WWE 2K17

The story mode of WWE 2K17 received mixed praise, with some reviewers acknowledging its attempt to innovate through mechanics like My Career Mode and Universe Mode. Critics such as GameGrin and Hobby Consolas highlighted the inclusion of character development, promos, and the role of Paul Heyman as a manager, which added depth to player progression. GamesRadar+ noted that Universe Mode allowed for creative customization of feuds and rivalries, offering flexibility for fans to craft their own narratives. Additionally, XGN and Multiplayer.it praised the Career mode’s focus on building a wrestler’s identity through interviews, crowd interactions, and skill progression, even if it lacked a traditional plot. These elements showcased an effort to blend gameplay with storytelling, albeit in a non-traditional format. However, the majority of critics criticized WWE 2K17 for its underdeveloped narrative structure and lack of cohesive storytelling. Critical Hit and Eurogamer Italy pointed out that My Career Mode felt disconnected, with minimal rivalries or historical context, leading to a monotonous experience. God is a Geek and TheSixthAxis emphasized the absence of meaningful character development, noting that matches and decisions often felt arbitrary, with no real consequences for player actions. The reliance on text-based dialogue over voice acting, as highlighted by Eurogamer Italy and JeuxActu, further diminished immersion. Additionally, SpazioGames and Wccftech criticized the lack of a Showcase mode featuring iconic figures like Brock Lesnar, which many expected as a narrative highlight, while Multiplayer.it noted that the story elements were insufficient for newcomers. These issues collectively undermined the game’s storytelling potential. Overall, critics agreed that WWE 2K17 prioritized gameplay mechanics over narrative depth, resulting in a mixed reception. While My Career Mode and Universe Mode offered some creative tools, their execution fell short of delivering a compelling story. The absence of a traditional Showcase mode and the underdeveloped plotlines in Career Mode were recurring complaints, as noted by SpazioGames, Wccftech, and Critical Hit. However, some reviewers acknowledged that the game’s focus on player agency and customization provided a unique experience for wrestling fans. Despite these positives, the consensus was that WWE 2K17 failed to fully capitalize on its potential as a story-driven title, leaving many disappointed by its lack of narrative cohesion and emotional engagement.

The gameplay of WWE 2K17 received praise for its refined mechanics, strategic depth, and expanded customization options. Critics like CGMagazine highlighted the improved My Career Mode, which emphasized character development through gimmick-building, promo interactions, and crowd engagement, offering a more immersive narrative experience. Forbes and GamesRadar+ commended the enhanced reversal system, stamina management, and diverse match types such as ladder matches and triple threats, noting that these additions added tactical layers to in-ring action. Trusted Reviews and We Got This Covered praised the game’s realism, with features like the "roll out" mechanic and improved AI reactions making matches feel more dynamic and authentic. Additionally, GameCrate and XGN acknowledged the complexity of mechanics like targeting systems and multi-man match strategies, which catered to fans seeking a balance between arcade-style fun and simulation depth. However, several critics pointed out significant flaws that detracted from the experience. Critical Hit and Hardcore Gamer criticized the gameplay for feeling outdated, with slower combat pacing and repetitive mechanics that made matches feel tedious, especially in My Career Mode. Issues like input lag, inconsistent physics, and clunky move flows were frequently mentioned, with Everyeye.it and Multiplayer.it noting technical shortcomings that disrupted fluidity. IBTimes UK and JeuxActu highlighted the frustration of over-reliance on QTE-like reversal mechanics, while Worth Playing and PlaySense criticized AI glitches and unbalanced difficulty curves. Online play also faced challenges, with GameGrin and Xbox Achievements pointing to netcoding issues and a lack of innovation in core systems despite minor refinements. Overall, the consensus among critics was that WWE 2K17 represented a solid evolution of the franchise but fell short of revolutionary changes. While CGMagazine, Forbes, and Trusted Reviews celebrated its improved mechanics and authenticity, others like Critical Hit and Hardcore Gamer felt it lacked the innovation needed to stand out. The game’s strengths in customization, match variety, and strategic depth were often overshadowed by technical issues and repetitive gameplay elements. Despite mixed reactions, many acknowledged that WWE 2K17 remained a strong entry for wrestling fans, though its flaws—particularly in online play and AI responsiveness—left room for improvement. The divide between praise for its depth and criticism of its execution reflects a game that, while polished, struggled to fully capitalize on its potential.

The graphics and visual design of WWE 2K17 received mixed praise, with several critics highlighting notable improvements in certain areas. Forbes lauded the game’s "highly detailed" character models, realistic hair physics, and accurate clothing textures, while GamesRadar+ praised the attention to arena details, such as TV-aping camera angles and immersive backstage environments like the Authority office. Critical Hit noted that the visuals were "uncannily accurate," and GameGrin emphasized lifelike entrances and animations, particularly for wrestlers like Finn Balor. Additionally, Everyeye.it and XGN acknowledged the game’s effort to capture WWE’s atmosphere through detailed wrestler designs and stadium settings, suggesting that some aspects of the visual presentation were commendable despite broader issues. However, the negatives were equally prominent, with many critics pointing out significant flaws that undermined the experience. CGMagazine criticized unconvincing character models, hair clipping through bodies, and robotic-looking audiences, calling these "significant" detractors. Eurogamer Italy and JeuxActu noted graphical glitches, particularly in crowd animations and textures, while God is a Geek and TheSixthAxis described the visuals as "dated," citing poor crowd details, unrealistic physics (e.g., small wrestlers lifting giants), and unrecognizable character models like Dana Brooke. Wccftech and PlayStation LifeStyle highlighted inconsistent character modeling, with some wrestlers appearing poorly rendered despite others like John Cena looking lifelike. These issues created a jarring visual disparity that many felt detracted from the game’s overall polish. The overall consensus among critics was that while WWE 2K17 showed incremental improvements in areas like stadium design and animations, its graphics fell short of expectations, particularly when compared to modern sports titles. Positives such as detailed character models (Forbes) and immersive environments (GamesRadar+) were overshadowed by persistent issues like stiff animations (Everyeye.it), outdated visuals (Hardcore Gamer), and inconsistent character rendering (Wccftech). Critics like TheSixthAxis and JeuxActu emphasized that the game’s visual shortcomings, including "lifeless crowds" and "unrealistic physics," made it feel underwhelming despite efforts to capture WWE’s atmosphere. Ultimately, while some aspects of the graphics were praised, the majority viewed them as a notable weakness that hindered the experience.

The Sound Design and Music of WWE 2K17 received praise for its vibrant and varied soundtrack, which many critics highlighted as a standout feature. CGMagazine commended the "robust and varied" audio backdrop, while Eurogamer Italy noted Puff Daddy’s involvement in creating a "praised" soundtrack. GameGrin emphasized that wrestler entrance themes were "more impactful," and GamesRadar+ celebrated customizable entrance themes and in-game audio editing tools, allowing players to splice tracks and modify show intros. Hardcore Gamer praised the "impressive library of entrance songs" and an "accurate WWE-themed audio experience," while SpazioGames highlighted the atmosphere created by cheers, specific songs, and crowd energy. These elements collectively showcased a strong musical foundation that enhanced immersion for many players. However, the criticism centered heavily on the commentary and technical shortcomings in sound implementation. Multiple reviewers, including CGMagazine, Forbes, and God is a Geek, lambasted the outdated and repetitive lines from commentators like JBL, Michael Cole, and Jerry Lawler, with some describing JBL’s voice as "like he has strep throat" or the commentary as "lifeless and unengaging." Eurogamer Italy and Everyeye.it noted that play-by-play commentary lacked energy and was "uninspired," while GameCrate pointed to low-quality in-match audio and technical issues like long load times. The absence of custom music features for created wrestlers (Gaming Age) and generic, repetitive dialogue (Hobby Consolas) further detracted from the experience. Additionally, XGN criticized the soundtrack as "chaotic and inconsistent," while Vgames highlighted disjointed sound effects that undermined immersion despite the music’s strengths. Overall, critics acknowledged that WWE 2K17’s Sound Design and Music had notable positives but were significantly hindered by recurring flaws in commentary and technical execution. While the soundtrack and entrance themes were frequently praised for their variety and atmosphere—particularly by GameGrin, GamesRadar+, and Hardcore Gamer—the repetitive, poorly produced commentary and lack of voice acting (as noted by Forbes, Digitally Downloaded, and God is a Geek) overshadowed these strengths. The mixed reception reflects a game that excelled in musical creativity but struggled with consistency in its audio implementation, leaving players divided between appreciation for the soundtrack’s energy and frustration with its technical shortcomings. Despite these issues, the game’s audio elements remained a key part of its identity, even if they fell short of expectations in critical areas.

The voice acting in WWE 2K17 received some commendation, particularly for its commentary and specific character performances. MondoXbox highlighted Paul Heyman’s commentary as a standout feature, praising its immersive and effective narration that enhanced the WWE atmosphere. Similarly, We Got This Covered noted that Michael Cole and The King’s commentary added to the game’s immersion, while Vgames appreciated the commentators’ varied lines that avoided repetition, contributing to authenticity. These elements suggest that when executed well, the voice acting could elevate the experience, particularly for fans of WWE’s traditional announcer style. However, these positives were limited in scope and did not extend to broader aspects of the game’s audio design. The majority of reviews criticized the voice acting as a significant flaw, with widespread concerns about outdated content, lack of engagement, and technical shortcomings. CGMagazine condemned the commentary team for relying on “outdated jokes” and “inconsistent voice quality,” while Cheat Code Central and Eurogamer Italy lamented the shift to text-based promos, calling it a step back from previous titles. GameCrate and God is a Geek criticized the absence of vocal lines in character dialogues, noting that silent gestures undermined the RPG-style persona development. Additionally, Hobby Consolas and IBTimes UK highlighted issues with language localization, such as the lack of Spanish voices for key figures and outdated terminology like “Divas.” Technical issues, including misaligned lip-sync and repetitive commentary, were also frequently mentioned by TheSixthAxis and XGN, further detracting from immersion. Overall, the consensus among critics was that the voice acting in WWE 2K17 fell short of expectations, with only isolated praise for specific elements. While a few reviewers acknowledged moments of quality—such as Paul Heyman’s commentary or varied announcer lines—the overwhelming sentiment was one of disappointment. The reliance on text over voice work, outdated jokes, and technical flaws like poor synchronization were recurring criticisms that overshadowed any positives. This suggests that the game’s audio design failed to meet the standards set by its predecessors, leaving many fans frustrated with an experience that felt both incomplete and unengaging.

The technical performance of WWE 2K17 across platforms received mixed feedback, with some positives noted despite widespread issues. On PS4, critics like Eurogamer Italy acknowledged improved load times and smoother gameplay in certain areas, while SpazioGames highlighted minor technical advancements in online play and loading mechanics. For Xbox One, MondoXbox pointed to stable offline modes despite collision handling flaws, and for PC, Multiplayer.it noted the game’s ability to run at 4K resolution on high-end hardware, though this was tempered by optimization issues. These positives suggest that while the game had some technical refinements, they were often overshadowed by more significant problems. However, the negatives across all platforms were substantial and frequently cited. On PS4, CGMagazine and GameGrin criticized persistent glitches like animation loops, physics anomalies, and unfixable errors, while Wccftech condemned "obscenely long" load times as a major flaw. Online play faced consistent issues: Eurogamer Italy and Xbox Achievements highlighted latency and server instability, and GameCrate noted minor quirks that still detracted from the experience. For Xbox One, MondoXbox mentioned collision flaws and slow progression in Carriera mode, while PC saw severe optimization problems, with Multiplayer.it and Vgames reporting frame drops, floating players, and crashes. The game’s outdated engine and flawed netcoding were recurring complaints, particularly on PS4 (GameGrin, GamesRadar+) and PC. Overall, the consensus among critics was that WWE 2K17 suffered from significant technical shortcomings across all platforms, with PS4 bearing the brunt of criticism for its frequent glitches, long load times, and unstable online play. While some positives like improved visuals on PC (Multiplayer.it) or minor refinements on PS4 (SpazioGames) were noted, these were often overshadowed by systemic issues that impacted core gameplay. Xbox One fared slightly better in terms of stability but still faced criticism for collision and progression flaws. The game’s technical performance was widely seen as a major drawback, with many reviewers suggesting it detracted from the overall experience despite its wrestling mechanics and content.

The review of WWE 2K17’s replay value highlights several positive aspects that contribute to its longevity. Multiple critics, including CGMagazine, Forbes, and GameCrate, praise the game’s extensive content, such as My Career Mode and WWE Universe Mode, which offer deep character development, fantasy booking options, and customizable scenarios. The ability to create unique wrestling narratives through WWE Universe (noted by Eurogamer Italy and GamesRadar+) and the inclusion of over 150 characters, diverse match types, and post-launch DLC enhance its appeal. Additionally, Trusted Reviews and The Digital Fix emphasize the game’s robust customization tools, allowing players to design arenas, championships, and gameplay mechanics, which cater to fans seeking simulation depth. These elements collectively suggest that the game provides a strong foundation for repeated engagement, particularly for enthusiasts of wrestling simulation and creative play. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks that undermine its replayability. Critical Hit and Hardcore Gamer criticize My Career Mode as a "grind" with repetitive structures and lackluster content, while Gaming Age and Wccftech note the absence of a Showcase Mode and reliance on recycled content from previous titles. Technical issues, such as bugs and poor storytelling (mentioned by CGMagazine and God is a Geek), further detract from long-term appeal. Additionally, GameGrin and Vgames highlight flaws in multiplayer mechanics, including matchmaking imbalances and a steep learning curve, which may alienate casual players. While Xbox Achievements acknowledges the game’s diverse modes, they also note that repetitive offline content and the lack of new features limit sustained interest. The overall consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward acknowledging WWE 2K17’s replay value despite its flaws. Many praise its customization options, extensive roster, and multiple modes as strong positives, with Forbes and GameCrate emphasizing their role in encouraging repeated playthroughs. However, the game’s shortcomings—particularly in My Career Mode and online multiplayer—create a divide in opinions. While Eurogamer Italy and GamesRadar+ highlight the flexibility of WWE Universe as a standout feature, others like Critical Hit and Hardcore Gamer argue that these positives are overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and technical issues. Ultimately, the game’s replayability appeals more to dedicated wrestling fans willing to overlook its flaws, but it falls short of delivering a universally satisfying long-term experience.