Gaming

WWE 2K22 review: Laying the smackdown one more time

Appealing to old and new fans alike

Published

March 14, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Almost two decades ago, I loved the SmackDown vs. Raw series. At the time, wrestling was an integral part of my identity growing up. Weeknights after school were filled with fantasy matches. Plus, when the PSP versions came out, I lived the series even while outside.

For several years, the franchise was an exciting way to live out dream battles, string together powerful moves, and pretend to be a wrestler. It had a lot going for it. Of course, time went by quickly. Though still a part of my life, wrestling took a back seat. I’ve also moved on to other gaming genres and franchises. And besides, the SmackDown vs. Raw series turned into the WWE 2K series, switching from one developer to another.

Fast forward to this year, both the wrestling world and the videogame franchise breathed a compelling argument to draw me back into the fandom. Both signaled a return to what made that world so appealing in the first place. With the game finally launching after an announced postponement, did WWE 2K22 fulfill just that?

A return to form

Though I wasn’t into the series as much, I did give the WWE 2K series several goes. However, they never sparkled with the same magic of its predecessors. Like the NBA series, WWE 2K was obsessed with creating more complex fighting systems with every iteration. Though realism is appreciated, the changes reduce the approachability of the series. It’s hard to feel powerful while worrying about what each button will do.

Thankfully, WWE 2K22 ameliorates this problem by introducing a simpler system. Compared to previous games, this year’s entry plays with more similarity to the SmackDown vs. Raw series of yore. Every in-ring event doesn’t turn into a complicated minigame that takes you away from the action. You can easily get by through mashing buttons. However, though mashing can become a strategy, the game still rewards studying moves.

Each wrestler comes with a host of moves and combos that more willing players can learn and master. The system also comes with a fairly simple reversal system: predict what the opponent is doing and press the button corresponding to the attack they did. For example, if the opponent does a heavy attack, press your heavy attack at the right time. Simple, even if it involves a bit of luck.

If all this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. 2K Games turned the series into a pseudo-fighting game, and I’m all in. It’s a good blend between simulation and action.

(Side note: it’s also a point of hilarity that Drew Gulak, a current WWE wrestler, does the tutorial when you first encounter a new mechanic.)

An array of how to play

Besides setting up dream matches, WWE 2K22 offers several modes to mix up gameplay (which are also the same modes you get from previous games). The headline, of course, is a Showcase mode featuring Rey Mysterio. In it, you can relive several of Mysterio’s most notable matches throughout his career. Each match comes with around a dozen objectives (such as “hit your enemy with a front grapple) to follow the flow of the real match. At certain points, the match transitions into WWE footage interspersed with kayfabe commentary with Mysterio. While cinematic, it’s also an advanced tutorial to learn some of the more advanced techniques of the game.

For those disinclined to play as Mysterio, the game also has a Universe mode, letting users play as any wrestler of their choosing and take them through potential matches and rivalries during a season of their chosen WWE show.

For the more management-focused player, MyGM makes a comeback. Players can book a show and compete against the GM (or general manager) of other shows in a race for ratings supremacy. The mode has been part of the series since the early days, so long-time fans will likely rejoice or, at least, find familiarity with the mode.

Another familiar sight for fans is MyRise, otherwise known as MyCareer. As always, players create their own custom wrestler and take them through the career of a WWE superstar. Potential stars start off in the WWE Performance Center before moving on to the main shows: Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. Along the way, you can choose to start rivalries or mini stories through one-on-one encounters or social media interactions. Unfortunately, the latter of the two happens quite a bit. While it’s true that social media is a powerful tool in a wrestler’s repertoire today, in-ring promos and speeches are, too. Some of the magic is lost when matches just spontaneously happen after Twitter beef.

Finally, WWE 2K22 adds a new mode called MyFaction. For NBA 2K fans, this mode is that series’ MyTeam mode. Players get a basic starting deck of wrestlers, managers, power-ups, and contract extensions. They can also bolster the set with booster packs that can be purchased using real money. Otherwise, players can also fight matches inside the mode to slowly gain currency for packs.

Microtransactions have always been a major sticking point for 2K’s gallery of games. WWE 2K22 is no different. At the very least, MyFaction doesn’t lock away a lot of content behind the microtransaction system.

By no fault of its own

Speaking of the game’s roster, WWE 2K22’s biggest issue wasn’t created by anyone from 2K Games. Months before the game’s release, WWE fired several wrestlers. 2K Games was likely putting the finishing touches already, having captured the likenesses of wrestlers in the promotion ages ago. Unsurprisingly, when the game came out, WWE 2K22 already had an outdated roster. Some are already gone, while some found work in WWE’s rival promotion, AEW. It felt like an old game from the get-go.

It’s an unfortunate twist of fate. However, it does have a silver lining. Instead of a SmackDown versus Raw game, a portion of WWE 2K22 turns into a WWE versus AEW game, albeit with WWE-style entrances.

Further, the game comes with a decent amount of customization options for new wrestlers, entrances, movesets, championships, and arenas. At the time of this writing, the community already had a dedicated set of creators working to bring elements from competing companies into the game. I could download creations themed from AEW, Impact, NJPW, and unavailable legends. Coupled with the impressive graphics available to the series, WWE 2K22 has the potential to become the ultimate wrestling game in today’s age.

Back to the action

The potential to pit WWE against other companies underscores the game’s biggest strength: the value it places on actual fighting. WWE 2K22 shines brightest when it focuses on wrestling. In retrospect, what keeps bringing me back to the game was the simple fighting system.

Funny enough, it mirrors how I feel about the wrestling world today. Amid controversial backstage decisions, booking, and character developments, it’s still nice to kick back and watch two wrestlers tell a story in the ring. Now, my wrestling diet consists of more than just the WWE. It encompasses AEW, NJPW, Impact, GCW, and all the rest I can consume. Despite an outdated roster, WWE 2K22 fosters a blank slate that can support a fandom hungry for more than just WWE-style wrestling.

Is WWE 2K22 worth a recommend? If you like wrestling regardless of promotion, yes, it is. The game caters to both religious fans of the WWE 2K series and fans waxing nostalgic for a past wrestling game.

Gaming

The best Tokyo tour package that is Forza Horizon 6

Discover Japan like a first time traveller

Published

May 14, 2026

Gab Orlina

Ever wanted to visit Japan despite an ongoing fuel crisis crippling your total travel budget? Have you ever wanted to visit iconic tourist destinations like Shibuya Crossing or Mt. Fuji? Did you ever have dreams of becoming the drift king like in Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift? Well, we have good news for you!

On May 19, you’ll be able to do all three of these things as Playground Games will finally release Forza Horizon 6 across all platforms. From an overall lens, the game is slated to build off the incredible features the franchise is best known for, now in a totally different side of the world. Experience a unique kind of car culture only famously featured within popular movie franchises, while also exploring another side to Tokyo reimagined for both new and returning players to the series.

So come, take advantage of this once in a lifetime tour package, complete with the following amenities suited to hopefully make the trip to Tokyo worth it!

Sight-seeing, your way

Forza Horizon 6 features a highly populated simulation of Tokyo with tons of activities to do, sights to see, and Horizon events to satisfy your thirst for action. From street racing to experiencing the hustle and bustle of food deliveries, Playground Games wasted no time in nailing most aspects of Japan’s culture. Of course, that also includes popular tourist attractions like Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge.

I mentioned in the early preview that the developers divided all of Tokyo into different sections with their own checklists on what to do and things to collect. When looking at the full game, this list is actually a lot more expansive and comes with its own scorecard for exploration called Discover Japan. It’s similar to your Horizon Events progression, right down to the tasks and rewards so the experience wouldn’t be too unfamiliar.

SEE MORE: Forza Horizon 6 already hits the mark

All of these are within your control and pace as you progress deeper into the Horizon Events, with more areas and activities to explore the further along you are. Honestly, it ends up that you’ll accomplish these things fluidly given the amount of driving you’ll be doing so plan your itinerary ahead!

Reimagining Japanese car culture

Speaking of those Horizon Events, the staple of the entire Forza Horizon franchise once again features a unique blend of racing that is authentic to the place it represents. In the case of Japan, that’s basically all the types of races you’ve already seen in most Fast and the Furious movies, especially Tokyo Drift. And yes, you will have access to a plethora of cars that you can finetune to your liking for the best performance in all the races.

Much like in previous games, there are also pockets of events called Stories that venture into specific aspects of Japanese car culture through the lens of the characters in-game. From day-trips to learning how to be a DK or “drift king,” these were designed not only to help with game progression but to expose a culture to those who are only hearing about it now. Also, some of the events can be quite challenging even for returning and experienced players.

This even extends into multiplayer features and Horizon Stunt Events that allows you to show off your skills and your car collection. Adding in car meets within major POIs on the map was a nice touch in incorporating multiplayer activities beyond the normal racing route. Also, they added the actual Daikoku Car Meet space as a staple to this aspect of Japanese car culture!

Is this your GamingMatch?

In a nutshell, Forza Horizon 6 remains true to its roots, enabling it to bring out the best of Japan in more ways imaginable. Playground Games knew what worked from every other game in the franchise and decided to double down for the better, from mechanics to the improvements. While it had already hit the mark from the preview alone, expanding it further truly made it an exciting release to watch out for.

For a game that simply offers a more casual racing experience and pushes the car collect-a-thon a lot more, it is completely decked out with activities galore. Even with some of them feeling repetitive at times, every Horizon event and mode felt just as addictive and unique to play no matter how you want to play them. It’s a formula that encourages experimentation and enables car mastery that is easy to digest, no matter the experience level – and we’re all for it.

This truly feels like an instant Swipe Right for all intents and purposes, and definitely a must-try for anyone who plans to visit or return to Japan for a quick vacation or two. Assuming, of course, that the oil crisis will finally end by then.

Gaming

The Steam Controller literally screams when you throw it

Please throw it at padded surfaces only.

Published

May 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

We love harmless Easter eggs. Think of Chrome’s jumping dino or Android’s yearly quirk. It’s always fun when a device or app hides a special surprise for those in the know. Today, Valve is keeping the tradition alive by putting a screaming Easter egg in its new Steam Controller.

The first of its trio of new hardware, the Steam Controller converts the iconic layout of the Steam Deck into controller form. Besides offering an accessible controller, it also connects seamlessly to Steam, offering an easy doorway to plug and, literally, play.

Since it launched on May 4, users have already been playing around with their Steam Controllers. Presumably, this also includes a few rage moments that involve throwing the controller over a frustrating game.

If you threw your controller already, you might have heard an interesting surprise. As spotted by users online, the Steam Controller lets out a Wilhelm scream whenever it’s thrown.

For the unaware, the Wilhelm scream is the world’s most iconic scream. If you’ve watched a few movies, there’s a high chance that you’ve heard it before, as it’s often used as a background scream in many, many movies.

Notably, this has a cooldown of approximately one minute, so you can’t spam it over and over again. This also works on padded surfaces, so you don’t need to throw your controller at a hard wall. It’s just one of those nice Easter eggs that add a little spice to a favorite controller.

All that said, please don’t throw your Steam Controller at hard surfaces.

Gaming

Assassin’s Creed Hexe leak reveals the return of a major character

Is Ezio Auditore coming back?

Published

May 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Undoubtedly, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is the most hype that the franchise has enjoyed in a while now. A lot of gamers are excited to replay one of the most prolific entries in the vast history-hopping series. But Black Flag isn’t the only entry getting some eyeballs. The mysterious Codename Hexe is also getting some love, and we might finally have some more information about the game, thanks to a new leak.

In 2022, Ubisoft teased Codename Hexe as a darker entry in the franchise. Four years later, the game is still shrouded in mystery. Today, a leaker (@xj0nathan on X) has shared some interesting details about the game.

For one, the game will reportedly be set during the Wurzburg Witch Trials in the 17^th century, confirming earlier rumors that the setting would be dark one. Adding to that, Codename Hexe might have most of its gameplay in forest biomes, using a lot of trees to parkour around.

The return of an icon

Confirming rumors is just a tiny part of the leak. The more interesting bit is the alleged return of the franchise’s most beloved character: Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

Ezio has not been seen in an Assassin’s Creed game in over a decade. His story concluded in Revelations (with a neat epilogue in a short film called Assassin’s Creed: Embers).

In Codename Hexe, the iconic assassin will reportedly return to mentor the game’s protagonist named Anika. Currently, it’s unclear how he appears in the game’s setting. Some rumors hint that Isu technology might be involved.

Finally, the leak concludes with a blurry photo. Unfortunately, Ubisoft has been taking down reposts of the photo, so we won’t include it here. The original leaker himself took it down as well. It can, however, be described as a female assassin trudging through a dark forest with creepy lights in the background. It doesn’t reveal a lot of details, but it’s substantial enough to warrant takedowns.