Developer Saber Interactive and 2K have announced that WWE 2K Battlegrounds is coming to PC, PS4, Switch, Stadia and Xbox One this September. An arcade brawler, similar to the NBA 2K Playgrounds series, WWE 2K Battlegrounds is a tongue-in-cheek, cartoony take on the WWE.
Saber Interactive is promising more than “70 WWE Superstars and Legends” at launch with more to be released post-launch. Players will be able to use the Superstars and Legends in four different modes; Exhibition, Campaign, King of the Battleground and Online.
Commentary on WWE 2K Battlegrounds matches is provided by Mauro Ranallo and Jerry “The King” Lawler which should make the game feel as authentic as possible, even if it’s wild and whacky.
WWE 2K Battleground
Exhibition is the standard game mode in WWE 2K Battlegrounds and allows players to play at home or online with up to four players. Having four-player couch co-op is certainly a win as these games lend themselves to the raucus, live fun had when playing with people in the same room.
Campaign includes seven new WWE wrestlers, created for WWE 2K Battlegrounds. The campaign will see players competing got a chance to earn a WWE contract and through playing Campaign, players will unlock new arenas and get advice from WWE Legends.
King of the Battleground is an online, last-man standing mode. Four players begin in the ring and four others wait outside for their turn. The wrestler who takes them all out is the winner. Finally, Online includes both Exhibition and Tournaments.
While playing with the more than 70 wrestlers, players will fight in eight unique arenas. 2K and Saber Interactive said many of the arenas include “interactive elements adding to the mayhem alongside a variety of outrageous melee weapons players can use to pummel opponents. Soar from military helicopters, smash opponents with cars in an auto shop and toss them into the jaws of a hungry alligator in the swamp.”
Customisation is also at the heart of WWE 2K Battlegrounds and players will be able to create their own wrestlers and customise arenas to give them a personal flavour. The Superstar creator allows for different body types and sizes, facial features, clothing, hair and fighting styles.
Designed as a pick-up-and-play experience, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, players will easily be able to learn the basics. However, advanced moves and techniques need to be unlocked and so, the more it’s played, the easier it gets.
The announced WWE Superstars and Legends included are;
- The Rock
- Stone Cold Steve Austin
- John Cena
- Edge
- Ronda Rousey
- Braun Strowman
- Kalisto
- Roman Reigns
- Bray Wyatt
- Drew McIntyre
- Charlotte Flair
- Sasha Banks
- Becky Lynch
- Nikki Bella
- Triple H
- Asuka
- Daniel Bryan
- Kofi Kingston
- Randy Orton
- Andre the Giant
- Undertaker
- Mankind
- Shawn Michaels
- Yokozuna
- Sgt. Slaughter
Each wrestler is from one of five classes; Powerhouse, Technician, High-Flyer, Brawler and All-Rounder. These different styles have their own styles, moves and strengths and weaknesses. In true arcade-style, players will be able to use powerups like Flaming Fist, Ice-Breath and Earthquake against their opponents.
Saber Interactive and 2K have promised that additional wrestlers, added in the future, will be free.
Launching on September 18, 2020, WWE 2K Battlegrounds will be available for $69.95 AUD or in a Digital Deluxe Edition for $79.95 AUD. Pre-orders of the Standard Edition will be granted Edge at launch. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes Edge, all versions of Stone Cold, The Rock and Ronda Rousey unlocked at the beginning, 1100 Golden Bucks and cosmetic items.
Players can unlock all Superstars and cosmetic items by playing WWE 2K Battlegrounds and no purchases are necessary.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds will launch for PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch and Xbox One on September 18.
