It's October once again, and while for most that means prepping for Halloween and drinking pumpkin spiced lattes, for wrestling fans it means the release of the next WWE video game is imminent. On October 22, 2019, WWE 2K20 will hit the shelves. WWE 2K has been criticized since taking the WWE video game reigns from THQ a few years ago. Many fans accuse the developer of repackaging the same game each year with an updated roster. Judging by what has been revealed about 2K20 thus far, this year will see a change in that alleged pattern.
As the release date for WWE 2K20 inches closer, WWE 2K continues to reveal what fans have to look forward to this time around. For once, it looks like that will include a lot more than an updated roster. It was revealed this week that for the first time ever, players will be able to select a female character in the game's career mode. Plus, this year's showcase mode will allow fans to relive and play through some of the greatest moments from WWE's women's evolution.
The release of WWE 2K20 also comes on the back of SmackDown's big move to FOX. Last Friday, WWE's blue brand made a big splash on network television. The show featured big-time stars such as The Rock, Ric Flair, and even a shock appearance from UFC's Cain Velasquez. While the MMA star won't be a part of 2K20, other stars will be if players opt for the game's SmackDown 20th anniversary edition. Hulk Hogan will be a part of that pack as a playable character, and so will Chyna who is making her first WWE video game appearance in 19 years.
SmackDown's move to FOX isn't the only reason WWE, and thus WWE 2K20 is bigger than ever. Pro wrestling is once again part of the mainstream, hence Velasquez and Tyson Fury being a part of ongoing storylines right now. Plus, let's not ignore that the aforementioned Rock might well be one of the most recognizable faces on the planet at the moment. Not only did he make a name for himself in WWE, but he still returns on a semi-regular basis, and will have a number of playable forms in WWE 2K20. Fingers crossed for a Rocky Maivia announcement any day now.
One of the issues WWE 2K is often criticized for is its cutoff point. Since WWE never stops, certain things can become out of date between when they're added to the game and when the game is eventually released. Some fans have already flagged that thanks to Raw and SmackDown's recent facelifts, the arenas on 2K20 are already out of date, two weeks before release day. More importantly, something that did not miss the cutoff date was The Fiend's entrance at SummerSlam.
Bray Wyatt's alter ego is the best thing about WWE right now, so the character making it in under the 2K20 wire is a big deal. Not only that, but The Fiend will play a big role in the game during its early stages. Should players opt to buy 2K20's "Bump In The Night Pack," not only will they get a playable Fiend, but also creepy versions of other Superstars. The aim is to celebrate Halloween, which falls just nine days after 2K20's release.
Chances are a fair few wrestling game fans will claim they have sworn off of buying every installment in the WWE 2K series. Those fans who stick to their word this time around might well be missing out on something special this year. WWE is bigger than ever and has more money behind it than ever before. Thanks to AEW, it also has legitimate competition for the first time in 20 years. All of that means everything in WWE needs to be better, and that includes its video games.