WWE 2K15: Has the long-awaited change finally arrived?

WWE 2K15’s most significant new feature is ‘2K Showcase’, a single-player story mode that is split into two distinct and individual threads. One thread sees you play through the story beats that characterised John Cena and CM Punk’s major 2011 rivalry; the other showcases the battle between Shawn Michaels and Triple-H during the former’s return period.

What 2K is trying to do here is more directly tap into the huge wealth of content the WWE has at its disposal and that is already recognisable and meaningful to its fanbase. It’s about time, to be honest, what with the story modes of WWE games past being near-universally dreadful.

The two story arcs are introduced via a lengthy video spot depicting the buildup to the conflict. These sequences have clearly been put together with assistance from WWE’s own production team, such is their quality and familiarity to what we see on TV. Said video relating to John Cena and CM Punk shows some of the highlights that led to the 2011 Money in the Bank title fight, at which point the emphasis is on you to win the match.

Within the match itself every effort has been made to replicate events as closely as possible. For instance, the event in reality was held in Punk’s hometown and, as such, the crowd cheers for him and jeers at Cena in the game. Further, the duo walk to the ring wearing the attire they wore at the time and even pause with the correct timing to take in the crowd and/or taunt each other.

It’s the kind of thing that only the most dedicated pro wrestling fan is going to pick up on, but that’s precisely who this is aimed at.

Also new to this edition is ‘My Career’, a mode taken straight from the NBA 2K franchise and implanted here – an act that makes sense given that NBA developer Visual Concepts is assisting Yuke’s with WWE production duties. Irritatingly, 2K is keeping quiet on exactly how My Career will work here – other than stating the obvious and saying that you can use your user-created wrestler/s.

What we did see were alterations to how matches begin, with a new ‘chain wrestling’ system designed to ease you more realistically into the start of the fight. In essence it’s a minigame in which you compete with your opponent to more accurately perform a series of quick-time events, the winner of the mini-event being the one to land a strike and/or gaining the upper hand in grapples.

Once this portion is complete it’s onto the meat of the match, whoever coming out on top during QTE segment given the chance to launch the first proper attack.

This being the first WWE 2K title on the new consoles, all the expected visual bells and whistles are present and correct. The quality of the crowd is far beyond what was seen in 2K14, and all of the wrestlers faces and bodies have been digitally scanned and transferred into the game… even John Cena’s ‘trademark’ veiny shoulders replicated wholesale.

2K were also very quick to promote the fact that they’ve reworked the commentary system (anchored by Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler) to tell the story of the match and the events that led up to its creation – as opposed to simply giving a play-by-play of each punch and throw.

However, from the single match we were demoed it’s difficult to hear much of an improvement. It’s true that backstory events are more frequently mentioned, but it still sounds disjointed and therefore surreal. Chalk that up to the game still being in development if you’re feeling generous.

What we’re really waiting to hear about is My Career mode, as that is likely going to be where the longevity comes from. 2K Showcase is a great idea, but once you’ve played through it and relived the story once there seems like little reason to go back and do so again.