WWE 2K17 Early Reviews: 10 Things We Learned
4. The Gameplay Is Deeper Than Ever
WWE games used to be arcadey, quickfire affairs that favoured urgency and quick thinking over careful planning, but not any more. The days of straightforward reversals and simplistic controls and long gone, and 2K17 continues the move towards slower, simulation-based gameplay that kicked off in 2K16.
Some were turned off by 2K16’s slower pace, and they’re not going to come running back for 2K17. Timing and coordination are more important than ever, and if you don’t spend time learning from your mistakes, you’re not going to go very far in 2K17. Just like last year, this game rewards patience and repeat plays, and players can’t just go all-out from the first bell. It may work on occasion, but destroying your stamina early on will most likely lead to a quick defeat.
2K17 might be the series’ truest representation of professional wrestling yet. It might feel sludgy to start with, but 2K17 will slowly reveal its depth as you become familiar with the mechanics. After a while, your dedication will be rewarded, and subtle changes to 2K17’s physics and grappling systems make it a game worth mastering.