WWE 2K14 is a professional wrestling game. The majority of the gameplay follows the format of professional wrestling, with various players attempting to defeat each other in a wrestling ring to be declared the winner. New modes include the classic matches throughout WWE's history, and the Create-A-Wrestler also returns, with plenty of customizations.
Basic Gameplay
The players move within a three-dimensional plane. Movement is controlled with the left analog stick and X/Square strikes an opponent. The strength of the strikes can be controlled by holding down the button. B/Circle performs an "irish whip," which tosses an opponent across the ring. Y/Triangle performs a signature/finishing move. These moves are unique to the character and are often particularly strong, but they must be earned throughout the course of the match. OMG moments are similar to finishers, in that you must save up for them, but they can only be activated in specific spots or circumstances.
A/X performs a grapple, which involves holding onto an opponent for a stronger attack. Different grapples can be peformed by holding the left analog stick in any direction when pressing A/X. When the opponent is grappled, the grapple can be altered using the right analog stick. When grappling an opponent, the player can move them around the ring, irish whip them, attack them, or attempt to grapple them into submission. If the opponent is stunned prior to the grapple, the player can move them around more easily.
When multiple opponents are in the ring, they can be targeted with the left analog stick. Holding the left trigger while moving makes the player run, while holding the left button will pick up items or weapons that may be scattered in or around the ring, depending on the match type. Holding the right trigger will block incoming attacks, and holding the right button will allow the player to target specific body parts on their opponent.
Winning a Match
Almost all matches are won by either pin, where the player holds their opponent down for three seconds, submission, where the player puts their opponent in a tight grapple until they "tap out," or knock out, when the opponent is no longer conscious. Matches can also be ended, but not won, by disqualification if the player breaks the rules of the match. Certain matches include different ways to win. These include ladder matches, where the player must reach a suspended belt in the middle of the ring, table matches, where the player must slam their opponent through a table, and Royal Rumbles, where the player must be the last one in the ring.
Many movements in WWE 2K14 are quicker than in previous games, such as running and attacking. However, running now comes with a brief start-up period. The game has also improved the variety of finishing moves and simplified the grapples to make them more balanced. New OMG moments were added, including ones that can attack multiple opponents at once such as the Double Chokeslam.
Modes
Aside from the basic matches, there are various activities that can be done through the games different story and customization modes.
WWE Creations
WWE 2K14, like most WWE games, features an extensive create mode. Like previous iterations, players can create their own wrestlers, with the ability to edit their face and body features, their outfit, their attitude, and more. Up to one hundred created characters can be saved. Unlike previous games, players can now use real wrestlers as templates to base the new ones off of. In addition to creating wrestlers, players can also create title belts, arena entrances and finishing moves.
WWE Universe
WWE Universe returns from previous titles, and gives the player the ability to plan out and organize details about their personal "universe" and the daily lineups. Players customize which wrestlers will appear on the roster for each group (RAW, Smackdown, Legends, and Retro). In addition, they can choose their attires and how crowds react to them.
Once a player customizes their roster, they can access a calender, which allows them to plan out shows for each day, as well as Pay-Per-View events. At any point, characters can be formed into either teams, who will often fight together, or rivalries. Rivalries will follow a customizable storyline that has the characters going against each other for whatever reason the player chooses. This provides more opportunities for match setups.
Once the schedules, rivalries, rosters, and title holders have been set, the player can either participate in, watch, or skip the matches to see how they play out.
The Streak
The Streak is a new mode in WWE 2K14. This is based off of The Undertaker's real life 21-0 Wrestlemania streak. In this mode, players play as either The Undertaker or all 21 of his opponents. As The Undertaker, the goal is to play through a recreation of every one of his Wrestlemania matches in order to recreate his record. As the opponents, the goal is to attempt to end his streak by defeating The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. However, in this mode, the difficulty of all 21 matches are increased to a level not reached by any other WWE game.
30 Years of Wrestlemania
This is the most significant addition to WWE 2K14, and it serves as the game's main story mode. The mode is broken down into five eras: Hulkamania Runs Wild, New Generation, Attitude Era, Ruthless Aggression, and WWE Universe.
Each era features the major Wrestlemania matches from that period, which the player must recreate. Matches in this mode come with primary and historical objectives. Primary objectives are more general, saying what needs to be done in order to suceed. Historical objectives are more specific are historically accurate, prompting the player to recreate certain circumstances that occured during the actual matches.
