WWE 2K18: 4 Things We Want To See

It’s nearly that time of year where we can expect a new FIFA or Madden game to hit our shelves just in time for Christmas. Nothing really changes about these games, except for maybe a few tweaks to the control system and updated rosters. The same can be said for the WWE games that have hit the market in recent years.

As a wrestling fan, I have become used to seeing poor incarnations of wrestling games. It seems like many developers haven’t yet figured out how to import games from your television screens to a gaming console.

WWE 2K17 was a prime example of a game that had so much potential, but fell flat on its face as soon as it was released. It was always going to be a rough transition after Yukes and 2K parted ways, and 2K17 made that plain to see. The game was riddled with bugs, an incredibly complicated season mode and clunky controls. Yes, the graphics were pretty good and the wrestler likenesses are stunning, but in my mind that was its only redeeming feature. So with that in mind, here is a list of what I would like to see in the newest edition in the WWE video game franchise.

1. IMPROVED GAME MECHANICS

I appreciate that it is easy for me to say this, but WWE 2K17 made wrestling hard work. The Ladder and Money in the Bank matches were filled with a really frustrating mini-game where you could do all the hard work for the belt or the briefcase, and then have your opponent steal it at the end. Climbing the ladders, performing table spots and even grabbing a weapon was all very bulky and it didn’t feel like it had the flow its predecessors had.

It would also be nice to see more than six people in the Royal Rumble match at any one time. It is not uncommon for the ring to be filled with ten or more wrestlers during this event and it would add an extra feel of realism if this could be capitalised on.

One of the most disappointing issues I noticed with WWE 2K17 was during Universe Mode, the game failed to recognise the Royal Rumble winner. In one instance, I entered the rumble as AJ Styles and managed to pull out a win so he would challenge for the belt at the biggest event on the WWE calendar. Instead, I was faced with the prospect of facing The Big Show whilst Curtis Axel challenged for the belt. It is a poor show if the game cannot pick up on one of the biggest draws within the WWE.

It’s also about time that we had some half decent commentary from these games. Michael Cole and all the other guys who commentate on these programs still sound like machines and like 2K have recorded all the lines and then mashed them together haphazardly.

2. A more satisfying Career Mode

The amount of hate I have WWE 2K17’s Career mode is just unreal. On paper, it finally seemed like 2K had managed to pull everything out of the bag and make a Career Mode that was worthy of a wrestling game. But when you actually managed to push through the boring tutorial and get stuck into the NXT roster, you found that your popularity would go cold unless you bought new moves with VC (WWE 2K17’s in-game currency) and that challenging for the belt was just hard work. The game would automatically select your rivalry, or change it without you even knowing. It became even harder to get to the top spot once you joined the main roster.

The Career Mode is built around you making The Authority happy and then taking on Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar. Other than that there is very little story and no real reason why you’re beating each other up. There is also a big push for cutting your own promos in the ring, but I found these pretty useless and couldn’t really get to grips with how they worked. The tutorial does cover the basics but that’s about as far as it goes.

What 2K needs to do is make the progression through the Career Mode easier and stop forcing in-game purchases on the gamer. To unlock anything worthwhile takes hours of grinding and a wrestling game should never include that element of gaming. Popularity should go off wins alone and if you are on an awesome streak in the ring then that should be reflected by both popularity and rankings. The foundation of a good Career mode is there just waiting to happen.

3. The brand split

The WWE is placing a huge focus on the brand split this time around, and it shows with the Superstar Shake-up that just took place. I think the brand split has been a huge success already and it shows when you watch either show.

WWE 2K18 needs to include this in the game otherwise it would be a waste of time. Although it will play a huge part in the Career Mode, it is in the Universe mode that this element can really come into its own. The possibilities of forming a fantasy draft to each brand and seeing how it would play out would be enough to keep me hooked. What tends to happen in the current version is I face people who would never be considered in the picture for the main belt. With more titles on the line and with each brand competing against each other, the foundations for an awesome game is there already.

4. Deeper CUSTOMISATION And Better DLC

This is one of the only elements to improve as the game reincarnates itself and 2K needs to keep this going. But would be nice to see is the option of introducing your own belt into the Universe mode. Although you are able to do this now, it takes a long time to try and establish the standings of the belt and rankings etc – the process took me about an hour to figure out. A less complicated process should hopefully allow you to do this with greater ease.

It would also be nice to see some worthwhile DLC from 2K. Offering us wrestlers who are already on the roster is a poor way of trying to retain your fanbase and offering us kickstart packs and alternative moves is a sure way to piss people off.