WWE 2K20 Review: It Continues, That’s About It

Our WWE 2K20 review to tell you about how good or bad the game is and whether you should purchase it or not.

WWE games have existed since I was a kid so obviously it becomes hard to really be moved or impressed by every sequel and advanced installment they manage to put out. I’ve been playing since Smackdown: Here comes the Pain, if you know that game then you also might agree that it was the peak of wrestling games. Since that title, the only WWE game that changed the formula up was the All Stars video game. Everything else was just a continuation otherwise, only ever updating in graphics, some controls, a few game modes and of course, the ever growing WWE roster. So with all that in mind, how did WWE 2k20 perform?

Graphically I’m going to say it’s still not that impressive. I’m not saying they did a bad job by any means because the characters do actually look like their real life counterparts. I guess it’s just that I myself think there could be more visual improvements to be done since the game looks a bit too much like a matte layer was smacked onto it.

WWE 2K20 has the same type of graphical appearance as any sports game nowadays really, with Fifa showcasing it the best in my opinion. Still, the features and appearances of each Superstar is pretty accurate so I can’t really complain right? The audience also looks just as dull as the same moving cardboard slates they have in every other game preceding this one and the lighting just bothers me. Compared to how flamboyant and expressive the actual WWE looks, I feel like the games just don’t do it justice. It’s been this way for the past several years and I think that’s because of this fixated routine to release each game yearly. Instead of taking the time to invest into developing it.

Regarding gameplay mechanics, and I’m referring to the use of a controller here, a lot was moved around. Specifically, everything pertaining to executing moves and performing reversals being on the control pad itself. This means the triggers on the back have been free’d up, specifically the right trigger which was originally used for reversals. that trigger is now able to act as a modifier to different actions and moves that you perform inside and outside of the ring.

The game is pretty standard to the wrestling formula overall otherwise. The goal in a normal match being to wear your opponent down till you’re able to pin them down for that three count. As it has been with previous WWE games, 2k20 is a great game for couch play with all your friends. Especially with game modes like the Royal Rumble where you’re just waiting for your buddy to enter the ring so you can throw them right back out.

Another key feature of WWE games is the option to create your own superstar. Something that I think this game did extraordinarily well due to all the options and variations you have. I’ve always loved the amounts of customization options that WWE games give you and 2k20 is no exception to that. Besides your superstars and Divas, you can also customize your experience to a bit of a further extent with creating and modifying arenas and such.

The game modes are also mostly the same that every recent WWE game has had to offer. You’ve got the exhibition mode to create whatever match up you want. You’ve got the classic WWE universe mode to be on that more endless stream of match ups and other kinds of situations. It’s like the long-term mode which simulates the actual WWE, even down to feuds and what not.

Then you’ve got MyCareer, a 20 hour story mode type campaign which you take part in as your created superstar. A new feature that 2K20 has introduced is the option to also play as a Diva/female protagonist which hasn’t been done before in WWE career modes.

The story was probably my favorite part of the game and it was actually the most well executed ones I’ve seen in any sports game. The amount of time put into it is pretty beefy as well since 20 hours is a normal amount. If you’re a wrestling fan then you’ll love the storylines and interactions with actual Superstars present in the game. This includes some supernatural escapades with the Undertaker as well as taking part in the Miz’s talkshow.

The story follows your character from their high school years and goes all the way to their indictment into the Hall of Fame, an esteemed immortalizing title in any wrestler’s career.

The roster of existing Superstars is a comfortable combination of new and old wrestlers ranging from the era of the WWF with wrestlers like Bret Hart down to even the most recent rising stars like AJ Styles. Seeing the late Eddie Guerrero also brought a bit of the feels to me and it’s good to see how this game and many other forms of medium continue to immortalize him and continue his legacy. The man crazy enough to have a fucking custody battle in a ladder match.

Still, this procedure of releasing the same game every year is pretty pointless and I kind of wish they just made one game and kept updating it on a yearly basis since that wouldn’t actually be different from what they’re doing now. Instead, they won’t charge full price for each game. At least the WWE games aren’t obnoxious with the microtransactions like the NBA games are, however.

If you’re into the updated nature of new superstars and slightly spiced up game modes, feel free to purchase this title as well. But that’s about it, i think.

5.0

WWE 2K20 Review


WWE 2K20 as most of the recent WWE games is simply an update on the previous ones, offering little to nothing really new in terms of gameplay, visuals, or anything really innovative. Wake me up when they remaster Here comes the pain.

20 year old Chaotic Neutral. I love me some Gwent. Linking the flame is for pussies though. Also the true Mortal Kombatant that remains unbeaten. I love single player games with a compelling story and ...