Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wrestling sim with crude gestures, beer, skimpy costumes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
WWE 2K14
What's It About?
WWE 2K14 offers the traditional story mode, wherein players can create their own character and face off against WWE superstars, but the real draw is the focus on WrestleMania. Players can attempt to recreate 46 of the event's biggest historical moments (plus another 22 if you attempt to replicate the Undertaker's undefeated streak). It adds gravity to the matches and, given their importance to the brand, makes them more fun. (Nor does it hurt that the matches are supplemented by tons of video highlights, photos, and historical accounts.) The game has many of the legends of the sport represented, along with all the current roster of wrestlers. Players can choose to engage in single-match modes as well as tag-team or battle royals. The rules for the matches can be modified as well.
Is It Any Good?
WWE 2K14 isn't perfect, but it does a good job of blending the current roster and story lines of the WWE with a historical retrospective that will appeal to long-time fans of the "sport" who may not have played the video game before. The downside is that the game makes the assumption that players already have a good grasp on controls. Although it does offer some tutorial features in the WrestleMania moments section, it still has a notable learning curve, which could be off-putting.
The artificial intelligence is only so-so, and the announcers -- as they do in many sports games -- tend to get a bit repetitive whenever a match goes on too long. But, generally, the game captures the feel of a WWE event -- only this time you swap your ringside seat for the center of the ring.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the story of good versus evil, as some wrestlers strive to do the right thing while others simply want to cause mischief.
Families also can discuss the difference between simulated violence versus real-world effects. Wrestlers learn to perform moves that look devastating but (for the most part) do little physical harm. Kids who don't realize this or attempt moves without training can seriously injure themselves or others.
Families also can discuss body image. Wrestlers work hard to look like they do, but do they really represent a physical ideal or are they cartoonish figures?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Skills : Collaboration : meeting challenges together , Health & Fitness : movement
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : 2K Sports
- Release date : October 29, 2013
- Genre : Sports
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : July 2, 2022
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