WWE 2K24
Verdict: Virtual wrestling has never been so strong.
What is it?
WWE 2K24 is a professional wrestling sports video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. To celebrate WrestleMania 40 taking place this month, the 2K Showcase mode, ‘Showcase... of the Immortals’ is themed around notable matches from the history of WrestleMania, including recreations of their respective venues (such as SoFi Stadium for WrestleMania 39). It incorporates archive footage mixed into gameplay, and also features segments narrated by Cody Rhodes.
Gameplay
Like its predecessor, WWE 2K24 features arcade and simulation wrestling gameplay. Several gimmick matches have returned to the franchise, such as ambulance, casket, gauntlet and special guest referee matches. The Backstage Brawl mode was updated with a larger variety of weapons and four-player multiplayer. New combat features include Super Finishers – which allows players to use all three of their finisher charges at once to perform a higher-powered move, the ability to dive onto groups of opponents, and new types of objects as weapons such as microphones and trash cans.
Graphics
It doesn’t take long to see that the title for Best Looking Wrestling Game is still locked firmly in the hands of the 2K series. There are far fewer wrestlers that have outdated gimmicks this time around, and besides a couple of noticeable exceptions, all of the top stars look just like their real-life counterparts, from their signature hair dos to the details of their gear and tattoos. Referees even resemble the ones you can see on weekly television instead of just generic stand-ins.
DRAGON’S DOGMA 2
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. In the game, the player takes on the role of a character called the Arisen, a hero marked by a dragon who they must defeat, all while exploring the world they live in, taking on quests and fighting monsters, in the process being caught up in a geopolitical conflict between two kingdoms. To assist in this, the Arisen relies on allies called Pawns, non-playable characters who join the player’s party – these characters are AI-controlled, but function like player-controlled avatars, able to assist in fights, provide information on enemies and give guidance to currently active quests.
STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT CLASSIC COLLECTION
Relive the intense multiplayer combat of the two classic Battlefront titles from LucasArts. Up to 64 players can battle it out in classic Star Wars locations with iconic characters from the movies that defined a generation. This collection features all the content you remember from Star Wars Battlefront and Star Wars Battlefront II in addition to bonus maps like Cloud City and Jabba’s Palace.
ALONE IN THE DARK
Pieces Interactive and THQ Nordic’s Alone in the Dark reimagines 1992’s influential title of the same name and its two sequels. Rather than a full-blown remake, this game tells an original story while integrating elements from the classic trilogy. Presented from a third-person angle, the story follows Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood as they make their way to Derceto Manor, an institution that once housed Emily’s missing uncle.
