Gamescom 2015: WWE 2K16 Information Overload!

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A mountain of details for WWE 2K16 have been unleashed by 2K in an interview with IGN, ranging from gameplay to customization. Without further ado, let’s get to the good stuff!

Last year’s game may have lacked features, but it’s gameplay was a solid simulation of the action that takes place within the squared circle, each and every Monday night. 2K16 is aiming to push the simulation aspect even further with an improved chain grappling system, including the addition of working grapples which allow your wrestler to regain stamina.

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Reversals appear to have undergone a huge (and necessary) overhaul, as each wrestler will only be allocated a specific number of reversal attempts at the start of a match. These will regenerate as the contest wears on, and players will need to use clever tactics to ensure they don’t waste their reversal opportunities.

There appears to be a lot of depth to this system, with the ability to carry out reversals mid-move, which are more difficult to pull off (as well as using up two reversal slots) but can be game changing. It all sounds like a much improved system which should eliminate the predictability and repetitive nature of reversals that we’ve become accustomed to in the past.

WWE 2K16’s roster is set to include 120 unique playable characters (with unique being the key word), ensuring that you won’t be shortchanged with three different versions of Mark Henry, for example. We already know of a select few that will be featured in the game, but it’s possible that we may hear more over the next few days, or potentially during the SummerSlam weekend.

MyCareer was a step in the right direction for the series last year, but it lacked content. This year it will go “a lot further”, concluding with your character’s admission to the WWE Hall Of Fame. 2K are keeping quiet on the game’s online features for now, but they’ve ensured us that the online portion has been “overhauled”. Customization fanatics will be delighted to hear that Create A Diva, Show, Arena and Championship modes are all back in the game after their absence last year.

WWE 2K16’s roster is set to include 120 unique playable characters

Rounding off the details are improved referee and manager AI (no details about improved wrestler AI at present), and there will be no loading screens for entrances this year, with the ability to assault opponents as they make their way to the ring for an extra (dirty) advantage. Ladder, Handicap and Tornado Tag matches will be back again this year, and JBL will be making his way back to the virtual announce table for the first time since WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2008.

It’s all sounding great, and hopefully we’ll get our hands on it sooner rather than later to see how the new improvements translate in-game. I’m glad to see that 2K are continuing down the path of simulation based gameplay, which was the strongest point of last year’s title. If it all comes together, this could be the game that wrestling fans have been waiting for.

Check out the videos below to see the brand new entrances for Finn Bálor & Seth Rollins in WWE 2K16, in addition to the first snippet of gameplay.

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