WWE 2K16 review: Comprehensive effort at recreating the melodramatic psychology of professional wrestling

To paraphrase the advocate of the Beast Incarnate: Eat, sleep, play, repeat

Part sport, part soap-opera, professional wrestling is a sometimes bizarre and often silly representation of men or women having a good old fashioned fight. Last year’s debut effort from publisher 2K Sports at translating this showcase of muscles, adrenaline and ego was a solid attempt at bringing the technical aspect of wrestling to the forefront. What it forgot in the process was that a wrestling clinic in the world of WWE is nothing without a sufficiently enjoyable story behind it.

WWE 2K16

• Developer: Yuke’s
• Price: £49.99
• Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

WWE 2K16 thankfully manages to build on this in-ring quality present it its predecessor with the introduction of a rechargeable reversal meter and rest holds while also building its centerpiece MyCareer mode (exclusive to current-gen consoles) into a genuine long-term boon for the franchise. As your custom character progresses through their journey to becoming WWE Champion you’ll be stuck with the kind of decisions that define WWE programming: Will you be a face or a heel (good/bad guy), side with the ruling Authority or fight the powers that be, will you be a mid-card jobber or a 10-time title holder?

Equally impressive is the 2K Showcase mode that focuses on WWE’s most famous wrestler (aside from that other guy who turned out to be a bit racist) Stone Cold Steve Austin, where the singular focus allows for a detailed representation of the Rattlesnake’s historied career.

The overall generosity of content is also a welcome change after the dearth of match types and customisation options in 2K15. Creation suites like create-a-diva, create-a-championship and tornado tag and handicap matches all return after their inexplicable absence last year, while an expanded WWE Universe mode and a roster of over 120 wrestlers make this a comprehensive package for squared-circle aficionados.

While the omission of several notable rising female prospects, niggling hit detection issues and a woefully disinterested commentary team keep WWE 2K16 from being instant Hall of Fame material, this is a comprehensive sophomore effort from 2K Sports at recreating the in-ring action and melodramatic psychology of professional wrestling. To paraphrase the advocate of the Beast Incarnate: Eat, sleep, play, repeat.