WWE 2K16

The Time is Now for WWE 2K16!

WWE 2K16 takes a big step back towards being the exhaustive suite of wrestling wish-fulfillment it’s expected to be, but that, for me, is not the reason I’ll keep playing. I’ll keep defying gravity as Adrian Neville, and defying expectations as Dolph Ziggler, because WWE 2K16 is as close to a fusion of performance and competition as a wrestling game has ever gotten. That’s what I come to wrestling for, and that’s what 2K16 delivers.

WWE 2K16 takes the series to new heights, despite having the same old issues.

For core game modes, 2K brought back the 2K Showcase, mainly letting you replay through the key moments in the career of Stone Cold Steve Austin, which is one of the most impactful and enjoyable careers in wrestling. Fans of WWE Universe Mode will enjoy seeing it return, with noticeable tweaks improving the experience. The real gem in my mind is the newly repackaged My Career. My Career debuted in 2K15 and didn’t have a lot of direction. Well say no more. Many improvements to My Career include the ability to chase any title, spend a career in NXT or shoot for the stars. It no longer ends right...

WWE 2K16 is an improvements over WWE 2K15 by adding many of the lost features missing from last year's game. However, it is far from a flawless video game. It is a step in the right direction so hopefully everything turns out perfectly in WWE 2K17.

WWE 2K16 is built for a very particular type of fan valuing authenticity above all else.

WWE 2K16 is a better game than last 2K15, largely thanks to the expansive range of options and features that have been reinstated. The 2K Showcase is fantastic, but the core gameplay hasn't changed enough to warrant a hearty recommendation.

Last year, WWE 2K15 was trimmer than a wrestler trying to make weight before a match. With cut exhibition match types, a streamlined roster, and several excised creation modes, that entry was lacking content that fans had come to expect from the franchise. With WWE 2K16, Yuke's and Visual Concepts have had another year to bolster the feature set and bring back fan-favorite creation modes, but the core mechanics feel clunky and well-worn, like a wrinkled old-timer still fighting for the spotlight.

While an improvement over last year, WWE 2K16 still represents a series that has a ways to go before realizing its full potential. We appreciate the large roster and 2K Showcase but this is strictly meant for the hardcore fan.

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