It Hits The Same
2K Games is currently gearing up for the comeback of one of its most lucrative sports franchises,WWE 2K. After taking a one-year sabbatical following thedisastrous releaseofWWE 2K20, the pro-wrestling sim will return in March, sporting new controls, new features, and overhauled gameplay mechanics.
But the brand newWWE 2K22gameplay trailer, which you can check out below, isn’t convincing.
The preview, which premiered during the weekend’s WWE Royal Rumble event, sees the WWE’s star-studded roster laying the smackdown in and outside of the squared circle. We catch glimpses of Sasha Banks, Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, The Undertaker, andWWE 2K22cover star Rey Mysterio. But, despite the glitz and glamor of what promises to be a star-studded roster, there is an over-familiarity about the entire trailer. The worst part? It justisn’t exciting to watch.
The goal ofWWE 2K22is to return to the ringa refreshed, revitalized, and fully repairedWWE 2Kexperience — this gameplay trailer, in my opinion, could be advertisinganyof the recent cut-and-paste releases in the beleaguered series. The presentation, visuals, animation, character “floatiness,” and total lack of visceral impact do not scream “We’re Back! It’s a New Beginning.” Everything about this preview simply says “Here’s this year’sWWE 2Kgame, the sequel to last year’sWWE 2Kgame.”
Now, of course, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and we’re yet to get our hands onWWE 2K22‘s overhauled gameplay and controls. But the clock’s already ticking.WWE 2K22is out in a little over five weeks’ time, and 2K is seemingly wanting to prove a point of redemption with the release. So where is the demo? Or the real-time gameplay footage? If 2K is attempting to win back an audience, (one that wassorelyburned by the previous release), are said audience required to drop the best part of $80 on launch day in order to see whether said comeback makes the grade?
WWE 2K22launches March 11 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. And the marketing repeatedly tells us that “It Hits Different.” If that’s true, thenshow us, because, from these previews, I ain’t seeing it.
