2K has announced the newest instalment of its long-running WWE series of games. Predictably called WWE 2K23, the new game is developed by Visual Concepts, who also developed last year’s WWE 2K22. The new game’s cover superstar will be John Cena and the game will be a celebration of his 20th anniversary as a WWE Superstar. John Cena will be featured on the cover of all three editions of the same.
WWE 2K23: Features
WWE 2K23 will see the introduction of WarGames as a new game mode. It will also see expansions to other marquee game modes. The roster will feature a mix of current superstars and legends. It includes Roman Reigns, ‘American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes, Rhonda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, and more
The new 2K Showcase will feature John Cena as its central superstar and as always, it should feature a number of key matches from his career complemented with narration from Cena himself. A new addition to Showcase will see players take on the role of Cena’s opponents to try and defeat him. The mode will also use 2K Slingshot technology to transition from gameplay to live action. We saw a glimpse of this technology with WWE 2K22’s Showcase mode that featured Rey Mysterio.
WarGames will see 3v3 and 4v4 single-player or multiplayer matches inside two side-by-side rings which are surrounded by a double steel cage. As mentioned earlier, this mode will be new to WWE 2K23.
MyGM mode will now offer more GMs to choose from, including the player’s own custom GM. They will also see more show options, multiple seasons, expanded match cards and more for up to four players. Like what we saw last time, players will get to draft a roster, manage budgets, sign free agents, choose various match types, arena locations, production elements and more, with the goal of beating a rival GM in weekly rating battles.
MyFaction mode will now offer online multiplayer, but the rest pretty much remains the same. Players will still collect, manage, and upgrade an array of WWE Superstars and Legends to create their four-person factions. The online component lets players take their faction online and complete Weekly Towers and Faction Wars.
There is also the return of MyRise mode that lets players create a new superstar and help them rise through the ranks in the WWE through decisions and matches. This will feature distinct men’s and women’s division storylines.
Then, of course, is the Universe mode that gives players the chance to create their own version of WWE. This includes rosters, feuds, champions, weekly shows, and live events. WWE 2K23 will also feature a reworked story mode.
Finally, there is the Creation Suite that gives players the ability to design custom Superstars, GMs, arenas, entrances, mode sets, championships and more. In WWE 2K23, players will be able to play on custom arenas when online. Further, advanced customisation has been added to created entrance.
WWE 2K23: Release date, editions, and price in India
WWE 2K23 will be available in four editions. The Standard Edition will be priced at Rs 4,499 on last-gen platforms like the PS4 and Xbox One consoles. On current-gen platforms like PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it will cost Rs 4,999. The PC version of the game will be priced at Rs 3,399.
The Cross-Gen edition will be limited to the digital version and will cost Rs 4,499 on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. The Cross-Gen edition includes the Standard Edition across previous and current-gen platforms within the same console family and the same PlayStation or Xbox account
The Deluxe Edition will be available for Rs 7,499 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in physical and digital formats. The edition will be available for Rs 5,699 on PC in digital. The Deluxe Edition includes the Standard Edition, Bad Bunny Bonus Pack, plus a Season Pass to all five post-launch DLC content packs, the MyRise Mega-Boost and SuperCharger; Ruby John Cena MyFaction Evo Card, Gold Edge MyFaction Card, Emerald Bianca Belair MyFaction Card, Gold Asuka MyFaction Card, and three Basic Premium Launch MyFaction Card Packs.
Finally, there is the Icon Edition, which is priced at Rs 7,999 for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, while the PC edition is priced at Rs 6,799 for the PC. The edition features original cover art by renowned WWE-inspired artist Rob Schamberger. In addition to the Standard Edition and all bonus content included in the Deluxe Edition, the Icon Edition includes the Ruthless Aggression Pack, celebrating 20 years of John Cena’s WWE career by featuring John Cena’s early ‘Prototype’ character, as well as ‘Leviathan’ Batista, developmental rookie versions of Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, the John Cena Legacy Championship and WrestleMania 22 Arena. Additional bonus content includes an Emerald Paul Heyman MyFaction Manager Card and three Deluxe Premium Launch MyFaction Card Packs.
The Standard Edition and Cross-Gen edition of WWE 2K23 will release on March 17, 2023, while the Deluxe and Icon Editions will release three days early on March 14, 2023, via Early Access.
