Name: Almost exactly the same as prior year, WORSE if you include myfactions
Item: WWE 2K23
Rating: 7.5
Author: Todd Lewis

Gameplay: 

Same as WWE 2k22, just faster and snappier. Bad decision to make irish whip counters always converge into more irish whipping. Also, the Ai REALLY loves irish whipping you in this game. It is objectively a crappy idea to choose the technician build for story or myfactions since his goals are to do limb damage and submissions were weakened in this game. That's right, they nerfed submissions cause people cried about it last game.

Campaign: 

Imo, the story modes for both genders are just serviceable to downright bad writing, particularly with Unleashed story mode. There is about 7 fights dedicated to you losing control of your character for a far inferior character with terrible moves that you can't change. Great design 2K.

Replay Value: Plenty of matches, easily has an edge here with added Ambulance, Casket, and Gauntlet matches. Universe mode is there, GM mode is much better, Showcase mode is okay to fucking annoying because it doesn't tell you which objectives you haven't completed so if you want the achievement, you just need to go one by one perfectly. Should have a tally system on your objectives. Create a Superstar is fantastic and the games gives you options galore. 

Community: If the reason you buy this game is for the community creations, then you're valid cause the creativity in this is unparalled.

The Negatives: MyFactions went 1 step forward with giving us persona cards which grant you alternate versions of your favorite superstars to play as in exhibition, but decided to add "local talent" to the cards you can pull in card packs pulling the mode back two steps because you can spend 12 minutes in a match only to win an ugly card named "Spanky" which is supposed to be funny? It's not a WWE wrestler, why is it a card?! Your stamina is also locked to being limited in Myfactions for live events and you can only take like one suplex before losing all stamina. Its synthetic challenge and grind mechanics designed to disrespect your time by dangling low effort cosmetic alterations as rewards. They also increased card pack and card costs. If you include MyFactions with your assessment of this game, it brings its score back to the prior game. Consider this too if you think I am making a big deal out of nothing. In the wrestler select screen, you will now have multiple placeholder superstars in your lineup for the myfaction wrestlers that you may or may not want to unlock. 

They're always there, as an eyesore now, a silhouette with a name reading "????????". 

To a normie, the whole game is okay. Like a 6.

To a wrestling fan, the game is good. Like an 8. 

To a WWE fan, the game is everything. Like a 9.

To a gamer, the game is great, but has awful decisions in it. Its a 7.5. Same as last year.

WWE 2K23

Almost exactly the same as prior year, WORSE if you include myfactions

Player Score

Todd Lewis