WWE 2K22will be the first game in the wrestling series sinceWWE 2K20.The decision was made to skip a year after the nearly universal negative reaction to the last title. The developer, Visual Concepts, has suggested that the new game will address the issues found inWWE 2K20.WWE 2K22is said to be gearing up for a 2021 launch, though no specific release date has been set as of yet. While some fans are appreciative that the developer will work towards resolving issues found inWWE 2K20,the new game presents an opportunity to add more to the series, rather than just being the next iteration.
WWE 2K22was revealed at WrestleMania 37with a brief trailer. The teaser showcased Rey Mysterio and him performing his finishing move, the 619, on Cesaro. The trailer seemed to emphasize the improved visuals, with close-up shots of the wrestlers' facial expressions. A lot of fans regard the new footage to be better thanWWE 2K20,which infamously had several technical issues related to visuals and animations. Visual Concepts and 2K Sports have a chance to add more to the series besides just upgraded graphics.
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General Manager Mode
Chief among the improvements that some fans want to see is thereturn of the General Manager Mode inWWE 2K22.This game mode has been one of the most sought-after features of the series for several years now. With WWE operating three distinct brands in Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, it could give players an outlet for fantasy booking WWE programming. This mode hasn’t been seen since the WWE games were branded asSmackDown vs, Rawand a large portion of the fanbase would like to see it come back. With Visual Concepts looking to address the issues of the lastWWE 2Kgame, fans are hoping that the developer will consider bringing back this old favorite.
The Sports Entertainment Aspect
Except for a few entries, theWWE 2Kseries of games has been reasonably well-received by critics. Some have called out the games for playing it safe and not bringing much new to the table with each new release. While most fans and critics have responded well to the in-ring mechanics of the games, the series has so far left out certain important aspects of WWE’s brand of wrestling. This is something that could be partly addressed byVisual Concepts looking to theSmackDown vs. Rawseries.While the in-ring action is arguably going to be the most important aspect of any wrestling game, the entertainment side of the sport is also crucial to WWE’s product.
In WWE’s product, it’s common to see the action being taken out of the ring and brought to backstage locations and around the arena. This has been particularly true during the Covid-19 pandemic and the empty arenas the wrestlers have been performing in. It’s commonplace to see matches move beyond the confines of the squared circle and into the crowd and backstage, and some fans feel this should be reflected better in the games. Some of themore beloved WWE games have featured actionoutside of the ring, and this is perhaps something that Visual Concepts should look into.
TheWWE 2Kseries has featured the ability for players to fight outside of the ring, but it’s been limited. Players have been able to fight in small sections beyond the barricade, but not much further. ForWWE 2K22, Visual Concepts should add to the potential for drama by expanding the action that can take place out of the ring. WWE fans have seen arena brawls and backstage fights for years, and it could be time for these features to return.
Opening up the potential for matches to go to the back or throughout the arena could make way for interference, and the dramatic flourishes that make WWE television appealing. While it’d be difficult to recapture the magic of the likes ofWWF No Mercy,adding the potential for the soap opera-esque elements could enhance the fun and overall immersion ofWWE 2K22.
Gamers and wrestling fans are looking forward to seeing whatWWE 2K22will bring to the series. The developer has already committed to addressing past issues, but the game could benefit from adding more functionality as well. Thesought-after General Manager Modeis due a comeback in the eyes of many fans, and some more dramatic elements in line with WWE programming could not only help reinvigorate the franchise but also bring it one step closer to WWE’s output on television.
