No one wanted to be in Visual Concepts’ shoes after the disastrous release of WWE 2K20. The pressure was on for WWE 2K22 to not only be a better game but also an overhauled experience. Anything less than great wouldn’t cut it here, but how does this latest wrestling game compare to its memeable predecessor?

Graphically superior with an “interesting” roster
Everyone remembers the memes from WWE 2K20—even the WWE superstars who shared screenshots of their deformed avatars from the game. The good news is WWE 2K22‘s graphics are no laughing matter this time around. The superstars and sets haven’t looked this highly detailed or authentic before. In fact, if you’d walked into a room for the first time, you would have to double check to make sure it’s a match in progress and not a cut scene from a live event.
An unintentional bonus is the roster here. While the WWE has undergone numerous talent cuts and releases in the past 12 months, the developers have kept many of these released wrestlers in the game. So even though Keith Lee and Jeff Hardy might be across the pond and All Elite right now, you’re still able to play as them here. That said, there are some newer superstars, such as the NXT champion Bron Breakker, who might have exploded in the WWE in the past six months but haven’t quite made into the game yet but could still be added at a later stage via DLC.

It’s time to play the game!
Bravo, Visual Concepts. Bravo! Whoever decided to overhaul the entire gameplay mechanism deserves a gigantic freakin’ raise. For the first time in a long time, a WWE video game feels like fun again, choosing to be the right blend between arcade fighter and pro wrestling title.
The complex reversal system’s timing? Gone. The terrible grappling system? Gone. The inability to pick up any momentum after suffering a simple move such as a dropkick? Gone. Rather, WWE 2K22 goes back to the good ol’ days of SmackDown vs. Raw where the action is frenetic, fast, and easy to get into with an intuitive gameplay system. Sure, the more time you spend with the game, the more likely you are to unlock a wrestler’s complete repertoire, but this makes it far easier for anyone to pick up the controller for the first time and have a low barrier for entry.

Acknowledge the modes
WWE 2K22 is rich in modes, with a variety of options for casuals to play a game against their friends or invested fans to build their own WWE career with all the (ring) bells and whistles. 2K Showcase is about recreating Rey Mysterio’s illustrious career, which will delight fans of the master of the 619, while MyCareer lets you create your own superstar and chart their path from rookie to the head of the table.
Much has been made about MyFACTION, which is effectively 2K Sports’ answer to FIFA‘s FUT and building a team to compete in all sorts of challenges and get points to improve your faction. It’s fine and achieves what it set out to do, but it simply cannot match Universe and MyGM since those two modes still remain the most authentic WWE experiences. MyGM, in particular, is the wrestling equivalent of Football Manager. You choose the GM, pick the roster, manage the budgets, and book the best possible programme in the world. Considering how many wrestling fans are armchair critics, this WWE 2K22 mode allows you to finally show off how you would do it if you had the chance. More importantly, it helps you understand why the WWE makes some of the matches it does based on the compatibility of wrestlers, the trickiness of budgets, and listening to fan reactions.
Does WWE 2K22 deliver the smackdown?
Thanks to WWE 2K22, the series has received its second wind. It’s the comeback that fans deserved after the previous game’s fiasco and proves that maybe a little time away is what was sorely needed. In fact, it makes you wonder what’s the point of yearly releases. Instead, give the developers time and space to create innovative experiences rather than derivative titles.
Finally, MyGM is back !! It took years but it’s back.
I’ve played every single wwe game and can’t wait to get my hands on this.
The visuals in this game are amazing! the graphics are intense and I’m a big Rock fan, so the eye candy does it for me
This will be an awesome gave for my nephew and I to play together. He is the biggest wwe fan.
I’ve been following wrestling since I was I child, I’ve played all the classics back in the day, like Here Comes The Pain. Wresting means a lot to me.
I can’t wait to try out the MyFACTION mode
I’m so looking forward to being able to play with the legends of the sport, And in next gen graphics , haven’t been excited for a wrestling game since Smackdown Vs Raw 1st launched
Used to play the older version with a friend I havent seen in a while.
Would like to play the new version with him when I see him again!
New fully updated roster, backstage brawls and new gameplay mechanic for ease of play, no more mini games also, just pick up and dominate :)
I would love to play this game, since 2k19 I think this can be the one.
I need to try this game…I think since 2k19 this can be the one
You had me at Rey Mysterio Showcase! Booyaka booyaka!!
You had me at Rey Mysterio Showcase! The wait from 2K looks well worth it, can’t wait to jump in!
I can’t be the only 90s baby looking open up a can of whoop ass on this game. Can I get a HELL YEAH? King of the 619 as the main character in a story? There’s no topping that
I’ve been following wrestling since I was I child, I’ve played all the classics back in the day, like Here Comes The Pain. Wresting means a lot to me.
It’ll be great to have a look into yet another WWE game again. Especially having the king of the 619 on the cover… Any 90s baby will be keen for this game. Can I get a HELL YEAH?
Long Time Wrestling Fan and was disappointed by the previous offering. This review has made me warm up to the idea of giving this franchise another go. So I would like to see if they can make me happy again. Acknowledge Me!!!
I’d love to play this game. It looks like massive progress has been made since 2k20.
I’d love to win this because it seems amazing!
I’d love to win this because it seems so dope
I’d love to win this cause it seems so dope
I can’t wait to customize myself in this game! I have been playing the WWE games since Smackdown Vs Raw 2009 and its always the first thing I do!
This game looks absolutely incredible! I’ve been playing and watching WWE/WWF since I was a kid and this game is a dream come true. I would love to win a copy of this amazing game please!
WWE Is A Royal Rumble Wrestlemania Money Inthe Bank Summerslam And Survivor Series Sized Game
I would love to create a huge roster and play to my hearts content because this game truly hits different
I would love to experience WWE 2K22 specifically the 2K Showcase, as a major Ray Mysterio fan I would really love to recreate his illustrious career
I’m keen for next gen graphics and controls.
Honestly, Nostalgia is my main reason. Would
Love to play it again for old times sake.
Honestly the only reason why I’m interested in the game is because of my rise mode and my GM mode
I’m a huge.fan of not only WWE but professional wrestling as a whole and have been for more than 20 years I would love to win this game to experience how good it actually is compared to the previous versions
Only recently got my first console ever, and it would be awesome if I could wrestle on the Ps5!
More than excited for this game! Been disappointed by previous years of the game but hearing and seeing really good reviews and gameplay for the game. Looks really great and gameplay looks fun and smooth.
Get Hyped!
I cannot wait to play this game. I have great expectations.
Playing WWE games was a formative part of growing up and killed so many hours with friends and family. Always interested on the new iterations
I love character creation, especially in WWE games. It sounds like the comeback we’ve all been waiting for.
I use to spend hours and hours as a kid on my WWE game. Looking forward to devoting the same to this game now.
The game has evolved so much since I last played it on the PS2, looking forward to getting my hands on this beast and playing along with family during these COVID days
Glad it’s a return to form after the awful 2k20
Really glad Keith Lee and other recently released superstars are in the game as I would love to give them the time to shine, even if it’s just in my own little world.
Would really love to try it out!!!!
Would love to try out the with all the different characters
Is It Time to Play!!!
Haven’t played a WWE game since Smackdown vs Raw 2006 on PS2 and this is looking right up my alley with the new gameplay systems – I’m especially liking the new combo structure! Feels like more than a decade later, WWE is going back to being arcade-y fun again which is damn refreshing to see. Hope to get this soon so I can get my old buddies back together for some “basement kings” grudge matches. 😆
Would love to be able to play this game, lost my job recently due to injury and i need a pick me up
The gameplay looks great it is visually stunning, have been a fan since the playstation 1 versions, would love to play because of the showcase, create a monster faction and the return of my gm which was a previous favourite of mine
Have been a fan of the games since PlayStation 1, Would love to play as it looks like a huge leap forward
This review is amazing as it outlines every new and old aspect of the game. I also want to play this game because I haven’t been able to afford it.
This review is amazing, it outlines every aspect of the game.
I would love to create a huge roster and play to my hearts content because this game truly hits different
This game is very stunning and breathtaking! I would delivery love to play it just to see how smooth the gameplay is and I’m definitely picking The Rock this time !
I can’t wait to try this game out, because I haven’t really liked the previous since 2k18
I’m looking forward to the new controls and potential of the ease to start for my children.
Would love to create a new monstricity in the character creater and become a champion.