WWE 2K23

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,979 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
WWE 2K23 Game Cover
WWE 2K23 is without a doubt the best the series has been in years, with solid gameplay and tons of fantastic modes to enjoy.
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WWE 2K23 is Even Stronger with expanded features, gorgeous graphics and a deep roster of WWE Superstars and Legends. 2K Showcase returns as an interactive sports documentary focusing on the 20-year career of John Cena and WarGames is finally here!

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,979 reviews
story69 positive mentions
stability87 negative mentions
  • story241 mentions

    The game's story aspect has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the "MyRise" mode for its engaging narratives and branching paths, particularly highlighting the female storyline as superior. However, criticisms include repetitive objectives, lack of depth in the overall storytelling, and technical issues that hinder progress. While some players find the storylines entertaining and nostalgic, others feel they fall short of expectations, often describing them as linear or uninspired.

    • “With a robust roster of 246 superstars and engaging storylines in MyRise, this installment combines nostalgia with innovation, making it a must-play for wrestling fans.”
    • “The storytelling in this mode is immersive, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you invested.”
    • “MyRise has two incredible storylines to partake in and they are quite replayable.”
    • “The game's career mode also lacks depth and replay value, with repetitive objectives and limited storytelling options that fail to engage players in meaningful ways.”
    • “The actual story is weak and the side stories are less interesting than food labels.”
    • “The story in MyRise was horrible.”
  • gameplay220 mentions

    The gameplay in WWE 2K23 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its improved mechanics, fluid controls, and engaging match types, including the new Wargames mode. However, some players have noted persistent issues such as bugs, sluggish character movement, and a lack of significant innovation compared to previous installments. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable wrestling action and a solid roster, it still has room for refinement, particularly in online play and gameplay balance.

    • “WWE 2K23 offers a mix of solid gameplay and engaging wrestling action, capturing the essence of the WWE world effectively.”
    • “With improved gameplay mechanics, enhanced visuals, and a wealth of content, this installment proves to be a solid addition to the series.”
    • “The gameplay and combat is the best the franchise has seen for over a decade, the customization suite offers near endless possibilities, and the community content portal is incredible.”
    • “The mechanics are terrible, the player movement speed is sluggish and it feels like your character is drunk after less than a minute into a match. You have to remember a bunch of combos like a street fighter game, and it's quite simply a disasterpiece of a game that wishes it was a Smackdown vs Raw title.”
    • “Gameplay-wise it feels a bit odd. The matches flow terribly and the jankiness of the gameplay can be rage-inducing. You can't really have a realistic match in this game because of how janky the gameplay is.”
    • “Worst game ever, terrible mechanics... POS game, don't buy.”
  • graphics176 mentions

    The graphics in WWE 2K23 have received widespread praise for their impressive quality and realism, with many players noting significant improvements over previous installments. While some users experienced technical issues and frame rate drops, the overall visual presentation, including character models and arena details, is considered a standout feature of the game. However, a few critiques mention that despite the enhancements, the graphics may not fully meet the expectations for a next-gen title.

    • “One of the standout features of WWE 2K23 is its impressive graphics and presentation.”
    • “WWE 2K23 truly impresses with its clean superstar models, graphics, and UIs, making it a treat for fans like me who always support and adore WWE games.”
    • “The graphics are impeccable!”
    • “Literally the worst game ever made, horrible mechanics, horrible graphics for a 2023 game, horrible everything.”
    • “Pathetic graphics and presentation in 2023.”
    • “I have seen better graphics in porn than whatever the developers of this game have tried to do.”
  • stability96 mentions

    The stability of WWE 2K23 has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in online multiplayer modes. While some users have noted improvements compared to previous installments, the game still suffers from crashes, graphical errors, and unresponsive controls, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall stability. Despite these issues, some players find the game enjoyable, suggesting that future patches may help address the ongoing problems.

    • “No glitches so far.”
    • “Great game with no obvious flaws, no glitches or crashes; works perfectly.”
    • “Overall bug free.”
    • “Countless number of glitches and game crashes.”
    • “Honestly; this feels like a rehash of what made WWE 2K20 unplayable - crashes, errors & glitches, oh my.”
    • “It is an absolute buggy mess, the hit and grapple detection is terrible, the My Rise mode is full of boring and annoying unskippable cutscenes that are awful, it crashes at random all the time in other modes with no explanation.”
  • music71 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the inclusion of popular tracks from artists like Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers, while others criticize the limited soundtrack and lack of customization options for entrance music. Many players express frustration over the inability to use custom music or modify existing tracks, which detracts from the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game. Overall, while the audio design is noted as well-executed, the restrictive music options have left many players disappointed.

    • “Controls are easy to use, the people are easy to use, and the music is great.”
    • “Music is unbelievable; they got 'Sad But True' by Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers, what the heck!”
    • “Really fun game, the best part is the immersion of the superstars being really accurate to their real-life counterparts, especially their theme songs playing; it's super fun.”
    • “Only thing keeping it from a 9 is the god-awful soundtrack.”
    • “There is no commentary in the matches or voiceover from Cena, just generic looping music, ruining immersion.”
    • “The stock music is garbage, uninspiring generic clown music.”
  • optimization27 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its improved performance and smooth gameplay, while others report significant issues such as bugs, crashes, and poor online multiplayer experiences. Many users noted that while the graphics have improved, performance can still suffer during high-player matches, and some have experienced frustrating technical problems that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game shows potential for optimization but still requires further improvements to address the reported issues.

    • “It's a lot better optimized, but not a lot has changed.”
    • “Amazingly optimized, so thank you for not screwing us PC players like some other major publishers.”
    • “It runs smoothly without any lags, and they clearly optimized the game as they learned from their past mistakes.”
    • “Some players have reported issues with bugs, glitches, and performance optimization, particularly in the online multiplayer modes.”
    • “If your game is that poorly optimized that my saves have corrupted twice, then you need to hire new programmers.”
    • “Unfortunately a poorly optimized game for PC.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often describing it as a "long, tedious grind" with little to no reward. Many reviewers express frustration with repetitive tasks and objectives that detract from the enjoyment of the game, leading to a loss of interest over time. While some modes offer potential for fulfillment, they are often marred by the need for extensive grinding and lack of engaging content.

    • “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “It's a grindy game, but I lost interest in it after a couple of weeks.”
    • “So there is no payoff, no reward, just grinding dumb fights over and over to get more packs to try to get the 'good' cards that are all duplicates of the same 10 wrestlers.”
    • “What should be a fun little nostalgia trip turns into a tedious pain in the ass that I would refuse to deal with if there was any other way to unlock the content behind it.”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its comedic elements in multiplayer sessions, community creations, and quirky character designs. The commentary and silly glitches add to the overall fun, making it a delightful experience for fans of wrestling and humor alike. Many find the game to be a nostalgic throwback to the funny moments of older wrestling games, enhancing its appeal.

    • “The community creations are some of the funniest things I've seen.”
    • “Just listen to the commentary, that's where the humor comes in.”
    • “I purchased this for a multiplayer session and we spent most of that laughing at how strange everyone looks.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while Myrise offers engaging and replayable storylines, the career mode and Showcase mode suffer from repetitive objectives and limited depth. The potential for modding exists but is hindered by developer restrictions, leading to low replay value by wrestling game standards. However, the MyFaction mode introduces unlockable features that could enhance long-term playability.

    • “The storylines are a lot of fun and replayable.”
    • “Very addicting and endless replayability.”
    • “Myrise has two incredible storylines to partake in and they are quite replayable.”
    • “The game's career mode also lacks depth and replay value, with repetitive objectives and limited storytelling options that fail to engage players in meaningful ways.”
    • “Replay value for this game (and 2k22 before it) is pretty low by wrestling game standards.”
    • “Showcase mode was a fun trip down memory lane through John Cena's career, although it is probably the weakest mode due to little to no replay value and some very tedious objectives.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional response to the game is largely negative, with players expressing frustration over repetitive and uninspired storylines, technical issues like corrupted save files, and lackluster gameplay mechanics. Many feel that the effort put into customization and gameplay is ultimately wasted due to these persistent problems, leading to a sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

    • “Every year the same thing happens: you put hours and hours into making custom stuff and forcing yourself through the boring story to unlock everything, only for one single file to get corrupted because you deleted it normally like you would any other file, and you lose everything.”
    • “I think they could have made the game better; I played it for some time, but it's the same old boring storyline in My Rise. I expected more.”
    • “I hate My Rise; it's so boring with all those tag matches and a dull story. My game just crashed at the end of a six-man tornado tag. Everything is better except My Rise. My faction is unnecessary, and My GM and Showcase are the only good things about this game.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized for being excessively expensive, with overpriced base game, DLC, and in-game purchases, particularly in the MyFaction mode, which relies on microtransactions for card packs. Players feel that the focus on cash grabs detracts from gameplay quality and improvements, leading to a frustrating experience marred by long loading times and unskippable cutscenes. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the game's potential.

    • “The MyFaction mode encourages microtransactions and locks gimmick updates out of other modes.”
    • “The showcase mode lacks context and is dragged down by monotonous music, while the lengthy load times in MyRise are woeful.”
    • “The MyFaction mode is also frustrating with microtransactions for card packs, which are all frankly overpriced.”
    • “Overpriced game, overpriced DLC, incredibly overpriced in-game purchases.”
    • “You would think that MyFaction was going to be improved and added a ton of new content since it's their cash grab mode like Ultimate Team in other games, but they didn't.”
    • “They seem to be more concerned with adding gimmicks and cash grabs than finding a formula for improvement and sticking to it.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    WWE 2K23 effectively captures the electrifying atmosphere of a live WWE event, featuring lively crowd reactions and dynamic commentary that enhance the excitement. However, some moments, like the silence following a finishing move, detract from the overall immersion. Despite this, the fluid movement and crisp fighting contribute to a fun and engaging atmosphere.

    • “WWE 2K23 nails the atmosphere of a WWE event, from the raucous crowd reactions to the dynamic commentary that adds to the excitement.”
    • “The movement is extremely fluid, the fighting is crisp, and the atmosphere is a lot of fun to play in.”
    • “Most attempts to recreate atmosphere fall completely flat - your final finishing move, for example, ends in silence until a few seconds later when the crowd and commentator realize you've won.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the career mode for its engaging character development, featuring a journey as a rising superstar with branching storylines that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The career mode allows players to embark on a journey as a rising superstar, complete with branching storylines and character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy WWE 2K23

Play time

53hMedian play time
74hAverage play time
22-107hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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