Good God Almighty, They Killed It

The book closes on a piece of pro-wrestling history next month, as 2K Games has officially confirmed that it will shut down the online servers to the abominable WWE 2K20 and its somewhat better-received predecessor, WWE 2K19, on June 30.

Speaking on Twitter, 2K Games said that going forward the development team would be focused on supporting its most recent WWE release, WWE 2K22, which launched on PC and consoles in March of this year. Once the switch is flicked on June 30, all online elements of WWE 2K19 and 2K20 will become inactive, including online match??es, multiplayer lobbies, and the Community Creation suite.

While WWE 2K19 did find some favor among hardened fans, and is considered one the best releases in the WWE 2K series, WWE 2K20 will go down in history as one of the most shambolic releases in AAA history. Rolling out in October 2019, the wrasslin' sim had an utterly disastrous launch �the title packed to capac??ity with glitches, bugs, warped animations, online lag, flailing cameras, mislabeled control prompts, frame rate issues, and many, many mo?re issues. 2K Games sheepishly apologized for the quality of the product as soon as launch day, but not before raking in plenty of $60 sales.

It didn't end there. Future updates and fixes would add further problems, including an amusing bug that prevented the game from launching once the real-world calendar hit 2020. Yikes. 2K Games would decide to take a year out from the franchise, and instead released garbage brawler WWE 2K Battlegrounds �a microtransactions-filled disaster that died a deserved d??eath i??n double-quick time.

WWE 2K22, considered a "restart" of sorts for the beleaguered series, has received relatively positive reviews from critics and fans, but most of the community admits that there is still much to be done before the WWE 2K series hits the heady heights of the pro-wrestling video game greats. If you want to check it out for yourself, then WWE 2K22 is available now on PlayStation,?? PC, and Xbox platforms.

Adieu, Becky No Face...

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A tad rowdier

As God as my witness, my wrestling spirit was broken in half somewhere around 2002. WWE was moving out of the Attitude Era and into the era of prosperity, as Mr. McMahon had just taken down his arch rival Ted Turner in a triumphant shoot: the WCW was no more, and the WWE had the opportunity to just buy out the rest of?? its competition without fear of stagnation.

It was tough to continue watching when so many of my friends, whom I gathered with every few months for pay-per-view matches with, lost interest. It took me years ??to re-integrat?e and even though it was never the same, I still have a lot of love for the world of sports entertainment.

I also picked a decent time ??to heavily invest in a new wrestling game.

WWE 2K19 (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Xbox One)
Developer: Yukes, Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports
Released: October 9, 2018
MSRP: $59.99 (Standard) | $89.99 (Deluxe)

2K's strategy, much like WWE owner Vince McMahon, is pretty much the same: toe the line, trot out retired superstars from time to time, and try not to innovate too often. It's a formula followed by many annual iterations (not just sports games), and after many years of fatigue the powers that be somewhat wised up. WWE 2K19 makes strides to clean up last year's performance, including the always popular request of "fixing basic glitches and bugs." I di?d not encounter anything major this?? year at all.

It continues to amaze me how in-depth a wrestling game can be compared to the arcade nature of old, with taunts that perform different functions, multiple grapple and striking combos, and frame-perfect counters. Speaking of counters the system as a whole feels so much tighter compared to 2K18, and the limitation of adding a cooldown to cou?nters is a great touch to avoid a clown show of reversals. You need to make the tactical decision to hit that counter when you rea??lly need it.

Payback is sort of like Marvel vs. Capcom 3's X-Factor in that it boosts you temporarily, encourages comebacks, and contains limited uses. It can take several shapes like instant kickouts when pinned, cheap shots (that can disqualify you if the ref is watching) or extra temporary power. They're customizable so you can help add to the fantasy of an already dirty wrestler or slightly alter their playstyle without veering too far off course. Paybacks herald in a more arcade-focused WWE 2K19 and it's for the better.

MyCareer is still going with the underdog "I lived in a van and became a superstar" angle, but expanded and literal. in the case of the van. Expanded in theory of course: the RPG elemen??ts of discovering new side matches is kind of droll compared to the main events, as is the trite voice acting that doesn't match up in a dialogue heavy sport. "Choices" often don't matter (thanks for asking what type of match I wanted and then picking it anyway Braun Strowman!). But once again the rising star concept works as you're slowly introduced to more behind the scenes drama and big-ticket characters at a reasonable pace.

Showcase mode is back with a multi-mission storyline involving fan-favorite Daniel Bryan, complete with a documentary style intro ??and an ongoing series of vignettes hosted by Bryan himself. Bryan is an incredible choice for this as his every man persona and signature catchphrase mak?e it really easy to root for him: especially when the entire mode is framed as "The Return of Daniel Bryan" amid his upcoming WWE Championship bout at Crown Jewel.

What I really love about these recreations of events that already happened: you don't actually have to win all the time, just hit key historical beats to sell it to the audience. It's brilliantly done and I hope this version of Showcase is here to stay after its absence. There's also custom matches, WWE Universe (which allows you to alter cards and play or simulate a fantasy season of WWE where Roman Reigns never wins), Towers (which are a lot like Mortal Kombat's challenges) and online play.

As soon as you create a character i?n MyCareer with the (mostly alright) editor you're asked to pony up in the form of in-game currency loot boxes: which, depending on which edition you buy, vary. The idea of a MyPlayer MMO-like skill tree is cool, but not when you're limited with style points. I long for the day when basically every wrestling maneuver and animation was automatically unloc??ked from the start: here you need to spend currency on randomized packs (read: loot boxes) to nab five random items per pack.

Oh and don't forget, there's a slightly different colored token icon to denote "deluxe tokens," a rarer currency that can be used to snag "legendary" items. While there is a lack of real money purchasing, you can't help but feel like 2K is steering players toward the the "Deluxe Edition," which is $30 more expensive and provides numer??ous currency bonuse?s. It's a clever workaround.

It might be the new normal for sports games but in a highly-customizable genre like professional wre??stling it feels extra awful. Some of this is offset by the expanded creation options and the ability to download hundreds of community-created wrestlers, plus the gigantic as-is roster. In the end you just have to resign yourself to not being perfectly happy with your creation and ignoring the loot box system altogether.

The quality of any given WWE 2K game is a gamble year to year, but 2K19 manages to claw its way up from being burie??d alive by the travesty of last year's entry. Daniel Bryan's Showcase is a clear highlight as are the mostly welcome mechanical changes. Here's hoping they don't regress again in 2019.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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PS2 graphics. Then. Now. Forever.

2K Games has released a new trailer for their upcoming wrestlefest WWE 2K19. The new preview video includes teasing glimpses at all sorts of features apparently headed ??toward the new title this October.

F?irst and foremost, we catch what appears to be Bray Wyatt ?and Matt Hardy engaged in an Ultimate Deletion match at the latter's estate. This is followed by a fast montage of stars old and new, from Shawn Michaels and John Cena to Andrade Cien Almas and Velveteen Dream.

Also glimpsed are a Woman's Royal Rumble match, a zombified Hunter Hearst Helmsley, some sort of comedic Big Head mode and a solid gold A.J. Styles model. Also on display, unfortunately, are stiff animations and some low-rent graphics. The Hardy estate clips that open the trailer, for example, are genuinely of PS2 calibre, whilst? the animation and body physics during shots of holds and moves look clunky, lacking in any weight and impact. The more things change...

Here's hoping that WWE 2K19 proves me to be a fool, and very wrong, when it finally releases on PS4, Xbox One and PC October ??9. I'm sadly confident that it ain't ?gonna.

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High-flying, death-defying

WWE and 2K Games have released the next video in their Roster Reveal series, bringing another chunk of wrestling superstars to the upcoming WWE 2K19, coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC in October.

As with the previous reveal, the video features superstars Rusev, Lana and The B Team looking at some of Smackdown's finest, including Charlotte Flair, Shinsuke Nakamura, A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe. Also turning up to rumble are some of the best up-and-comers in the business, such as former?? NXT Champion Andrade Cien Almas, mega-bitch Peyton Ro??yce and the jaw-dropping stars of 205 Live, including Mustafa Ali and Drew Gulak.

For those of you who prefer the veterans, Randy Orton, John Cena and Chris Jericho have unsurprisingly made the cut, as has insane middle-aged daredevil Shane McMahon, no doubt bringing his high-risk spots and terrible punches to this latest entry in the WWE2K series.

You can check out the reveal video below. WWE 2K19 launches on PS4, PC and Xbox One October 9. A Nintendo Switch port will not be happening, given the absolute travesty of a release that was last year's WWE 2K18.

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Wooooo!

The WWE 2K games might not be worth a damn, but the special editions are typically chock full of memorabilia for great wrestlers. Similar to the awesome 2K15 Hulkamania edition, 2K19's "Wooooo!" edition is focused on a bunc?h of cool stuff relate??d to The Nature Boy Ric Flair.

Announced for PS4 and Xbox One and going for $129.99, this collecto??r's package (which is limited to 30,000 units) will surprisingly include the game and season pass. In addition to that, you'll receive an exclusive Ric Flair Funko pop figure, a replica of a WWE Hall of Fame ring (individually numbered), and a commemorative plaque featuring a piece of robe worn by Ric Flair himself. Pre-ordering the game will also net you four days of early access to the game ahead of its October 9 release date.

Ric Flair told Forbes, "For all of my fans around the world, it’s exciting and humbling to see my career immortalized through the power of video games. This is going to be one stylin,' profilin,' limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' 'n' de?al?in' son of a collector's edition, and you don’t want to miss out. Wooooo!" Can't say I disagree with him.

2K's vice president of marketing, Chris Synder, says, "Few in life have celebrated the mantra of 'Never Say Never' quite like Ric Flair, so it's an honor to celebrate his legacy through the WWE 2K19 Wooooo! Edition. ?This jam-packed collector's offering of exclusive physical and digital items is the perfect way for fans to showcase their enthusiasm for 'The Nature Boy' and his incredible accomplishments."

'WWE 2K19' News: 'Wooooo!' Special Edition Announced For PS??4 And Xbox One [Forbes]

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Joins Rey Mysterio on the early adoptors pile

"I can't believe Rousey d?idn't suck!" said a contingent of WWE fans, minds blown that the super-athletic, hyper-fit, strong as an ox, childhood-pro-wrestling-fan and former MMA champion got into the ring, at Wrestlemania 34, and had a fucking great match.

"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey proceeded to have another fun fight with then-RAW Women's champion Nia Jax at Backlash, her title dreams ultimately scuppered by the a??mazing minx that is Alexa Bliss. Clearly the WWE have incredible faith in the former UFC World Champion, and it won't be too long before she wears WWE gold.

Until then, fantasy bookers will have to make do with risky pre-ordering ventures, as 2K Games have finally announced what fans saw coming months ago; Ronda Rousey is a pre-order bonus for the next game in their tepid WWE 2K series. Rousey joins former World Champion Rey Mysterio as the second pre-order character for this year's iteration, which will not be appearing on Nintendo Switch, following last year's hideous port.

WWE 2K19 launches on October 9 for PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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Booyaka. Booyaka.

2K Games have revealed the exclusive pre-order character for the next entry in their never-ending, nor improving WWE2K seri??es. This time it's non other than one of the most recognisable luchadors of all-ti?me, Rey Mysterio Jr.

Mysterio Jr. gained global fame in the '90s in WCW, where he engaged in incredible matches with fellow high flyers Psychosis, Super Calo, Chris Jericho and Blitzkrieg. One of his standout matches was an incredible battle with the late Eddie Guerrero at Halloween Havoc 1997.

After losing, then (controversially) regaining his mask, Rey moved to the WWE where he dropped the "Jr." from his name and went on to become an incredibly popular star, especially among younger fans. Mysterio would win the Royal Rumble in 2006, going on to capture the World Heavyweight title at Wrestlemania 22.

Although he has recently returned to the WWE in a part-time capacity, Mysterio is still an odd choice for a pre-order character, having been a part of WWE games for over a decade. Rey has appeared in most Smackdown, Smackdown vs Raw and even some WWE2K titles, so his ??exclusivity here doesn't carry the same weight as when other pre-order characters, such as The Ultimate Wa??rrior or the returning Kurt Angle, were announced.

Regardless, Mysterio will forever have legions of dedicated fans, so this is great news for them and is bound to pop the? pre-order counter. We also get to see The Empress of Tomorrow??, Asuka, in this trailer, so huzzah.

WWE2K19 launches October 9 on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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Here's hoping the game is actually phenomenal

That's right, the champ that runs the camp, the face that runs the place, that man that built the house of Smackdown Live is now the latest cover star in the annual WWE 2K series. Announced today by WWE and 2K Sports, AJ Styles will be officially gracing the cover of WWE 2K19, which is set to release later this fall on October 9 for PS4, Xbox O?ne,?? and PC.

This will be the sixth game in the WWE 2K?? series, with the previous cover stars including The Rock, John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, and Seth Rollins. Not much else was shared in terms of information on the game itself, but, AJ Styles did? announce during the conference that he also has a "challenge for everyone out there."

.@AJStylesOrg is the #WWE2K19 cover Superstar! Standard Edition available October 9. Deluxe and Collector's Editions available 4 days early on October 5. Pre-order and game details here: //t.co/DrvqbR6vdJ pic.twitter.com/WjHhy8znSY

— WWE 2K19 (@WWEgames) June 18, 2018

"If you win the contest and beat me, AJ Styles, in WWE 2K19, you could win a million dollars." continued Styles. "That's right. You heard me right. $1 million. Let's do this. I'm calling it the WWE 2K19 Million Dollar Challeng?e. All entrants can participate on the PS4 and the Xbox One."

The rules appear basic enough, contestants will first have to beat a yet-to-be-announced new mode within WWE 2K19 and then submit a video explaining why they deserve a chance to virtual manhandle AJ Styles. Following this, four players will be chosen to grapple it out in a semi-final in WWE 2K19, with the winner going on to face AJ Styles in WWE 2K19.

Notably, there isn't any mention of a Switch version as of yet. But, will you attempt to grapple Big Bible Styles in WWE 2K19 for a million big ones? Pro tip: maybe don't quote Jesus around him or mention flat Earth stuff in general.

WWE 2K19 details [WWE]

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