This game is incredibly fun, but it just has too many glaring issues. Glitches are incredibly commonplace, a poorly thought out UI with some bafflingly poor choices that worsen QoL and make it almost impossible to be immersed. The servers were completely unusable for the first two weeks. Even at the time I'm writing this, the only thing that actually properly functions online is uploading and downloading creations. This was a huge relief that kept me from dropping the game altogether, but it would be nice to also be able to play online and experience MyFACTION. So far, that hasn't been an option. Custom themes aren't an option without mods, which isn't fun a bit. Really, the only thing that this game actually has going it for it is, thankfully, the base gameplay. Fighting feels good, the animation/art is generally sleek and beautiful. The controls are intuitive on controller, but not so much on keyboard. The gameplay also shocks a striking balance between challenging and fair, something wrestling games have struggled with for decades. Paybacks are so fun and memorable that I've joked about wrestlers using them as I watch wrestling. There's definitely a world where I see myself giving this five stars. I'd love to feel that way about it, and I think that with enough time and effort, the Visual Concept can get this game to that point. At the moment, WWE 2K23 is galaxies away from earning that kind of praise.

"Are you ready?"

+ Controls allow for matches to be fresh
+ Insanely large arsenal of moves to choose from
+ Customization is an insane amount of fun in itself
+ MyFaction is better expanded upon with Live Events

- Graphics can be inconsistent between models, especially MyRise
- The balance between budget and Stamina consumption in MyGM can be frustrating
- Quick Match in MyFaction is rarely populated

Say what you will about 2K's handling of the WWE franchise, but WWE 2K23 has revitalised my love for the WWE industry. After exiting the franchise in 2011, my devotion to this game has brought back my childhood love for the sport of wrestling. The constant improvements over 2K22 and new gamemodes has made playing this game so enjoyable with friends and by myself; something I have not found in these games since WWE '12.

This game's GM Mode is definitely the highlight of this game. Being able to compete with friends to see who has the ability to better oversee a brand has been so incredibly fun and appealing. The AI has seen huge improvements that keep the matches suspenseful, exciting and mysterious. The wide range of possibilities with GM mode has further enhanced the overall experience.

I plan on grabbing the platinum trophy for the game, something I've yet to do for a WWE game, so this will be an exciting journey.

This game is easily one of 2K's finest works to date.

Storylines are garbage. The amount of time you spend Europe, Mexico, Japan, etc and are still called "The Lock" is horrendous and a time waster. The Woman's story line was surprisingly done way better considering WWE really doesn't care much about their women's division. The game play has changed into almost an arcade fighter type set up. It felt like I had to memorize button combos to pull off moves. Some may like it, some may dislike it. Personally I am in the middle when it comes to such controls. Its alright, but the career mode needs an overhaul.

This game is currently in the Humble Choice for November 2023, and this is part of my coverage of the bundle. If you are interested in the game and it's before December 5th, 2023, consider picking up the game as part of the current monthly bundle.

Wrestling and Microtransactions. Of Course.

WWE 2K23 tries to remind players of why wrestling is big. It has all the big bright larger-than-life experiences that fans might want. The loud personalities, the big events, and the amazing spectacle, and in the right moment you’ll get caught up in it and see amazing stunts. While the controls feel almost like suggestions at times, it’s still awe-inspiring to see your chosen wrestlers dominate in the ring.

But the problem is there are so many negatives. There’s a whole microtransaction mode, but because of that mode, every character has a rating and a stat for the card. Very little feels custom, so when Hulk Hogan fights Andre the Giant, his size and weight aren’t accounted for. There’s also a lot of advertising like just the Snickers logo plastered everywhere because they sponsored Wrestlemania.

Pick this up if you love the spectacle of wrestling. You’ll buy this for the spectacle though, the rest of it is fine, but it’s just fine. However, for modern Wrestling fans, you probably already have this. For fans of the Legends of Wrestling, I’m sure there’s a better game out there than this. This just feels so gross with the microtransactions, and everything being a card, and there’s a lot of itemization even if not everything is paid for by cash. And yeah, that’s a modern game, or a modern sports game, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore or praise a game for diving into those practices.

If you enjoyed this review or want to know what I think of other games in the bundle, check out the full review on or subscribe to my Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/NSoVlkgy0D0