WWE 2K22 Reviews
WWE 2K22 isn't a good fighting game, despite the multiplayer being a bit of knock-around fun. The woolly controls, messy inputs, and numerous glitches lead to an underwhelming video game experience, while the lacklustre Showcase and MyRise game modes don't manage to replicate the bombast of professional wrestling, WWE 2K22 isn't a particularly good wrestling game either. It's a decent laugh in multiplayer, but with the notably hefty price tag I would expect a lot more than that.
If you look at WWE 2K22 as a foundational game for the future of the WWE franchise, then this is undoubtedly a step forward. The greatly improved in-ring action is not nearly enough to make up for ho-hum to poor modes that give you little reason to return to the actual wrestling.
WWE 2K22 is 2K Sports’ first mainline WWE game since 2019. Following the abysmal reception to 2K20 that year, 2K took an extra year to make sure bugs were squashed and character models looked the part while preserving the fun factor. The team behind the latest release has addressed most of these issues this time around, and while 2K22 is significantly better than its predecessor, the bar was absurdly low. The extra year has certainly helped, but ultimately, the final product still feels undercooked.
WWE 2K22 certainly hits different, go check the score again, it certainly has not come out a perfect ten. The redeemable qualities, thankfully, are the wrestling mechanics themselves, which ironically might not be everyone's cup of tea, and MyRISE mode which offers a good amount of content to keep the average WWE gamer going. It has taken over 2 years for the game to finally release and while it is an improvement on WWE 2K20 it still serves up disappointment in other ways, such as an outdated roster, a pathetic attempt at recreating General Manager mode, and a disgusting ethical issue of microtransactions in MyFACTION mode, albeit optional. MyFACTION mode is enjoyable, and can be played without using real-world money to progress, but the fact of the matter is that this mechanic should not exist in a full priced game. If you came to play then there is certainly a price to pay.
It’s been a long-standing complaint that WWE doesn’t know how to make new stars. WWE 2K22 is still a fine wrestling game, but the most frustratingly realistic thing about it is just how hard it is to make new stars here too.
WWE 2K22 is the definition of a mixed bag. There are clearly areas where the team at Visual Concepts made positive progress with the franchise, particularly in wrestler AI and animations. Many of the marquee talents look fantastic and there is a lot to do within the game. Sadly, most of the modes are half-baked and the series is still suffering from bugs or problems it has carried for far too long.
WWE 2K22 finally resembles a good fighting game, but it keeps treading the same old waters.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
WWE 2K22 is a major improvement over its insulting predecessor, featuring some smart tweaks to core gameplay and fan-favorite modes. That said, promises of a "completely rebuilt" experience ring hollow as it's clear old tech is still being used, and while the action has been refined, it remains a notch below most other fighting or combat sports games you could name. Your reaction to the game will largely hinge on how you felt about 2K's series before its hiatus, with those that still saw promise likely to have a good time. That said, don't expect WWE 2K22 to transcend mid-card status if your patience was already at an end.
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
Overall, WWE 2K22 still doesn't seem to have met our expectations.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
WWE 2K22 takes the recommendation for 7 points out of 10. The series has taken a new breath, but there are still some shortcomings and mistakes remain. Other parts will hopefully be a little better.
Review in Czech | Read full review
If we consider that WWE 2K22 is the first step of a new era, then we can only applaud the effort of Visual Concepts.
Review in Greek | Read full review
WWE 2K22 was a necessary reset for the series. 2K endeavored to reimagine what a pro wrestling game can play like and in the process found a style of gameplay that is infinitely more enjoyable than the realistic simulation-based gameplay we’ve had in past games. It does a great job of focusing on the in-ring action while showcasing all the pizazz that comes with pro wrestling. MyRise and MyGM are welcome additions and are two modes that could be pillars of the series going forward if they continue to be improved upon. While not perfect, see Showcase/MyFACTION/slight gameplay issues, and some of the modes are admittedly lacking in depth, WWE 2K22 is a good building block for future games that offers a lot of fun gameplay.
The real pleasure with WWE 2K22 is in the hilarious community creations and chaotic action in the ring with friends. Download someone's crude rendition of Queen Elizabeth II, jump into an Extreme Rules match, and take them down from the top turnbuckle. At its best, it's an absolute joy.
WWE 2K22 manages to polish a lot of issues from the previous game, but it's still not quite there yet. The good thing though is that it seems they put the first stone right, and the future of the series could be bright.
Review in Persian | Read full review
If the recent rumors that EA Games is going to start developing WWE games turns out to be untrue, then WWE 2K22 serves as a fairly good base to work from for future offerings. The fighting alone is much improved and enjoyable to work with, and the graphics look quite nice, even though some flourishes are missing and the PC version isn't up to expectations. The modes are pretty hit-and-miss, and the legacy issues and hilariously outdated roster show that this isn't quite the comeback many people were hoping for. There's enough fun to be had here, despite the issues to warrant a look for those craving a "good enough" wrestling game, especially from those who were heavily burned by WWE 2K20.
The game’s controls feel more like a chore and the overall gameplay still needs to be patched a bit. Yes, there are not as many bugs as WWE 2K20, but there are still too many. These bugs not only include core gameplay but also graphics and sound.
Despite these minor glitching and bug issues, WWE 2K22 offers up an enjoyable experience for players to delight in. With improved gameplay and game modes, the recent 2K wrestling title marks a return to form for the franchise.
Despite its frustrating shortcomings, WWE 2K22 is a solid foundation for the series’ future. Entrances are spectacular and the combat is nearly flawless, so what needs improving next time is replayable modes like MyGM and Universe.
WWE 2K22 rallies from 2020's near-fall with a robust, if imperfect pro wrestling simulator.