Getting to the point where you’re programmed to know what to hit when is an exercise in frustration, as evidenced by watching my 9-year-old son try to win a singles match. You’re occasionally prompted to hit a specific button, but that’s mostly reserved for countering moves. There is a lot to memorize with the controls, as nearly all buttons and combinations of buttons are utilized for something. This is because the blend of arcade action with complex commands is somewhat unsuccessful. “Wait…how did you do that?” was a frequent question when playing with my kids, and we didn’t always have the answer. And honestly, it’s fun when you successfully pull off some of the crazier moves. The wrestling action is closer to the combat of Super Smash Bros. You’ll be able to jump 20 feet in the air and hit your opponents with lightning punches. You’ll be able to destroy the ring and use pieces of it as a weapon. That tone means that you’ll be able to toss your opponents at live alligators. But the overall presentation works once you get used to it, and it certainly fits in well with the game’s lighthearted tone.
Yes, everyone is an ax and a beard away from looking like a dwarf from The Hobbit. Yes, it’s bizarre that Andre the Giant is no larger than Asuka. The settings, the wrestlers, and even the moves in Battlegrounds are presented in a cartoonish manner that’s easy to enjoy. This is fine, because the recent “realistic” games have been pretty bad. Unlike with previous WWE video games, Battlegrounds eschews realism for a more arcade-like feel. That said, there is fun “graps” action to be had here, after all. I mean, does anyone really want three variations of McMahons in their wrestling game? No. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if WWE creative got their hands in this game, forcing 2K to make some dubious decisions. “Create your own WWE Superstar and overcome all the odds stacked against you.If ever a wrestling game accurately reflected the current state of the WWE, it’s WWE 2K Battlegrounds. “Brawl from the bottom all the way to the top,” 2K writes. Last but not least, here’s the classic arcade mode. It should keep things interesting for more competitive players. This online mode will offer rewards through various tournament types on a rotating, limited-time basis. The second you send someone flying, another Superstar waiting outside the ring enters the fray.” Online Tournament mode “The longer you stay in the arena, the higher your score climbs. “Battle to become the last man (or woman) standing as you and up to seven other online players burn it down and try to toss one another out of the ring,” 2K says. Exhibition mode includes one-on-one matches, tag-team matches, Triple Threat, Fatal Four-Way, cage matches, and Royal Rumble. Take on your friends in four-player brawls, both locally and online. Play as one of the seven newly created Superstars, such as Bolo Reynolds and Jessica Johnson, as you travel across several regions, battling WWE Superstars achieving campaign goals and unlocking various WWE Superstars, power-ups, and items.” Exhibition mode “Team up with Paul Heyman and Stone Cold Steve Austin as you travel the globe in search of new Superstars for an all-new WWE brand. “Throw down in this single-player story mode told through a comic art style as you add to your stable of WWE Superstars to overcome the next challenge,” 2K explains in a new press release. Campaign’s usually where you learn the ropes.
This is your standard story campaign, and probably where most players will want to start with Battlegrounds.