With the last installment in the WWE series being a complete bust, 2K decided to mix things up for wrestling fans by creating an over-the-top, action-packed arcade wrestling game. From insane interactive environments to an abundance of WWE Superstars and Legends, WWE 2K Battlegrounds isn’t the perfect wrestling game, but it sure is a lot of fun.

Game Mode and Match Types

With over 70 WWE Superstars and Legends to battle it out within the ring, WWE 2K Battlegrounds offers players a wide range of match types and game modes to play around with. Exhibition matches are the quickest and easiest way to get right into the action of WWE 2K Battlegrounds. Additionally, you can play up to four players locally or up to four players online in match variations, such as 1v1, Tag Team, Triple Threat, Fatal Four Way, Royal Rumble or the most over-the-top action-packed mode, the Steel Cage Match.

High-Flying Action

WWE 2K Battlegrounds plays best when competing against friends online, as the action is intense, and you can’t help but get rowdy as you hit your favourite superstars finishing moves and get that three count.

King of the Battleground is an exciting mode in WWE 2K Battlegrounds that should not be skipped. Players will compete online against others worldwide in a last-man-standing elimination battle. Like the Royal Rumble, the goal is to eliminate other players and survive as long as possible. The longer opponents are held off, the higher the score will be. This mode will continue to play out until everyone has been eliminated and only one surviving player stands. With minor hiccups in matchmaking and some frame rate drops in-game, King of the Battleground remains a fun online mode for players to sharpen their skills against others online.

Special Moves

The Road To Wrestling Glory

WWE 2K does offer a single-player career mode, which is depicted through a series of comic book illustrations. Although creative, the lack of actual dialogue makes this mode less memorable than the others. Players can choose from seven newly created wrestlers when starting their career in WWE 2K Battlegrounds.

The career path comprises three regions, and sadly there isn’t much to it. Players will progress through the areas unlocking various items for their created wrestlers; new arenas, power-ups and WWE Superstars. Career mode is a great way to grind out and accumulate progression points to use with your created wrestlers or use them to purchase locked WWE Superstars.

Aside from some fantastic comic book artwork, 2K could have spent a bit more time fine-tuning WWE 2K Battlegrounds career mode by adding dialogue moments or the ability to use your created superstar during this path. However, if you enjoy the grind and want to earn unlockables, this is where to do it while still offering something more than just exhibition matches.

Bolo Reynolds Career Mode

 Gameplay & Graphics

In WWE 2K Battlegrounds, the gameplay still feels clunky as with other wrestling games of the past. Although noticeable, the lag and frame rate drops don’t keep the gameplay from ruining the experience. Overall, character models and the over-the-top animations in WWE 2K Battlegrounds work well and are a fun twist on wrestling. Each Superstar looks like an outlandish cartoon character themselves, but it adds to the arcade feel of WWE 2K Battlegrounds. With various battleground areas to choose from, it adds to the arcade-style and kicks it up a notch. Players also can create their arena, which is a great addition, but they will need to unlock cosmetics to get the full creation suite.

Every Superstar in 2K Battlegrounds uses one of the five available class styles: Powerhouse, Technician, High-Flyer, Brawler and All-Rounder. Each class offers its unique combat moves, strengths and weaknesses. In addition to class styles, WWE 2K Battlegrounds introduces new offensive and defensive power-ups to assist wrestlers in the ring. Power-ups can be used once the meter is complete, with three available in-game. Power-ups vary from additional health boosts, flaming punches, or even one that lowers your opponent’s defences for a short period. Power-ups add a flair to the match and, if used correctly, can give players an edge to outperform the opponent.

Power-Up

The Curtain Call

While WWE 2K Battlegrounds offers wrestling fans an over-the-top, action-packed experience, Battlegrounds isn’t without its setbacks. An easily forgettable story mode could have provided more gameplay, commentary and a better storyline to keep gamers excited. With minor game glitches that, for the most part, go unnoticed, WWE 2K Battlegrounds does get a few things right. However, battlegrounds still offer wrestling fans a fun and exciting time through various game modes. WWE 2K Battlegrounds excels in its online and local co-op play. Battlegrounds are at their best when played with friends to enjoy fun and exciting arcade action. Every match in WWE 2K Battlegrounds is an enjoyable experience but will leave players wanting more.

2 K Games provided a review copy of WWE 2K Battlegrounds.

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