by THOMAS O’SCANNELL Staff Writer
World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE for short, may now be a lackluster company, but they definitely graced their fans with a stellar videogame in WWE 2K14.
WWE 2K14 was released on October 29, 2013, and the expectations for the game could not have been higher. For one, it would be the first WWE game to feature the company 2K as the developer.
2K took over WWE videogame operations from THQ, who had been affiliated with WWE since before the dawn of the 21st century, but folded earlier that year. They certainly took a bow on the way out with their last WWE game, WWE ’13, an awesome game that emphasized WWE’s beloved Attitude Era… and I feel this game is even better.
Similar to the way WWE ’13 pit the player in various roles during actual Attitude Era story lines, WWE 2K14 has the player play through different matches at all 29 WrestleMania events that have taken place. This year, the 30th WrestleMania will take place on April 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
On the other hand, in some aspects, WWE 2K14 lacks when compared to its predecessor. For example, Attitude Era mode was more exciting and playable than 30 Years of WrestleMania mode, but WWE 2K14 is better overall. Also, fans of WWE ’13 will be pleased to know that beloved game modes have not gone away during the change from THQ to 2K games. My personal favorite game mode, Story Designer, returns, which is a big relief.
To compliment the game, the best feature of the game was the roster. Available to play as in this game includes early legends such as “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan all the way to modern-day attractions and possible future WWE Hall of Famers such as John Cena and Randy Orton. I also commend adding the seemingly-lost legend, Bill Goldberg, who just so happens to be my favorite professional wrestler of all-time. Goldberg is unlocked by defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XX.
Although at the time it was a big downfall, I can look back now and say I like how players are incapable of being beaten in one day. It took me at least three weeks to finish 30 Years of WrestleMania mode; I still have not unlocked absolutely everything yet.
“It’s a good game and I play it all the time. Definitely one of the best games I’ve ever played,” says freshman Sam D’Urso.
All in all, WWE 2K14 is a brilliant game by almost all stretches of the imagination, which makes it a saving grace from the current blasphemy WWE commits against itself with its terrible newer product. I think most fans will be relieved to be able to go back somewhere in time and enjoy the old, yet timeless legends of the past.