WWE 2K16 Reviews
WWE 2K16 feels more like an expansion pack than a whole new release, but it's still a great package for anyone looking to experience WWE on the PC. The in-ring action has only really changed in terms of the reversal system, but it still does a good job of recreating the action seen in the real life show. There are still some match types missing from the free play mode, and the flagship Showcase mode, while, while it excellently represents Stone Cold Steve Austin's career, has been disappointingly reduced from five, to two different campaigns. Fans of the show or of the previous game are sure to find something to enjoy, yet it still doesn't have something that will recapture those who have already drifted away from the franchise.
WWE 2K16 is built for a very particular type of fan valuing authenticity above all else.
The big thing to take away from WWE 2K16 is that not much has changed, yet again. The roster is a lot bigger, and features that were missing last time do return, but this game being back in line with your 2014 release isn't something we should be thankful for. The fighting, which was slated last year anyway, only seems to have been limited yet again, but not to a devastating degree - it just still isn't good enough.
A solid mid-carder
WWE 2K16 pushes the franchise further down the sim path, to its detriment. It's also buggy and ugly – a fatigued veteran destined for the bush leagues.
WWE 2K16 delivers the biggest roster ever in a WWE videogame, but with only one Showcase campaign, will this year's instalment deserve to be tagged in for another year?
WWE 2K16 is the best WWE game for a while, but largely by default. Every successful tweak to the gameplay edges it closer to the license's former greatness, and makes this particular entry a fun multi-player wrestling game for a short time at least. Eventually however its limitations present themselves and – like the real thing – you're left frustrated that not enough has changed.
Sure, all the gaping wounds that have plagued the series over the years are slowly getting fixed with each year that passes, but that does not change the fact this is a very sick series. In its current form I believe it is one that can never rise above mediocrity.
WWE 2K16 is the studio's latest endeavor, and while there are a lot of improvements from last year's title, the game just can't get the job done.
WWE 2K16 is one of the best WWE games released in years and is the WWE game you want to get if you own a PS4 or Xbox One.
WWE 2K16 boasts an insane roster with fine-tuned gaming mechanics that makes this one of the best games in the franchise. If you're looking for your wrestling fix, then WWE 2K15 is that game
Despite relative improvements in presentation, WWE 2K16 ultimately makes a crucial mistake when it comes to understanding professional wrestling: the fiction is a lot more fun than the reality.
WWE 2k16 provides everything that wrestling fans will want to see outside of the ring. Was it not for the long and annoying loading times, the creation system and general control that you have over things would be enough to get it into the main event at Wrestlemania. A few minor fixes and changes here and there would do wonders, but the constant loading and the frankly abominable issues with the fighting engine that remain unfixed destroy any semblance of realism and are enough to relegate it to the indies.
While an improvement over last year, WWE 2K16 still represents a series that has a ways to go before realizing its full potential. We appreciate the large roster and 2K Showcase but this is strictly meant for the hardcore fan.
WWE 2K16 is definitely the perfect blend of fun and competitive gameplay, and a definite shot in the arm for this series to date, being a step in the right direction that the series needed after setting the foundation with WWE 2K15.
Is hate too strong a word?
WWE 2K16 definitely makes some strides in the right direction, but with Showcase mode becoming a little stale and Career Mode somehow taking a step back, it's clear that 2K is very much still getting to grips with the series. The gameplay is getting better and presentation-wise there's not a great deal that needs improving, but it's going to be a while before we see the publisher with championship gold around its waist.
WWE 2k16 is a strong entry in the series, and feels like a more enjoyable game than the previous entry. That said, it's not changed dramatically - the core gameplay remains similar and if you didn't like the last few games in the series then you'll probably want to skip this one. However, for fans who want the newest rosters and ring improvements, along with a great career mode to play through, this game really delivers.
Devoid of the character and personality that makes wrestling fun, WWE 2K16 continues to fail to deliver the spectacle of pro wrestling while further muddling the game's core mechanical experience.
WWE 2K16 improves on the many things wrong with last year's game, but not nearly enough.