WWE 2K17 turns every chokeslam into a story

WWE 2K17 combines narrative and fighting elements in a wrestling game that more closely resembles the action of a WWE match than any other on the market. You can play a variety of different types of match, from multi-wrestler slugfests to backstage brawls, creating your own character or playing as a WWE star. The game’s MyCareer mode sees you steering your character through the ups and downs of a wrestling career, hoping not only to win matches but to win over the crowd.

Refinements on a successful model

Gameplay in WWE 2K17 improves on the foundations of previous games. The most significant change is the new star rating that appears during matches; you need to earn the crowd’s excitement by keeping the fight tense and varied, rather than just spamming your best attack over and over until you pin. Other new features include a ringside role for managers and the ability to cut promos using a Telltale-like dialogue menu. If you enjoyed the Showcase content in 2K16, you’ll be disappointed, as there’s much less historical material here.

A must have for smarks

In wrestling parlance, a “smark” — a “smart mark” — is a fan who knows the ins and outs of wrestling’s behind-the-scenes world and still loves to watch a good match. If that’s you, you’ll definitely enjoy the blend of fighting and theater in WWE 2K17.