2K hopes to take you from zero to hero in our next installment!
For any wrestling fan, WWE 2K15 definitely seems be a step in the right direction. While THQ has been the shepherd for our beloved franchise for many years, their bankruptcy (followed by the subsequent auctioning of key licenses such as WWE ) has found it landing in the ever-capable hands of 2K Sports. Also, this next iteration will be a huge new step, as it’s the first WWE title to utilize the power of the next-gen consoles. Based on recent screenshots, the graphics look absolutely SICK! By far, this is as close to photorealistic as we’ve ever come on any console in franchise history.
But as that old saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover (and WWE 2K15 is no exception).
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Smackdown series (its former title) in recent years has been the story mode. As you probably already know from previous articles, I treat this yearly entry very much as my version of Madden . Picking up a copy has become a ritual of mine, one that has become less appealing as of late. I suppose the main reason is how they’ve handled the campaigns. The last few sequels have focused on rehashing old rivalries or letting you replay moments from the company’s past. While this is fun for about 10 minutes, it doesn’t capture the appeal of story modes from the past. Previously, you were more in control of your own destiny as an in-ring performer, and didn’t always know where the twists and turns were headed. WWE 2K15 promises a return to this style, with the inclusion of the new “MyCareer” mode (migrated over from the popular NBA 2K basketball line).
So I thought I’d give my perspective on exactly how this game needs to rejuvenate its fledging story mode. I’ve touched on aspects such as create-a-character and controls in the past, but this time it’s all about you the superstar! Let’s take a look.
Just when you think you’ve got all the answers…I change the questions.
While Smackdown games in the past have sported branching storylines (where your actions specifically alter the course of events in one direction or the other), it’s never been a very expansive feature. Your typically faced with a choice (say a wrestler wants you to join his tag-team) followed by a series of answers. If for instance you reject his offer and choose to instead call him ugly, he gets mad and you have a match with him in singles vs. teaming up. The problem is this becomes fairly one dimensional, and only slightly affects the outcome overall. Ultimately you end up heading in the direction the game eventually wanted you to go in anyway, finally reaching one of the pre-determined cut scenes already chosen. 2K can do wonders by digging a little deeper here (which they’re hoping to do). However, the choices you make early on should have LONG-TERM effects in the game, forging rivalries and alliances that exist years down the road (not just until the next load screen). I should be able to play this mode two or three times and never experience the same branch twice.
“Woo Woo Woo…You Know It!”
As the first internet champion in WWE history, wrestler Zack Ryder would certainly cotton to a game that relies on the advent of social media. The developers have stated that, during your early training days spent in NXT, you’ll feud with other up-and-comers via the game’s equivalent of Twitter. While I think this is a fun idea, I truly hope it’s as interactive as they suggest. An interesting angle would be allowing players to engage in “tweet-wars,” which eventually lead to a singles matches or even a street fight ( #backalleybrawl ). Unfortunately, it’s much more likely this so called “feature” will act as nothing more than window dressing. Simply another menu you quickly click through in-order to get to the pre-determined feud the game has already lain out.
“I am the master…and the ruler…of the world…”
If you can’t tell by my last two points, I’m really big on making future WWE games far less scripted. I’d like a sense that, when I venture out as my virtual avatar (aka my created wrestler), there’s no end to the possibilities of where my path could lead (ala massively multiplayer games). Taking cues from these open-world titles is where WWE 2K15 could really break the mold, instead of boxing things in (where only a handful of conceived outcomes are possible).
For example. If I wanted to roll into my WrestleMania title match with Hulk Hogan in my corner, as the “Real American” music blares throughout the arena, that should totally be an option on the table (even if it’s not part of the pre-planned story arch the developers programmed). I’d like the option of throwing a curve ball even the game itself is surprised by (and that wasn’t a Triple H pun). I know I might be brainstorming a bit beyond our years regarding what the current hardware can handle, but future AI (and its subsequent responses) is what will keep things fresh and unique moving forward.
We’ll soon be able to see what 2K has in-store with 15 first hand, as the last-gen versions on the Xbox 360 and PS3 debut at the end of the month. As for me, I’m looking forward to enjoying this game and all its next-gen polish on November 18 th , which is where I expect the extra power under Xbox One and PlayStation 4’s hood will really push the envelope of the WWE Universe!