Jump to content

WWE 2K18

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WWE 2K18
A picture of Seth Rollins is seen on a red background with a splash effect behind him in mainly orange colors. The game's logo appears on the top.
Cover art featuringSeth Rollins
Developer(s)Yuke's[a]
Publisher(s)2K
SeriesWWE 2K
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
ReleaseDeluxe Edition, Cena (Nuff) Edition
  • WW:October 13, 2017
Standard Edition
  • WW:October 17, 2017
Nintendo Switch
  • WW:December 6, 2017
WrestleMania Edition
  • PAL:March 23, 2018
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player,multiplayer

WWE 2K18is aprofessional wrestlingvideo game developed byYuke'sand published by2K.It is the nineteenth instalment in theWWE game series(fifth under theWWE 2Kbanner) and a follow-up toWWE 2K17.It was released worldwide on October 17, 2017, forMicrosoft Windows,PlayStation 4,Xbox OneandNintendo Switch.With its release,WWE 2K18became the first in the series to be exclusively released oneighth generationhardware and also the first in the series to be released for PC and consoles simultaneously. ANintendo Switchversion followed on December 6, 2017, the only release of the series for the Switch and the first WWE game to be released for a Nintendo platform sinceWWE '13.[1][2][3]

Among the features 2K promoted were enhanced graphics and the return ofKurt Angleto the series as a playable character. Critical response to the game was mixed, with particular criticism levied at the Switch version and its various technical issues. A sequel,WWE 2K19,was released in October 2018.

Marketing[edit]

On May 23, 2017, 2K Sports announcedWWE 2K18would be released in 2017.[1]On June 19, 2017, 2K released a trailer, revealing thatSeth Rollinswill be featured as the game's cover star.[4]In the trailer, it features Rollins vandalizing and burning down a fictitious WWE warehouse inStamford, Connecticut,as well as showing the tagline "Be Like No One". The second trailer featuresKurt Anglevisiting the ruins of the warehouse and finding a pair of his boots among the ashes, which announced Angle as the game's pre-order.[5]The game's Deluxe Edition was also announced, giving players access to the game four days early, along with the season pass and additional in-game content.[6]On July 10, 2017, a Nintendo Switch version was also confirmed.[2]On July 27, 2K Sports announced the Collector's Edition, called the "Cena (Nuff)" edition. The collector's edition revolves aroundJohn Cena,commemorating his 15 years in the WWE, and includes a Cena action figure, a piece of the ring mat from his victory at the2017 Royal Rumble,and an autographed photo from Cena. Unlike previous years, the Collector's Edition included the game's season pass. The Collector's Edition (as well as the Deluxe Edition) has two additional playable versions of Cena (included withECW One Night Stand 2006andWrestleMania XXVIattires), as well asBatistaandRob Van Damas playable characters.[7]

On August 16, 2K andIGNannounced the first 47 playable characters, with a roster reveal special hosted byCorey Graves,Renee Young,andGoldust.[8]Two days later, 2K announced that the soundtrack for the game would be curated byThe Rockand will feature a mix of classic rock, modern rock, and hip hop.[9]On September 26, 2K announced that for the first time, the PC version of the game will release alongside its console counterparts on October 17.[10]Season pass details were unveiled on September 27, featuring the Accelerator, MyPlayer kick start, New Moves pack,NXTGeneration pack, and the Enduring Icons pack.[11]The NXT Generation pack was released on November 21, 2017, while the pre-order and deluxe edition bonus content was available as a separate purchase a week earlier. The New Moves pack was released on December 12, 2017, and the Enduring Icons pack was released on January 16, 2018. On March 23, 2018, aWrestleMania-themed edition ofWWE 2K18was released internationally, which contained all of the characters and downloadable content in addition to exclusive items prior toWrestleMania 34.

Roster[edit]

On June 29, 2017, it was announced thatKurt Anglewould be the pre-order bonus character forWWE 2K18,making his first WWE video game appearance sinceWWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007.[12]For the third installment in a row, the roster is the largest included in the series with over 200 WWE superstars from the roster.[13]As part of aproduct placementdeal withKFC,WWE 2K18hasColonel Sandersas a playable character, accessible through the attire templates in the Create-A-Wrestler feature.[14]

Gameplay[edit]

Similar to its predecessors,WWE 2K18is aprofessional wrestlinggame and for the first time sinceWWF SmackDown! Just Bring It,eight wrestlers are able to be in a match at once, instead of six (the Nintendo Switch version only supports six wrestlers in the ring, due to design considerations).[13]TheRoyal Rumblematch has been retooled, with new mechanics, finishers and elimination sequences.[13]A carry system was introduced (which is similar to the Ultimate Control Grapple system introduced inWWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007), allowing players to pick up or drag their opponent and place them in a specific spot.[13]Thousands of new moves and animations have been added to the game.[15]

Game modes[edit]

Improvements have been made to the creation suite, such as new superstar parts and materials. One such material is a glow effect, which gives players the ability to make hair, clothing, and logos on their created superstars glow.[16]Other new creation suite features include an enhanced highlight system, however the free-roaming camera has been removed when the highlight reel is being used mid-match. Crowd area templates can also be selected in Create-An-Arena, allowing players to select five different templates that have different weapons and objects to use.[17]The Create-A-Match feature, last seen in the 7th-gen version ofWWE 2K17(WWE 2K15for 8th-gen players), has returned. New to the feature includes the ability to create your own custom matches and save them for use in exhibition mode, Universe, and Online through Private matches.[13]MyCareer now allows backstage free roaming (Last seen inWWE SmackDown vs Raw 2011's Road to WrestleMania mode), with wrestlers creating alliances and enemies, and fighting styles are introduced in the MyCareer mode, letting players choose between eight different fighting styles, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.[13]However mixed gender tag-team matches are not featured in the game and cannot be created using Create-a-Match.

The new "Road To Glory" mode enables players to use their MyPlayer characters to qualify and compete in events, similar to the one found inWWE SuperCard.[13]This mode replaces the 2K Tonight online mode fromWWE 2K17.

Universe mode has been improved with a new story system, alongside new cut-scenes, power-rankings, and a goal system.[13]

Commentary and graphics[edit]

WWE 2K18features a new commentary team ofMonday Night Raw'sMichael Cole,SmackDown Live'sByron Saxton,and dual branded commentatorCorey Graves.Crowd sound is also improved and features authentic crowd chants for entrances and during a match.

Reception[edit]

WWE 2K18received "mixed or average" reviews, according toreview aggregatorMetacritic.The Nintendo Switch version, however, received "generally unfavourable" reviews. It was heavily criticized for its inevitable glitches, with montages of them posted on YouTube. The technical issues were more severe on the Switch version.[18][19][20][21]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Additional work byVisual Concepts;Blind Squirrel Gamesco-developed the Nintendo Switch version.

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"WWE 2K18 Announced, Grand Theft Auto V Hits 80 Million".PlayStation LifeStyle.May 23, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2017.RetrievedAugust 24,2017.
  2. ^abKnezevic, Kevin (July 10, 2017)."Nintendo Switch Version Of WWE 2K18 Announced".Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2022.RetrievedAugust 24,2017.
  3. ^2K18, WWE (June 19, 2017)."#WWE2K18 will not be released on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360".Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2022.RetrievedAugust 24,2017.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^WWE 2K (June 19, 2017)."WWE 2K18 Seth Rollins Cover Reveal".Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2017.RetrievedAugust 4,2017– via YouTube.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^"Watch Kurt Angle's official WWE 2K18 trailer that premiered during Raw".Archivedfrom the original on December 10, 2017.RetrievedAugust 4,2017.
  6. ^Pereira, Chris (June 20, 2017)."WWE 2K18 Release Date, Cover Star, And Special Editions Revealed".Archivedfrom the original on June 20, 2017.RetrievedAugust 24,2017.
  7. ^Fillari, Alessandro (July 27, 2016)."John Cena-Themed WWE 2K18 Collector's Edition Revealed".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on July 28, 2017.RetrievedJuly 29,2017.
  8. ^Skrebels, Joe (August 16, 2017)."WWE 2K18 Roster Reveal: First 47 Playable Superstars Announced".Archivedfrom the original on August 26, 2017.RetrievedAugust 24,2017.
  9. ^Mazique, Brian."'WWE 2K18' Soundtrack Announced And Curated By Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson ".Forbes.Archivedfrom the original on August 29, 2021.RetrievedAugust 24,2017.
  10. ^Makuch, Eddie (September 26, 2017)."WWE 2K18 PC Release Date Announced".Archivedfrom the original on September 7, 2022.RetrievedOctober 23,2017.
  11. ^Knezevic, Kevin (September 27, 2017)."WWE 2K18 Season Pass And DLC Detailed".Archivedfrom the original on April 11, 2022.RetrievedOctober 23,2017.
  12. ^Elfring, Mat (June 29, 2016)."WWE 2K18 Features Kurt Angle As Pre-Order Bonus".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2017.RetrievedJune 30,2017.
  13. ^abcdefgh"WWE 2K – WWE 2K18 Features Revealed".wwe.2k.com.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2017.RetrievedAugust 4,2017.
  14. ^"WWE 2K18 scores the secret recipe for KFC's Colonel Sanders as a playable wrestler – GamesBeat".venturebeat.com.October 9, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2018.RetrievedOctober 23,2017.
  15. ^Badwool, Andy (October 24, 2017)."WWE 2K18: All NEW Moves and Finishers! - Full List – WWE 2K18 Guides – Guides & Walkthroughs".Archivedfrom the original on January 22, 2022.RetrievedNovember 12,2017.
  16. ^"'WWE 2K18' News: Additional Creation Elements Highlighted in New Video ".www.christianpost.com.September 26, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2017.RetrievedNovember 12,2017.
  17. ^"Arena Creation – WWE 2K18 Wiki Guide – IGN".IGN.
  18. ^ab"WWE 2K18 for Switch Reviews".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2020.RetrievedMay 5,2019.
  19. ^ab"WWE 2K18 for PC Reviews".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2019.RetrievedMay 5,2019.
  20. ^ab"WWE 2K18 for PlayStation 4 Reviews".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on November 11, 2020.RetrievedMay 5,2019.
  21. ^ab"WWE 2K18 for Xbox One Reviews".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2020.RetrievedMay 5,2019.
  22. ^Valdez, Nick (October 20, 2017)."Review: WWE 2K18".Destructoid.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2017.RetrievedOctober 20,2017.
  23. ^Reeves, Ben (November 18, 2017)."WWE 2K18 – Making Incremental Gains".Game Informer.Archivedfrom the original on November 23, 2017.RetrievedNovember 18,2017.
  24. ^Wakeling, Richard (October 19, 2017)."WWE 2K18 Review".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2017.RetrievedOctober 19,2017.
  25. ^Wilson, Ben (October 23, 2017)."WWE 2K18 review: You'll play it relentlessly, but bugs hold it back from five star status".GamesRadar+.Archivedfrom the original on October 23, 2017.RetrievedOctober 23,2017.
  26. ^Saltzman, Mitchell (October 17, 2017)."WWE 2K18 Review".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2022.RetrievedMay 5,2019.
  27. ^Saltzman, Mitchell (December 8, 2017)."WWE 2K18 for Switch Review".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on December 9, 2017.RetrievedDecember 8,2017.
  28. ^Reseigh-Lincoln, Dom (December 11, 2017)."WWE 2K18 Review (Switch)".NintendoLife.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2017.RetrievedDecember 11,2017.
  29. ^Koopman, Daan (December 10, 2017)."WWE 2k18 Review".Nintendo World Report.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2017.RetrievedDecember 10,2017.