WWE 2K17
By David Chapman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Deeply customizable brawler packed with features, violence.
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WWE 2K17
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Based on 2 parent reviews
Great Game
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Shocking
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What’s It About?
WWE 2K17 is the biggest (to date) entry in the hit wrestling game franchise, boasting a roster of more than 150 wrestlers from the WWE's past and present, as well as deep customization options that allow players to create their own superstars, titles, arenas, shows, and more. Players can share their favorite creations with others through the online community and take their friends to the squared circle in local and online multiplayer matches. The new, expanded MyCareer mode also allows players to take their custom superstar on an epic journey through the ranks of the WWE, cutting promos, building rivalries, and delivering beatdowns. All of this is part of your quest to gain the WWE World Heavyweight Title and headline the main event at the grandest stage of all: Wrestlemania.
Is It Any Good?
This incredibly deep, detailed sports sim brings the majesty of wrestling to gamers, but its depth could keep some players at arm's length. It combines the athletic showboating of gladiatorial games with the drama of a soap opera. While the running mantra of the WWE is "Don't try this at home," 2K Games' WWE franchise has given fans the opportunity to do just that -- from the safety of the couch. Now comes WWE 2K17, the biggest and best WWE game to date, a super heavyweight entry packed with enough content and features to take on even the most finicky pro wrestling fan in a no-holds-barred throw-down.
WWE 2K17 takes everything fans have loved about previous games and makes it bigger, better, and more polished. The improved MyCareer mode actually feels natural, with the plot progressing organically throughout the entire story, rather than feeling broken up into disjointed chunks. The game's improved Creation Suite lets players craft every detail of their own custom WWE superstar (or edit any of the existing superstars), from their looks to their moves to even the branding on the clothes they wear. It's ridiculously deep, which is ironically the best example of the game's biggest weakness. Between the hyper-detailed character-creation tools, the library of hundreds of wrestling moves, and the show-management options, WWE 2K17's robust features make it an overwhelming experience and not for the faint of heart. If you're willing to dedicate some real time and effort, though, you're almost guaranteed a rewarding experience on par with any pay-per-view the WWE has to offer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about real violence vs. stage performances. How does training help the WWE athletes perform in their matches without serious injury? What are the serious risks of trying to imitate the moves performed in the game or on television?
Talk about character and story development. How are creative stories woven into WWE performances, and what are some of the ways these plots help to define the "hero" and "villain" roles?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: 2K Games
- Release date: October 11, 2016
- Genre: Sports
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- ESRB rating: T for Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Last updated: September 10, 2021
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