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While longer hair still tends to be stringy and spaghetti-like, it’s also been greatly improved. Muscles ripple and strain under the spotlight of Raw, Smackdown, NXT, and beyond. Visible sweat helps depict wrestler exhaustion. Where previously, some wrestler and CAW models were disruptive to matches, as any glimpses of the uncanny valley derailed the action, there’s now an impressive, realistic smoothness to every facet of the game – from character models to movement animation.
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These changes represent minor leaps in graphics and processing power, but make a whopping difference in gameplay. Queen Sylene – CAW Wrestler Image: GamesHub WWE 2K23 even implements notable changes to the game’s Create-A-Wrestler (CAW) mode, with updated character models and customisation options making each custom wrestler feel lifelike, and comparative to other characters in the game. And MyRISE is more compelling than ever, with two branching narratives to play through, and unique choices in each. The new War Games match type is a wonderful, high-chaos brawl-for-all. A fresh lighting rig makes every match feel more cinematic. While WWE 2K23 retains the bones of its predecessor for a successful, polished sequel, it also goes several steps further. Now, with WWE 2K23, Visual Concepts and 2K Games have proved it wasn’t a fluke. It overhauled the core mechanics of the WWE 2K series, refreshed the combat system, and launched with strong, coherent, plotlines. Perhaps as a result of this pressure, the game was a revelation. After several years of high-profile disappointments, and the launch of the bug-riddled WWE 2K20, it seemed as if WWE 2K22would be the last straw for 2K Games. There was a time, not so long ago, when the WWE 2K franchise was in genuine jeopardy.
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