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Particularly with unexpected innovations, such as super finishers, also strewn into the mix.
In short: yes.
However, let’s RKO the elephant in the room before digging into more detail.
This isn’t No Mercy.
This will never be No Mercy.
It’sWWE 2K23with some bugs eliminated, features and animations added, and new match types parachuted in.
Some may rail against that, ignoring the fact that 2K23 was the most solid wrestling sim in years.
There was no need to start over, particularly withAEW Fight Foreverfilling the No Mercy void.
Some modes do need retooling, such as MyFaction but we’ll get to that later.
Gameplay wise, WWE 2K23 upgraded is just fine.
Becks appeal
GR+ has access to two-dozen male and female grapplers for this first playtest.
Previously each wrestler was limited to two signatures and finishers.
Now they can have up to five of each.
Lynch also has three finishers, one of which is especially intriguing.
Fill all three bars on her finisher meter in the HUD and it begins to crackle with blue electricity.
This represents the new super finisher mechanic, which is nigh-on guaranteed to put an opponent away.
Reigns' super finisher incorporates a Superman Punch and Spear combo.
Bianca Belair flies from the top rope with a 450 Splash.
Bayley destroys her foe with a turnbuckle-based Bayley-to-Belly.
You’ve seen them on TV before, and generally they do end matches emphatically.
Ambulance, however, is a riot.
Complete all tasks in a match and you unlock the characters in question, or alternate outfits.
There’s no word, beyond social media whispers, as to how MyFaction will work this year.
Not a good look when it’s the only area of the series to feature paid-for currency.
Rest assured that’ll be going straight under the GamesRadar microscope once the game hits review o’clock.
For now, though, there’s lots of promise, not least the retooled Backstage Brawl matches.
It truly is a brawl for all.
Let’s hope some MyFaction tweaks make that true of every mode in WWE 2K24.
