WWE 2K17

WWE 2K17
A picture of Brock Lesnar is seen on a background full of orange splashes and lightning strikes. The game's logo appears on the top.
Cover art featuring Brock Lesnar
Developer(s)Yuke's[a]
Publisher(s)2K
SeriesWWE 2K
Platform(s)
Release
  • PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
    • WW: October 11, 2016
    • JP: March 9, 2017[1]
  • Microsoft Windows
    • WW: February 7, 2017
    • JP: March 9, 2017[1]
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

WWE 2K17 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.[2][3] It is the eighteenth game in the WWE game series (fourth under the WWE 2K banner), serving as the following from their previous game WWE 2K16 (released in 2015), and followed by WWE 2K18 (released in 2017). This is the fourth and final installment to be released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms and on those platforms it still follows the gameplay blueprint of WWE 2K14.[4]

Marketing

On May 31, 2016, WWE 2K17 was officially announced by WWE and 2K, when they revealed Goldberg as the pre-order bonus character accompanied by the debut trailer featuring Goldberg. 2K also announced that the game would include the two versions of Goldberg (WCW and WWE), along with two playable arenas (Halloween Havoc and WCW Monday Nitro).[3][5] On June 27, 2016, a reveal trailer was released announcing that Brock Lesnar would be the cover star for WWE 2K17.[6] On July 14, 2016, WWE announced an NXT Collector's Edition. The set includes NXT wrestlers such as Apollo Crews, Nia Jax and Shinsuke Nakamura as playable characters as part of the NXT Enhancement Pack, a lithograph designed by Rob Schamberger and signed by Shinsuke Nakamura, an 8-inch collectable action figure of "The Demon" Finn Bálor, trading cards, actual ring canvas from the NXT TakeOver: London event, 50% more points in NXT for MyCareer Mode, as well as the Goldberg Pre-Order Pack.[7] On August 8, 2016, 2K revealed the official soundtrack for WWE 2K17, which features thirteen songs from a variety of genres, curated by Sean Combs.[8]

Roster

On June 15, 2016, WWE announced that at E3 2016, the first roster reveal would be announced at 2K's booth by portrait artist Rob Schamberger.[9] At the event, John Cena, The Ultimate Warrior, and Sasha Banks were the first three names revealed.[10] On July 26, 2016, IGN announced that the McMahon family will be playable characters, which will include Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Vince McMahon.[11][12] On August 2, 2016, IGN announced the roster would be revealed every Tuesday for 5 weeks, along with in-game videos and screenshots, concluding on August 30.[13][14] On August 10, the WWE 2K official site released a minigame that consisted of spotting the announced superstars of the WWE 2K17 game on a picture of Brock Lesnar's Suplex City. The game revealed a roster of 136 superstars consisting of current superstars, legends, and NXT superstars.[15] 2K later revealed that there would be more than 11 extra DLC playable superstars. WWE 2K17 marks the video game debut of 26 superstars.

Game modes

There are a variety of different game modes in WWE 2K17.[16] Unlike previous entries in the 2K series, WWE 2K17 initially didn't feature a single-player story mode in the base game (The Hall of Fame showcase was later added as DLC, featuring the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016 entrants in order, from Sting VS. Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (WCW belt) at WCW Clash of the Champions to a dream match between The Godfather and Papa Shango at the Wrestlemania 32 arena.

Play mode

Play mode allows the player to jump into a quick match with their own custom settings like match types, participants, etc.

MyCareer mode

MyCareer mode allows the player to create their own superstar to compete for championships on the main roster and/or in NXT. MyCareer mode is exclusive to PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One.

The mode also incorporated the new Promo Engine, so Superstars can express themselves to the WWE Universe and also call out or respond to other WWE Superstars. Backstage interviews with Renee Young take on a whole new dimension with the new backstage brawling gameplay. Now more than ever, how a player competes, reacts, what is said, and even what attire is worn can make a difference in a Superstar's journey through the WWE. At some point, players are also likely to come face-to-face with Brock Lesnar and his advocate, Paul Heyman.

Universe mode

WWE Universe mode allows the player to create their own WWE shows and pay-per-view events, allowing them to create rivalries, promos (a new feature) and feuds for singles wrestlers and/or tag team wrestlers and will let them create custom arenas and championship titles.

Creation Suite

The creation suite allows players to make their own characters, arenas, titles, and more that can be uploaded for other players to download.

Online

Players can have a variety of different matches with other players online.

Reception

WWE 2K17 received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[17][18][19]

GameSpot criticized the game for the lack of a 2K Showcase mode, which was left out in favor of improving the "MyCareer" mode, which itself was criticized for a lack of much improvement.[22]

IGN gave the game a 8.2 out of 10, writing, "The loss of the 2K Showcase is unfortunate, but WWE 2K17s gameplay tweaks and already strong feature-set save the day."[24]

PC Gamer gave the Windows version a 45 out of 100, complimenting the gameplay but criticizing performance and presentation.[25]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Additional work by Visual Concepts

References

  1. ^ a b "WWE 2K17 Slams Japan Next Week – Hardcore Gamer". March 2017. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  2. ^ 2K18, WWE (September 22, 2016). "A PC version is in development, but it will not release October 11 with all of the console editions". Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b Artus, Matthew (May 31, 2016). "2K announces Goldberg as WWE 2K17 pre-order exclusive". WWE. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  4. ^ 2K18, WWE (June 19, 2017). "#WWE2K18 will not be released on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360". @WWEgames via Twitter. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Caldwell, James (May 31, 2016). ""WWE 2K17" official details – Goldberg comments on lead role". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  6. ^ Artus, Matthew (June 27, 2016). "Brock Lesnar named WWE 2K17 cover Superstar". WWE. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Meghan (July 14, 2016). "WWE Announces Special NXT Edition of WWE 2K17". ign.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  8. ^ Artus, Matthew (August 8, 2016). "Puff Daddy to provide in-game soundtrack for WWE 2K17". WWE. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  9. ^ Artus, Matthew (June 7, 2016). "2K to reveal first WWE 2K17 roster members through art at E3 2016". WWE. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  10. ^ Purcell, David (June 14, 2016). "E3 2016: Sasha Banks to be part of WWE 2K17 roster". gamezone.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  11. ^ Caldwell, James (July 26, 2016). "McMahons, including returning Shane McMahon, in "WWE 2K17" video game, plus roster reveal details". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  12. ^ Ingenito, Vince (July 26, 2016). "Stephanie, Shane, and Vince McMahon Confirmed for WWE 2K17". IGN. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  13. ^ Caldwell, James (August 2, 2016). "First batch of "WWE 2K17" roster members & legends released". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  14. ^ Ingenito, Vince. "IGN's Weekly WWE 2K17 Roster Reveal – Suplex City Census". IGN. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  15. ^ "See who's on the WWE 2K17 Superstar roster". Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  16. ^ "WWE 2K17 Mode Breakdown". 2K Support. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  17. ^ a b "WWE 2K17 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  18. ^ a b "WWE 2K17 for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  19. ^ a b "WWE 2K17 for Xbox One". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  20. ^ Buchholtz, Matt (October 21, 2016). "WWE 2K17 review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  21. ^ Reeves, Ben (October 14, 2016). "WWE 2K17 Review – Wrestling With The Basics". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  22. ^ a b Wakeling, Richard (October 18, 2016). "WWE 2K17 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  23. ^ Wilson, Ben (October 11, 2016). "WWE 2K17 review: 'You and your opponent can re-enact ECW's greatest hits with glee'". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  24. ^ a b Ingenito, Vince (October 17, 2016). "WWE 2K17 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  25. ^ a b Savage, Phil (February 13, 2017). "WWE 2K17 review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.