WWE 2K15 (PC) Review

The start of any match brings a thunder of cheers from the crowd as superstars make their way to the squared circle amid the commentary of Jerry 'The King' Lawler and Michael Cole, while their names echo around the arena after being introduced by the ring announcer. The gap between the game and real life events has never been closer as the WWE makes a new home on PC. The use of face and body scanning technology from NBA 2K14 makes the experience even more authentic as each superstar and diva looks remarkably like his or her real-life counterpart.

As the game has reached the PC six months after it debuted on consoles, some of the roster is out-dated, even more so than during the console launch, but the attention to detail remains amazingly impressive. In addition to the correctly licensed tracks for the wrestlers' themes, a number of arenas have been recreated to provide an authentic experience. Even on modest hardware, like a 660 Ti graphics card, it is easy to maintain 60FPS during gameplay with a near capacity crown and impressive visuals. The frame-rate does drop to 30FPS during entrances and some cut-scenes, which can jar the action when they occur in the middle of a match, though, but it performs well overall.

The showmanship present would all be for nought if the gameplay was dull or broken but this is far from the case. The action may be slower than previous entries but it doesn't take long before blows are being exchanged and reversed at a fast, yet rhythmic, pace. The introduction of a new collar-and-elbow tie up mechanism adds a new layer of tactics through a rock-paper-scissors mini-game that leaves players fighting for the upper hand. This helps to make matches play out more realistically but maintains involvement so that it continues to feel like a game, not a TV show.

A stamina meter has also been introduced to continue the strategic elements of gameplay once the collar-and-elbow tie ups, which only occur towards the start of the match, disappear. Stamina depletes after performing a move or running around the arena, so monitoring its use, and letting it replenish accordingly, is key to victory. These new elements may seem to bring things to a grinding halt but the reality is that they work to keep each bout exciting and engaging.

The single-player element is split into two main parts, one of which is the 2K Showcase that follows two of the biggest rivalries in the WWE. Reliving classic matches like the Three Stages of Hell Match between Shawn Michaels and Triple H or CM Punk championship bout against John Cena at Money in the Bank is made all the more real thanks to archived footage that plays between matches. A list of objectives must be completed in each match, which leads to encounters reflecting events that happened on TV. Every goal helps to cement the player's position in these superstars' boots and also adds an extra layer of challenge to the gameplay.

Outside of the limelight of the 2K Showcase is the MyCareer mode, which sounds like a great idea as it creates the opportunity to take a custom wrestler from training in a WWE Performance Centre to winning the WWE Championship. This mode is designed to be a more customised experience than the fixed narratives found in the Showcase but there isn't much room for originality or variety as the same match types and opponents repeatedly rear their heads. Any deviation from the status quo here is very much the exception, rather than the rule, which makes going for the gold a very boring and unfulfilling affair.

A variety of match types exist outside the main story modes in the exhibition section of the main menu. Up to six people can take part in a number of events including Hell in a Cell, Extreme Rules, and Table matches. Some strange omissions exists, however, like the lack of a Casket match, which is present in the 2K Showcase, and there is a lack of variety when compared to previous console entries of the series. It can take some time to find an opponent via the background matchmaking system, which can be tiresome but there is a private option to quickly join friends. Unfortunately, online matches are often very laggy, making playing them a frustrating experience.

Creativity is limited not only in the MyCareer mode but also the customisation options. It is no longer possible to create a female wrestler, unlike previous entries on consoles. This omission not only disappoints fans looking to create their own Divas, but also highlights how lacking the roster is in terms of women wrestlers. The features that do exist in the create-a-wrestler mode aren't the most extensive in the history of wrestling games, yet they do offer some distraction for those looking to tailor a superstar to their own tastes.