WWE 2K23 Review - The Final Verdict 

I'll just get this for a sale in a couple months, these games always get like a 30-50% price reduction in just a few months after release.

I don’t understand the group of people that want WWE games to play like Tekken

I’ll never understand why people consider No Mercy to be a fast arcade game… It was as close to simulation as we could get at the time. And the controls had way more in common with 2K14-19 than they do with 22 and 23.

In my opinion it’s the best 2k game since 2k14, not too arcade and not too realistic it’s just right, I’ve had some very good matches in my gm and am having a blast, actually feel like a kid again playing here comes the pain, haters will say it’s trash but they can’t be happy with anything. Take the bad reviews with a grain of salt, if it really looks fun to you I’d say try it out

I didn't pre-order and was thinking I'd just pick this up on Friday. It looks good and all but I may just wait for it to go on sale sooner or later.

I hope they bring back the create a finisher/ create your story and the storylines as in the SmackDown vs Raw games

I always liked the create a wrestler and made nothing but monsters. No they weren't all huge and muscled. My favourite I always seem to go to was max height, and thin as a rake. However he would also have gigantic hands, head and feet. Totally offsetting the tall lanky body. I miss those really creative systems they got rid of.

Stopped watching the review when he compared this game to No Mercy which came out 23 years ago. Cmon you can come up with a better argument than that

Paying full price for literally same game is crazy, this game will be on sale by may-June, or maybe even next month

imagine wwe 2k23 with chain wrestling mechanics ,wwe 2k19 controls no combos and blocking that would make the game enjoyable for the fans because we know how well wwe 2k19 did but it seems no one is thinking of that

I just have lost my love for gaming but these were the games back in the day that did it for me. Maybe I’m just at that time of my life. I bought 22 last year but honestly didn’t play it enough and this looks really similar. Not a bad game but not sure I can justify spending 70 dollars on it!

Create an arena is broken, but I notice none of you RU-vid creators want to talk about that.

They need to make games for affordable like before when it was only $49.99

"most of your time in my rise" Really!? I don't think so. Awful review. Never mentioned the improvements GM and Universe Modes 🤦

It's a good game if it's your first 2K game. But if you're on the fence and this doesn't interest you then hold off until maybe the next one. Perfectly playable, but not distinct enough from 2K22

I pre ordered the last game , just for it to go on sale the next month 😆 so waiting till April to get this one , no rush.

8/10 you’re welcome

I just don't understand when people complained about them keep changing the game instead of building off of the good stuff they have now since they finally listened people are complaining about it being similar to wwe 2k22 like thats the whole point you build off of what you have and change the things that wasn't wanted by the masses

The only way they'll make a good game is to stop buying them every year, considering they're basically the same each year.

I think the showcase is way better than last years, personally i feel like last years had filler matches that i didn't really care about.

1 issue is the shwocase mode they need to scrap it already & just give a season mode & be able to choose any wrestler, bring in a custom story or take storylines from previous years in the wwe & just mash them together

Same as 22

I'm fairly convinced there will never be a better wrestling game than HCTP

Why do people always want something different when the formula is good ? The developers just made it better since the foundation of last year. The modes are in better shape, the gameplay works fine and it is fun and challeging with the right silders. The roster is huge. But no, lets just complain one more time because of that or that. You can always wait for AEW maybe in 2025 with an updated roster to play. Thank you for the review.

We still can't stack tables and that sucks.

When you spear your opponent through the elimination chamber do they get up right away like in 2k22 (killing the experience) or do they actually stay down now ?? Very important question

I enjoyed 2K22 a lot..will eventually grab this game!

I'd say buy it if you haven't played 22 but if you have, then wait for a sale cause your not missing anything

i hate seeing wrestlers got snapped into a position for a move to be executed, just look so awkward. like at 5:01

It fixes a lot of flaws with 22 gm mode is gm mode again. My rise is amazing. Showcase doesn’t have bad filler matches like gran metalik vs Rey mysterio. Plus the unlockables and final boss are extremely worth playing. Gameplay is still as smooth as ever, could even say it’s smoother. Than last years War games is a step up and the easy one graphics went up slightly. Fatigue is back throughout the match you get tired and breathe heavier slowing you down. Running finishers are fixed no more running into eachother trying to do one. The community creations were specifically made to look really good this year and every creation seems legitimately in the game. They also fixed new models recently like edge and Sami. This game is better than 22 and if you want a good wwe game play it defiantly the best one since 14.

So a game that has 90% same roster, same gameplay, mediocre showcase mode and career mode wants us to spend at least $70 and gets a 8/10?

The gameplay being virtually the same as 2k22 is a deal breaker for me. I want a WRESTLING GAME, not a mediocre fighter that acts as a WWE sandbox.

2k could've just updated 22 since it's basically the same gameplay

No mention of Universe Mode the real meat for every WWE games fan and the mode with the biggest changes like choosing your pre/post match cutscenes

One if not the best wrestling game ive ever played, and ive played almost every wrestling game there is

I dunno man, playing through a bunch of matches beating John Cena sounds a lot better to me than having to play a bunch of Rey Mysterio matches while he rambles on about stuff as if the matches were actually a real fight. (not a fan of either Cena or Mysterio though)

How disappointing that some of us were expecting to get wwe 2k19 controls and chain wrestling mechanics but the game is based on the same stupid idea of combos and blocking like wwe 2k22 with the same annoying controls that no one wanted to use in the first place

which controls do you prefer in the new wwe 2k23 let's vote A wwe 2k22 controls B wwe 2k19 controls C wwe 2k20 controls

WWE 22 is fine with me im not buying a wrestling game every year gtfoh 2k

I really wish there was an option to play with either the controls from #WWE2K19 or the current ones that have been in both #WWE2K22 and now #WWE2K23

The game is literally the same with a small percentage of new Superstars, you're basically wasting AAA money for more gm features that were in the game more than 10 years ago and for a gimmick match, also the new gameplay is shit, instead on improving the 2k19 gameplay they decided to create a horrendous thing, who tf thought that guessing moves was even a good idea, and combos? Count me out, wwe games are done for me, still prefer those old but gold titles

I have all the N64 and PS2 wrestling games on my Xbox Series X 😎

Can you attack the ref in this game?

One more year without the feature I want which is add my custom tracks and videos to wrestlers entrance

Completely agree about your statements on wanting the game to feel faster paced like the classics on n64

This year I’m actually playing MyRise, GM and MyFaction but last year it was only Universal mode.

I actually love how there is no mention of WarGames in this review. At the end of the day, WarGames is just a match type, and it doesn't really highlight the GAME itself. Good review!

So it's just 2k22

Biggest reason I won't be buying this game is because they never have a feature to import your created superstars from previous years. Having to create them every year is ridiculous.

How is this being compared to No Mercy? It’s a totally different time. The game came out in 2000. It’s like comparing GTA 5 to GTA 3

Am I the only one who wants the engine from 2K15-2K20 back? 😂 I skipped these two in particular because I don’t like that they completely swapped out the mechanics

showcase mode is so repetitive cena reverses everything and kicks out even when it's supposed to be end of the match after the cutscenes

If you haven't gotten WWE 2K22, skip it and get 2K23. However, I will be getting 2K23 for updated entrances and the return of Advanced Entrances (which was a huge blow for me in WWE 2K22). I would also argue that WWE 2K has different goals from genre classics like No Mercy. If you want more of a No Mercy/Classic feel, get AEW's game. WWE 2K is just a blend of arcade/realism/simulator, so the only true factor you can compare between the old classics and WWE's current games is the fun/engagement factor. In conclusion, WWE 2K is going for an upwards trajectory now that the developers are coding it by themselves instead of relying on Yuke's back in 2K14 to 2K19.

This game disappoints me

This is exactly what I was worried about, I genuinely feel this could have just been a big update to the game we already had in 2k22.

This is why I hate when people who have platforms talk nonsense. We do not need the gameplay to be more arcadish. We need a game that has both arcade and simulation. Not everyone like arcade gameplay. I wish we could choose which gameplay style to play.

why is there a floating hat in the thumbnail?

As good as it looks it will look better in the next generation of consoles.

I always felt like I wasn't in control when playing wrestling games (PS1 era and earlier). Is it still the same or are wrestling games more responsive now?

Makes no sense. The nostalgia blindness is understandable but shows a clear bias in all of these reviews. These are simulation games. It’s designed to closely mimic live WWE programming. I’ve played so many years worth of SmackDown Vs. RAW and they are ALL buggy and laughable compared to today’s. They still have work to do; commentary still leaves much to be desired. Universe mode matters more than story mode. Graphics are great. That grappling nonsense has got to go already. Overall an improvement but not by much.

Online is broken on PC. EA Servers decide they don't like matches right in the middle of games and it's not playable in the sense of finishing online matches 98% of the time.

i enjoy it a lot better than 22… the soundtrack and the look of 22 was horrible this was a major change

If I didn't really like 22, would I like 23?

AEW Fight Forever convinced me to finally buy this game. 😢

Same game different Year.

It is not a real update. Both 2k23 and 2k22 were both disappointing.

I really don't like the new controls. They suck. I hate having to hit a combo to slam. Wish they go back to the old controls.

You should've waited 6 to 9 months to see if the game would have problems. It does start happening until late 2qtr to 3 qtr

Some of the dlcs should’ve alrdy be in the game though.

this is better than 2k22 with gm mode and showcase and design i think it may be on par if not better with 2k19 people in the comments just mad it aint svr get it through ur heads it will never be that again for a 2k game this is up there with 2k19 and 2k14

I can wait 10 months until this is on PS Plus. And there is probably gonna be a free trial next month!

Sami Zayn from behind looks like 90s Undertaker.

I don’t understand how you say you want the game to lean more towards arcade then say it’s not as good as Vpw2 or no mercy which we’re more simulation. Smack down games were Arcady.

this game gets a 8 but no mention of actual gameplay improvements, crazy

I'll definitely get it but I'll wait for a sale

Between WWE 2k23 and AEW fight forever I expect wrestling games to finally return to their glory days

So basically 70 dollars for a game update… this game doesn’t need to come out every year. Just keep updating it until a new one needs to be released.

I am here for GM mode

I laugh at the clowns who willing to pay full price for a roster update. This look exactly like last year game. 2k is pathetic for charging 70 99 or 119 usd for this recycle game. Wrestling games died when svr series ended

How do u put someone through a car window?

Imma be honest with yall, 2k19 is far better when it comes to gameplay. This shit is arcady af.

8/10 for what? It's just not a fun game. Weapons are clunky af. Table breaks like Jeff Jarretts guitar, they also don't connect properly, ladder is a joke and can't be placed ANYWHERE. Hiac is so restricted. How can they get that right and then take 1000099 steps backwards? Wargames is boring? How many times u gna do the same splash from top of cage? Oh cage matches...why can't u ram ppl into cage? Absolute borefest

I really want AEW Fight Forever to release...that looks more my style. It's a shame it keeps hitting snags before release. The WWE 2K games just feel so lifeless to me and the Showcase modes just feel like homework honestly.

This is a stupid review. Obviously, as we upgrade to newer consoles, you'd want a more realistic simulation of a professional wrestling game. If you comparing this game to WWE No Mercy and those other classic arcade games then go back to playing those. The current mechanics of the game are ok too. They annually release these games, they can't keep coming up with new mechanics every year but they can slowly improve on them as seen. Maybe a complete overhaul on the mechanics every 5 years? IDK but annually? You gotta be kidding me. Nuts lmao

Then they’ll sell all the wrestlers u want to play as a dlc smh

looks amazing for a PS3 game

I just wish we had a story mode like smack down Shut your mouth or Here comes the pain, with cutscenes like smack down vs Raw.. can you imagine a 2 year calendar storyline? If ps2 did it, why can’t PS5? They’re not trying hard enough.

Icon Edition is better than stranded edition.

They need to release one game and update it yearly cause like that they are ripping people off

Literally 2k22.5

the ring seems too conjusted

Smackdown VS RAW on PS2 & PS3 will always be the winner, these 2k games are literal trash compared to those.

I PRE-ORDERED THE DELUXE EDITION(XBOX ONE),ILL PICK IT UP 2DAY AFTER WORK...I HOPE THIS GAME IS GOOD,I DONT WANNA B LET DOWN

How do the dives still look so slow and clunky, common !

Definitely getting it at the end of the month

I miss rumbleverse

WWE2K23 looks gold

I am going to play when it's able on PlayStation plus or xbox games with gold

Got it on sale today I loved last years. Hope it improves my gm a bit and more customizable stuff

Yeah don’t talk about wargames, totally leave out the updates to universe mode, don’t talk about how much better the CAWs look. Great review