Title: WWE 2K17
Version Tested: Xbox One
Available On: Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Windows
Developer: Yukes, Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports
Genre: Pro Wrestling, Fighting, Sports
Official Site: https://wwe.2k.com/
Release Date: October 11th, 2016
Where To Buy: Official Site, Xbox Store, PSN, Local Retailers
One of the main interests in my life is the world of professional wrestling. So when I was given the WWE 2K17 review, I was ecstatic. Believe it or not, I was once a professional wrestler myself. I’ve gone as far as to work as Doink the Clown, be in Smackdown Magazine and travel with wrestling legend, King Kong Bundy. I have always loved wrestling and find it a fantastic combination of both entertainment and athleticism. It’s also a very hard lifestyle for some. Back in April, I wrote a short article about Chyna passing away. So, how does this new title stand up to its predecessors and is it worth your time? The short answer is yes but… I had my frustrations.
WWE 2K17 is by the far the best wrestling game out there… if not the only one. Here, you’ll have the chance to play and go toe to toe with your favorite wrestlers in the business. Not only can you play as your favorite wrestler, you can create your own too. With an extensive level of customization, you can have your created superstar work their way up from the beginning stages of NZT, all the way up to the grand stage of Wrestlemania. You can also download a number of created superstars from the community. Perhaps you want to go for the heavyweight title as Kurt Angle, CM Punk or even Batman… the choice is yours.
A staple of the WWE games since their introduction has been customization. The ability to create your own unique character, move set and entrance. In WWE 2K17, the level of customization is absolutely astonishing. The customization has actually gotten so in-depth, that I felt overwhelmed when looking through the options. WWE 2K17 has retained the ability to upload your face to a character but personally, I found it much more frustrating than the 2K16 version. You can no longer use a mobile app to upload photos. Instead, you’ll have to use the WWE 2K17 upload site. Depending on your familiarity with editing photos, this could potentially be a very tedious process.
I would say it took me about two days to finally get a face photo uploaded that I could work with. The photo has to be a 1:1 ratio, otherwise it will be distorted. If you’re using a cell phone to take your photo, you need to use the wide angle shot and you’ll have to crop it as well for a good photo. Uploading logos however, I found to be a generally painless experience. A number of different file sizes are present to upload which all depend on what your intended use of the photo is. It’s a little time-consuming to figure this out but once you do, a lot of fun to play with.
One thing I did miss in WWE 2K17 was the “Showcases.” In 2K16, showcases allowed you to live out memorable moments of some of the WWE’s top stars, such as re-living Stone Cold Steve Austin’s win over Jake the Snake Robers at the King of the Ring. Instead, WWE 2K17 has added “Promos.” Any wrestling fan knows that promos are an intricate part of professional wrestling. They are the basis of emotion for an upcoming match or event. Will you make the crowd love you… or hate you? The decision is yours to make. While the promos are an interesting addition, ultimately they come off as a bit of a mess. The WWE games have always tried to create a more immersing experience with each title and 9 times out of 10 it’s been something solid. In this case, the idea is there, but the execution is not.
WWE 2K17 has a number of unlockable characters. Whether it be Bret “Hitman” Hart or Stone Cold Steve Austin, a variety of legendary wrestlers are at your disposal… for a cost. No, I’m not talking about a pay to play type scenario. I’m talking about in-game VC (Virtual Currency.) The amount of VC you earn is dependent on the type of matches you have. Five-star matches will generate the maximum amount of VC. This will be used to not only unlock characters but upgrade your very own created superstar as well. Gaining maximum VC is dependent on the excitement of your match. Doing the same move over and over will severely limit your VC, so be sure to mix it up with different moves and counters.
WWE 2K17 is well worth your time and money. Whether you’re interested in forging your own legend with a created superstar, battling friends or AI in quick matches or running the WWE franchise as if you were the man himself… it’s all here. The inclusion of promos enhances the WWE experience but it still needs some tweaking for future titles. While the immense customization WWE 2K17 offers is astounding, when uploading your own personal face I recommend checking YouTube for tips and tricks.
Have you played 2K17? If so, what did you think? Were you upset about the Showcases feature being excluded? Be sure to let us know in the comments below and check out our recent review of the all-new Walking Dead.
- Gameplay: Face paced, fun and a true WWE experience
- Graphics: Gorgeous as ever and flows fantastically with gameplay
- Sound: Authentic WWE announcers, Soundtrack created by Sean “Diddy” Combs himself
- Presentation: A WWE experience that delivers and one you won’t want to miss
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