WWE 2K22

The Story of WWE 2K22 has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from various critics. Game Over Online appreciated how the story delves into the development history of WWE 2K games and roster changes, generating excitement among fans. XboxAddict also found the single-player story mode cool, especially highlighting the intro narrated by Rey Mysterio and the archival videos that enhance immersion. These aspects were praised for adding depth and context to the gameplay experience, offering a nostalgic and informative journey for players. On the flip side, several critics pointed out significant drawbacks in the Story mode of WWE 2K22. Inverse highlighted issues with clunky controls and finicky AI that detracted from the overall experience of the Showcase mode, despite its celebration of iconic WWE matches. TheSixthAxis expressed frustration with the gameplay requirements and control randomness in the Showcase mode, which made the otherwise neat idea tedious to engage with. Hooked Gamers criticized the poorly written story campaign, noting the lack of the dramatic flair synonymous with WWE, along with flat dialogue and subpar facial animations that failed to capture the essence of the wrestling entertainment. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Story of WWE 2K22 leans towards a mixed reception. While there are commendable aspects such as the historical insights, immersive elements, and nods to iconic moments in wrestling history, the game falls short in terms of gameplay mechanics, AI behavior, storytelling quality, and overall execution of the narrative. The varying opinions from critics like Press Start Australia, who appreciated the focus on Rey Mysterio's career but noted the absence of major matches, and Hooked Gamers, who criticized the lack of theatrical flair, indicate a lack of cohesion in the Story mode that leaves room for improvement in future iterations of the WWE 2K series.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of WWE 2K22 are overwhelmingly positive. Critics such as Dexerto, Forbes, and Impulsegamer praise the gameplay for being the best it has ever been, with improvements in combat mechanics that make matches faster, more exciting, and true reflections of real wrestling. The addition of new mechanics like Breaker for countering and the revamped control system with a more arcade-style approach are highlighted by Game Informer and Press Start Australia as positive changes that enhance the overall gameplay experience. The simplified button layout, accessible controls, and deep simulation gameplay in modes like MyGM mode, as noted by GamingBolt, also contribute to the positive reception of the gameplay. On the other hand, some critics point out certain negatives in the gameplay of WWE 2K22. Critics like NME and TheSixthAxis mention issues with the gameplay feeling too easy, random, and lacking control and response, making it difficult for veteran players to get used to. Problems with hitbox registration, targeting, and complex match types are highlighted by Inverse and Slant Magazine as detracting from the overall experience. Issues with match management, AI difficulty, and unresponsive reversals are raised by Ragequit.gr as areas that could be improved upon. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that WWE 2K22 has made significant strides in improving its gameplay compared to previous entries in the series. The game is praised for its faster-paced, unpredictable, and enjoyable combat system that strikes a good balance between arcade and simulation gameplay. While there are some minor issues and areas for improvement highlighted by a few critics, the general sentiment is positive, with many reviewers appreciating the revamped mechanics, accessibility of controls, and depth of gameplay offered by WWE 2K22. The game seems to have successfully catered to a wide range of players, from newcomers to veterans, with its mix of enjoyable one-on-one brawls, challenging multiplayer matches, and various game modes that enhance the overall wrestling experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of WWE 2K22 are largely positive. Critics such as Game Informer, Game Over Online, and Impulsegamer praise the game for its outstanding character models, smooth animations, improved lighting, and vibrant colors. They highlight the lifelike renderings of wrestlers, enhanced cinematography, and attention to detail in historical arenas, making the visuals visually appealing and immersive. Additionally, critics like Forbes and NME commend the game for its flashy presentation, stunning graphics, and photo-realistic visuals, describing it as the best visually in the series. On the other hand, some critics point out certain negatives in the Graphics and Visual Design of WWE 2K22. Critics like GAMES.CH and New Game Network mention issues with hair physics, crowd animations, and facial animations, which detract from the overall visual experience. Additionally, Noisy Pixel and GamingBolt criticize the game for graphical glitches, inconsistent texture mapping, and underwhelming visual presentation in some areas. TheSixthAxis also notes hilarious glitches and issues with wrestler animations on the PS4 version of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that WWE 2K22 has made significant improvements in its Graphics and Visual Design compared to previous installments. The game is praised for its lifelike character models, improved presentation, and attention to detail in wrestler appearances. Critics appreciate the enhanced visuals, realistic superstar entrances, and immersive experience provided by the game. While there are some criticisms regarding hair physics, facial animations, and occasional blunders, the majority of reviewers agree that WWE 2K22 represents a substantial improvement in graphics and visual design, making it a visually appealing and engaging experience for fans of the franchise.

In terms of positives, several critics praised the sound design and music of WWE 2K22. Game Over Online described the sound design as fantastic, highlighting revamped weapon sound effects and improved commentary that replicates the TV announce teams' chemistry. Impulsegamer also commended the game for its stellar sound design, calling it the best sounding console wrestling title to date. Additionally, Gfinity appreciated the curated soundtrack, noting that it provides a mix of tracks that create a unique atmosphere, transitioning from artists like Wu Tang to Machine Gun Kelly. On the negative side, there were criticisms regarding the sound design and music of WWE 2K22. App Trigger and COGconnected both had negative opinions about the soundtrack, with App Trigger mentioning it as offputting and out of place, while COGconnected described it as horrific. Dexerto and DualShockers criticized the commentary in the game, with Dexerto mentioning hit-and-miss commentary and inaccuracies, and DualShockers calling it terrible. The SixthAxis also had negative feedback, stating that the vocal performances were lazy and uninspired, affecting the overall experience. Overall, opinions on the sound design and music of WWE 2K22 were mixed. While some critics like Game Over Online, Impulsegamer, and Gfinity praised aspects such as revamped sound effects, stellar sound design, and a curated soundtrack that added to the atmosphere, others like App Trigger, COGconnected, and The SixthAxis found faults with the soundtrack, commentary, and vocal performances. The general consensus leans towards a divide in opinions, with some appreciating the efforts put into the sound design and music, while others felt that certain elements were lacking or offputting.

In terms of positives, some critics noted that the voice acting in WWE 2K22's MyRISE mode offered a more refined and grounded take on wrestling. Press Start Australia mentioned that while the voice acting was a bit wonky, it presented a different perspective on wrestling storytelling. This suggests that there were attempts to bring a fresh approach to the performances, albeit with mixed results. Additionally, the variety in opinions from critics like Press Start Australia and DualShockers indicates that there were some nuances in the voice acting that appealed to certain players. On the negative side, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in WWE 2K22 fell short of expectations. Critic names like PlayStation Country and TheSixthAxis highlighted issues such as flat performances, with some voices sounding phoned in or lacking energy. The criticism of non-established WWE talent's performances in the MyRise mode by Slant Magazine further emphasizes the overall disappointment with the voice acting in the game. The lack of enthusiasm and effort in the vocal performances seemed to be a common complaint across multiple reviews. Overall, the general sentiment towards the voice acting in WWE 2K22 leans towards the negative spectrum. Critics like TheSixthAxis and Hooked Gamers expressed strong disapproval, citing lazy and uninspired vocal performances that failed to engage players. While there were some attempts to offer a different take on wrestling storytelling, the execution seemed to have missed the mark for many reviewers. The lack of energy, flat deliveries, and phoned-in performances overshadowed any potential positives, resulting in a consensus that the voice acting in WWE 2K22 was a significant drawback in an otherwise anticipated title.

In terms of technical performance on the PS5, several critics highlighted positive aspects of WWE 2K22. GameSpew praised the solid performance with quick loading times, while Gaming Age noted significant improvements post-day one patch, leading to a smoother gameplay experience. PlayStation Country also commended the game for being more stable and reliable compared to its predecessors. These positive aspects indicate that the game has made strides in enhancing its technical performance on the PS5 platform. However, there were also notable negatives mentioned by critics regarding the PS5 version of WWE 2K22. Dexerto pointed out issues with clipping, controller responsiveness, and long load times, impacting the overall experience. Impulsegamer highlighted widespread hiccups such as outdated rosters, broken content downloading, and AI issues, leading to a less polished gameplay experience. Inverse mentioned issues with hitbox registration and inconsistent gameplay due to bugs, affecting the stability of the game. These technical drawbacks indicate that there are still areas for improvement in terms of performance on the PS5 platform. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of WWE 2K22 across various platforms is mixed. While some reviewers like Forbes and GAMES.CH on the PS5 platform reported good stability and minimal technical issues, others such as Noisy Pixel and Game Informer highlighted concerns like collision detection problems and occasional glitches impacting the gameplay experience. The varying opinions suggest that WWE 2K22 has shown improvements in technical performance compared to previous iterations but still faces challenges in delivering a completely smooth and glitch-free experience across all platforms. It is evident that while the game has made progress in addressing technical issues, there is room for further refinement to enhance the overall gameplay experience for players.

The Replay Value of WWE 2K22 has been positively highlighted by several critics, with many praising the variety of game modes and content available. Critics like Dexerto and GameSpew mention the inclusion of modes like MyGM, MyRISE, Universe mode, MyFACTION, and Showcase, providing players with a plethora of choices, storylines, and objectives to complete. Game Over Online also emphasizes the returning MyGM mode, post-launch content plans, and DLC featuring legendary characters like Undertaker and NWO as contributing to the game's replay value. Additionally, Forbes appreciates the decent roster of wrestlers and the Showcase mode, adding to the overall replayability of the game. On the flip side, some critics express concerns about certain aspects impacting the Replay Value of WWE 2K22. DualShockers and Slant Magazine point out disappointments with the MyGM and Universe modes, citing lack of depth and improvements as drawbacks to the overall replayability of the game. Furthermore, DualShockers mentions the frustration over the lack of new match types and advanced entrances, while Slant Magazine describes the MyGM mode as repetitive and tedious, potentially affecting the player's engagement with the game. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards WWE 2K22 offering a decent amount of replay value due to its diverse range of game modes and content. While some modes like MyGM and Universe may lack depth and improvements, the inclusion of modes like MyFACTION, Showcase, and MyRISE are highlighted for providing engaging gameplay experiences. Critics like Gfinity and Xbox Achievements appreciate the strategic gameplay decisions and character creation options in modes like MyRISE and MyGM, contributing to the game's longevity. Despite some criticisms regarding specific modes, the general sentiment suggests that WWE 2K22 offers a satisfactory level of replay value for players looking to immerse themselves in the world of professional wrestling.