What are the best features of WWE 2K16?
Next: Power Ranking: 30 Best Talkers In Wrestling History
With this being the third year being under the 2K banner, WWE 2K16 came in with high expectations. After the previous years were more of development of their own brand, the time has come to see what the company has to offer.
Many gamers were clamoring on what the end result of what this game has become. After a week and a half of playing the game and dabbing in each mode, the folks at 2K got a lot of things right. Here are five features that WWE2k16 nailed perfectly.
Fluid Entrances
The development team really brought the maximum output for the wrestler’s entrances in WWE 2K16. Finn Balor, for example, was amazing in detail and not just cutting angles to get him to the ring. Every motion and move was accurate to the real life persona. From what came of the final product the introductions and ring walks have been improved dramatically. Balor was just one of the prime examples, but it seems every wrestler or diva in this game has been tweaked to really accentuate the development over a year.
The Roster Expands
When the first announcements of the new game started to come out, the news that this would be the biggest roster in any WWE game really turned some heads. With many NXT roster members included this is one of the most influential WWE personnel from past to present. No WWE game is complete without legends, and with Sting being finally included after all these years it really helps the business puts more eyes on one of the legends in Sports Entertainment.
Using the up-and-coming “rookies” really makes you feel like you are taking them through their career all over again through any mode 2K16 offers. With more rostered members coming via DLC, you would never get bored being the matchmaker of the WWE. This was a great move by the developers and really makes the purchase worth every penny.
Stone Cold 2K Showcase
There were plenty of groans and moans regarding Stone Cold being on the cover of the game. Many new fans weren’t happy with the fact the WWE pushed him into the spotlight. However, Austin was a great choice not only for the cover, but for the 2k Showcase mode.
You take on the career of Stone Cold going from his very early matches, through his battles with Vince McMahon, then The Rock and finally retirement. With the commentary of Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler being included for this mode, it brings the nostalgia of the Attitude Era being existent in 2015.
Matches Becoming More Realistic
In previous years, the gameplay seemed too easy. With the reversals being very easy to maneuver and setting up different moves, the computer’s artificial intelligence suffered. However, with 2K16, that has dramatically shifted. Playing not only against the computer but online opponents the feel is more of a natural progression wrestling bout. From the reversals to the lockups, it really feels the tempo and momentum shift as the match progresses. With the added sweat and facial features, it really brings the story telling to another level. The challenge of winning a match wasn’t much in previous years, but in WWE2K16, it really makes you be accurate as possible to get that victory.
The Wrestling Audio Continues To Grow
Professional wrestling has tons of audio during a show, it’s hard to confine them all for a video game. From fans chanting, to people yelling random things towards the ring, it would seem to be difficult to hone those for a video game. It shouldn’t be a problem to insert entrance music but linking that to the actions of the character, could be a challenge. WWE2K16 nailed that with a 100% success rate and brought that over to the music selection as well.
Many will complain it’s not their favorite music, but the developers made their best effort to mix different genres for a great playlist. With the arena sound effects, they continue to get better. With the moves having more audio presence, the realism continues to grow. The “sounds of the game” may be looked over by many but these fine details bring the wrestling game one of the best to date.