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  3. WWE 2K
  4. WWE 2K15

WWE 2K15 makes sports entertainment more real than ever

News
By Henry Gilbert published 20 August 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

It's the little things that really help pro wrestling go next-gen

It's the little things that really help pro wrestling go next-gen

Players have been told year after year that WWE games strive to recreate the feel of viewing a match from Wrestlemania or Raw, but the games have only gone so far in capturing the TV's interpretation of the events. Having played my first demo of WWE 2K15, I can say this entry is getting closer than ever to recreating that experience, thanks in part to some graphical improvements that make the roster look strikingly lifelike. You can see the HD detail in Randy Orton's tattoos and the dents in John Cena's head thanks to the same facial recreation tech seen in the impressive NBA 2K franchise, but WWE 2K15's upgrades aren't just skin deep.

The differences between this version and last year's can be seen in the subtle ways the wrestlers transition from one position to the next, like the little extra arm motions when Orton pushes Cena on top of the turnbuckle. The improvements are noticeable in the way the ropes respond to gravity in the PS4/Xbox One version of the game, shifting more believably under a wrestler's weight. The upgrades are particularly evident in the new Chain Wrestling system, a rock-paper-scissors style mini-game that captures the fast-paced series of grapples and headlocks at the start of most matches. The standard grapple system is faster paced as well, though it's also been simplified to a degree, taking a single button input to initiate and execute, instead of two..

As for all the side content and modes seen in previous WWE titles, 2K confirms that WWE Universe will be back, along with an expanded career mode that takes performers all the way from NXT to the Hall of Fame. Then there's the new single-player campaign that follows famous rivalries like CM Punk vs. John Cena--yes, despite an ugly exit from WWE in real life, a virtual CM Punk is still in the game. 2K seems to be saving the bigger details of its content to reveal later on (obviously before the October 28 release date), but at the moment I can say I'm cautiously optimistic by where 2K is taking the series in this new console generation.

Read on for more images of next-gen wrestling in all its glory.

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
Just look at John Cena's cheekbones to see the new-gen power on display.

Just look at John Cena's cheekbones to see the new-gen power on display.

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
Golddust is looking great these days, both in real life and in WWE 2K15.

Golddust is looking great these days, both in real life and in WWE 2K15.

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
The facial recreations go a long way in upping the variety of expressions for folks like Orton.

The facial recreations go a long way in upping the variety of expressions for folks like Orton.

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
From speaking with them, I know the developers take pride in the level of detail in Randy Orton's tattoos.

From speaking with them, I know the developers take pride in the level of detail in Randy Orton's tattoos.

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
I'm much more excited to play this match-up than see it for the four millionth time on Raw.

I'm much more excited to play this match-up than see it for the four millionth time on Raw.

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
As Michael Cole would shout: "Vintage Orton!"

As Michael Cole would shout: "Vintage Orton!"

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Speaking of Cole, he and Jerry Lawler recorded five times more commentary for this game than last year, often recording together in the hopes of getting a more natural performance.

Speaking of Cole, he and Jerry Lawler recorded five times more commentary for this game than last year, often recording together in the hopes of getting a more natural performance.

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
CATEGORIES
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Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
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Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

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