WWE 2K16 Review

It is never easy to have to pump out new games every year. A limited development window means publishers have little time to truly change the way a game plays, and that is just one of the problems facing WWE 2K16. It also has to win fans back after the disastrous outing of its predecessor. That title faced harsh criticism for removing huge swathes of content, leaving players with just the scraps of what could and should have been a much better game. It is safe to say that the team at Yuke’s definitely had their work cut out for WWE 2K16 to be a success.

Gameplay

What they improved upon immediately is the gameplay. The WWE 2K series has never tried to be like other fighting games that rely on complicated combos and expert timing. Instead, it has always been designed to encapsulate the sheer entertainment and showmanship of wrestling. WWE 2K16 nails that perfectly. There’s no need to memorize move sets here. Instead, you just have to keep in mind the basic controls that will allow you to put on a spectacular show.

To that end, the controls are relatively basic. You can kick and punch like you might expect but also grapple or lift an opponent with just the press of a button. Other keys are mapped to actions such as counterattacks, allowing you to turn an opponent’s own attack against them. It is a system that works very well and ensures there is a good flow to each wrestling match. Another positive to this is that anyone should be able to pick it up and give it a go without having to worry too much about learning how to play.

Counterattacks

Speaking of counterattacks, a new addition to WWE 2K16 is the introduction of a limit to how you can use this particular move. A news banner scrolling across the screen keeps players up-to-date on just how many more times they can use a reversal. It is an elegant way to get across this information that doesn’t break the immersion, as it genuinely looks like part of the overall presentation.

Only allowing a set number of reversals is also a smart decision in terms of keeping matches flowing. Matches now feel more offensive, with players not simply playing defensively waiting for an opportunity to strike.

An ability to perform rest holds has a similar effect. Whereas bouts might have descended into slow slogs in previous installments, these rest holds give both players the chance to regain stamina so that fights can remain energetic throughout.