WWE 2K16

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is staring at us. We've stepped into the shoes of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, trying to recreate the magic of what is often regarded as one of the best matches ever - the magical submission-scuffle from Wrestlemania 13. The year was 1997, and this fiercely contested bout (seriously, you should see it) marked the start of what since then has been called the Attitude Era. An era marked by dirtier wrestling, rougher and even more entertaining than perhaps ever before.

It should be mentioned that WWE 2K15 was one of the series biggest missteps thus far. Nothing worked properly, not even the graphics managed to shine despite the fact that Visual Concepts helped out. It doesn't take us long to realise that this game is clearly more attractive than its predecessor, and at times both "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Bret "The Hitman" Hart look just like their real-life counterparts.

The exception is the latter's mullet (and long hair in general - which is a problem because in wrestling this is very common). It looks a bit like pasta that's a little too al dente for our tastes, and the less important wrestlers have not been given the same attention and aren't as closely modelled after their real world counterparts. But there is a noticeable leap in visuals as facial expressions and flexing muscles are nicely depicted, and there are even neat little details like how the clothes move. So now the two wrestlers have gotten well acquainted with each other, it's time to start the match proper.

Game controls feel familiar, but Yuke's have tried to streamline things to make it more playable. A skilled mat wrestler like Hart, whose signature grip Sharpshooter is also a submission, for example, must use a new meter to get opponents to give up due to the pain. The design is reminiscent of what we last saw in UFC Undisputed 3 where it comes down to fast and clever use of the analog stick to select colours, where the victim instead needs to avoid the current colour.

The system could of course just as well be a mini-game in Mario Party and there is nothing inherent in the cat and mouse game that's reminiscent of actual wrestling - that said it actually works well. Realising the act of wrestling on the ground is difficult and no attempt has ever truly succeeded, and perhaps mini-games are the best available solution.

Counterattacks have also been revised and can no longer be misused in the same way, something that used to be too easy. Now you have to consider your meter and whether it's worthwhile using it up, because if you waste everything early on when pulling off cheap tricks, you'll be dead meat later on when your opponent comes after you.

To win matches without dishing out a nice, solid old fashioned beat-down is also much more difficult than the last time around. WWE 2K15 had a system that made it possible to win games by pinning the opponent more or less after the first flooring, which isn't very exciting. Now it's more fair and games tends to last a few minutes longer.

Unfortunately, some problems remain such as the fact that wrestlers' signature moves are more or less required in order to win. Previously it was often enough to humiliate your opponent every which way, and then pin him down while the referee counted to three. Now we can pull off the most spectacular rope acrobatics, death-defying throws or smash opponents with steel chairs - without him remaining on the floor. But if we nail our signature move, however, it's a win. Possibly this is a requirement from the WWE as signatures has been given increased importance in pro wrestling (while also making the matches more predictable) over the past decade, but we would really like them to be toned down.

The actual wrestling also bears traces of what has come to characterise Yuke's games, that is to say they are a little too slow, stiff and lack that fluency good wrestling games have. Simulation is still prioritised over playability, and we would like to see a fresh start to the series. Preferably with a new developer in charge. Fortunately, this does not prevent us from playing and having fun handing out copious amounts of hurt, taunting other players, and delivering piledrivers aplenty.

In total there are over 120 wrestlers to choose from, almost twice the number of last year. Fans will naturally still miss some wrestlers, especially Hulk Hogan who was fired earlier this year. We are, however, ever grateful that Fred Ottman will appear under the ring name Tugboat and Charles Wright under the alias Kama. Additionally you can create your own wrestler, of course.

Last year the system to create your own wrestler was largely neglected, but now it has been restored. Not only are the tools considerably better, you can also create 100 characters compared to a paltry 25 in WWE 2K15. Wrestling your way to the top is something we know many wrestling fans appreciate. We do, however, feel it is slightly boring to be so hopelessly weak in the beginning and superior towards the end, but the option is available for those who enjoy it.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is this year's chief protagonist. For some time now, the series has focused on an era or a person in each game, and this time we get to experience the greatness of this icon and how he began his path to becoming one of the biggest superstars. All archive photos and footage will be enough to make an old wrestling fan salivate and the presentation is well put together. This is a great concept we hope will return in future titles, as there's no greater tribute for a wrestling great. It's like a history lesson that combines business with pleasure.

WWE 2K16 is not a perfect wrestling game, but there is still no denying that this is a step in the right direction when compared to last year. Literally everything is better than it was in WWE 2K15, and if you want a fun, adrenaline fuelled game to play with your wrestling friends - it offers some great entertainment.