The last WWE game I reviewed was 2K22, which was a solid improvement over the very flawed 2K20, notorious for its glitches and bugs. 2K24 has shown a significant improvement since 2K20 and a slight improvement over 2K22. 2K20 was so poorly received that they skipped 2K21 altogether to iron out issues that felt as deep as an elephant's wrinkles. I couldn't tell you what's new since last year's 2K23, as I didn't play it, but for me, it was exciting to see the inclusion of match types like the ambulance and casket matches, as well as the newly introduced WarGames at Survivor Series.
What do I miss, match-wise? It's hard to think of many match types that 2K24 doesn't have, but I'll give it a try! For starters, something similar to the casket match would be the Buried Alive match, made famous by Mark Calaway, The Undertaker. Another fun addition would be a Hair vs. Hair match; it'd be hilarious to see the option of shaving any wrestler's head-male or female. And yes, this is a little twisted, but I also miss the Bra and Panties match that existed before the PG-13 rating. I know it's just a game, but if I'm going to be bashing buttons and wearing down my controller, I want it to be worthwhile! The old SmackDown vs. Raw games had you mashing buttons for a purpose, whether it was in a casket or ambulance match-or even tearing clothes off another diva until your fingers couldn't take it anymore. These matches captured the spirit of the Attitude Era, which I grew up watching. How about adding a Gravy Bowl match, too?
On a more serious note, the Universe Mode and GM Mode seem similar to previous versions, but as they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Being an old-school fan, I'd say I like the Showcase Mode the best. Though it can feel a bit obnoxious to spend hours unlocking your favorite characters rather than having them available from the start, it adds a layer of challenge that's rewarding in the long run. Honestly, I admit I don't know much about today's wrestlers, yet the games keep me entertained and bring back a lot of memories. I have yet to explore creating my own character and story mode, as I didn't find it very compelling in the previous game.
The downside is the online lobbies, an issue others have also mentioned. It's frustrating to wait for people to join, only for the match to sometimes not load at all. That said, I've managed to play a few games online with local friends, and I have to say, this is one of the most fun multiplayer games out there-especially in triple threat or fatal four-way matches where your friend interrupts a pin at the last second. It really delivers on the wrestling experience.
Overall, WWE 2K24 has many positives that outweigh the negatives. If they can improve the online servers and bring back some Attitude Era energy, I have no doubt the next edition could hit a perfect score of ten.
