Most prominent in that lineup if Motive Studio’s remake of sci-fi survival horror title Dead Space, which released last year to much acclaim. It will be accompanied by WWE 2K24, as well as Doki Doki Literature Club! Plus, an expanded version of the acclaimed psychological horror visual novel.

All three titles will be available to claim starting October 1. Being offered with PlayStation Plus, which is the service’s lowest tier, the lineup will, of course, also be available to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers. Meanwhile, September’s offerings will remain available to claim until September 30.

15. Alan Wake 2: Night Springs

The surreal creepiness and noir horror of Alan Wake 2 left a lasting impression on us when it launched last year. Night Springs doesn’t look to top it so much as offer a Twilight Zone-esque structure with three standalone episodes. Cut through mobsters as Alan Wake’s number one fan, Rose Marigold; venture through Coffee World as Control’s Jesse Fade; or engage in a meta-breaking narrative with Sheriff Breaker, played by Shawn Ashmore of Quantum Break fame. It’s off the cuff, bizarre and Night Springs at its best.

14. F1 24

Codemasters’ latest iteration of the Formula One racing series raised some alarm bells with its handling and physics changes. If you can stomach or tweak them enough to your liking, there’s a lot to like, from the new Driver Career and its secret negotiations and engineer events to the new Challenge Career. F1 World is also weirdly compelling with its loot-focused gameplay, even if it needs some changes, and there’s no denying the presentation. It’s not the best title in the series but it remains enjoyable.

13. WWE 2K24

While WWE 2K23 coasted on featuring WarGames for the first time, WWE 2K24 offers significantly more. There are Ambulance, Casket, Gauntlet, and Special Guest Referee matches, while Backstage Brawl is enhanced with more weapons and interactions. The new Showcase mode, covering 40 years of Wrestlemania, is competent overall, and others like MyGM and MyUniverse have more significant additions. It also doesn’t hurt that the wrestling feels like the best in years, even with its trademark jankiness.

12. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Flying under the radar this year is DON’T NOD’s Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, a tale of Red and Antea. After the latter unexpectedly dies, the former must decide whether to resurrect or allow her to ascend. Of course, as a Banisher, there’s also the task of helping settlers in the late 17th century against evil spirits, seamlessly shifting between both characters to unleash firearms, swords and magic. While several aspects could use improvements, Banishers is still an involving tale of love and loss.

11. Stellar Blade

Three years ago, Shift-Up’s Project Eve attracted its fair share of attention with its sleek visuals, combat and sci-fi aesthetic. It didn’t seem possible it could deliver, but in 2024, Stellar Blade stands out for its fast-paced action, gorgeous presentation and surprisingly extensive scale. The narrative of humanity’s near-extinction is rife with twists and turns, but even if you’re a combat aficionado, Stellar Blade will cater to your tastes and then some.

10. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Even after the acclaim of its predecessor, we honestly didn’t know what to expect with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2. It’s a first-party console exclusive, yet $49.99, digital-only and takes roughly six hours to complete. While there’s plenty to ponder, one can’t deny that Senua’s latest journey into the darkness, combining mythology with psychosis, is just a spectacle. Very few titles can match its visual fidelity, and even if there are areas it could improve on, Hellblade 2 is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.

9. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

While The Rogue still needs time to cook, Sargon and his quest in The Lost Crown is piping hot with its sleek combat and abundant secrets. Some traversal aspects could be fine-tuned, but the sense of exploration and uncovering a whole new section of the map is great.

8. Tekken 8

It’s almost incredible that six years passed between new Tekken titles. Given the various ways Tekken 7 fumbled, Tekken 8 had its task cut out and delivered on nearly every front. The latest story mode is as baffling and bizarre as epic and involving. The Heat system lends to some great new strategies and tense moments, while the new characters – Reina, Azucena and Victor – fit in naturally with the classic cast. You could argue that Arcade Quest is disposable, but in terms of the complete package, Tekken 8 stakes its claim as one of the best fighting games in years.

7. Hades 2

It says something when Hades 2 is already one of the best games of this year despite still being in early access. The sheer scale of the current product, the art style and incredible soundtrack, and the story-telling and characterization, combined with the fluid combat and range of builds courtesy of the Boons, make for a rogue-lite experience that leaves the original behind. We’re keen to see how it evolves further over the coming months, but Hades 2 is still one of this year’s must-play titles.

6. Helldivers 2

Few games with online issues that persist for weeks after launch could inspire such frenzy as Helldivers 2. Very few have bucked the ever-prevalent notion of “live service bad” like Helldivers 2. Almost none inspired as extensive a wave of backlash as the mandatory PSN-linking like Helldivers 2. It’s because, at its core, Helldivers 2 is a great game – an engaging co-op experience, an incredible work of satire. It’s also one of the few live service titles where it feels like the story is evolving, motivated by player efforts, however small.

5. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

When RGG Studio tells you that a new entry in the Like a Dragon series is the longest, you know it’s an experience unlike any other. Whether it’s the ever-enjoyable side stories, the many improvements to combat, the sheer size of Hawaii City, the randomized dungeons or the sheer depth of activities like Dondoko Island and Sujimon, Infinite Wealth has a dizzying amount of content. Of course, it’s backed by a great narrative carried by its incredible cast while serving as an emotional journey for beloved protagonist Kazuma Kiryu.

4. Destiny 2: The Final Shape

The narrative of The Final Shape, the conclusion to the Light and Darkness saga in Destiny, mirroring Bungie’s struggle to deliver on expectations, isn’t lost on fans. Nevertheless, the expansion pulled out all the stops for some of the best story-telling in the series. The gunplay remained as excellent as always, with excellent new weapons, and Prismatic busting the door open on the Guardian power fantasy. Top-to-bottom, from the patrol space and activities to the raid, The Final Shape represents the very best of Destiny 2 while offering some hope for the future.

3. Dragon’s Dogma 2

The emergent gameplay of Dragon’s Dogma 2 isn’t for everyone, but the world design and its emphasis on going out and experiencing it first-hand can get addictive. You never know what lies around each corner, and all those moments – from your Pawn saving you from a fatal fall or the Sphinx’s riddles – make the experience all the more memorable. Combat also leverages those emergent systems while still feeling tight and providing an extensive range of choices. For all its quirks, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a truly unique action RPG experience.

2. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

What can be said about Elden Ring’s first (and only) expansion that hasn’t been said already? The overwhelming challenge of the Realm of Shadow and its awe-inspiring bosses? The new weapons and their crazy movesets, or the extensive verticality of the world design and exploration? All the secrets dotting the landscape, from an innocuous manor of madness to a world-ending threat on the peak? Shadow of the Erdtree builds on everything that makes the base game great while upping the intensity and build-crafting variety in what may as well be an entirely new game. It’s mind-boggling, frustrating, strangely beautiful, and we can’t get enough.

1. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

There is no shortage of massive role-playing games this year and while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth matches up well, it offers something more. The nostalgia, the feeling of experiencing these previously 32-bit locations and events in gorgeous cutting-edge visuals – it didn’t seem like the developer could once again mimic those feelings that Final Fantasy 7 Remake gave us. Yet, here we are. It’s far superior in terms of side quests and combat, while the sheer scale of the world is breathtaking to behold. The year isn’t over, but as of now, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is as good as it gets.

Alongside the current version of CM Punk, the DLC will also include older versions of the professional wrestler. CM Punk will be joined by Bubba Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley, Sandman, and Terry Funk in the ECW Punk Pack.

Interestingly, this DLC also marks the first time CM Punk will be playable in a WWE game since WWE 2K15—a game where work on his in-game character was completed before Punk would leave WWE on bad terms. Since then, CM Punk took a long hiatus from the pro-wrestling industry, and returned back in 2021 in AEW.

WWE 2K24 was released on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S back in March. For more details about the core game, check out our review. And if you’re interested in exploring the MyFaction mode, here’s everything you need to know.

Cult Of Personality. ⚡️

Step into the ring as the Best in the World, CM Punk, with the ECW Punk Pack for #WWE2K24. Available May 15. pic.twitter.com/EWSwFonrLl

— #WWE2K24 (@WWEgames) May 10, 2024

Die by the Blade 

Currently in development at Triple Hill Interactive, Die by the Blade is a fighting game that operates on an interesting principle which is that a single hit is the difference between victory and defeat. The fighting mechanics are extremely realistic, and players will have to be mindful of each move during battle to ensure their chances of success. The character designs and visuals might not be too great, but Die by the Blade’s set of gameplay ideas is what helps it stand out from the rest of the crowd. It releases for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 16 May, 2024. 

Gladiators Manager

Gladiators Manager thrusts you into ancient Rome where you must take charge of a crumbling school of gladiators and build it up to be a prestigious institution for the best fighters of the nation. Developed by Ancient Games, Gladiators Manager is more of a management sim than a real-time fighter since you need to keep tabs on resources and consistently upgrade buildings to expand your school. There are fighting sequences as well, but those are of turn-based nature where you have to make good use of the gladiator’s skills to win in battle. It comes out for PC sometime in Q4 2024.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys: Celes

Arc System Works is a master of creating nuanced fighting games with a compelling set of mechanics and a signature anime-esque art style, and its latest UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH 2 Sys: Celes is no different. With a vast roster of 24 distinct characters and mechanics that are easy to pick but difficult to master, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH 2 is a game that should serve fighting fans well for dozens of hours. It’s available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

First Cut: Samurai Duel

Clearly inspired by classics like Ninja Gaiden and Double Dragon, First Cut: Samurai Duel puts you on a warrior’s path where enemies lie in wait for a fight to the death. The fighting mechanics might look simple on the surface, but there’s a surprising amount of depth to the actual affair as you need to parry attacks and strike only when there’s an opening – and mastering that careful dance is the true essence of First Cut. It’s available now on PC.

Bam Boom Blade

Bam Boom Blade is all about dueling against opponents whilst riding on top of a meter-long bamboo, and it’s just as weird as it sounds. Developed by Blaer Zhang, Bam Boom Blade is a physics-based fighter where you have to smartly take control of the bamboo and use that momentum to slash away at your opponent for a shot at victory. It is now available for PC.

Orbitals 

Orbitals describes itself as a bullet-brawling game, and there’s perhaps no more fitting description for this kind of gameplay. Players have to duke it out against one another in closed arenas and shoot each other off by using a wide variety of weapons ranging from laser beams to shotguns and much more. It looks like a really fun experience and there’s plenty of potential in this formula, so we are definitely excited to experience Orbitals in full when it releases for PC sometime in the near future.

Rivals 2

Rivals 2 is a platform fighter where players have the singular objective of fighting their opponent and pushing them out of the arena. Much like the original game, Rivals 2 features a bunch of elemental fighters that both look and play differently – and players can spend dozens of hours mastering each character and their playstyles. It comes out for PC sometime this year.

Blazing Worldstars

Speaking of throwbacks to the glory days of fighting games, we have Blazing Worldstars from developer Bloodrune Entertainment. The game makes a strong first impression with its retro aesthetics, but Blazing Worldstars also features gameplay elements of its inspirations like Street Fighter 5’s parry system while also introducing its own mechanics like the Enhance system that should make it a game worth sinking your teeth into. It comes out for PC sometime in the near future.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Developer SNK of The King of Fighters game is hard at work on Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, which is set to take the series to new heights. Due to release sometime in 2025, City of the Wolves will feature updated visuals that are inspired by Marvel Comics and improved gameplay that also includes easy control options – which should make the fighting experience a lot more polished and inclusive than ever before.

Umbral Core

Umbral Core takes place in a dark fantasy world brimming with fierce warriors capable of using dark magic to completely and utterly decimate opposing forces. As one of eight such warriors, you get to take part in fierce fights to the death where you must utilize your moves and skills judiciously to trickle down the opponent’s health bar and eventually win fights. The developer also promises convenient online play with rollback netcode, so Umbral Core might be a game that’s worth looking into when it comes out sometime in the near future.

Shattered 

Team 18k’s upcoming Shattered is a glorious tribute to the fighting games of the 90s. The game presents itself in a gorgeous 16-bit aesthetic with impressive sprite work and smoothed-out animations, and it also adds a few new touches to the gameplay loop while remaining faithful to its inspirations. The character roster is both visually and functionally different, which makes Shattered feel like the perfect nostalgia trip complete with rose-tinted glasses. It comes out for PC sometime in the near future.

WWE 2K24

The WWE 2K series has been pumping out great games for the last couple of years, and WWE 2K24 is a game that definitely belongs to the upper echelon of entries in the franchise. With its solid wrestling mechanics and a bevy of different game modes, WWE 2K24 is a game that will keep fans of the entertainment sport occupied for dozens upon dozens of hours. Whether you are taking part in a Royal Rumble or building a business through the MyGM mode or duking it out against friends in co-op, WWE 2K24 wouldn’t disappoint you. It’s available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.

Project: The Outcast 

Based on the popular Donghua Hitori No Shita, Project: The Outcast is a game that manages to translate the best parts of the series into a mobile game. Project: The Outcast combines bone-chilling horror with fighting sequences that are simply spectacular. The animation work here is especially noteworthy, and the game looks extremely gorgeous with its art style. It will be released for mobile platforms at some point in the near future.

Coreupt 

Set against the backdrop of a dystopian future, Coreupt is a fighting game that tasks players to take part in deadly duels against the most fierce warriors of the galaxy in an effort to save the universe from the clutches of a dark warlord. The Mortal Kombat and Tekken influences are pretty clear here, but Coreupt does manage to impress with its assortment of moves and smooth animations. It comes out for PC sometime this year.

Tekken 8

The latest entry in the long-running fighting franchise, Tekken 8 takes the fight to the next level with its innovations and refinements over past franchises. The new Heat system promotes aggressive play, and the Arcade Quest lets you embark on a grand fighting adventure with your own custom character. The visual presentation is a massive step up from what we saw in Tekken 7, and that combined with the aforementioned gameplay enhancements makes Tekken 8 a worthy entry that is unmissable for fighting games fans. Tekken 8 is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

While quite a few issues have been addressed with the update, there isn’t really any headlining feature. The closest thing to a new feature added to WWE 2K24 as part of the update is a new tutorial that Faction Wars players get for how the mode’s rewards work. For more details, check out the full patch notes below.

WWE 2K24 was recently released to quite a bit of acclaimed, with our own review referring to it as a further refinement of mechanics and gameplay that originally showed up back in WWE 2K22. The game was released earlier this month with a massive roster that features more than 200 Superstars and Legends from throughout WWE’s history.

WWE 2K24 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. For more details, here are all the differences between WWE 2K24 and WWE 2K23. And here’s just about everything else you might want to know about the game.

WWE 2K24 Patch 1.04 Notes:

Tips and Tricks for Success in WWE 2K24’s MyFaction

Complete MyRise and 2K Showcase

First of all, finish the new MyRise and Showcase Modes. MyRise’s “Unleashed” storyline contains Ruby cards for Asuka, John Cena and Batista, among other rewards. Showcase is more rewarding as it features Ruby cards of Shawn Michaels ’94, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley and Ricky Steamboat (head here for tips on completing it quickly). They’re not the absolute best cards but more than enough to get rolling. Complete the Performance Center’s Tutorials as well, since they give a free Superstars Series 1 Pack.

Live Events

Live Events are also a source of powerful rewards, but they’re time-limited. They usually involve wrestling specific groups and earning MyFaction Points by completing specific objectives. Nevertheless, the rewards are worth it, from MyFaction Points and Oddities (used to complete Persona Cards) to Apex Rewards like Ruby cards. This past week offered a Ruby Becky Lynch, for example, and would make a great addition to anyone’s lineup.

Complete Challenges

It wouldn’t be a live service-style mode without challenges to complete. MyFaction offers Daily Challenges that last 24 hours, but there are also Lifetime Challenges, which are always available and take more time to complete. Pursue both to earn MyFaction Points, Tokens, Cards and much more.

Loyalty Rewards

Of course, you’ll receive rewards for logging in, including MyFaction Points, Tokens, and Faction War Tickets (more on that in a bit). The reward varies daily, but they can add up over the long run. If you log in five days a week, you can claim Loyalty Rewards like card packs, further adding to your collection.

Maximizing Faction Wars Credits

Faction Wars has undergone a fundamental shift this year. It’s now more like a rogue-like, Slay the Spire-style run through various nodes containing different battles and bonuses, culminating in a boss fight. You need Faction War Tickets for runs, earned from daily logins but mostly from playing MyFaction mode.

When selecting your faction, pay close attention to the rarity of the cards since they cumulatively add a bonus to the Credits earned. The main goal is to maximize the amount of Credits from a run to spend on purchasing new cards, including some of the bosses encountered during runs. The higher the rarity, the costlier they’ll be. However, given how powerful some of their badges are (like Rabble Rouser, which grants a finisher on your second successful taunt), they’re well worth the grind.

You can choose several paths to start in a run, but it’s best to go for the routes that have the most Muscle and Heart nodes. These grant a fair amount of Faction War Credits, and since your objective is to beat the Faction Boss, skipping matches is advised. If you end up in one, try to win it as quickly as possible.

In a 4v4 match, for example, single out a single opponent, make their teammates use their interference and then score the pinfall to win quickly. If it’s a Ladder match, knock down your opponents and scale the ladder as quickly as possible to end it. Don’t waste too much time since you need to preserve that core Vitality for the long run.

Avoid the Choice Nodes whenever possible. They randomly increase attributes for a random Superstar but have a chance of causing a core loss in Vitality in them instead. The higher the attribute increase, the more the Vitality loss. The risk vs reward is not worth it unless you desperately need to replenish core Vitality.

After beating the Faction Boss, you can add them to your current run’s lineup, which is different from unlocking them permanently. Skip them if they don’t add anything worthwhile and claim those guaranteed Credits.

There are five stages in total for a single Faction Wars run. Remember: Losing a single match will end the current run, so be careful. Don’t try to push through for more Credits if your Vitality is suffering. If you want to suspend a run and pick it back up later (as long as it’s not in the middle of a match), you can do that.

Choosing a Manager

A final tip – choose the appropriate Manager card to augment your faction with bonus attributes. How well they’ll work depends on compatibility, ranging from Excellent to Bad, but you also want to keep Manager Styles in mind. If your team consists of Strikers, then an Aggressive Style is best, while Ruthless works better with Powerhouses, Cunning with Technicians and Flashy with High Fliers.

WWE 2K24 is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Check out our review here.

Different objectives pop up throughout the match and usually call back to special moments from its real-life version. For example, in the Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels match at Wrestlemania 21, you must drag HBK out of the ring in front of the announce table and use a Light Attack to trigger the corresponding event.

It’s easier said than done, though, especially when opponents reverse your moves or unleash their finishers. Here are some tips to win all the Showcase Matches and complete their objectives.

Tips and Tricks for Winning Showcase Matches in WWE 2K24

Learn the Controls

This is obvious enough, but you shouldn’t just jump into the mode. Some commands for objectives are displayed, but they won’t explain how to Irish Whip opponents into the rope or throw them outside the ring. Take the time to learn the basics before challenging the greats.

Set the Difficulty to Easy

If you’re struggling in matches like Triple Threat between Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania 35, knock the difficulty down to Easy. Your opponents will still seemingly reverse things out of nowhere, but it’s far easier to cope with than losing to a random pin. It’s also a much more relaxed atmosphere to complete objectives at your own pace.

Skip the Objectives

Those who don’t care for the objectives or have the 40 Years of Wrestlemania Edition to unlock everything can easily breeze through the Showcase. All you have to do is win the match, take your opponent outside, beat the snot out of them, and then rush back in before the referee reaches 10 to win. Cheap? Sure, but it’s effective.

WWE 2K24 is available for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC. Check out our review here.

When it comes to its core gameplay, WWE 2K24 doesn’t really change anything. Just like WWE 2K22 and 2K23, 2K24 also gives you the options of light attacks, heavy attacks, and grapples, all of which can combo in and out of each other. While the lack of any major changes to the system might disappoint some, it’s worth noting that the core gameplay in WWE 2K24 is some of the best we’ve ever seen from the franchise. Just about everything else from WWE games of the past, including positional damage on bodies, is back in full force as well.

"While the lack of any major changes to the system might disappoint some, it’s worth noting that the core gameplay in WWE 2K24 is some of the best we’ve ever seen from the franchise."

The focus on fast-paced gameplay continues with the defensive options players are given, ranging from countering moves at the press of a button with the right timing, being able to counter a combo string by successfully guessing what attack the enemy is using, or just plain old blocking and attacking. All of these offensive and defensive options feed into a signature bar that can be used for a couple of things: a signature move, or a utility move. While signature moves are often the core offensive option, since you immediately get to use a finisher right afterwards, the utility moves help the general flow of a match quite well.

Utility moves can be quite versatile, with their uses ranging from something as simple as immediately getting off the ground after getting hit by a big attack, to more interesting and fun options, like playing possum to then sneak in a quick pin in an attempt to steal a victory from your opponent. While these moves may not contribute much to damaging your opponent, they certainly help in maintaining a quick pace throughout a match.

Going by the marketing behind WWE 2K24, it would be easy to make the mistake of assuming that the new Showcase of the Immortals mode, which focuses on celebrating 40 years of WrestleMania, is the flagship single-player mode this time around. When it actually comes to playing the game, however, this couldn’t be further away from the truth. Much like last year, MyRise remains where the best single-player aspects of WWE 2K24 lie, followed closely by other modes like MyGM and Universe modes.

"Much like last year, MyRise remains where the best single-player aspects of WWE 2K24 lie"

The Showcase of the Immortals mode this time around feels like a definite step down. While the subject matter is inherently interesting, (the yearly WrestleMania shows are something of a major event for professional wrestling fans, after all) the execution of the mode is where the game falters. For instance, the Showcase mode is insistent on trying to be something of a tutorial, which adversely affects the attempts at cinematic storytelling in some of the earlier matches in the mode. For a good example of just where Showcase mode falls short this time around, I think it’s useful to look at the last time a WWE game celebrated WrestleMania, all the way back in WWE 2K14.

For context, WWE 2K14 had a 30 Years of WrestleMania mode where you got to wrestle through some of the most iconic matches of the pay-per-view event throughout the years. These matches featured optional objectives that players could try, and these objectives were often there to simulate the events of the actual match, and could range from smaller moments like a punch thrown at a certain corner of the ring, to bigger set piece moments, like Edge spearing Mick Foley through a burning table.

WWE 2K24 tries its hand at a similar tribute to WrestleMania, and while it does succeed sometimes, more often than not, it has the tendency of grinding things to an absolute stop in order to impart a poorly-paced and poorly-scripted history lesson. Back when WWE 2K22 was seamlessly transitioning between real-world footage of a classic Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. match, it was really cool. Sadly, despite the high quality of the match, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat versus “Macho Man” Randy Savage doesn’t lend itself too well to these transitions. And considering just how slow-paced older wrestling matches tend to be, rather than cool, the transitions start feeling annoying since you’re just losing control over a match you were otherwise playing at a much quicker pace.

"It would be easy to make the mistake of assuming that the new Showcase of the Immortals mode is the flagship single-player mode this time around."

Thankfully, the new MyRise mode storylines are rather fantastic, and more than make up for the dull Showcase mode. This time around, the women’s storyline revolves around a wrestler and co-founder of indie wrestling federation TBD, known as The Captain, gets involved with WWE and its machinations. The men’s story revolves around Cody Rhodes’ never-ending attempts at “finishing the story” by beating Roman Reigns to get his hands on WWE’s ultimate prize: the WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Championship. Both storylines also feature plenty of side-stories that range from fun distractions to downright hilarious. For example, an early story in the women’s storyline had me prevent a cult masquerading as a breathing and meditation app from taking over the WWE roster.

Of course, the other most important thing about a wrestling game is its roster, and WWE 2K24 does not disappoint in this department. There are plenty of WWE Superstars for players to choose from, ranging from modern stars like LA Knight and Roman Reigns, to Legends like Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. There are also a few fun incarnations of some Superstars, such as “Elite” Cody Rhodes, basically a Cody Rhodes action figure that comes to the ring and wrestles like a regular person. There are also several alternate options for wrestlers like the Undertaker, Kane, and even The Rock, ranging from their early incarnations to more modern ones.

Unfortunately, the MyFaction mode still feels as worthless and superfluous as ever. Much like the last few times we’ve seen the mode, MyFaction still feels like an attempt by 2K to further monetize WWE 2K24 in the same vein as other sports titles by the publisher. Thankfully, there isn’t really anything in the mode that would force you to play it, and if dream matches are really something you want to do, the Universe mode is much better suited to long-term play than MyFaction will ever be.

"Of course, the other most important thing about a wrestling game is its roster, and WWE 2K24 does not disappoint in this department."

When it comes to just having some fun on a couch with some friends, the number of match types in WWE 2K24 does not disappoint. Alongside match types we’ve come to expect from a wrestling game, like singles, tag matches, triple threat, fatal four way, and even some gimmick matches like cage matches or the Hell in a Cell match, there are a fair number of new additions to the list. Two of the new types, Casket and Ambulance matches, both revolve around trying to shove your opponents into containers, which can either be a casket, or an ambulance, as the match’s name might imply.

These gimmick matches add a fair bit of variety to what would otherwise end up being just a series of regular matches. Owing to their gimmicky nature, you won’t really find yourself going to these match types that often, which in a way mimics the general flow of WWE programming. Casket matches, Ambulance matches, and even backstage brawls tend to be few and far between, giving them an air of being a truly special event when a storyline demands such a match type.

The addition of these new match types also ties in quite neatly with the single-player game modes on offer in WWE 2K24. MyRise, for example, will throw in one of these matches every now and then in order to spice up a particular rivalry. Where these new matches get truly useful is in Universe mode, which essentially puts you in charge of booking shows and making your own storylines. Depending on how intense things can get, a Casket match often makes for an excellent way to end a long and bloody feud.

"Thankfully, the new MyRise mode storylines are rather fantastic, and more than make up for the dull Showcase mode."

The other new match type, Gauntlet, while being a welcome addition, doesn’t really add much to the game that couldn’t already be achieved by just planning out a Universe mode event well enough. You’re essentially pit against a series of wrestlers to beat one after another, being forced to carry any injuries and damage you might accrue over to your bout with the next opponent. Gauntlet matches can be quite fun, but they also have a tendency to get quite tedious.

Overall, WWE 2K24 is the best that the franchise has been, especially in its more modern incarnations. Just about everything about the game is bigger and better than its predecessors, ranging from the absurd size of the roster, and even some of the new match types like casket matches and ambulance matches. WWE 2K24 is quite easily the most feature-complete a WWE game has felt in quite some time. While it’s still not all the way there yet, some of the story creation modes from WWE 2K14 for example would be an absolute blast to play around with in the game’s current iteration, but the stink of games like WWE 2K20 seems to have been definitively left behind.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.