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This popular series of wrestling simulation games is available to PC users for the second time in franchise history

This popular series of wrestling simulation games is available to PC users for the second time in franchise history

Vote: (437 votes)

Program license: Paid

Developer: 2K Games

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(437 votes)

Paid

Developer

2K Games

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • 125 playable characters
  • Career Mode better than ever before
  • Lots of options with the "Create a Superstar" feature
  • Multiple fixes since WWE 2k15

Cons

  • The controls have still not been fixed
  • Online matches lag

For over a decade, wrestling games have been lost in that foggy region between being an arcade game and being a simulation game. WWE 2k16 takes a big risk going deeper into simulation mode than ever before, and you have a lot of genius fixes since 2k15. For example, you have more modes than before, which was a common complaint of WWE 2k15. The game just didn't have enough modes to satisfy you. Another big problem was with the reversals. In WWE 2k15, you just had to button mash to fight your way out of a disadvantageous position. 2k16 has largely addressed those issues so that you feel you're actually fighting your way out with a reversal. Now, your decision to save or use a reversal can win or lose a match. It's more strategic than ever before.

More Playable Characters

Any hardcore wrestling fanatic will fall in love with the fact that you have over 125 characters to choose from. You have everyone from Old Colonel Mustafa to the rising Hispanic champion and everything in between. The game features your favorite characters, and you can choose from the 80s and 90s stars, as well as NXT champions. If 125 characters weren't enough, you also get different versions of each wrestler. Stone Cold Steve Austin, for example, a wrestler who once chugged more than 115 beers in Japan, has three different versions:

  • Stone Cold Steve Austin
  • Superstar Steve Austin
  • Stunning Steve Austin

Online Matches: The Problem

Playing the online matches can be somewhat of a problem because of consistent lag throughout the game. Lag can be a huge disadvantage, and when you're wrestling, you don't want to be losing because of something outside your actual skills. It's a shame WWE 2k16 did not put the problem to rest in the newest game because playing matches with your local buddies can be a lot of fun. It'd be great if you could take that experience online.

The Controls Still Need Work

The developers needed to spend a little more time on the controls of the game because the mechanics are not always the greatest. Sometimes the overall movement and what not can feel kind of clunky, and it needs more work than what the developers put into it. The one advantage of WWE 2k16 is how the load time between the ring entrance and the match takes much less time than what you had in 2k15.

Getting Your Opponent to Waste His Resources

The game has more strategic appeal than in past wrestling titles. You just mashed buttons and tried to pull off specials to beat your rival. WWE 2k16 takes a different approach where you try to restore your own stamina while sapping your opponent's stamina. The weird thing about WWE 2k16 is how you're not only supposed to win, you have to hype up the crowd at the same time. It could be kind of odd having a blowout match where you whooped your opponent, but you scored low on showmanship, so you had a lower score in general. Oddly enough, it happens in WWE 2k16, which is one of the less savory features of the game.

Like the Personality of the Wrestler?

This section of the game can be somewhat hit and miss. You have times where the personality of the wrestler you play is dead on. Other times, you feel like you're playing a generic character because it's so off. Stone Cold Steve Austin is one prime example of a character where they got his personality perfected. You can feel yourself taking the role of Stone Cold Steve Austin. This game is as close to a real performance in a wrestling game as it has ever gotten.

Career Mode: Improvement

With the Career Mode in 2k15, it felt uncomfortable to sit through. You had a somewhat boring, long and drawn out mode, and there weren't enough things to do in it. Much of the problem with Career Mode has been rectified in WWE 2k16. You have many interesting things you can do in Career Mode this time around. For example, you can give interviews and how you respond will have an impact on the rest of your wrestling career. Also, you can choose to ambush your enemies and use dirty moves to get a win. Being the bad guy in Career Mode can be a whole lot more fun than playing the role of the good guy. As you progress through the game, you will unlock the playable versions of different characters, which gives you all the more reason to continue playing through it.

Career Mode has multiple aspects to it. You can also create a diva and an entrance performance for when you visit the stage. Not to mention, you can also play as some of the famous wrestling divas.

Create a Superstar

Along with choosing from 125 characters, you also have customization options in the game. You can create some downright comical characters if you are looking to add a little humor into the game of wrestling. For example, you could choose to customize your wrestler with a rubber ducky floater. You have so many hairstyles, whereas, in 2k15, you had few hairstyles to choose from. You can also choose how you want to morph the body from slim, fat, lean or buff depending on the type of wrestler you want to create. You can also create a diva for the game.

What makes WWE 2k16 even better is how many of the mechanical problems in the past game were ironed out. You have numerous standout reasons to check out a game like this. The game showcases a more iconic story than what you had last year, and you can relive the Stone Cold Steve Austin career from the WCW to the WWE.

Pros

  • 125 playable characters
  • Career Mode better than ever before
  • Lots of options with the "Create a Superstar" feature
  • Multiple fixes since WWE 2k15

Cons

  • The controls have still not been fixed
  • Online matches lag