September 8, 2015. 2K Sports
  25. 1 2 3 2K Games. "WWE 2K16 - Feature Summary". Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  26. ↑ "WWE 2K16's Soundtrack Features Marilyn Manson, MGK, Run DMC, No John Cena". Retrieved 2015-09-06.
  27. ↑ Damian Seeto. "First Look At WWE 2K16's Stone Cold Showcase Mode - Attack of the Fanboy". Attack of the Fanboy. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  28. ↑ Tim Gruver. "WWE 2K16 MyCareer Is All About Attitude". We Got This Covered. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  29. ↑ Alex Navarro. "2K Offers Up a Lengthy Look at WWE 2K16's MyCareer Mode". Giant Bomb. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  30. ↑ wwe2k16 Hair Dye 2kDev on Youtube. August 27, 2015. 2K Sports
  31. ↑ WWE2K16 CAS Materials 2KDev on Youtube. August 11, 2015. 2K Sports.
  32. ↑ CAS Face Photo Demo 2KDev on Youtube. August 18, 2015. 2K Sports
  33. ↑ WWE2K16 Save Slots 2KDev on Youtube. August 28, 2015. 2K Sports
  34. ↑ "On The Ropes - WWE 2K16 - PlayStation 4 - www.GameInformer.com". www.GameInformer.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  35. ↑ "WWE 2K16 Review". gamerevolution.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  36. ↑ Don Saas. "WWE 2K16 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  37. ↑ Dom Reseigh-Lincoln (2 November 2015). "WWE 2K16 review". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  38. 1 2 Vince Ingenito (30 October 2015). "WWE 2K16 Review". IGN. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  39. 1 2 "WWE 2K16". Metacritic. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  40. 1 2 "WWE 2K16". Metacritic. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  41. ↑ "WWE 2K16 review". Eurogamer.net. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  42. ↑ "WWE 2K16 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2015-11-14.

External links

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