During a recent deep dive presentation, WWE 2K23 developer Visual Concepts details some of the improvements coming to the entry's MyRise mode. As fans know, MyRise is the WWE 2K game mode where players get to define their own story within the WWE universe, and this entry pays close attention to choices, politics, and a better, more connected throughline for stories.
Notably, WWE 2K22 allowed players to choose from a few backgrounds, such as MMA Star, Indie, Pro Athlete, and so on, but these didn't matter much after players were chosen for a brand (aside from the associated stat buffs). And once players were thrown into WWE 2K22's story in full, there were a few interesting plot lines, but it was all largely disconnected.
Taking this fan feedback into account, WWE 2K23 will feature two major storylines for players to select at the start: The Legacy and The Lock. The Legacy sees players become second-generation superstars, working their way to the top and trying to escape or live up to their heritage. Meanwhile, The Lock is about a top-tier athlete who has been groomed for success, which will color their relationship with other superstars.
Furthermore, Visuals Concept developer Andrea Listenberger promises that choices and matches will matter, with there sometimes being immediate reactions and others not bubbling up until much later in the playthrough. Players will also find themselves embroiled in behind-the-scenes politics, such as when producers want the WWE 2K23 superstar to complete certain tasks during a match, and they choose whether they want to do that. All of these storylines also feature "better cutscenes" than the last game, though to what degree remains to be seen.
That said, all of this sounds promising for fans of the MyRise Mode. While WWE 2K22 laid a solid foundation for WWE 2K23, there was certainly room for improvement across all game modes. For WWE 2K22, part of that was how it approached storylines and how they compared to real-world storylines, such as the ongoing Sami Zayn and the Bloodline feud. It's not necessarily likely that any of the WWE 2K23 MyRise storylines manage to live up to that, but better stories, more options, and a strong sense of the MyRise star's identity will no doubt go a long way in endearing fans to their characters.
WWE 2K23 launches on March 17 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.