I stopped caring about that big sweaty soap-opera for men around about the time I started noticing girls. That was probably a coincidence, but suffice t say, I’ve not followed a thing that’s happened in the WWF WWE in decades. It’s probably why I’m actually keen for this year’s iteration of WWE, now under 2K Sports’ helm.
It features a pretty expansive “30 Years of Wrestlemania” single player campaign that lets you relive some of the most exciting matches in the history of the “sport.” There are 45 such matches available, bookended by some delightfully nostalgic videos that will bring you up to speed on the rivalries involved, and why the matches were so huge.
The match we got to see played before us was the classic match between Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, all the way back in 1990, with Wrestlemania 6. What’s nice to note is that all the regalia; emblems, banners, signs and whatnot are authentic to the period, with a fuzz on the screen to simulate the SD screens of the era. Well, except for that “WWF” bit. They haven’t managed to get around that licencing issues. Another thing that breaks the nostalgic immersion is the match commentary; classic match commentary is provided by Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross. It would have been really nice to have Jesse Ventura and Gorilla Monsoon behind the mics for a match like this.
What is cool is that there are certain conditions that have to be met in the matches to make them as authentic a recreation as possible; with cinematic moments breaking up the gameplay. If you’re a fan of old-school wrasslin, this is going to be a treat.
It controls…mostly the way it did with the last game, but the whole thing is a tad slicker, with modern menus, better, more responsive striking and better animation.
Unfortunately, character models aren’t quite right, and end up looking like they’ve got downs. There are still issues with hit-boxes, and weird animations. But on the plus side, it does have that Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat match against Randy Savage from Wrestlemania 3, and that career-defining ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon – so it’s something I do want to play; even if it is just to see Andre the Giant again.
I’m actually pretty glad that 2K has the franchise now, and that stalwart developer Yukes is being given the boot; while WWE2K14 will be perfectly serviceable, the whole things needs something fresh – and I can’t wait to see what 2K will deliver.
Last Updated: August 29, 2013
SaintsRowLee
August 29, 2013 at 13:45
Looks like Hulk Hogan is having Andre the Giant for breakfast!
Lardus-Respect the beard
August 29, 2013 at 14:28
I would still like to see a proper “start in NXT and work your way up the ladder while gaining xp and improving skills and unlocking moves and etc etc” – mode so that I can feel part of the story again like in the old (I think ’08) version!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
August 29, 2013 at 14:37
It has got a mode like that; basically a “general manager,” work your way up mode. We didnt get to see it though.
Lardus-Respect the beard
August 29, 2013 at 14:47
Last time I saw the GM mode, it sucked. It did not have that “progression” and you could sommer just create a new wrastla, give him big biceps and put him into the championship matches 🙁
I want to focus on only MY CAW!! LoL.
OVG
August 29, 2013 at 16:46
MMmmmm I don’t know. Might be a good laugh but when one is so used the great collision detection of UFC I might cringe when I see half a leg sticking in the mat.
But the authenticity of the 90s is what I want.
Derrick
September 2, 2013 at 22:06
It would’ve been great to have Gorilla and the Body behind the mic….if Gorilla wasn’t dead.
Hector McPeek
September 9, 2013 at 13:28
Bobby Heenan can no longer talk because his throat cancer destroyed his voice and doctors had to surgically remove half his jaw because the cancer was growing on it.
Hector McPeek
September 9, 2013 at 13:26
About the “WWF” Bit. WWE and World Wild Life Fund settled their differences last year. They lifted the ban off the WWF Attitude logo, Bleeping and WWF initial Mentions and permits WWE to use all their old logos in “ARCHIVE & HISTORIC FOOTAGE ONLY”. They still cannot use them in live events because World Wildlife Fund still owns the rights to the WWF Initials.
Why Cory Ladesma is still blocking the old logos and bleeping the mentions of the WWF initials in the game is purely by choice.