Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 59
  2. Negative: 0 out of 59
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  1. Instead of bringing a huge innovation to the series with WWE 2K23, 2K preferred to present what it has by polishing and improving it.
  2. Apr 7, 2023
    70
    WWE 2K23 is an average game that does not show much improvement from the previous entry of the franchise. It is pretty fun and the fans will enjoy it, because it has a huge roster and many different ways to play with the same atmosphere of the WWE events. But it could have a better gameplay, improved visuals on the career mode and a MyTeam mode with better features.
  3. Mar 30, 2023
    70
    WWE 2K23 continues on a safe and secure path after the revival of the series last year, building on the new system introduced by the previous game with only a few minor changes. The John Cena Showcase and the very different MyRise story are the best parts of the package, and everything else is business as usual.
  4. Mar 24, 2023
    70
    Despite some performance issues that are difficult to ignore, WWE 2K23 builds upon WWE 2K22, further cementing a return to form for the series with fun gameplay, an excellent My Showcase, and an enjoyable online experience for all.
  5. Mar 22, 2023
    70
    You can dig deeper and appreciate mechanics and ratings all you like, but for the first time in years I can boot this baby up with my friends and feel like a kid again. John Cena is all over this thing too, subverting his once polarising fan reputation to cement himself as the wrestling icon he is and always will be. The Champ is Here.
  6. 70
    WWE 2K23 doesn't move the needle much from last year but it does at least stay the course. With a massive roster of talent and a wealth of modes, fans should be happy enough. The presentation remains top notch with Showcase and MyRise being enjoyable modes to plough through. Problems do persist with pacing and multi-person scraps can descend into chaos. Compared to other fighting games, it's a clunky experience but, within the realm of wrestling games, this is an acceptable step forward.
  7. Mar 15, 2023
    70
    WWE 2K23 is another successful chapter in the wrestling series' comeback story, but the red flags of annualization are starting to appear already.
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 109
  2. Negative: 26 out of 109
  1. Mar 15, 2023
    0
    Why is 2K so lazy?!? They have no problems subtracting superstars that left the company a few months ago, but they can't change the gimmicksWhy is 2K so lazy?!? They have no problems subtracting superstars that left the company a few months ago, but they can't change the gimmicks and storylines to be more current. Nothing carries over to this game from 2022, so get ready to make your characters and collect card sets ALL over again. This game totally feels like a patch to the last game, and they are charging insane prices again. If you have 2022 already, don't bother! It's a shame it's not on game pass, because it is NOT worth full price by any means. Full Review »
  2. Mar 15, 2023
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. nice graphics and all but these are basic things that shouldn’t be really used as an uplift for the rating, so many basic things in the wrestling world that can easily be implemented in the game are just not, don’t know whether the devs are just lazy or lack common sense but it’s pretty disappointing for fans to have to drop 60+ for this mediocrity. Full Review »
  3. Mar 19, 2023
    4
    The John Cena Showcase in this game is much better than last year's showcase. Unlike Rey Mysterio's showcase, they didn't waste spots onThe John Cena Showcase in this game is much better than last year's showcase. Unlike Rey Mysterio's showcase, they didn't waste spots on mid-tier and no-name wrestlers. The commentary is very dynamic. Aside a few new improvements and additions, this game is about the same as the last for $70. That is too expensive. The developers were too lazy and greedy for more improvements. Let me wrestle in more backstage areas, outside the arena or something. While the customization remains biblical, the stage creator has some glitches. WWE had a 50 man Royal Rumble match in real life, but I can't even do that in a video game.

    The ratings in this game are once again incredibly stupid. Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair have higher ratings than Hulk Hogan. I'm sick to death of these garbage feminist ratings. Well let me tell you something brother, I heard that Becky Lynch was in the main event of the lowest-viewed third hour Raw in history. You can't just have someone of that caliber get a rating higher than a legend who was in the most viewed WWE episode in history. I don't care if you can edit the ratings, I do not like to have my intelligence insulted by some feminist developers who are desperately trying to make these newer wrestlers relevant by inflating their ratings. Jesus Christ are the WWE so obsessed with Roman Reigns, but surprisingly he isn't the highest rated wrestler. It is a John Cena skin that has the highest rating, and it is a stroke of genius. WWE needs to make that a Fortnite skin.

    The new pin system improves the online multiplayer experience, but it's about the same as the last game. For goodness sake, why are unskippable cutscenes still a thing in 2023? Enough already. I can't skip the cringeworthy cutscenes in MyRise. I don't want to watch a stupid movie about wrestling. I just want to punch wrestlers. Even with unskippable cutscenes, there's too many loading screens. I can only skip the dialogue cutscenes, which have horrible lip syncing. I only recommend this game until it is $15-20. This is not worth the outrageous price of $70.
    Full Review »