NOTE: There are spoilers ahead for both the Unleashed and Undisputed MyRise storylines.
Just like last year’s game,WWE 2K24features a MyRise mode composed of two different storylines: one for male wrestlers and one for female wrestlers. MyRise isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a great way to put someone’s CAW through their own storylines, enjoying some ofWWE 2K24’s great in-ring actionin the process. However, it doesn’t feel like the two storylines were created equally; Undisputed stands head and shoulders over Unleashed in multiple ways.
The core premise of each is fun and distinct. InWWE 2K24’s Undisputed storyline, players will find themselves the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion after Roman Reigns vacates the title. His shadow looms over the PC as they constantly prove themselves; their Undisputed reign is very much disputed, including by their GM. Meanwhile, the Unleashed storyline sees the PC (known as Cap) leave the indie promotion they co-founded, enter WWE, and attempt to find their identity within the larger creative machine, while retaining their roots and self across it all. However, the execution of the latter leaves a lot to be desired, especially in comparison to the men’s storyline.
WWE 2K24: Unleashed vs. Undisputed
Unleashed Doesn’t Feel Believable
One of Undisputed’s best elements is the fact that it feels like an alternate timeline to real-world WWE (and is something that should be continued in the future). Reigns vacating his title and going to Hollywood, ensuring he never loses the title but being unwilling to let it go is perfectly in character. It even takes advantage of Reigns' rivalry with Cody Rhodes, adding that element to the PC’s main storyline. Undisputed features multiple storylines, including the odd decision for the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion to chase the NXT North American championship and afeud with Intercontinental Champion Gunther, but the heart of it lives in the shadow of Roman Reigns. It ensures that, from beginning to end, the storytelling is compelling.
Undisputed
Unleashed may have a fairy tale ending to its beginning, as the PC’s rise on Raw leads to some at-home issues with TBD, but the middle feels like a weird tour through WWE. In finding their identity, the PC will become a Hollywood star and podcast host, adopt a supernatural persona, become a temporary General Manager, and become the “Papi” toRhea Ripley’s “Mami.“The entire time, they are a terrible friend to their fellow TBD co-founder and a terrible mentor to Psycho Sally, the latter of whom is playable across four segments.
Unleashed Lacks the Focus of Undisputed
It feels like this terrible relationship with TBD is meant to ground the story, but it just adds to the confusing mess. The Undisputed champion is always the focus, but the Unleashed PC feels out of focus for most of the story - and even in a plentitude of matches. Whether it’s playing as Psycho Sally or another wrestler for some reason or whether it’s trying to understand the story midway through, it just makes the PC feel like someone who would never “find themselves” in WWE. Cap wears a lot of caps, and it does the opposite of what the story sets out to do. Cap just finds themself lost in the machine. When they return toWrestleManiaat the end of the story, they are able to choose the outfit for whom they supposedly became in WWE, but they are really just an amalgamation of disparate parts of WWE. None of them really make sense and is just a choice of garb for their return.
Unleashed
In contrast, the Undisputed storyline has a really strong ending that pays off on everything that built up to it. Not only do they defend their title in a match that no one thinks they can win, but then they are forced to do it again againstRoman Reigns. It means every feud and storyline leading to that moment served a purpose. That pay-off is completely missing in Unleashed - the story would make more sense if the middle was perhaps one of the storylines expanded better, as at least then Cap would have some identity. That’s not the case with Unleashed.
Undisputed feels like it would work in an alternate timeline for the WWE, one where Roman doesn’t lose (to mixed fan reaction, for sure). Unleashed feels like it received the kitchen sink, instead of its own feasible, reliable plotline. For next year’sMyRise mode, this is hopefully something that is fixed and each features a strong storyline, especially if the team continues this “alternate timeline” like approach to storytelling.
WWE 2K24
WHERE TO PLAY
FORTY YEARS OF WRESTLEMANIAWrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, where Superstars become WWE Legends. Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you may relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.AN ICONIC ROSTERWWE 2K24 boasts a star-studded roster featuring WWE Legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker, and Andre the Giant, alongside current WWE Superstars like “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns, whose larger-than-life entrances and signature moves are heightened by ultra-realistic graphics.NEW MATCH TYPESFrom Guest Referee to Casket, Gauntlet, and Ambulance matches, there are a bevy of new match types to experience in WWE 2K24, including support for multiple Superstars in Backstage Brawl.PROVE YOURSELF IN MyRISEUnleash your raw talent and become the undisputed champ in MyRISE, featuring two thrilling career arcs and original storylines chronicling your ascent to WWE stardom from the men’s and women’s divisions.BUILD YOUR FACTIONAssemble your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends in MyFACTION. Acquire cards, build a dominant faction, compete in online multiplayer and the all-new ranked quickplay. Plus, earn exciting promotional and final rank rewards as you climb the new seasonal leaderboard!
