WWE 2K23 REVIEW: AND HIS NAME IS!

**This review was based on the Playstation 5 version of WWE 2K23**

WWE 2K has had a pivotal shift in direction with last year's 2K22. It proved that by taking some time off and being able to focus on the game development at hand, you can create something awesome. Refined gameplay, graphics, mechanics, and GM modes felt great to play. The skip from 2K20 to 2K22 was extremely beneficial. It did suffer from the WWE layoffs where the majority of its roster was axed by the time the game came out. That's not on 2K, though. Chalk that up to the ever-changing wrestling business just doing its thing at the worst timing possible. 

WWE 2K23 takes all these things I mentioned and keeps them going. I will be straight-up honest, there is not much on the "improvement" side of things that immediately jumps out, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I REALLY enjoyed the MyRise and online modes in 2K22. They are back and great again. The most notable improvements I have found were the new War Games mode (which is awesome) and the pin mechanic where you can flick the right stick up to kick out of a pin instead of mashing a button rapidly. A small but welcomed change. At least for me. The game modes you've come to play last year are all here and welcomed back. Some with improvements and others are just touting the new rosters.

GM mode gets a few changes in the settings, how you can run a season, and added more selectable GMs, bookable matches and more. I feel this is where the biggest improvements came this season as you can now have up to 4 players booking to their heart's desires. You can even take control of WCW now (even though it's sort of just...WWE) and that brings me back to the Monday Night Wars. You can now continue after each season with a redraft to play through multiple seasons. This is something that was sort of a bummer in 22 as it ended after a single season. I feel fans of the GM mode will be happy with the changes and this will continue to evolve year after year.

This year's showcase isn't exactly an improvement BUT there is a mix-up in direction. The showcase features none other than John Cena. In past Showcase modes, you got to take control of the featured superstar and relive their matches through their eyes. This year, the entire goal is to BEAT John Cena. It's a pretty cool twist on the mode and helps bring in some variety since you get to take over the action as people other than Mr. Cena throughout the mode. I did like how the objectives sort of walked you through what happened to John and how it affected the match. Plenty of unlockables from arenas, to outfits to characters are spread throughout. I do always enjoy hearing John Cena talk about his matches and dedication so I had a pretty good time with this year's Showcase.

MyRise is back and boy do I ever feel like a steamroller. I love creating my character and getting in the ring to face off against the WWE Superstars. There is something pretty dang cathartic about seeing my ego play out in front of me as I become the most dominant WWE champion of all time. A few changes from last year but it's not a negative or positive difference. If you were into the MyRise mode from 22, you'll enjoy it again now. I recommend playing this whenever you get the chance because it is pretty neat to get that backstage feel even if there are some wacky scenarios. Those moments make the game feel like the wrestling games I grew up with in the past.

The Universe Mode and MyFaction modes make their return as well and they remain more or less the same. The Universe mode has some updates to storylines to assist with the flow of things and that's fine. Again, they're fun! If you enjoyed these before you will again. I didn't play TOO much of MyFaction in the last iteration but I already had a good time now adding Bad Bunny to my roster and doing the 4 v 4 quick matches in MyFaction. I'm always here for a good PvP and although I'm not a big fan of micro-transactions, I feel you can still have a fair shake at what MyFaction has to offer. 

Can you still create your own superstars, championships, arenas, and images? Yep! Fully customizable everything is still here and exactly what you'd expect. I got to take a peek at what the community has already been building and you're bound to see the Custom Celebrity Royal Rumble matches on YouTube. Gosh I love those.

*My very own custom VS Championship Belt*

Overall, WWE 2K23 brings the power we have seen from last year's version. Awesome presentation, great move-sets, and even throws in the WarGames match. Still lies the tension of the "anything can happen" in matches from run-ins to reversals and everything after. The excitement of throwing someone I enjoyed my time getting to play this and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of wrestling OR even just a good wrestling game in general. If there is one tiny little advice or suggestion that I do have is that we give these games more time to breathe. While I do appreciate how great it is now, I'm not sure I would be alright with playing the same version with updated rosters for the next 5 years. I suggest making these releases every 2 years to give the teams some time to innovate and keep the games fresh. WWE 2K23 is a fantastic game and I will be putting WAY more hours into it than I anticipated but I really hope that in the future we do not get the burnout from these titles year after year. I give WWE 2K23: 

9 Out Of 10.