Recent reviews by Y2K

Broken game.

Way too expensive for what it offers. Hate the kernel-mode dictator like so called anti-cheat system that can access your hardware and has more privileges than even an admin. Whats more is that it is actually broken. It will throw you out of the game even when you are not cheating with the infamous error 117.

Regret buying this especially on PC. What a waste on this sluggish, over-rated, invasive,broken, rubbish piece of software. Save yourself some money.

Ratings
Graphics - 8/10
Lost points because - The time period was mid 2000s and Fight Night by EA had boxers sweat visible, realtime facial damage detailed and visible, bleeding detailed and visible - these are just 3 points as an example. Many more around crowd, clothes, weapons etc.

Gameplay - 7/10
Stuck between sim and arcade. Random FPS drops. Occasional glitches. Undeveloped AI and incomplete pathfinding where they can't go get a weapon at times and get stuck while trying to do, can't exit in elimination chamber and royal rumble, no realism when it comes to fatigue or injury demonstration etc.

Content - 5/10
WCW content absent. ECW content absent. Prior iterations did way better in this area. 2K needs to learn and if it s a WWE problem then they need to find a way to convince. Irrespective their product will be rated as such by those who want that content. Many matches previously present in game now missing. Simple stuff like special referee is absent. Creation options not back to 100% as the benchmark has existed in the license franchise. This is 2023 and why can't we have Survivor Series 5 vs 5?

Replayability - 8/10
Thanks to community creations which means the developers and the publishers get a free ride on this rating. GM mode can better and ore detailed. Essentially a half baked release.

Originality/Newness - 3/10
Wargames. Other points are just borrowed from previous iterations.

The good
Game works sometimes and doesn't cost $1000

The bad
Missing match types and characters that must be present in base game are offered as season pass.

The ugly
Bugs. Game breaking bugs. Glitches. Game breaking graphical glitches. Limited game modes like GM mode which are under developed and released as if a prototype. Lot of content in terms of arenas, images, names and terms, WCW, ECW content and related commentary is completely missing. Why should we shell $100 and be happy with such a product year after year when you refuse to increment the offering substantially over collective previous iterations. MyFaction pay to win and collect exclusive attires etc is a very poor concept. This is not a mobile game.

Should you buy? - Compared to previous iterations and other titles
No, not if you own the classic titles in the series and don't care about these graphics. Else get it on sale and make a list of all great community creations for more fun.

This instalment is an improvement over recent previous years and hence the recommendation. Nowhere as great as Smackdown 2, here comes the pain or SvR series. However a step in the right direction where they can potentially improve it to make it great in the future.

Should you buy it? I would suggest wait for sale.
Why? The game has way too many bugs right now. Especially around using custom content and universe mode. GM mode isn't at par with what was there in SvR series and that leaves you with Vanilla exhibition unless you want to buy it for showcase or the myrise mode which has its own set of bugs and problems.

Graphics are great. Controls take time to get used to yet they are decent. No new match types as such. The game engine and presentation makes it playable and the physics are an improvement. Camera angles are disappointing. MyFaction mode is full of grind and micro transactions yet fun if you have the patience. Bugs reduce the amount of efforts you can put in. If you can wait then do so and go for it on a sale. At a reduced price the game is definitely worth it if they iron out the bugs else wait for a bigger sale. The rationale is that the experience and quality of fun reduces with the current number of bugs and hence a reduced price is justified for the same. If you own a PS5 then it is probably worth getting that version.

Good story, lot of content although you have to grind like anything to get the same but most of the grind can be done automatically using an AI which sort of makes it pointless to "play" the game or maybe if you are those who like to watch the game being played or will play it only after most content is unlocked and don't want to unlock it yourself then this is a great situation for you. I like how the game plays out although it does not has the side modes of Deception does not allow you to create your own fighter from scratch but the extent of modification to current fighters and exploration of the krypt makes it fun. I gt it on sale so it is definitely worth it but I also own it on PS4 where I bought it at full price and still felt I got the money worth.

Having said that I liked the story more in MKX and the side modes more in Deception and the story playability of Deception as well with the open world and what not. Also some of the more popular fighters are missing. But overall a good game, the fact I bought it on PS4 and completed it and then bought it on PC during sale establishes that despite the cons it is an interesting game.

PRO
Lot of content
AI will grind for you
Konsumables
Retro Levels
Friendships, Easy Brutality
Krypt

CON
Lot of grinding
Some towers are beyond supreme difficulty and so is some content
Lack of some fighters
Lack of stage fatality for every level
No exploration in story mode
No side modes like Deception

An amazing and near perfect strategy game with near perfect depth in the gameplay. This long running series improves fr real every year. They don't just change the number but actually add features. There is far too much content in this game with all the additional downloads which can get very pricey but I find it all worth it due to the immense replay value.

A must have for your collection if you are into turn based strategy games involving nation building, war, diplomacy with focus on empire management rather than micro management like few of the other games out there. Although this game also allows you to manage very minute things only if you want to and that is the lovely part of this game that makes it suitable for all.

The gameplay is addictive and the gameart is also very beautiful, lively and resembles real personalities and monuments. On the side, it is a great tool to learn a little about history.