WWE 2K18 Reviews
It's a real shame that WWE's return to Nintendo systems is such a poor port of a game that already had problems. Alongside the glitches and bugs known in the other releases, we have a bevy of issues here, not limited to the terrible frame rate (especially in multi-man matches), the graphics downgrade, and tedious gameplay. Fans of both Nintendo and WWE deserved better than what we got here in this port.
That’s about as far as the good parts of WWE 2K18 go, unfortunately. And again, all of these good aspects are content-based, it doesn’t change the fact that the main aspect of the game is still awful. I still don’t know why publishers release games in a state like this and think it’s okay, but there may be some ray of light for Nintendo owning wrestling fans though, as I have no doubt that there will be a performance patch at some point down the line, as the same happened with 2K Games’ other Switch game, NBA 2K18. But still, that’s not a guarantee. Until then, stay well away from WWE 2K18. Just like the WWE tell us in their promos, don’t try this at home, school or anywhere else.
WWE 2K18 with its outdated engine and inferior loading times is far from what WWE fans should be expecting of this game. 2K needs to reboot the series as soon as possible to prevent a total crash of the franchise.
Review in German | Read full review
While co-developer Blind Squirrel has stated publicly it is working on implementing some post-launch improvements, it doesn't change the fact WWE 2K18 ever existed in this form at all. Switch has had an incredible 2017 and played host to some truly awe-inspiring ports, but as it stands the latest slice of sports entertainment is best enjoyed elsewhere. Wrestling fans with a Switch deserve better games than this sorry jobber.
It's another rushed effort from 2K Games which botches the launch of an eagerly anticipated title. It's so frustrating because WWE 2K18 is packed with content and could have been truly special, if a little more care had been applied. Maybe a patch can salvage this release but for now you want to avoid it.
A bad, bad game. Oh it's true, it's damn true!
WWE 2K18 makes only a modest attempt to improve on last year's offering, which means this game is still not very good.
What's most disappointing about WWE 2K18 is that there are so many good ideas present. Being able to go backstage and interact with larger-than-life wrestlers should be great fun, not a monotonous annoyance. The goals should add some much needed structure to the career, but instead they're so oddly specific that many players won't be bothered to even advance pass them. That's not even mentioning the horrendous artificial intelligence, which is somehow leaps and bounds worse than previous years. Clearly a lot of work went into this year's installment, but the end result simply did not come together in the slightest.
There’s no doubt about it, WWE 2K18 is a flawed game. The positives of the Road to Glory mode, the MyPlayer play styles and the always reliable Universe mode, are counter-acted by a boring MyCareer that’s still lacking in so many areas and an online side bereft of any purpose. Piling on the misery of the technical issues which plague the game from top to bottom, turning enjoyment into frustration, means that even the joys of the great roster and creative options cannot save it from being a huge disappointment.
The wrestling franchise is bigger than ever and has fans screaming for more. Unfortunately, the game version could easily put you in a sleeper hold.
WWE 2K18 is in desperate need of an overhaul. It's an entertaining game in WWE Universe mode, but most else is beyond retirement age, and many complaints fans have had for years have not been addressed.
For WWE fans, there is a lot to like with the package, but ultimately, bad design cripples what could be a real winner. While I was not the biggest fan of them, the removal of the showcase events is a huge loss for longtime wrestling fans. The game still lacks any kind of decent general manager mode and offers players no way to set up and book their own fantasy wrestling shows. This mode was included in the series many years ago, so it shouldn't be that tough to get it working on this generation of consoles/PC. On the gameplay side of things, 2K is still falling way short of the fun and simulation aspects of much simpler WWE games from the 1990s. Only the most hardcore WWE fans should apply. On a scale of 10, the PC version is probably two full points better than the console versions. I wish it wasn't true, but it's damn true. 5/10 Phenomenal Forearms
Much like being a fan of the real thing, WWE 2K18 is often more of a chore than it is fun. Hilariously, yet tragically, I still find myself hoping it'll be better next time.
With the glitches piling up and very little in the way of innovation, WWE 2K18 continues the series' floundering output.
More frustrating because of the things it gets right than the blindingly obviously problems with bugs, a dull career mode, and a strange new loot box system.
The game has so many things going for it however maybe there were just too many things which made it problematic in their individual parts. It’s ideas are great but execution leaves so much to be desired. Outside of the roster and the old championship titles, there isn’t much of an experience in the new WWE game. The game could’ve been the best in the series but even the WWE game in 2003 was a lot more fun and action pumping than this. It makes me just want to hook up my PS2 again and look for my old wrestling games.
2K's fifth WWE game has all the style and none of the substance of WWE games of old. All show and no actual in-ring talent, everything new in WWE 2K18 is quickly superseded by an uneven graphics engine and a career mode that's certified G for Grody.
This franchise is almost out of chances. This is the fifth WWE game from 2K, and they've still only figured out one of the three ingredients. WWE 2K18 is great if creating wacky wrestlers is all you're interested in, but those looking for solid in-ring action or a compelling career mode will be let down yet again. If WWE 2K18 were a wrestler, it'd be Jinder Mahal – all flashy show muscles, no fundamentals. I realize a lot of hardcore fans will buy WWE 2K18 regardless of reviews, but if you actually want the series to change, it might be time to tap out.
When you play a modern wrestling game but come away longing for the old N64 days... that might tell you something.
A step in the right direction, tripped up by small annoyances. WWE 2K18 is only patch or two away from being…. wait for it… GLORIOUS!