WWE 2K14

The game base of the WWE by 2K Games offers a gameplay that continues the guidelines set by its predecessors, but it also lets us see the job well done by the company in this new installment.

With an incredible variety of things to see and do, WWE 2K14 provides dozens of hours of content that both wrestling veterans and newcomers alike will enjoy. It’s unfortunate that some of the series' previous niggles remain, but we’d like to think that these issues will be eradicated by the time that we get to grapple next year’s inevitable PlayStation 4 release.

WWE 2K14 is well worthy of a purchase from wrestling fans, the fluid gameplay along with the 30 Years Of WrestleMania give you enough content that will keep you coming back to take out your would be opponents both offline and online.

With a fantastic roster and just greater polish overall, WWE 2K14 is a great addition into the WWE video game franchise and is a must own for any wrestling fan.

The change in publishers doesn't mean any changes to the core Yuke's WWE experience. The new Wrestlemania modes should appeal to anyone who's been a wrestling fan at some point over the last 30 years.

WWE 2K14 still features some unfortunate issues, but those can be easily ignored as the 30 Years of WrestleMania mode soars past every possible expectation you may have.

Fighting with all its spirit, WWE 2K14 delivers a solid performance on the ring and the crowd will be pleased by its action. There are some technical flaws and the graphics engine looks dated, but the game shines on a pure gameplay level and the 30 Years of Wrestlemania mode is really a blast.

This isn’t Street Fighter or Soulcalibur, because it doesn’t set out to be. And it’s time series critics accepted that.

Most of the historical objectives in these matches work well from a gameplay perspective, but some feel like chores.

Awaiting the landing of the franchise on next-gen consoles, scheduled for next year, the new effort of Yuke's and Visual Concepts remains advised only to the fans of the series, while the novices can surely wait 2015.

WWE 2K14 gets a lot right and its key drawbacks are at least a little bit overshadowed in the process. There is still a whole lot of room for gameplay improvement though, something one can hope will be addressed for the next release or even in part with some patching.

Content-wise, the works of Yuke's are always great and this year the Japanese developers have outdone themselves. This games features some of the most spectacular events in WWE history.

This game's a lot of fun, with the 30 Years of Wrestlemania mode as the indisputable highlight. However, the controls aren't very precise, the camera can get quite frustrating and the visuals won't win any awards nowadays. It's good, but it could (and should) have been a lot better.

W2K14 offers up many option for players to personalize the game: design your own wrestler, move sets, entrances and a complete soapy story. The main attraction definitely is the very good 30 years of wrestling-campaign. Unfortunately the camera could be better and the lack of an actual story mode can be a downside for those who look forward to it.

Overall, the best way to play WWE 2K14 is the 30 Years of WrestleMania single-player mode on a moderate to low difficulty. This way, the opponent won’t counter you much, and you can lose yourself in the classic WWE footage and storylines.

WWE '13 was a very successful game and had something new to offer, WWE 2K14 does not.

It’s more WWE – packing a presentation which, despite being in need of a next-gen overhaul, does a fantastic job of replicating the exhilaration of real-life fights. It’ll satisfy your bodyslamming desires – just don’t expect perfection. [Christmas 2013, p78]

While the more-than-the-kitchen-sink approach to customization and content provides plenty to do, it’s clear that until the entire combat system is overhauled, gamers won’t be able to create art on the canvas.

For anyone who grew up loving professional wrestling, be prepared to be swept away in a tide of nostalgia. If only the core action could have been as compelling.

WWE 2K14 excels in terms of fan service and is generous with content, but the game at its core is severely lacking.