'WWE 2K17' Preview, Trailer and Release Date: Styles, Goldberg and Backstage Fights Hype New 2K Title; Roster List and Demo Details
With the Brand Split, the recently concluded SummerSlam and the ensuing title changes, WWE has gotten a lot on its plate.
To their gaming fans' delight, Vince McMahon and his crew have not failed to add an appetizer—juicy previews to the upcoming WWE 2K17 title.
Aside from the usual changes such as more detailed wrestler looks and an updated roster, 2K also added a lot of new features for true-blue sports entertainment diehards.
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The Golden Return
With an influx of new talent, headlined of course by world-renowned superstar AJ Styles, the 2K17 roster is likewise steaming with excitement.
Styles' much-awaited WWE debut came in January, when he became the third entrant to the 2016 Royal Rumble. Since then, "the Phenomenal" star have had feuds with Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns and John Cena—the last of which he defeated at SummerSlam 2016.
As such, Styles has been added to the 2K17 roster, praising the game for getting his hair right. However, he rejected the idea of being rated just an 89 in the game, saying 2K should patch it and put him up in the 90s range.
The game now has 114 superstars, in just the fourth of five roster reveals 2K plans to release. Latest and notable additions include Shinsuke Nakamura, Apollo Crews, Divas Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks, and tag teams The New Day and American Alpha. Finn Balor, who recently defeated Seth Rollins for the inaugural WWE Universal Championship belt (which he had to relinquish right after SummerSlam due to injury) has also been added to the mix.
Moreover, WWE fans will be delighted to see an Attitude Era-favorite return, at least in virtual, monstrous form. Bill Goldberg, star of then-McMahon rival WCW before eventually signing with WWF, had been revealed as a bonus for pre-order sales. Goldberg's return are still up in the rumor mill, but he has since exchanged words with former foe and WWE 2K17's cover athlete Brock Lesnar.
Look and feel
Aside from the heavy roster, fans also get to enjoy updated features of their favorite stars' virtual selves, as well as upgrades to match stipulations.
A demo from the recent 2K17 event revealed improved renders of wrestlers such as Alberto Del Rio and Kevin Owens, as well as enhanced button responsiveness, better striking physics and much more authentic ladder matches.
There are also a lot players can do outside the ring, and even after a match. The fight can now be taken to the backstage, with a variety of props to choose from. It can also be taken to the crowd, as players can now jump over the barricades.
The demo build also came with an Easter egg—after the match, players can still do damage and even land a finisher.
A lot of changes and improvements are still anticipated, including the commentary, which still features 2K16's JBL, Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler.
WWE 2K17 will be available for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on October 11, 2016.
