What Does WWE 2K18 Have? A Deep Dive into the Game’s Features, Modes, and More
WWE 2K18, released in 2017, promised to deliver a more immersive and engaging wrestling experience, headlined by cover superstar Seth Rollins. It aimed to bring players closer to the ring than ever before with hard-hitting action, stunning graphics, drama, excitement, new game modes, additional match types, deep creation capabilities, and all the core elements fans had come to expect from the WWE 2K series. But did it live up to the hype? This article explores exactly what WWE 2K18 had to offer, delving into its features, modes, and addressing common questions surrounding the game.
Key Features and Gameplay Enhancements
WWE 2K18 brought several key features to the table, some successful and others not so much. Here’s a breakdown of the core components:
Enhanced Visuals and Presentation
The game boasted improved graphics compared to its predecessors, aiming for a more realistic representation of WWE Superstars and arenas. The developers paid attention to details like lighting, character models, and ring environments, although opinions were divided on just how much of an improvement this actually was. The game also included an upgraded commentary team consisting of Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves. The goal was to provide a more authentic broadcast feel, supplemented by improved crowd sounds and realistic chants.
Expanded Roster and Creation Suite
One of the consistent strengths of the series is the extensive roster of both current and legendary WWE Superstars. WWE 2K18 continued this tradition, offering a wide array of playable characters. In addition, the game featured deep creation capabilities, allowing players to craft their own wrestlers, arenas, and even championship belts. The customization options were robust, offering a variety of ways to personalize the in-game experience.
New Story System and MyCareer Mode
WWE 2K18 introduced a new approach to storytelling within its various modes. A key addition was a new story system offering more flexibility in how storylines developed, driven by interactions between WWE Superstars. This system built up to rivalries and determined how the narrative unfolded, including new cut scenes, Power Rankings, and Superstar goals. The MyCareer mode, where players create and guide a custom wrestler from obscurity to WWE stardom, was a focal point. Unfortunately, it was also one of the game’s most criticized features, with reviews finding it to be poorly written and dull.
Expanded Match Types and Gameplay
The game included a variety of match types, ranging from singles and tag team matches to more extreme options like Hell in a Cell and TLC matches. It retained its core wrestling gameplay mechanics while trying to introduce some enhancements. One notable addition was the inclusion of eight-man matches, allowing for even more chaotic and exciting multi-person encounters.
Online Features and Community Creations
WWE 2K18 featured an online mode for matches, allowing players to compete against others. It included both traditional one-on-one matches as well as tag team and multi-man options. The game also featured a community creation aspect, where players could upload and download custom content, expanding the possibilities. However, these online servers have since been shut down, rendering these features inaccessible.
What it Lacked and Where it Fell Short
While WWE 2K18 had many promising features, it also suffered from several shortcomings. Despite its graphical improvements and gameplay additions, many critics felt the game fell short of its potential, with its MyCareer mode receiving particularly heavy criticism. The new story system, while promising on paper, wasn’t always well-executed, and many felt that while aiming for more complexity, the game lost the fun and silliness that characterized earlier titles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about WWE 2K18, providing more details and addressing common concerns:
1. How was the commentary in WWE 2K18?
WWE 2K18 featured a new commentary team of Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves, aiming for a more realistic and dynamic broadcast experience. The commentary was generally well-received, with the announcers providing context and reacting to match events. However, as with most sports games, repetition did sometimes occur.
2. What new features did WWE 2K18 offer?
Apart from updated graphics and commentary, WWE 2K18 introduced a new story system, Power Rankings, and Superstar goals, aiming for a more flexible and dynamic narrative. It also allowed for eight-man matches and expanded match types.
3. Is WWE 2K18 worth playing today?
While WWE 2K18 does have some positives, such as its extensive roster and creation tools, its poorly-written MyCareer mode and now-defunct online servers make it difficult to recommend for those who can access other recent wrestling games. If you’re looking for a specific roster, or if you’re nostalgic about this particular iteration, you might find enjoyment in single-player and local multiplayer.
4. Did the game include blood effects?
Yes, blood effects were included, although not turned on by default. Players could enable blood in the game’s options menu. Blood would sometimes appear on wrestlers’ faces and bodies after being struck with weapons or taking heavy damage.
5. Did WWE 2K18 have a 2K Showcase mode?
No, WWE 2K18 did not include the 2K Showcase mode. This mode was not featured in this particular iteration of the series but returned in later installments.
6. How was the MyCareer mode?
The MyCareer mode in WWE 2K18 was widely criticized for being poorly written and dull. It was a central feature of the game, but its execution was underwhelming, which significantly detracted from the overall experience.
7. What happened to the WWE 2K18 servers?
The servers for WWE 2K18 were shut down on May 31, 2019. This means online matches and community creation features are no longer accessible.
8. When was WWE 2K18 released?
WWE 2K18 was released worldwide on October 17, 2017, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
9. How much hard drive space did WWE 2K18 require?
The game needed at least 50 GB of free disk space to install, as well as minimum memory requirements of 4GB of RAM.
10. How was WWE 2K18’s roster?
The game had a large roster of playable characters, including both current and legendary WWE Superstars. For example, Roman Reigns was featured as a playable character as part of the Raw brand.
11. How did WWE 2K18 handle online play?
The game allowed for online matches, including singles, tag team, and multi-person matches via WWE Online and the Road to Glory Mode in MyPlayer. However, the servers are now offline.
12. What is better WWE 2K17 or 2K18?
Many players find WWE 2K17 to be a more enjoyable game overall, partly due to WWE 2K18’s controversial Career mode and several technical issues.
13. Why was WWE 2K18 rated so low compared to previous games?
WWE 2K18 was considered a letdown due to its poorly-written MyCareer mode, and for some, perceived lack of improvement on the prior installment. Technical glitches and a less cohesive experience contributed to lower review scores. The removal of the 2K Showcase mode also hurt its rating.
14. Is it still possible to play WWE 2K18 online?
No, it is no longer possible to play WWE 2K18 online because the servers were shut down in 2019.
15. How does WWE 2K18 compare to the best WWE 2K games?
WWE 2K18 is often placed lower than several of the games in the WWE 2K series, usually falling outside of most top 5 lists. According to some rankings, WWE 2K23, 2K22 and 2K14 are usually considered the best, with WWE 2K18 landing around the fifth spot or lower.
Conclusion
WWE 2K18 had its share of ambitions and some improvements, but ultimately fell short of its potential. While it offered improved graphics, an expanded roster, and a new story system, it was hampered by a poorly received MyCareer mode and the eventual shutdown of its online services. It is a game that showcased ambition, but perhaps highlights that ambition alone is not enough to make a great game. While it remains a part of WWE 2K history, other installments in the series have since surpassed it in terms of overall quality and fan appreciation.