WWE 2K17 Reviews
All in all WWE 2K17 is a really good experience. The smaller design choices both in the ring and for customising your experience are incredible, and when looked at as a completely package it is the best wrestling experience I have had to date.
While WWE 2K17 can be a ton of fun, a few specters of its past keep it from being a flawless experience.
Playing WWE 2K17 is as frustrating as being a fan of Dolph Ziggler: There’s a lot of potential there, but those in charge of the game just won’t let it shine.
Overall WWE 2K17 is a game that feels like a wasted opportunity that is only saved by Universe Mode, a robust character creator, and some solid tweaks to the combat mechanics. However, the massive amount of bugs, disappointingly shallow MyCareer Mode, laughable voice overs (and lack thereof!), and heavy reliance on counters make it a less than thrilling experience.
Presentation hiccups and an undercooked Promo Engine aren't enough to take the shine off of 2K's latest take on the WWE franchise. Generously stuffed with the largest roster seen to date along with an encompassing creation suite, WWE Universe mode and a whole host of significant tweaks to the core experience, WWE 2K17 is the best entry in the series since Brock Lesnar last found his mug on the cover.
WWE 2K17 is a poor simulation of the WWE product, often because it seems ashamed of pro wrestling.
2K17 retains this incredibly in-depth editing for the face, but streamlined customization of the body to selectable pre-sculpted parts.
Some of WWE 2K17 is brilliant, especially with the well animated moves, some new mechanics and a huge roster. Sadly, however, all the good is undermined by awful presentation.
WWE 2k17 is not an innovative chapter. It perfects some flaws of its predecessor and introduces some (minor) additions, but remains very conservative.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The core gameplay loop is fine, and there's some enjoyment to be had with this game's more measured take on wrestling, but... even for what it is, WWE 2K17 is ultimately a disappointing game that falls short.
By acting as a simulation rather than embracing the promotion silliness, WWE 2K17 misses the mark wildly. What chance they had to make MyCareer a marquee game mode and a game changer was wasted by half-baked ideas. There’s a lot going on with the other modes on offer and it plays better than most wrestling games out there, but its presentation suffers greatly as a result. As a tool for promoting Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar 2, it’s done its job, it’s just a shame that was the best thing WWE 2K17 achieved.
WWE 2K17 is the best wrestling game in years and also introduces some new features that should become highlights over time. A complete overhaul at some point in the future wouldn’t go amiss, just to see what 2K is capable of with a fresh slate, but what's been added here is all very welcome and well executed.
The forward momentum from last year’s improvements already seems to be faltering, as the weight of bugs and glitches ruin many of the new features.
WWE 2K17 is a marginally better game than 2K16, as the core mechanics feel like they've been refined a bit, but with the fantastic 2K Showcase consigned to the bin and no new modes to replace it, this is a package that's now sorely lacking. You might as well play last year's game, unless you're a massive fan that has to have the most up to date roster possible. Otherwise, WWE 2K17 is an enjoyable wrestling game that could still do with a bit of a kick up the backside for next year's instalment.
WWE 2K17's adherence to 'realism' brings notable gameplay improvements, but ultimately comes up short when it comes to the main event. MyCareer continues to be an unpolished, unfocused chore and is indicative of a WWE game that forgets that why two testosterone-fuelled titans enter the ring is as important as the action between the ropes.
Although WWE 2K17 didn’t need to be a strong step forward from its previous release, it’s still difficult not to be disappointed with how little has changed from year-to-year.
WWE 2K17 has minimal improvements, but important absences, like the 2K Showcase mode. The lack of Showcase mode gave the chance to My Career to shine on its own, but it won't be the case and we feel that Paul Heyman's character has been wasted.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If this series manages to go more in an over-the-top and insane direction, I can see WWE 2K having a big turn-around, but Visual Concept and Yuke's continue to try and create a skill-based wrestling simulator. This series will continue to be thinned out and fundamentally unenjoyable as long as that trend is around.
WWE 2K17 is fun. But much like a loved one who has a substance abuse problem, I know it could be better.
Refinements to its measured combat make for a better game, but problems still persist in key areas both in and outside the squared circle.