WWE 2K24 PC Review: A Showcase of the Immortals on the Grandest Stage

It’s finally that time of the year where I can talk WWE 2K24 with you all. We dubbed last year’s game, WWE 2K23, ‘a worthy upgrade‘ after it not leaving high-level lasting impression other than being a souped-up version of 2K22. However, with new match types, quality of life improvements both big and small, as well as numerous expansions to most if not all modes, WWE 2K24 not only looks to impress, but also lays a better foundation for the future of the series.

WWE 2K24 PC Review

More WWE Superstars, more match types, and more stories, makes WWE 2K24 a very robust game. Now only have some returned newer and improved, but WWE 2K24 has introduced a host of brand new mechanics to the series as well.

What’s new, what’s improved?

This year, 2K maintains its commitment to community feedback. After the return of the highly-requested General Manager Mode as MyGM two years prior, WWE 2K24 sees the return of another fan favorite, Special Guest Referee matches. In addition to Special Guest Referee, players can now compete in Gauntlet, Casket, and Ambulance matches. Of course, there’s the new 2K Showcase mode highlighting 40 years of WrestleMania. The showcase mode features a curated set of matches from WrestleMania’s past, more on the later.

MyRise makes its return but with two fresh stories. This year features the ‘Undisputed’ story for males, and ‘Unleashed’ for females. In addition, MyFaction returns with more features than before. This includes a few goodies for those who typically skip this mode. The Performance Center mode also returns, for those who need to brush up on those skills. This time headed up by Drew Gulak. The Creation Suite brings back Create-A-Sign alongside the expected robust suite of customizable options. Players will also find some tons of new assets to chose from.

Atop of all this, WWE 2K24 features several Quality-of-Life improvements and newer, more subtle changes like the returning ability to pull down singlet straps during a match. So, without further delay, let’s dive into it.

Ambulance Matches, caskets, and gauntlets

With the exception of Special Guest Referee, new match types begin with the ring announcer presenting the rules. Helpful for those unfamiliar with each and a nice touch of realism as the onscreen graphics match what you would see in WWE’s “tale of the tape” cards and special rules prompts. After getting a run of each match type, I felt impressed. Each match is fun, intuitive, and fits seamlessly into the WWE 2K series. This serves not just as a plus for the matches’ design, but also for how polished core gameplay is this year.

After superstar entrances, there is a brief cinematic showing the casket or ambulance being moved into position. The casket sits at ringside, while the ambulance parks further up at the edge of the ramp. Outside of the standard Extreme Rules match setup (complete with the weapon selection wheel), the Ambulance Match allows player to fight atop it, slam opponents off or on it, as well as allows the use of Carry-Grapple moves to throw opponents into the back of it for the win. Regardless of how opponents get there (Carry-Grapple or Irish Whip), attempting to close the ambulance doors triggers a minigame. The Resiliency payback does comes into affect, allowing fatigued superstars to auto-escape once a match.

Most of this applies to the casket match as well. Carry-Grapples over the top rope and to the outside can land opponents into the coffin. When its closed, opponents can be slammed on top of it through various moves like in-game tables or equipment boxes. And just like Ambulance matches, superstars with Resiliency have a one-time auto-escape.

While Ambulance and Casket matches feel a little similar, Gauntlet matches bring a whole new recipe. Gauntlet matches comes in three flavors. 2K24 has the common turmoil layout, two superstars enter first with the winner advancing until no one is left. Then, there’s the Eliminator format. Think “Royal rumble” but with pin and submission instead of over-the-top-rope. Finally, there’s the One vs All where one superstar must go the distance versus a team of superstars in one-on-one matches. Accrued damage and fatigue persist throughout the bout, so prepare for true iron man performances.

Special Guest Referee in WWE 2K24

Most of the new experiences offered in Special Guest Referee matches will be given via tutorial prompts, so be sure to enable those before playing. For those who decide to go without the tutorial, many of the controls prompt contextually as well.

Typically Special Referee matches open with the referee entrance. Commentary hones in on the idea the referee can manipulate the match as desired, but emphasize the importance of playing fair. This directly translates into how the match actually works for players. Like standard officials, Guest Referees count pins, warn opponents, count ring-outs, call for DQs, and call for submissions as well as rope-breaks, all at the player’s discretion. Want to do a ‘Montreal Screw Job’? Do a fast count? Ignore a tap out? Go for it. Officiating the match is completely in Guest Referee’s control along with a variety of contextual animations for each call and scenario. At any point, a Special Referee can also swap into ‘Superstar’ mode allowing them to target specific competitors and perform moves like normal.

Sound like too much power for one superstar? Well, it certainly is, but Special Guest Referee matches in WWE 2K24 introduces the ‘Referee Meter’. Alongside commentary, this meter provides feedback on the player’s performance as referee. Play too unfair or blatantly disrupt the match too often, players run the risk of being ejected and replaced as referee. Weirdly, my favorite part of refereeing was counting out both Gunther and Bron Breaker. I gradually brought the count to five, then stopped and manually targeted both to warn them individually to return the action to the ring. Neither returned until the count hit nine. However, I got excellent feedback from the Referee Meter.

Admittedly, I saw little appeal in adding Special Guest Referee matches. However, after playing one, it might be favorite match addition. Special Guest Referee matches add another reason to get into the habit of editing NPC AI for base WWE Superstars within the game.

Lastly, yes. Ambulance, Casket, Gauntlet, and Special Guest Referee matches feature in WWE 2K Universe Mode.

Polished and improved core gameplay

As played through as much I could of WWE 2K24 before launch. Nothing impressed more than perhaps the polished feel of this year’s core gameplay. Not just moment between-the-ropes action, but its presentation and commitment to authenticity as well.

2K reworked Irish whips from the ground up. While the controls remain the same, players will find it much easier to connect with the ropes. This goes double for rebound grapple and strike hit detections. Also, players will notice superstars facial animations have been enhanced producing far more expressive reactions during taunts and submissions. I admit, its weird to see an overly expressive Undertaker in a submission, but overall its a very good improvement.

Perhaps my favorite edition is the “Trading Blows” mini game. For WWE 2K17, I did a video on creating ‘Strong-Style’ centered characters, strong-style being my favorite expression of wrestling. This new min game adds an engaging layer of strong style wrestling to the mix. With WWE 2K24, Trading Blows locks opponents in a duel of attacks. Players will need to hold the strike button and release it within a green zone. Whomever misses three times loses the duel. Trading blows can trigger on its own or be initiated manually. Unfortunately, it is limited to once per each superstar and in only 1vs1 matches.

The funs is in the details

WWE 2K24 has a lot of unlisted improvements and additions. So, here’s what I found so far:

2K Showcase, MyRISE, MyGM, Universe Mode, and More!

Arguably one of the most important Showcase modes to date, WWE 2K24 celebrates 40 years of WrestleMania with the 2K Showcase of the Immortals. The mode opens with an intro hosted by Core Graves covering just what WrestleMania means and its importance in the history of WWE, Sports Entertainment, and now WWE 2K.

Like before, this year’s showcase lets players relive specific moments and matches in history based on the theme of the mode. While winning the match is typically the goal, players will want to focus on side objectives as well. Many unlockables only become accessible though showcase objectives. This includes those who purchase the season pass. Rightfully so, I’d say this year’s 2K Showcase should not be skipped out on. The Slingshot Technology mixes video footage and gameplay almost seamlessly. You’ll always see it coming, so do not worry about it costing you the match or anything of that sort.

And its worth mentioning, while the mode celebrates 40 years of WrestleMania, there is not 40 matches. It is 21 matches across the four decades of WrestleMania, starting with the Intercontinental Championship classic between Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and “Macho Man” Randy Savage at Mania 3. According to 2K, the matches chosen represent iconic moments in WrestleMania history, but they were careful to forgo including matches seen in prior 2K Showcases.

I think it’s a fun experience. 2K advertises the mode as having replayability due to the challenges and objectives. However; for those who rather one-and-done it, just throw the mode on easy and watch WrestleMania history unfold while unlocking new arenas, secret entrances, and more for other game modes.

MyRISE

MyRISE serves as WWE 2K’s player-focused narrative mode. As players, we’ve seen many approaches to this mode. Some far more effective than others. Of course, with 2K24 comes another unique approach. I will not spoil all the fun for you all. Like the prior two iterations, 2K24 has a story for males and a story specifically for females. These stories feature branching plots dependent upon player choices, with some plots reaching very much into the ‘sports entertainment’ side of professional wrestling. And I will leave that at that. The stories are unique to both genders as well as both featuring superstar voiceovers from modern iconic names, and WWE Legends.

Between both stories, Undisputed for males, Unleashed for females, MyRISE features a total of 10 save slots. This should help in getting through multiple branches of the plot at once. Also, like the other modes, MyRISE has unique rewards like CAS parts, original characters, and arenas, usable outside the mode once unlocked. There is a lot to the mode, much like the rest of the game. Still, I cannot seize recommending players give this one or two run-throughs.

MyFACTION

Personally, I am not a fan of MyFACTION. That said, as aforementioned, WWE 2K24 introduces some new goodies to the mode for returning and new players. For returning players, the issue of dealing with Contracts is no more. When speaking to 2K, the devs expressed no one enjoyed the mechanic. So, they made the decision to remove it altogether. Furthermore, the devs listened to the feedback on booster packs. While that is very much still apart of the experience, players can now access the “Direct Purchase Card Market”. The direct purchase market allows players to directly purchase and upgrade specific cards as they become available. And yes, MyFACTION points earned through gameplay can be used in the direct purchase market.

Visual Concept’s approach to MyFACTION rests mostly with resolving pain points and encouraging player agency and engagement. Further improvements includes some additions to Faction Wars. Faction Wars returns in Faction Wars 2.0 adding more real-world factions, additional 4v4 match types, and a Faction Wars specific reward shop. Now, for those looking to skip this mode, I will say there is a reason to play. Persona Cards. MyFACTION received criticism due to unlocked superstars only remaining accessible within the mode. Well, this year introduces ‘Persona Cards’. These specific cards, when unlocked, makes that superstar accessible in other modes. Does that make it worth playing? I suppose that’ll depend on the selection of Persona Cards.

MyGM

MyGM in WWE 2K24 continues to expand on what made the past iterations great while working to alleviate some of the pitfalls. Arguably the biggest change to the mode is the ‘Superstar Journey’. The journey tracks what series of events superstars go through within a season allowing them to earn XP by participating matches and training. As they earn XP, superstars level up, gaining powerful new benefits. Furthermore, MyGM now has several new mechanics like talent scouts, trading superstars, and contract management. As before, the mode remains local co-op with no online component.

Playable GMs include:

Playable brands this year include:

Personally, with the changes and additions this year, I feel the mode is reaching a “franchise mode” type feel and that’s a good thing. However, I do understand keeping the objective of the mode “to win” as it needs to differentiate from the sandbox experience of Universe mode. I, for one, would love to see the modes combined.

2K24 Universe Mode

Universe mode is my bread-and-butter when it comes to WWE 2K. However, this year I was not able to spend a deep amount time of with it ahead of launch. I felt it better to focus elsewhere to give you all a better look at what’s new. Regardless, I took a peek and here’s what’s new in Universe mode!

Creation Suite

What is WWE 2K without the Creation Suite? As expected, the suite returns with new assets. However, this year re-introduces custom crowd signs through Create-A-Sign. Not possible since about Smackdown vs Raw 2011, WWE 2K24 let’s players use custom images, group images, and more to create and assign custom signs for CAS and WWE Superstars.

When creating a wrestler, in addition to setting an attire as a Managerial attire, you can also set one as a referee attire. This, of course, means upon playing in a Special Guest Referee match, they will automatically use this attire. Unfortunately, this is not in addition to the standard two attires CAS receive. Like manager outfits, referee attires will consume one of those two slots.

When creating a wrestler, players will find plenty of new clothing pieces including several new hairs. The quality of the new hairs deserves praise; unfortunately, they also highlight the poorer quality of the old, but still included, assets are by comparison. On top of that, I did notice several assets with bad UV mapping, meaning skewed or warped textures on otherwise solid meshes.

In Create-An-Entrance, the timeline editor remains. This means custom advanced entrances remain wonky and difficult to edit. However, tons of generic, original, and non-WWE entrance templates exist. So even template entrances still have a deep variety. Other than that, the Creation Suite is about what we’ve all come to expect from WWE 2K with this year being a bit more polished over last year’s.

The Verdict

WWE 2K24 is fun. We all know the elements that repeat year over year in sports games. For this review, I really wanted cover all the new stuff. And all that new stuff is fun, well designed, and well executed in its implementation. If you were looking forward to this year’s game, I say its certainly safe to continue doing so. For those grabbing it on PC, be sure to check out the performance options and benchmark your game to make sure you get the best experience. WWE 2K24 is not without its pitfalls, but between the 2K Showcase, expanded MyGM, MyRISE, and Universe, as well as the return Special Guest Referee alongside new match types, the game contains so much fun and engaging content, its hard to remain bogged down by those pitfalls.

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