WWE 2K17 Reviews
Refinements to its measured combat make for a better game, but problems still persist in key areas both in and outside the squared circle.
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 fun. But much like a loved one who has a substance abuse problem, I know it could be better.
Without a doubt, the wrestling action in WWE 2K17 is some of the best the franchise has seen in a very long time. All of the improvements result in matches that are more fluid, more entertaining, and are generally very balanced and satisfying. It does a fantastic job at coupling deep sub-systems with arcade-like appeal. However, the career mode is hobbled by an absence of compelling storylines. The WWE Universe mode and it's plethora of customization options are massive time investments, and the freedom to build the perfect roster is very cool. Promos are a great idea. It's a shame that there's a little too much guess work involved, and the results tend to be disappointing. The lack of polish isn't game breaking, but the long load times and occasionally baffling AI can get annoying after a while. Still, if pro wrestling fans are willing to persevere, they'll find a lot to like.
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.
Much like the games before it, the forgiving nature of the fights and the over the top visuals makes it a lot of fun to play with friends when you're not actually taking things seriously. In that sense, the series has constantly delivered, and WWE2K17 is no exception. If you've not got any of the earlier games, this is a good one to add to your collection.
2K's best iteration of the sport attempts new ways to incorporate the "Entertainment" part of WWE, while the wrestling sees minor upgrades.
WWE 2K17 isn’t the big leap that fans have been clamoring for, but it is a more refined simulation of the real life WWE product. The missing 2K Showcase mode hurts the game's overall value, but the refinements and tweaks to the gameplay, especially when playing multi-person matches helps produce a much more fun experience.
WWE 2K17 tries very hard to innovate itself back into what the game was at the height of the THQ era, but also tries too hard to be a complex simulator. While simulation works for it's other sports titles, 2K didn't need to morph the WWE series into the same thing. 2K continues to try and turn players away with their innovation in everything but DLC practices and graphics. This is what WWE games should have been 3 games ago, now it just feels like stagnation... Like watching WWE RAW.
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.
While WWE 2K17 can be a ton of fun, a few specters of its past keep it from being a flawless experience.
Like previous versions, WWE 2K17 takes some major steps forward, but then takes even more steps backwards and unfortunately, it takes even more steps backwards than WWE 2K16. There is still plenty of fun to be had in WWE 2K17 but the nagging issues that rear their ugly heads year after year will eventually pop up and ruin said fun, once again.
There is plenty for fans of wrestling to like in WWE 2K17. There is a lot that I found enjoyable. While I’ve been on the verge of giving the game the people’s elbow, especially sitting through the long load times and when I lost a match because I couldn’t tag back into a tag team match; it’s a ‘tag’ team match, and I couldn’t figure out how to ‘tag’. It’s in the bloody stupid title. But, I’m going to keep playing. I love all the bluster, all the blood, and I want to eventually get a win by submission. And I will keep playing until I finally get Mr. Perfect to win the Royal Rumble.
2K17 retains this incredibly in-depth editing for the face, but streamlined customization of the body to selectable pre-sculpted parts.
As the years pass, we get a little bit closer to the ultimate and complete WWE experience that fans have been waiting for for almost 6 years. A ring full of tension, heavy battles and outrageous finishers with a few issues is what you'd eventually get from WWE2K17. It may not satisfy its fan final expectations but it is also a proper and acceptable game, givingg you a fresh and enjoyable experience as you play and dig into the game
Review in Persian | Read full review
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
WWE 2K17 bietet viele Neuerungen und ist in Sachen Gameplay durchaus zu gebrauchen. Einige der wesentlichen Spielmodi leiden jedoch unter der Menge an Ergänzungen und der damit verbundenen Vernachlässigung des bereits vorhandenen Gameplays . Schade ist auch, dass es die etlichen großen Veränderungen, die WWE inherhalb der letzten Monate durchgemacht hat, nicht in das Spiel geschafft haben, was das ganze einfach veraltet wirken lässt. Was jedoch gesagt werden muss ist, dass auch WWE 2K17, gerade gemeinsam mit Freunden, nach wie vor Spaß macht und Fans der Reihe sicherlich auf ihre Kosten kommen werden.
Review in German | Read full review
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
WWE 2K17 has clear focus with what makes for a good wrestling experience. The visuals, the options for gameplay and the beautiful atmosphere of the game make this wrestling title worth your time. The controls do bring the gameplay down a bit, though, as they feel stiff and linear for the most part. Regardless, the rest of the game shows that Yuke’s and Visual Concepts has certainly started to point this series in the right direction.