There is an embargo happening, but one has snuck out so I thought I'd get this started and post more as they happen tomorrow.
Venturebeat - 80/100
The slower pace might throw some people off, but I like it (as long as I’m not finding it impossible to counter 5 minutes’ worth of moves). WWE 2K15 has some problems, but it’s still a fun wrestling simulation that actually made a decent attempt to bring some new features for its new-gen debut. I just can’t bring myself to get overly enthusiastic about it.
Bleacher Report - 8
WWE 2K15 will likely be one of the most important releases in the series' history. The groundwork has been laid for a fresh and exciting direction in gameplay for years to come. The visuals, which are already excellent, should continue to improve, as should the presentation.
For the most part, this game excels in a major way. However, there are issues with commentary, modes and storytelling that keep it from being a crowning achievement.
Still, it's a solid debut on next-gen systems. Because of its overwhelming qualities, WWE 2K15 is a must-buy for fans of wrestling video games.
Game Revolution - 4/5
Without a creation mode for finishers and stories, the creation suite is comparatively limited to past WWE titles, but the realistic character modeling mostly compensates for it. Regrettably, many in-depth options for facial tweaking have gone missing, and the loading times for selecting and deselecting item options in CAW creation take an excruciatingly 15-20 seconds. The possibilities for crafting a wacky wrestler with inhuman proportions have narrowed dramatically as well. The new create-a-entrance fails better with a more easily manageable design; uploading and downloading creations are manageable as well and rewards you with more slots as more users download your work.
IGN - 7
WWE 2K15 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One doesn't quite meet the expectations set by previous entries in the series. While the wrestlers look amazing and the combat feels significantly better, MyCareer mode is an absolute slog and everything else has been done better in previous years. Between the narrower historical mode, the shuttered creation suites, and the dearth of combat options for bigger groups, WWE 2K15 has lost some of the tools that brought previous entries to the main event.
Gameinformer - 7/10
This first new-gen edition of WWE 2K15 lays a solid foundation in the presentation and mechanics, but it’s hurt by cuts and 2K Showcase and MyCareer in particular need plenty of work before they’re ready for the main event spot.
Examiner - 3/5
While its a created character you are taking through the NXT and WWE ranks, the mode just never “feels.” While it’s one of the most in-depth story modes in any professional wrestling game, there’s serious room for improvement here. A long list of matches, objectives and upgrade point gathering, the mode can be fun, but will ultimately be remembered as something that wasn’t as good as the hype surrounding it.
The same thing can be said for the inclusion of WCW legend, Sting. While his character model is beautiful and most of his moves are spot on, his Scorpion Death Drop finisher lacks “sizzle.” A basic Reverse DDT, it’s sad that the same move in the Nintendo 64 classic “WCW vs. nWo Revenge” not only looks better, but is more gratifying to pull off.
WrestlingInc - 6.5 (Or -42/10 if you take into account Florida Georgia Line)
It's a little baffling that in moving to next-gen consoles WWE and 2K took giant leaps in the wrong direction. The roster is smaller, the match types have been stripped and the freedom of created content has been limited. This is the latest former THQ property to seemingly move backwards, with the EA UFC property not being well received, either. The company may have been miserably run, but at least they didn't literally move back three steps compared to the previous year's incarnation of their games.
I want this game to be good-- I think we all did. The potential is there, but it isn't. THQ rarely made huge strides during the PS3/360 era, but they certainly didn't regress. 2K Sports has managed to do that on their first installment on the next-gen consoles. This was WrestleMania for 2K Sports, and they blew up and gassed out within four minutes of the main event.
Metro - 6/10
The obvious assumption is that the yearly release schedule just didn’t allow for these features, and so they were simply cut out to meet the deadline (this next gen version is already nearly a month behind the last gen). The only chance for getting them back seems to be if 2K can spare a few extra weeks of development somewhere, no doubt by leaving one of the other aspects unchanged next year.
Unfortunately that’s the reality these schedules force upon all sports games, but WWE has always handled the tight deadlines worse than most. As the first next gen game this is a promising start in some senses, but when it’ll transform into the game fans want and deserve is another thing entirely.
Gamefront - 60/100
Ignoring the visuals, it is an inferior product in every way compared to last year’s WWE 2K14, and even WWE 13 from the year before that. WWE 2K15 ofers fewer wrestlers, match types and creative options, a weaker story mode, and the same core gameplay that, honestly, is starting to feel a little stale. If the WWE 2K series is looking to get back over with its fans, it might be time for a repackaging.
Gametrailers - 5.5
WWE 2K15 has attempted to create an authentic wrestling experience by slowing the pace to a crawl, and the result is a boring and unsatisfying. WWE 2K15 loses sight of what makes wrestling fun in the first place: high thrills, meaningful momentum changes, and unsuspected surprises. While it’s fun reliving past rivalries, the stripped down create-a-superstar, laggy online, and lackluster career mode pin this year’s game into a submission it simply can’t break out of.
Game-Over - 66%
This series has had some major blunders before, but this is the worst-played and least-fun entry yet. Normally, there’s at least a silver lining or a sliver of hope that things will get dramatically better. Sadly, because this game’s problems run so deep to the point where even replicating a wrestling match is a struggle, that seems unlikely. Hopefully, the next installment takes things back to where they were in 2K14 gameplay-wise and just expands on that with improvements here like more context-based specials and the chain wrestling because the attempt to change the flow of matches absolutely kills things. For a series that needed change, it got the wrong ones this time around. I adore pro wrestling and love how much better this series has gotten, but this is just a failure in far too many important ways. I didn’t think it was even possible, but a wrestling game has been crafted that I do not want to play. There is absolutely nothing this game does well enough beyond Sting that makes it worth playing over WWE 2K14. Yuke’s seemingly wanted to reinvent the wheel, and instead of getting a round one that moves you along smoothly, you get a blocky wheel that may move you forward, but will result in a much bumpier ride than needed.
Moviepilot - 5/10 (This uses an image from the game TNA iMPACT for Sting... Whoops)
Over all, I have been pretty disappointed with this game on both generations. It certainly is a lot cleaner than 2K14 in terms of combat and the graphics have slight improvements, but all the other gameplay mechanics feel like too little too late and demonstrate 2K's reluctance for change OR their desire to remove everything we loved about the series. Some of the new combat systems really are great, but with such a reduced experience, I can't help but dislike this title.
This game really isn't worth anyone's time, I see nothing here for fans of the series or anyone with a controller. In the title picture of the article it states "Work in Progress", I couldn't agree more.
Ginx Television - Mixed tone leaning towards negative (no score)
This year, we said... This year would be when WWE games would be pushed to the next level. When 2k will really get their teeth in. When we'll finally get the game we wrestling fans deserve. In first impressions, it looks like we have. (Graphics, animation, vastly improved commentary, modes and menus).
Unfortunately, the devil is in the details and they just aren't there. You might think that sounds picky, and it is. There are so many things in WWE 2k15's presentation that just haven't been considered. Things that are all good enough, but well, not good enough.
For the first time in years, gameplay takes a step back as well. Bear in mind, we love the feel of 2k14, so if you didn't, you might prefer the changes. Mainly a slower pace in the early goings of the matches and more meters and mini-game gimmicks dotted around.
In Short, it's neither as ambitious or as authentic as it could be. but if you're a die hard fan, you'll still have a lot of fun.