WWE 2K23
WWE 2K23 is a 2023 wrestling game with generally favorable reviews.
WWE 2K23 is a professional wrestling video game from 2023, created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. It marks the twenty-second main entry in the WWE video game series, the tenth title under the WWE 2K label, and follows WWE 2K22. The game launched on March 14, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Critics generally gave it favorable reviews, and it became the highest-rated wrestling game since WWE '13. Its sequel, WWE 2K24, came out on March 8, 2024, and online servers for WWE 2K23 were shut down on January 6, 2024.
- Developer
- Visual Concepts
- Publisher
- 2K
- Release date
- March 14, 2023
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Genre
- Professional wrestling sports video game
- Cover star
- John Cena
- Follow-up title
- WWE 2K24 (released March 8, 2024)
Lore & Background
WWE 2K23 features arcade and simulation wrestling gameplay, with WarGames appearing for the first time in a WWE 2K game. The Royal Rumble match supports online multiplayer with up to eight players. Game modes include MyFACTION, MyGM, Showcase, Universe, career mode MyRISE, and a full creation suite. The Showcase mode focuses on cover star John Cena, allowing players to recreate key moments in his career. MyGM was revamped to include four-player gameplay, five new GMs (Xavier Woods, Tyler Breeze, Kurt Angle, Eric Bischoff, and Mick Foley), two new brands (NXT 2.0 and WCW), mid-card championships, the Slammy Awards, and a new main goal of acquiring 10 Hall of Fame trophies across multiple seasons. MyRISE features two distinct storylines: 'The Lock' (a male wrestler debuting on the main roster) and 'The Legacy' (a female second-generation wrestler aided by Molly Holly).
Reader's Guide
WWE 2K23 is significant as the highest-rated professional wrestling video game since WWE '13, receiving generally favorable reviews on Metacritic and a 'strong' rating on OpenCritic from 83 percent of critics. It introduced WarGames for the first time in the series and revamped MyGM with new GMs, brands, and objectives. The game's development was aided by a reworked engine following the failure of WWE 2K20. Controversy arose over Lita's character model, leading to alterations and the addition of Lita '06 as a playable character. The game features 246 superstars and is the first in the series to assign different attires to a single slot for certain wrestlers. Its online servers were shut down on January 6, 2025. The follow-up, WWE 2K24, was released on March 8, 2024.
Did You Know?
- WarGames was featured for the first time in a WWE 2K game in WWE 2K23.
- The MyRISE storylines were written by former WWE writers.
- Lita's character model caused social media controversy, leading to alterations and the addition of Lita '06.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed and published WWE 2K23?
Visual Concepts handled the development work while 2K acted as the publisher. The title launched on March 14, 2023, as the tenth game released under the WWE 2K branding.
Who is the cover star of WWE 2K23?
John Cena is featured on the cover. He is widely regarded as one of the most recognizable superstars in professional wrestling history.
What platforms can I play WWE 2K23 on?
The game shipped for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC. All versions became available on the same day, March 14, 2023.
Why is WWE 2K23 considered a strong entry in the series?
Critics gave it broadly favorable reviews, making it the best-rated wrestling title since WWE '13. It also stands as the twenty-second mainline installment in the broader WWE game lineage.
Are WWE 2K23's online servers still active?
No, 2K ended online service for the game on January 6, 2024. Its successor, WWE 2K24, arrived on March 8, 2024.
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