Parents' Guide to WWE 2K15

WWE 2K15's debut on the PS4 and Xbox One tries to provide the richest experience to date for wrestling fans. The game is visually striking, and most look exactly like their real-life counterparts. The new chain wrestling system gives a "rock-paper-scissors" mechanic to grappling; it might sound strange, but this addition makes the technical maneuvers feel authentic. Subtle adjustments made to the animations, stamina, and momentum meter also add to the emotion of a match. But the clear star is the 2K Showcase. Players fight through key matches from historic WWE feuds, completing objectives to unlock bonus materials that can be used in other game modes. This is the kind of gameplay fans have been looking for in wrestling games.

Unfortunately, WWE 2K15 also suffers from some large missteps. Virtually all of the legendary wrestlers found in previous games are missing. The MyCareer mode concept is good but falls flat in execution; it's sorely missing storylines and cut scenes that make you care about your grappler's progress toward the main event at Wrestlemania. The same could be said about the WWE Universe mode; you can't customize the rivalries or storylines to specific wrestlers, and lots of match types are missing. It feels like a shadow of older games. Finally, the counter system is flawed; you need lightning-fast reflexes to successfully block or reverse an attack, and, even then, your success will be hit or miss. The end result is that, while WWE 2K15 shows a lot of promise, its rough edges keep it from truly becoming a star.