WWE 2K Battlegrounds is proving to be one of September's highly anticipated game by fans of both wrestling and fighting games alike. Of course, it is no secret that 2K Games is taking a very different approach to its popular wrestling series in hopes of offering something new to its fans, and based on what was shown so far, it is obvious that WWE 2K Battlegrounds will be a vastly different game than fans of the franchise are used to.
Since WWE 2K Battlegrounds is merely days away from release, players who are interested in picking up the game should know a few things first before making that purchase. Now, here is a breakdown of everything that has been revealed so far about WWE 2K Battlegrounds, including its many changes, release date, and the new arcade fighthing style that players should expect to experience in the upcoming game.
A Replacement to WWE 2K21
First and foremost, it is worth remembering that WWE 2K Battlegrounds was announced in the wake of the cancellation of WWE 2K21, so players shouldn't expect to see a traditional WWE 2K game this year. Of course, those who have been closely following the franchise would know that the decision to cancel WWE 2K21 was due to the poor performance of last year's game, which prompted 2K Sports to developing the 2021 game "with a renewed focus on quality and fun." As of the moment, there is still no official word on whether a WWE 2K22 game will be released next year, but it appears that 2K Sports will be closely looking at a new approach for the annual franchise.
Story Mode
The main campaign of WWE 2K Battlegrounds will bare a striking resemblance to previous games. Players will take the role of an up and coming wrestler who must fight their way to the top to rise through ranks to battle the greats. However, the most significant change in WWE 2K Battlegrounds lies in its presentation, given that the game will feature a comicbook format in certain sequences. 2K Battlegrounds' story mode will revolve around Paul Heymann who is in talks with CEO Vince McMahon to found a new brand called Battlegrounds. In this new venture also involving "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Battlegrounds will be a platform to search for the next WWE Superstar. Players will be able to choose from seven wrestlers to battle in the main campaign.
Arcade Style Fighting Game
Although the game's premise will be somewhat similar to its predecessors, WWE 2K Battlegrounds' gameplay will be vastly different in favor of an arcade-style fighting game that features power-ups and over-the-top moves. One of the most obvious distinctions in the upcoming game will be the appearances of the players, which will be more cartoonish. Moreover, players should expect that environmental attacks will be extremely absurd and over-the-top that includes players throwing various things on their opponents such as crocodiles, cars, and many more.
The game will also feature 8 arenas in total, which will include the traditional RAW, Smackdown, and WrestleMania arenas. Moreover, an Exhibition Mode will be featured in the game, allowing players to compete in quick matches with either an AI or against another player. Speaking of another player, the game will include a multiplayer mode that supports both local and online play. It will feature over 70 wrestlers at launch, with iconic figures such as The Rock, Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and more appearing, to name a few, and players should also expect to see more wrestlers that will be included post-launch.
Price, Release Date, and Pre-Order Bonuses
Overall, WWE 2K Battlergounds will be priced at $39.99 and will release on September 18th for the PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One. For those interested in picking up the game, most retailers are still accepting pre-orders, and players who will pre-purchase will receive immediate access to Edge. Moreover, a Deluxe Edition of the game is also available, which will give players access to the "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the Attitude Era of The Rock and Ronda Rousey, each featuring three different versions, and 1100 Golden Bucks, which players can trade in to unlock additional cosmetic items and wrestlers in the game. The Deluxe Edition of WWE 2K Battlegrounds is priced at $49.99.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds is set to release on September 18, 2020, for the PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One.