WrestleQuest

{{Infobox video game

| title = WrestleQuest

| developer = Mega Cat Studios

| publisher = Skybound Games{{efn|Mobile ports published by Netflix}}

| platforms = {{ubl|Windows|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|iOS|Android}}

| released = August 22, 2023

| genre = Role-playing

| image = Wrestlequest_steam_art.jpg

| modes = Single-player

| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/games/made-with-unity-2023-review|title=Made with Unity: 2023 in review|work=Unity Technologies|last1=Saver|first1=Michael|last2=Pung|first2=Julia|last3=Stanton|first3=Devon|date=2024-01-04|accessdate=2024-01-13}}

}}

WrestleQuest is a role-playing video game developed by Mega Cat Studios and published by Skybound Games. It combines a pro-wrestling theme with elements from Japanese role-playing games. The game was released on August 22, 2023 for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S and Nintendo Switch, as well as iOS and Android through Netflix.

Gameplay

In WrestleQuest, players embark on an adventure in a world of professional wrestling-obsessed toys that include wrestling action figures (some based on real-life wrestlers) as well as teddy bears, dolls, robots, and Lego-like minifigs. They can perform different wrestling moves to rise through the ranks of fictional pro-wrestling promotions across various playsets. The game's story is about rescuing pro-wrestling from a scheming tyrant who wants to control the scripts for all wrestling events worldwide. Combat in the game is turn-based, and as players progress in the game, they will level up, manage a party of characters, and complete side quests.{{Cite news |last=Serin |first=Kaan |last2= |first2= |date=2023-05-31 |title=Retro RPGs meet the world of pro wrestling in WrestleQuest, releasing this August |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/retro-rpgs-meet-the-world-of-pro-wrestling-in-wrestlequest-releasing-this-august |access-date=2023-08-08}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-11 |title=WrestleQuest Gameplay Shows Off Real Wrestlers As Your RPG Summons |url=https://screenrant.com/wrestlequest-trailer-real-wrestler-summons-reveal-rpg/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

The developers introduced several systems that capture the feel of a pro-wrestling match. Every battle happens in front of a live audience, and the Hype Meter shows how engaged the audience is.{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Jason |date=2023-07-12 |title=WrestleQuest preview: A loving tribute to professional wrestling |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/wrestlequest-preview-a-loving-tribute-professional-wrestling |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}} Using the same moves repeatedly bores the audience, causing the meter to drop and enemies to become stronger. If players use a variety of moves and wrestling strategies, they can increase the Hype Meter and unlock bonuses.{{Cite web |title=WrestleQuest Interview – Combat, Story, Length, and More |url=https://gamingbolt.com/wrestlequest-interview-combat-story-length-and-more |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=GamingBolt |language=en-US}} Another wrestling element in combat is the pinning system.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-24 |title='WrestleQuest' lives up to the hype and delivers on its clever premise |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/wrestlequest-preview-pax-east-2022 |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Inverse |language=en}} Some enemies can be defeated by reducing their hit points to zero, while others need to be pinned, like in a wrestling match. During pinning, players need to press buttons at the right time for each count. The game also includes other wrestling-related features. Players can customize their entrance routine, choosing theme music, pyrotechnics, and effects. Before boss fights, players can cut promos, verbally taunting their opponents.{{Cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Jason |date=April 7, 2023 |title=The RPG Files: WrestleQuest Is Every Wrestling Fan's Childhood In RPG Form |url=https://www.mmorpg.com/previews/the-rpg-files-wrestlequest-is-every-wrestling-fans-childhood-in-rpg-form-2000127681 |website=MMORPG.com}} There are also different wrestling styles called Hype Types,{{Cite web |title=WrestleQuest Review – Cream of the Crop |url=https://gamingbolt.com/wrestlequest-review-cream-of-the-crop |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=GamingBolt |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-12 |title=WrestleQuest is your next Steam RPG game obsession |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/wrestlequest/preview |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}} such as Technician, Showman, Powerhouse, and others.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-12 |title=This Upcoming Pixel RPG May Be The Best Wrestling Game Of The Year |url=https://kotaku.com/wrestlequest-review-rpg-muchacho-man-wwe-2k-1850632893 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Houtz |first=Josh |date=2022-06-22 |title=WrestleQuest Hands-On Preview - Tear Into the Spice |url=https://www.operationsports.com/wrestlequest-hands-on-preview-tear-into-the-spice/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Operation Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-07 |title=WrestleQuest Walkthrough and Guide |url=https://www.neoseeker.com/wrestlequest/walkthrough |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Neoseeker}}

Plot

WrestleQuest follows two protagonists, Muchacho Man and Brink Logan, as they aim to win championship titles in pro-wrestling. Muchacho Man (whose persona is modeled after "Macho Man" Randy Savage) is a newcomer who doesn't know that wrestling is scripted and is hoping to become the top professional wrestler in the world, while Brink Logan (whose literal "Hitman" gimmick is a nod to Bret "The Hitman" Hart) wrestles for his father's wrestling company and has seemingly accepted his lot in life as a "jobber-to-the-stars", a reliable professional who knows how to make his opponents look good. Both of these characters catch the attention of Mr. L. F. Font (a stuffed elephant), who owns PAW, the biggest wrestling organization. Mr. Font is not satisfied with just being at the top; he wants to control all of wrestling and uses aggressive business tactics and illegal methods to do so.

The paths of these characters cross as they fight to save not only the world but also the world of pro-wrestling and reality itself.

Development

The team at Mega Cat Studios had long wanted to do an RPG,{{Cite web |date=2023-08-01 |title=Mega Cat Studios' James Deighan Prepares Us for WrestleQuest! |url=https://www.skybound.com/interviews/wrestlequest/mega-cat-studios-james-deighan-wrestlequest |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Skybound Entertainment |language=en-US}} and many were wrestling fans.{{Cite magazine |last=Woodrow |first=Ryan |date=July 12, 2023 |title=WrestleQuest preview: out-working everyone |url=https://videogames.si.com/features/wrestlequest-preview |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} According to Manko, the team placed a large emphasis on developing the game's narrative. In WrestleQuest, characters have an action figure appearance, resembling toys. This design choice aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding players of their childhood playtime and the imaginative world of toys.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-26 |title=PAX: WrestleQuest finds a beautiful harmony between RPG and pro wrestling |url=https://www.destructoid.com/wrestlequest-pro-wrestling-rpg-game-pax-preview/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}} The game features licences with prominent professional wrestlers of different eras, with licences from the Poffo family eatate, the Rousimoff estate, Sgt Slaughter, Jeff Jarrett, Diamond Dallas Page, and the Hegstrand and Lauranits estates.{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2023-07-12 |title=WrestleQuest might be a love note to pro rasslin', but it's an old-school RPG first |url=https://www.polygon.com/23792385/wrestlequest-release-date-preview-trailer |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

WrestleQuest was announced on March 16, 2022, during the ID@Xbox Showcase.{{Cite magazine |title=Everything Announced During Today's ID@Xbox Event |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/03/16/everything-announced-during-todays-idxbox-event |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316190612/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/03/16/everything-announced-during-todays-idxbox-event |url-status=live |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=2023-08-08 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}} Initially set to be released on August 8, 2023, it was delayed to August 23 as the developer needed additional time to remedy an issue related to saving game progress.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/08/wrestlequest-delayed-to-august-22|title=WrestleQuest delayed to August 22|first=Sal|last=Romano|work=Gematsu|date=August 7, 2023|accessdate=August 13, 2023}}

Reception

The PC version of the game received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wrestlequest/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=WrestleQuest for PC reviews|work=Metacritic|accessdate=August 13, 2023}}