WWE 2K22 Reviews
Though it's a hardly a tall hurdle to clear, WWE 2K22 is the best WWE 2K game since they started appending '2K' to the title. Much more than that though, it's the best wrestling game to come along in a long, long time and one which almost completely banishes everything that has been historically wrong with the franchise, while also managing to strike out in a bold direction for the series future. Here's hoping that the likely return to annual release schedule doesn't result in a lapse to bad habits and lazy innovation because, well, we've been there for the last ten years or so - and it isn't fun.
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.
WWE 2K22 is a return to former glory with developers Visual Concepts really paying attention to what didn’t work in 2K20.
At the end of the day, though, I’m able to look past WWE 2K22’s shortcomings in ways I haven’t been able to with this series in over a decade. And why? Because 2K22 is a ton of fun. It strikes a tremendous balance between its quick, arcadey gameplay and smooth, simulation-like animation system. Plus, the Showcase and MyFaction modes are fantastic, with the latter offering hours upon hours of gameplay. This is one I’ll be wrestling with for a long time. 2K finally put some proper chefs in the kitchen.
When I was young, my parents told me that patience is a virtue: I never believed them. WWE 2K22 taught me that was true. The two years hiatus gave Visual Concepts the time to make things right, tuning all the parts of the game that weren't good enough in the past. You can always do better, so some aspects (like the MyGM game mode) could be improved, but WWE 2K22 feels like a fresh new start.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Most importantly I expected some big improvements, and while some of the items here definitely meet that qualification the game is still stuck in a rut with respect to AI and physics/clipping issues. There’s talk that WWE may look to partner with EA on future games, so this may be the last go around for the team at 2K, but if it’s not I hope that their focus for WWE 2k23 will be on fixing some of these issues so that the solid base they’ve built can actually live up to its potential. Hopefully I’m not revisiting that sentence again next year.
WWE2K22 has a TON of content that you wanted in a wrestling game. With revamped graphics, mechanics, and customization modes, this one will be hard to stop playing. MyGM and MyRise shine here, and while this title is going to be hard to top, but if this is the blueprint for WWE games going forward, sign me up.
WWE 2K22 rallies from 2020's near-fall with a robust, if imperfect pro wrestling simulator.
WWE 2K22 looks good, feels good, and most importantly, it manages to create a solid foundation for the franchise. After being absent for one year, Visual Concepts has managed to deliver one of the best entries in the wrestling franchise, although it also feels like a product that has much more to fulfill.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
WWE 2K22 isn’t a perfect reinvention of 2K Games’ wrestling series, but it provides solid gameplay and plenty of variety in its many game modes, and the presentation throughout is top-notch. It’s clear that Visual Concepts utilized the extra time afforded to it by WWE 2K22’s longer development cycle well, providing wrestling fans with a worthwhile experience that redeems the franchise for its previous losses in the squared circle.
Never testimonial was more apt: Rey Mysterio, in fact, with a spectacular 619 has swept away all the uncertainties of the past projecting the Visual Concepts wrestling series into a new dimension, that of the next-gen.
Review in Italian | Read full review
WWE 2K22 I think will become an example of how to recover a franchise after a big failure. 2K promised and 2K delivered, I doubt very much that this year we will see anything better in this genre and I think that with the DLCs that will come to the title, developers can even take next year too and work on new innovations for 2024, because this game has a long life.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Excellently playable console wrestling, but it suffers from very outdated technology.
Review in German | Read full review
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.
After a year off, WWE 2K22 returns with new modes, new controls, and a new attitude. Turns out, taking a break can be a good thing.
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 is one of those games that, as a wrestling fan, I don't mind playing a few times over before using it as a WCW/ECW/AEW simulator game till something else comes along. The MyRise career mode looks to be a highlight of an otherwise limited video game. Now only if WWE could do something about their real-life product (and not fire half the roster before a game release) that can compare to some of the bookings you can do in WWE 2K22 and maybe they might have a chance to return to dominance… Till then, bring on the AEW video game!
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.
After the disastrous launch of WWE 2K20, 2K and Visual Concepts really faced something of a turning point, an uphill struggle, and after a lengthy hiatus, WWE 2K22 emerges as the best entry in the series for years. As per the game's tagline, it really does 'hit different'.
After some time away from the ring, Visual Concepts has re-emerged to deliver a wrestling game packing more than a few (superman) punches. WWE 2K22 is a significant step up from what has come before, and I'm hopeful this becomes the building block for future entries in the series.