WWE 2K23proves that Visual Concepts is able to continue improving its formula, building on the success ofWWE 2K22. One game mode that saw a number of improvements inWWE 2K23was MyRise, which got gameplay changes, better side quests, and a more enjoyable storyline. However, one lacking aspect of the MyRise stories is the impact that choices have on not only the story, but also the created superstar’s image and future performances.
WWE 2K23’s MyRise has two different storylines to follow, but any choices made in either one only affects the next immediate chapter. While these choices are directly related to the story, the fact that their impact is almost immediately forgotten means that MyRise has less replayability in each career path.For Visual Concepts to further improve MyRise, it will need to introduce a better choice system, including ones that may not affect the story but will affect the reception of the player’s created superstar.
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Why WWE 2K23’s MyRise Choices Fall Short
WWE 2K23’s MyRise does offer some choices, but most of the outcomes tend to be the same. For example, in The Lock career path,picking either Evolution or The Hurt Businessas the superstar’s faction will lock the player out of the other one and assign Gabriel Slade as a third member. Yet both factions ultimately combine to form a Super Group that challenges The Lock, Slade becomes WWE Champion, and The Lock returns to the WWE to take out members of this new Super Group.
Another example comes when The Lock picks his team following his return to WWE, employing any superstar the player previously interacted with in the story as long as they complete a favor. Having the superstars create a different reaction from the Super Group would have been a great touch, possibly even making members of the Super Group express second thoughts. For example, picking Matt Riddle and Kevin Owens could have been met with more confidence by the Super Group, butswayed Randy Orton- who once teamed up with Riddle - to leave the group.
How Choices Can Be Improved in Future WWE 2K Games
MyRise has the potential to become the main allure of futureWWE 2Kgames, especially if choices really allow the player to dictate the course of its stories. The choices in MyRise should bring out some rivalries and allies. Further, having theMyRise superstar’s journey carry over to Universe Modefollowing the end of the story would mean those interactions can continue, letting the player control the rest of their superstar’s career.
Story choices need to hold more weight, which means that futureWWE 2KMyRise stories should have multiple endings that arise from slight changes. This would encourage players to return and play the story again to get an alternate ending. Further, having these decisions affect side quests could also lead to hostility backstage, starting interferences in the superstar’s matches, giving certain fights a bigger challenge, and forcing the player to guess how each choice will affect the overallatmosphere of the WWE in MyRise.
WWE 2K23has significantly improved nearly every aspect of the series' experience, and while this year’s MyRise gave players a more enjoyable story, the lack of important choices brings it down. Better choices that affect the story and have the potential to kickstart mandatory side quests, like short rivalries, would extend the amount of time the player spends in MyRise. Giving players these choices can help them build the career they want for their superstar, and would givefutureWWE 2Kgames a more exciting and challenging MyRise experience.
WWE 2K23is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
