WWE 2K23

File:John Cena 134616.jpg stars in all three versions of the cover.]]

Like its predecessor, WWE 2K23 features arcade and simulation wrestling gameplay.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Dean |date=2023-02-03 |title=Hands-On Preview: WWE 2K23 Builds Upon Last Year's Return To Form |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/hands-on-preview-wwe-2k23-builds-upon-last-years-return-to-form/ar-AA175w8Z |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=MSN |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207130132/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/hands-on-preview-wwe-2k23-builds-upon-last-years-return-to-form/ar-AA175w8Z |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Driver |first=Dale |date=2023-02-02 |title=WWE 2K23 Hands-On Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-hands-on-preview |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207130132/https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-hands-on-preview |url-status=live }} WarGames is featured for the first time in a WWE 2K game, and the Royal Rumble match now supports online multiplayer with up to eight players.{{Cite web |last=Sajid |first=Hassan |date=2023-02-02 |title=New WWE 2K23 gameplay trailer shows the new WarGames mode and more |url=https://www.xfire.com/new-wwe-2k23-gameplay-trailer-shows-the-new-wargames-mode-and-more/ |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Xfire |language=en-US |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209181807/https://www.xfire.com/new-wwe-2k23-gameplay-trailer-shows-the-new-wargames-mode-and-more/ |url-status=live }} Referee voiceovers have been revamped with different voices and unique lines when the pinfall occurs.

Game modes such as MyFACTION, MyGM, Showcase, Universe, career mode MyRISE and a full creation suite return with new features.{{Cite web |last=Norton |first=Brad |date=2023-03-01 |title=Everything we know about WWE 2K23: Release date, roster, new match types, more |url=https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/everything-we-know-about-wwe-2k23-2051067/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Dexerto |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207130133/https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/everything-we-know-about-wwe-2k23-2051067/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Makar |first=Connor |date=2023-02-02 |title=WWE 2K23 Preview: the first real step towards a bright future |url=https://www.vg247.com/wwe-2k23-preview-the-first-step-in-a-heavyweight-championship |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=VG247 |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207130131/https://www.vg247.com/wwe-2k23-preview-the-first-step-in-a-heavyweight-championship |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author1=Wilson |first=Ben |date=2023-02-02 |title=WWE 2K23 preview: WarGames, Showcase and the return of Cody Rhodes |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k23-preview/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207130132/https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k23-preview/ |url-status=live }} Showcase features cover star John Cena and allows players to recreate key moments in Cena's career, playing as his opponents, as a reference to one of his catchphrases, "Never Give Up", in a "countdown" order of his most toughest opponents Cena has faced in his career instead of a traditional chronological order, from his ECW One Night Stand 2006 matchup against Rob Van Dam for the WWE Championship to his Hell in a Cell 2009 matchup against Randy Orton in a Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Championship, culminating in three fictional matches: two matches involving Cena and any one of the opponents he faced during the showcase in the Raw arena: One where Cena quickly uses his finisher, the Attitude Adjustment, to score a pinfall victory, as a reference to the "LOLCENAWINS" meme, the other facing off against an invisible version of himself, known as "Super Cena", who has an overall rating of 100, as a reference to both another one of his catchphrases, "You Can't See Me", which is also a meme, and the meme of the same name, and a fatal-4-way elimination match at the WrestleMania 38 arena between Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and Bruno Sammartino, under request by Corey Graves. Furthermore, Mike Rome's recording as the ring announcer is now used during actual in-ring footage.

MyGM has been revamped and features four-player gameplay, five new GMs (Xavier Woods, Tyler Breeze, Kurt Angle, Eric Bischoff and Mick Foley), two new brands (NXT 2.0 and WCW), mid-card championships, the Slammy Awards, which occurred at the end of each season, and a new main goal of earning 10 Hall of Fame trophies, which can be earned via Seasonal Challenges and Career Achievements across multiple 25 week seasons, to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, where, if achieved at the end of a season, the player can retire and end a MyGM campaign or continue to the next season.

The in-game tutorial now features Xavier Woods training at the WWE Performance Center with Happy Corbin and Coach Drew Gulak for his fictional match against John Cena at the WrestleMania 38 arena in order to create his very own Showcase match.

MyRISE features two distinct storylines: "The Lock" and "The Legacy". The Lock follows a male wrestler making his debut on the WWE main roster. The Legacy follows a female second-generation wrestler rising through the ranks, aided by her aunt's rival Molly Holly.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Leah J. |date=2023-03-08 |title=WWE 2K23: MyRISE will feature two original storylines |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/wwe-2k23-myrise-mode-male-female-the-lock-the-legacy-2608390/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=GamesHub |language=en-AU |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313015745/https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/wwe-2k23-myrise-mode-male-female-the-lock-the-legacy-2608390/ |url-status=live }}

According to Creative Director Lynell Jinks, the WarGames match type began development prior to WWE 2K22, and was made possible by the reworked engine following the failure of WWE 2K20.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=WWE 2K23 Developers Talk About The Challenges Integrating WarGames Match |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/wwe-2k23-developers-talk-challenges-141840340.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Yahoo! |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207130132/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/wwe-2k23-developers-talk-challenges-141840340.html |url-status=live }}

Developer Andrea Listenberger told Fightful that the two storylines in MyRISE were written by former WWE writers.{{Cite web |title=411MANIA |url=http://411mania.com/games/wwe-2k23-developer-on-writing-myrise-mode/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=WWE 2K23 Developer On Writing MyRise Mode |language=en-US |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312183950/https://411mania.com/games/wwe-2k23-developer-on-writing-myrise-mode/ |url-status=live }}

On February 15, 2023, 2K released entrance footage of returning character Lita, which caused controversy on social media. Fans were critical of Lita's character model, citing a perceived lack of quality and the reuse of an attire which had been used from WWE 2K16 in 2015 to WWE 2K20 in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Lentini |first=Robert |date=2023-02-16 |title='This is not Lita!' – Wrestling fans react to Hall of Famer's character design in WWE 2K23 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-this-lita-wrestling-fans-react-hall-famer-s-character-design-wwe-2k23 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=Sportskeeda |language=en-us |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313015750/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-this-lita-wrestling-fans-react-hall-famer-s-character-design-wwe-2k23 |url-status=live }} Lita's model received alterations to the face prior to the release of the game.{{Cite tweet|number=1633170416033316867|user=PhoenixNitro|title=Lita's initial model was one of the worst I've ever seen. I was very excited and shocked to see that Lita was updated before launch. I think this looks a lot better than what was initially shown! Still not perfect, but I'll take it compared to what was shown haha.|author=Dalton Derrick|date=2023-03-07|access-date=2023-03-13}} Lita '06 became a playable character as an answer to the criticism for the base model; an alternative attire is also available.

WWE 2K23 features 246 superstars. It is the first title in the WWE 2K series to assign different attires to a single slot, namely for Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, Lita and certain Cena models.

On January 23, 2023, WWE 2K23 was officially announced with John Cena as the cover star. Bad Bunny was also announced as a playable character for players that pre-order the game, or purchase the Deluxe or Icon editions. The Bad Bunny edition was released on October 23, 2023, which includes all of the Icon Edition contents, as well as Bad Bunny's Backlash 2023 attire, a Bad Bunny EVO MyFaction card, the Puerto Rican-themed LWO shirt, Bad Bunny-themed MyFaction customization items and 65,700 VC.{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2023-01-23 |title=WWE 2K23 has been officially confirmed for a March release |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/wwe-2k23-has-been-officially-confirmed-for-a-march-release/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-GB |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313015752/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/wwe-2k23-has-been-officially-confirmed-for-a-march-release/ |url-status=live }} A similar bundle, which included the base game and both Bad Bunny packs, was released on October 18, 2023.

On January 30, 2K released behind-the-scenes footage of Cody Rhodes being scanned, who makes his first appearance under his real name since the 2014 game WWE 2K15 following his return at WrestleMania 38, now under his nickname, "The American Nightmare".{{Cite web |last=Noah |first=Steve |date=2023-01-31 |title=WWE 2K23 Cody Rhodes Entrance & Behind the Scenes Videos |url=https://www.operationsports.com/wwe-2k23-cody-rhodes-entrance-behind-the-scenes-videos/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=Operation Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313015743/https://www.operationsports.com/wwe-2k23-cody-rhodes-entrance-behind-the-scenes-videos/ |url-status=live }}

The Deluxe Edition includes a season pass for future downloadable content, MyFACTION bonuses, and three days of early access on March 14. The Icon Edition features all Deluxe Edition content, as well as the "Ruthless Aggression Pack" which contains: classic OVW versions of Cena, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar and Batista, the WrestleMania 22 arena, additional MyFACTION bonuses, and the John Cena Legacy Championship.{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Chris |date=2023-03-07 |title=WWE 2K23: Here's What Comes in Each Edition |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-release-date-deluxe-edition-ps5-xbox-preorder |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313015742/https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-release-date-deluxe-edition-ps5-xbox-preorder |url-status=live }}

On March 6, 2023, the downloadable content for the game was announced. Five content packs containing 24 playable characters these were released from April to August, including superstars from Raw, SmackDown, NXT and Legends.{{Cite web |last=SimoneSDH |title=WWE 2K23 DLC List: All Characters Packs and Release Dates |url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/news/wwe2k23/wwe-2k23-dlc-list-all-characters-packs-and-release-dates |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=The SmackDown Hotel |language=en-gb |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313015743/https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/news/wwe2k23/wwe-2k23-dlc-list-all-characters-packs-and-release-dates |url-status=live }} These characters include: Bray Wyatt, Wade Barrett, Eve Torres, Zeus, Harley Race, the Steiner Brothers, Pretty Deadly and Hit Row among others.

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (PC) 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wwe-2k23/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=WWE 2K23 for PC Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324112856/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/wwe-2k23 |url-status=live }}
(PS5) 82/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wwe-2k23/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=WWE 2K23 for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313105747/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/wwe-2k23 |url-status=live }}
(XBXS) 81/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wwe-2k23/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=WWE 2K23 for Xbox Series X Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312170610/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-series-x/wwe-2k23 |url-status=live }}

| Destruct = 7.5/10{{cite web |last=Handley |first=Zoey |date=March 21, 2023 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-wwe-2k23-pc-xbox-one-series-ps4-ps5-wrestling/ |title=Review: WWE 2K23 |website=Destructoid |access-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321000243/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-wwe-2k23-pc-xbox-one-series-ps4-ps5-wrestling/ |url-status=live }}

| DT = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Colantonio |first=Giovanni |date=March 14, 2023 |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/wwe-2k23-review-ps5/ |title=WWE 2K23 review: the wrestling comeback story continues |website=Digital Trends |access-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314183153/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/wwe-2k23-review-ps5/ |url-status=live }}

| GI = 8/10{{cite magazine |last=Stewart |first=Marcus |date=March 17, 2023 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/wwe-2k23/tightening-some-holds |title=WWE 2K23 Review - Tightening Some Holds |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318033851/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/wwe-2k23/tightening-some-holds |url-status=live }}

| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=March 20, 2023 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wwe-2k23-review-head-of-the-table/1900-6418048/ |title=WWE 2K23 Review - Head Of The Table |website=GameSpot |access-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320172913/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wwe-2k23-review-head-of-the-table/1900-6418048/ |url-status=live }}

| GRadar = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Ben |date=March 13, 2023 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k23-review-the-series-is-finally-back-on-top-form/ |title=WWE 2K23 review: "The series is finally back on top form" |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313110349/https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k23-review-the-series-is-finally-back-on-top-form/ |url-status=live }}

| HCG = 4.5/5{{cite web |last=Wells |first=Cory |date=March 13, 2023 |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-wwe-2k23/438514/ |title=Review: WWE 2K23 |website=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313162815/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-wwe-2k23/438514/ |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 8/10{{cite web |last=Green |first=Jarrett |date=March 17, 2023 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-review |title=WWE 2K23 Review |website=IGN |access-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317192248/https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-review |url-status=live }}

| NME = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Jason |date=March 14, 2023 |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/wwe-2k23-review-3413065 |title='WWE 2K23' review: a return to form for the franchise |website=NME |access-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314214402/https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/wwe-2k23-review-3413065 |url-status=live }}

| PSQ = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web |last=Potter |first=Ben |date=March 13, 2023 |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/wwe-2k23 |title=WWE 2K23 Review (PS5) |website=Push Square |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313110153/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/wwe-2k23 |url-status=live }}

| SN = 8/10{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Nick |date=March 13, 2023 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/134563/wwe-2k23-review-score |title=WWE 2K23 review: Repeated strikes |website=Shacknews |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313110421/https://www.shacknews.com/article/134563/wwe-2k23-review-score |url-status=live }}

| TA = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Madnani |first=Mikhail |date=March 21, 2023 |url=https://toucharcade.com/2023/03/21/wwe-2k23-steam-deck-review-pc-performance-settings-online-wargames-mode/ |title='WWE 2K23' Steam Deck Review – Shockingly Good, but Needs More Work |website=TouchArcade |access-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321173608/https://toucharcade.com/2023/03/21/wwe-2k23-steam-deck-review-pc-performance-settings-online-wargames-mode/ |url-status=live }}

| VG = 8/10{{cite web |last=Borthwick |first=Ben |date=March 16, 2023 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/wwe-2k23-review/ |title=WWE 2K23 Review – Head of the Table? |website=VideoGamer.com |access-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316160751/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/wwe-2k23-review/ |url-status=live }}

}}

WWE 2K23 received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.

In a preview of the game, Dale Driver from IGN observed that the game largely felt the same as its predecessor with a few improvements.{{Cite web |last=Driver |first=Dale |date=2023-02-02 |title=WWE 2K23 Hands-On Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-hands-on-preview |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207130132/https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-hands-on-preview |url-status=live }}

IGN noted greater flexibility and creativity in the game compared to its predecessors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-review|title=WWE 2K23 Review|first=Jarrett|last=Green|date=March 17, 2023|website=IGN|access-date=March 29, 2023|archive-date=March 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329025546/https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k23-review|url-status=live}}

{{clear}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website| https://wwe.2k.com/2k23}}

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