WWE 2K23

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Story of WWE 2K23, there are several positive aspects that stand out. Critics such as Gamereactor UK, IGN France, Metro GameCentral, Player 2, Xbox Achievements, and GameSpew all highlight the presence of multiple storylines and modes that offer engaging narratives and replayability. The career mode, in particular, receives praise for its authentic WWE storylines and the inclusion of two distinct storylines for male and female wrestlers. The MyRise mode, as mentioned by GameSpew, provides players with the opportunity to debut as a superstar or follow in the footsteps of a legendary WWE superstar, offering multiple paths and fights to be experienced. However, there are also some negative aspects that critics point out. Xbox Tavern criticizes the story mode for being generic and lacking polish, with an illusion of choice. This criticism suggests that the game may not fully deliver on the promise of a dynamic and immersive storytelling experience. Additionally, Slant Magazine mentions that WWE 2K23 represents a WWE in flux, with changed names, character arcs, and new heroes and villains emerging. While this may be seen as a positive by some, it could also be seen as a negative for those who prefer a more consistent and familiar WWE experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that WWE 2K23 offers a variety of storylines and modes that provide an entertaining and engaging narrative experience. The inclusion of two distinct storylines for male and female wrestlers, as well as the MyRise and Showcase modes, are particularly praised for their replayability and the opportunity for multiple playthroughs. While there are some criticisms regarding the generic nature of the story mode and the changes within the WWE universe, these do not seem to significantly detract from the overall positive reception of the game's storytelling elements.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the gameplay of WWE 2K23, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted by the critics. The gameplay is praised for its improvements and additions, such as the introduction of the WarGames match type, improved pacing, and enhanced animations. Reviewers like Cultured Vultures, Pure Xbox, and GGRecon specifically mention the positive changes in modes, striking mechanics, and countering system, respectively. The gameplay is described as enjoyable, accessible, and fun, with improvements in match flow, combo focus, and in-ring storytelling. The combat mechanics are generally seen as smooth, fluid, and intuitive, making matches more exciting and engaging. The game offers a variety of game modes, providing plenty of variety and replayability. The controls are considered easy to understand, with enough depth for those seeking a more nuanced experience. These positive aspects contribute to a more enjoyable and immersive gameplay experience. However, there are also some negative aspects that critics point out. Several reviewers mention that the gameplay is largely similar to the previous year's installment, with only minor improvements and additions. Game Informer and GameGrin specifically mention legacy issues and a dislike for the guessing game style of reversals, respectively. Some critics express disappointment in the lack of non-combat event animations and graphical glitches. Dexerto highlights areas for improvement in wrestler AI and collision detection. PlayStation Country mentions struggles in controlling multi-person free-for-alls. MeuPlayStation points out difficulties in executing the 'reverse' mechanic. These negative aspects indicate that there are still areas where the gameplay could be further refined and enhanced. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that WWE 2K23 offers an improved and enjoyable gameplay experience compared to its predecessors. The positive aspects, such as the improvements in modes, striking mechanics, and countering system, are widely appreciated. The game is praised for its accessibility, fun factor, and immersive in-ring action. However, some reviewers note that the gameplay lacks significant changes and has certain shortcomings, such as legacy issues and difficulties in executing certain mechanics. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with reviewers acknowledging the game's improvements and enhancements in various aspects of the gameplay.

The opinions of the critics regarding the graphics and visual design of WWE 2K23 are generally positive. Several critics, such as TouchArcade and Xbox Achievements, praise the game for its fantastic visuals, capturing the pomp and bombast of real-life WWE. Pure Xbox and GameSpew highlight the graphical enhancements from the previous year, with improvements in character models, video trons, arena designs, and lighting. IGN France also notes the improved visuals compared to the previous installment, with better lighting effects on the wrestlers and approaching what can be expected from a next-gen game. The Games Machine and VideoGamer mention that the graphics have improved, resembling the TV show, and most of the roster looks close to their real-life counterparts. The Loadout also acknowledges the improved visual fidelity, with impressive character models and attention to detail. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Player 2 criticizes the lack of detail in the graphics and janky animations. Metro GameCentral mentions the presence of visual glitches, and GameGrin notes occasional clipping issues and janky animations. GAMES.CH highlights weaknesses in the representation of female talent and smaller stars, as well as a lack of diversity in the crowd compared to other sports games. The Loadout also points out glitches that break immersion, such as flailing arms or legs clipping through each other. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that WWE 2K23 has made significant improvements in its graphics and visual design compared to previous installments. The game is praised for its polished visuals, capturing the bombastic WWE Universe and providing a near flawless 60fps experience. The character models, lighting effects, and attention to detail are commended by multiple critics. While there are some negative aspects mentioned, such as janky animations and visual glitches, they do not overshadow the overall positive reception of the game's graphics. WWE 2K23 is considered one of the best-looking sports games on the market, with impressive recreations of entrance routines, updated arena layouts, and a strong overall presentation.

In terms of the positives, several critics praised the audio design and sound effects of WWE 2K23. GameSpew, for example, commended the game for its authentic and immersive sound, from the in-ring action to the menus. GameGrin also highlighted the great sound effects, such as the crunch of a steel chair cracking a skull, and the entrance music. GAMINGbible appreciated the crowd noise and theme songs, which added to the overall audio design. Xbox Achievements specifically mentioned that the voice acting by the Superstars was well done. However, there were several negative aspects pointed out by the critics. Pure Xbox noted some issues with the sound design, such as fake-sounding crowd noise and forced commentary. The Games Machine mentioned the absence of original commentary and music, which was considered strange. Game Informer criticized the generic music in the Showcase mode, describing it as bad, and also highlighted the inability to turn off the music within the mode itself. PlayStation Country mentioned that the voice acting was hit and miss, with commentary sounding stilted and unnatural at times. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there were positive remarks about certain aspects of the sound design and music, such as the sound effects and voice acting, there were also significant criticisms. The absence of original commentary and music, as well as the use of generic and repetitive tracks, were common concerns. Additionally, issues with the crowd noise and forced commentary were mentioned by multiple critics. These negative aspects seem to have impacted the overall experience of WWE 2K23's audio design and music, making it fall short of expectations.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in WWE 2K23 are varied. Some critics, such as Xbox Achievements and GamesRadar+, praise the voice acting by the Superstars, with Xbox Achievements specifically stating that it is well done. This indicates that the game successfully captures the voices and performances of real-life WWE superstars and personalities, adding authenticity to the gameplay experience. Additionally, GamesRadar+ highlights Sami Zayn's voice acting for his whiny heel gimmick as a standout performance, suggesting that certain characters' voice acting is effective and enhances their respective personas. On the other hand, there are critics who express negative opinions about the voice acting in WWE 2K23. Pure Xbox criticizes the voice acting in the MyRise stories, stating that the characters sound like they're reading lines into a cheap recording device. This suggests that the quality of the voice acting in certain modes may be lacking, potentially detracting from the immersion and overall enjoyment of the game. GameGrin also mentions that the voice-overs in the game are lacking in quality and enthusiasm, further indicating that the voice acting may not meet the expectations of some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the voice acting in WWE 2K23 is mixed. While there are positive mentions of well-done voice acting by the Superstars and standout performances like Sami Zayn's, there are also criticisms of uneven quality, stiffness, and lack of enthusiasm in certain modes. Critics such as PlayStation Country and Slant Magazine highlight these issues, with PlayStation Country mentioning hit and miss voice acting and Slant Magazine specifically pointing out uneven voice acting in the MyRise and Showcase modes. It is evident that the voice acting in WWE 2K23 is a topic of debate among reviewers, with both positive and negative aspects being highlighted.

Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the technical performance of WWE 2K23 vary depending on the gaming platform. Let's start with the positives for each platform. TouchArcade, playing on PC, mentions that the game runs well on the Steam Deck with some settings tweaks. The Games Machine, playing on Xbox Series X, also notes that the game runs well on this platform. PlayStation Universe, playing on PS5, reports no technical hitches, indicating good technical performance and stability. Moving on to the negatives for each platform, IGN France, Cultured Vultures, and Xbox Achievements, all playing on Xbox Series X, mention long loading times and frequent crashes as significant issues that impact the overall experience. Xbox Tavern also mentions bugs and crashes. COGconnected, Dexerto, GAMES.CH, Game Informer, GameGrin, The Loadout, and TheGamer, all playing on PS5, report technical issues such as graphical glitches, animation issues, and performance problems. However, it is worth noting that PlayStation Country and Slant Magazine mention improved stability compared to previous entries, and Game Informer reports no significant technical glitches, which is considered a positive sign for the series. In terms of the overall consensus of the critics for all platforms, it is clear that there are mixed opinions. While some critics, such as TouchArcade and The Games Machine, highlight positive aspects of the technical performance, others, like IGN France and COGconnected, express concerns about long loading times, crashes, and technical issues. However, it is worth mentioning that several critics, including PlayStation Universe and Game Informer, note improved stability and fewer glitches compared to previous entries. Overall, it seems that WWE 2K23 still has room for improvement in terms of technical performance, with some platforms experiencing more issues than others.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of WWE 2K23 are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics highlight the game's numerous game modes, improved features, and extensive content as factors that contribute to its replayability. TouchArcade mentions that the game is worth the time for those who skipped previous WWE games, indicating that there is enough new content to keep players engaged. Cultured Vultures specifically mentions the improvements in modes like MyRise, MyGM, and Universe, suggesting that there is enough value throughout the entire game. Gamereactor UK praises the varied game modes, particularly the career mode and Showcase mode, which are described as entertaining. Pure Xbox emphasizes the abundance of content and improvements, such as the newly created WarGames match type, which they describe as a fantastic addition. Screen Rant mentions the increased creation options and separate storylines in MyRISE for men and women wrestlers, indicating good replay value. Xbox Achievements and PlayStation Country both mention the wealth of modes and options, further supporting the positive sentiment towards the game's replay value. While the majority of critics express positive opinions, there are a few mentions of potential drawbacks. IGN France notes the presence of bugs and crashes, which may deter some players from fully enjoying the game's replay value. Xbox Tavern mentions the possibility of burnout after a month or two of gameplay, suggesting that the game may not have long-term replayability for some players. GAMES.CH also highlights the presence of errors and glitches in the game, which could impact the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that WWE 2K23 offers a high level of replay value. The game's variety of modes, extensive content, and improvements in features and match types are praised by multiple critics. The positive sentiment is reinforced by the mentions of specific modes like MyRise, MyGM, Showcase, and Universe, which are described as compelling and enjoyable. The inclusion of new features, such as the WarGames match type and improved creation options, further enhances the game's replayability. Despite a few concerns about bugs, crashes, and potential burnout, the majority of critics agree that WWE 2K23 provides a satisfying and engaging experience with ample replay value.