WWE 2K15
Overview -
From the early days where a "a winner is you" on the NES' 'Pro Wrestling' to the breakout success of the N64's 'WCW/nWo Revenge' the wrestling game has been its own sub genre and for nearly two decades now fans of the sport get in a buzz each year in anticpation of the next game and year of pro wrestling. For quite sometime, Yukes had the monopoly on the WWE license with their long running 'Smackdown vs. Raw' series, until 2K Sports took over with the buzz worthy 'WWE 13.' For all the complaints of the Yukes entries growing stale, 2K managed to counter with an enhanced game engine and more importantly, a story mode built on nostalgia. 'WWE 13' featured a great recreation of the Attitude Era highlights and last year's 'WWE 14' was a trip through WrestleMania's greatest moments. With so much going in its favor, to call the PS3 version of 'WWE 15' a crushing disappointment is the understatement of the year; adding up to little more than a roster update, with slightly less than stellar graphics and numerous established features stripped out with no regard, the best aspect of the PS3 version of 'WWE 15' as a game was not being as monumentally bad as the old ECW games from nearly two decades ago. Enter the next-gen edition of the title; released a month later and promising to utilize the Xbox One and PS4 to do what the 360 and PS3 no longer could do. With a tall order to fill, are gamers burned once already willing to give it another shot?
Video Review
On a sheer eye-pleasing factor, 'WWE 2K15' is a marked step above its last-gen relatives. The improved scans really have a chance to shine on the new hardware and while not all wrestlers in the game were built off these new scans, even the updated models from years past have more of a 'wow' factor than the PS3. The physics engine has its occasional glitches, but visually, things are more a step in the realm of true realism. The game runs at a steady framerate without any noted hiccups or slowdowns and the vibrant colors are the icing on the cake that make this a notable experience.
Audio Review
Audio wise, 'WWE 2K15' is still all over the place. I've always had personal issues with sound mixes in wrestling games and this is no exception. General exhibition mode matches features a finely balanced aural experience, from entrances themes, to crowd noise and commentary, it's a great replication of a WWE event. The 2K Showcase on the other had, seems like it draws from archival footage at times, and the newly recorded commentary from Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler feels disjointed and separated from the action. Speaking of commentary, another feather in the cap for '2K15' is commentary that is far less repetitive than year's prior, but after tuning this necessary but inconsistent feature out for years, players might not notice the more natural delivery and production value. As previously mentioned, one of the key sound features of year's prior, custom soundtracks, has been removed, and frankly the generic custom music options don't even begin to come close to having free reign.
'WWE 2K15' might not be the best installment in the franchise, but for it's Xbox One debut, it's definitely a worthy entry. From the enhanced graphics to the very impressive stamina system, the series finally feels more authentic to the sport of professional wrestling. 2K Sports definitely needs to up their game next year by adding in missing features and expanding the creation suite, however for the next year, 'WWE 2K15' is going to do just fine in scratching the pro wrestling itch. If you've already been soured by the last-gen offerings, do yourself a favor and give this edition a whirl; it's the real deal and is recommended.
