After the release of WWE 2K20, it is clear that WWE games have seen better days. Ever since the IP was shifted from THQ to 2K Sports, the series has not evolved as much as it probably should have. It has now passed a whole generation of consoles, and WWE games are still very similar to what they were in the PS3/360 era. The series has seen a large number of features removed compared to new additions, which are not much.
Knowing the plethora of issues, 2K has finally decided to take a break and work on building a price-worthy WWE game. But what are some of these features that they can potentially implement to make the series better?
10 General Manager Mode
Let’s address the elephant in the room, which is the general manager mode. It is the most wanted feature, with fans continually asking about it every time a new WWE game is announced. The upcoming game has to address this and bring in a GM Mode that people deserve.
What that means is building a mode that contains all the features from the original GM Mode and adding a flare of next-generation into it. The PS5 and Xbox Series X will allow much better specs to help make this feature a lot more creative than it was before.
9 Realistic Blood, Skin Bruises And Sweat
Now, this is one sector where the WWE games have genuinely improved. Since the 2K15 release of the game, graphics have grown continuously in the series. But even with all that, there is one major feature missing. For a game that is entirely based on sports combat, it is essential to selling the effect of the fight to its fullest.
And that can only be achieved by creating a sweat and bruise system that feels realistic. On top, despite WWE programming not showcasing blood, a game could be a perfect platform to bring back this feature, as it also helps sell the intensity of a fight.
8 Cinematic Match Types
Cinematic matches have been the catalyst of entertainment in WWE for the past few months. Events like The Boneyard Match and Firefly Funhouse have received critical acclaim. That is why it becomes essential to add these gimmick matches into the game, with the cinematic feel intact.
This feature can be a highlight for the series’ entry into the next-generation. Something that can make this even better is the ability to create cinematic matches. That would allow gamers to create their unique games and share with the world. (Artwork by Toonacious)
7 Custom Music
In the WWE 2K series, there are a couple of ways to bring the custom superstars to life. Features like custom images and editable facepaint are excellent ways to do that. But one major missing feature is the ability to add custom music.
This feature was an essential add-on in WWE ‘13, as it allowed gamers to create a star and use a custom soundtrack from the PS3/360 as their theme music. Sadly, it never saw the light of day in the 2K series. With the upcoming WWE 2K game, this should be one of the best features to implement.
6 Non-Cloud Image Upload
The ability to use face and texture images to mod in-game superstars is a very incredible feat in itself. But the current implementation of the feature is unfinished in some respects. In the previous 2K games, players have to upload the images onto the website for them to show up in their game.
This feature is flawed as once the servers shut down for the previous entry, owners of the game can not upload the images. That is why it’s crucial also to build a local upload feature so that players can enjoy the full game even after years of its release.
5 Overhauled Normal & Finishing Moves Creation
One new feature to add is the ability to create normal moves and finishing moves. This was a critical feature in the old THQ games but was never adequately reinvented for 2K. With the additional horsepower of next-generation consoles, it should be possible to build a feature that allows players to create their own moves.
On top, to make it even better, realistic ragdoll physics should be implemented into this feature. This will bring up a whole new world of custom creation to the WWE games.
4 Free Roam Arena
The classic WWE Here Comes The Pain was the last WWE game to utilize this feature. It allowed players to not only take the match from an arena into the backstage area but also let them interact with objects. Fans around the world very much loved this feature, and it was truly great for its time.
2K Sports has implemented the backstage brawl into the series, but it is not even close to the classics. An updated and highly interactable backstage area will bring more immersion into the game. 2K should leverage the fact that it is a game to create something incredibly fun, even if it’s not realistic.
3 Different Storylines and Paths
One fantastic way to make the next WWE 2K game better than ever is the single-player story mode. It is high time to build a new gameplay experience in the form of a new story system. This feature can be RPG like, with every decision, loss, and win impacting the shape of the whole storyline for the player.
The multiple paths will bring a new way of playing the story mode and will encourage players to go for multiple playthroughs. A Nemesis system in this feature will also help build the immersion, with AI-driven superstars seeking revenge for player’s actions.
2 Better Crowd Reactions & Commentary
This is probably another most talked about feature for the upcoming game. Better commentary and better crowd reactions. Firstly, the commentary is a vital part of a match. It builds tension, relays necessary information, and mostly sells the whole fight.
Secondly, the crowd reactions are essential for the entire experience. Looping chants won’t suffice. A combination of two has to be perfect to portray every fight’s intensity. Overhauling these features should be a significant priority for 2K Sports, especially since their commentary in the NBA 2K series is so great.
1 Monthly Updated Roster
One significant factor that turns off a lot of gamers is the outdated roster. Since WWE 2K is a sports-oriented game, it is imperative to keep the superstars and teams in-game up to date. Even if it means to change their overall score and stats based on the programming.
2K Sports can spice up the whole franchise by providing monthly updates for the lifetime of the game. As players will see new content and updated superstars every time, they come back to the game. This will also help keep the game completely fresh for players until the next release.
NEXT: Playstation 5: 5 PS4 Problems It Needs To Fix (& 5 Things It Needs To Keep)
