When news about an upcoming professional wrestling game hit the grapevines last year, fans of the sport were in a frenzy. WWE 2K22 raised quite the anticipation and had most fans in a chokehold as they looked forward to experiencing an immersive and authentic WWE action. However, this excitement was soon short-lived after the game's eventual release. The game left a black mark against its name for the terrible glitches and bugs.
Thankfully, the developers returned to the drawing board and re-coded the game. This was also a good starting point for the studio's upcoming WWE 2K23 game. Aside from having smoother gameplay, WWE 2K23 has a few more neat additions, which, as a wrestling fan, you'll never know you need until you experience it. Today we take a closer look at both games and weigh which is better of the two. If you're yet to buy one of these wrestling games, consider this article as your compass. So without much future ado, here is WWE 2K22 Vs. WWE 2K23
What is WWE 2K22?
WWE 2K22 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. The game is the ninth installment of the famous WWE 2K franchise. It also serves as the twenty-second installment for video games based on WWE.
WWE 2K22 made its debut in March 2022, a year later after WWE 2K20 left a horrible taste in fans' mouths. The developer's angle was to rebuild trust with a new start, especially after the cancellation of the WWE 2K21 game. Thankfully, a year makes a whole lot of difference. The game is now a top contender in the franchise with its improved gameplay mechanics, graphics, and sound. The developer focused on making the game more accessible to players of all skill levels by introducing new modes and features.
However, that's not to say that the game was bug-free. It was, in fact, full of them. You could experience sudden server disconnection while playing or peculiar collision detection. Despite this, WWE 2K22 made a name for itself in the franchise by trimming off the fat and transforming the wrestling game into an arcade game of some sort.
What is WWE 2K23?
WWE 2K23 is the tenth and latest installment in the WWE 2K franchise, and the twenty-third overall game based on WWE. The game, released in March 2023, is a Visual Concepts brainchild. The studio is also behind other sports video games like NBA 2K games. WWE 2K23 picks up where its predecessor left, and admittedly the game is a solid successor. The shortfalls of WWE 2K22 laid the proper foundation for this game, giving it a more refined look and feel.
Although WWE 2K23's gameplay is similar to its predecessor, we can't veer off the fact that it has impeccable visuals, making it one of the standout titles in the WWE 2K franchise. Typically, visuals in the franchise are not always up to par, but WWE 2K23 sweetens the pot. The game takes the immersive experience a notch higher by featuring realistic animations and graphics. You can now make out a fighter's jaw and other facial features.
Gameplay
WWE 2K22 delivers a more refined and responsive experience, focusing on delivering smooth animations and dynamic camera angles. The game also introduces a new “Strategic Strike” system, which allows players to perform more precise strikes and grapples.
In contrast, WWE 2K23 builds upon the improvements made in the previous installment and introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as improved AI behavior, better collision detection, and enhanced physics. The game also features a unique “Road to Glory” mode, dubbed MyRise. Players can create their wrestlers and climb the ranks to become WWE champions.
Moreover, fans will relish the improved MyGM mode, which makes a return on WWE2K23. Instead of the mode going for one season, the new title includes multiple seasons. This means you have more chances to outcompete other brands and go for the pin! What's more, you'll have the opportunity to play new GMs with the option of customizing your own GM.
To top it off, WWE2K23 improves the MyFaction modes by including a multiplayer option, a grand shift from WWE2K22's single-player mode.
Graphics
Both WWE 2K22 and WWE 2K23 deliver stunning visuals and lifelike character models. However, the latter takes it a notch higher, with improved textures and more detailed character models. The new title features better lighting, shading systems, and improved facial animations. This upgrade makes the wrestlers look more realistic than ever before.
New Showcase Stars
It's custom for WWE 2K series to feature stars in the debut of every game. Last year, the spotlight was on Rey Mysterio. This year, we have John Cena as the WWE 2K23 star showcase. Having played a crucial role in WWE 2K15 after the game shed light on his rivalry with CM Punk, the latest installment takes an exclusive look into his story and wrestling career.
Moreover, in WWE 2K23, players go head-to-head against the verbose Cena. Unlike other titles where you'd take control of the showcased star, the latest installment from Visual Concepts pits you against the star.
Line up
As is the norm, every WWE game comes with a neat lineup of new characters. WWE 2K23 hits the ground running with an impressive roster of over 170 wrestling stars. This is more than what its predecessor avails to fans. Notably, most of the stars in the new title will be making a return. But Visual Concepts has something else in store for fans of the franchise. You can access the Bad Bunny as a bonus pack for players who buy the Deluxe or Icon editions.
Verdict
I'll go out on a limb here and unceremoniously declare WWE2K23 as a worthwhile contender of the two. Not because it's the latest entrant in the franchise, but because it dramatically improves on WWE 2K22. Don't get me wrong, there's no harm in picking a copy of WWE 2K22 since the issue of bugs and glitches are things of the past. However, if you want a more immersive experience with stunning displays and a fresh roster of characters, then WWE 2K23 is your best bet.
