Several major details about WWE 2K22 have been leaked ahead of the game’s planned March release date, including its cover art and pre-order bonus content. After taking a full two years off due to the disastrous launch of WWE 2K20, 2K Games and Visual Concepts are finally ready to enter the squared circle once more with WWE 2K22, which they promise will be a vast improvement over the previous installments of WWE's long-running video game series.
With WWE 2K22’s launch just around the corner, developer Visual Concepts has wasted little time in showing off the results of the longer development time for its newest pro wrestling simulator with several enticing WWE 2K22 trailers over the past year. The latest of these early looks, which was posted back in November, unveiled updated character models for WWE stars like Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio along with a collection of gameplay features like Create-A-Wrestler, GM Mode, and the brand-new MyFaction mode that will allow players to build their own stable of wrestlers. Furthermore, WWE 2K22’s 2K Showcase mode is said to be centered around Rey Mysterio’s long and illustrious career within the WWE, something that is made apparent from the game’s choice of cover art.
TechnikNews writer Nils Ahrensmeier recently posted a first look at WWE 2K22’s cover art on Twitter (via VGC), featuring Rey Mysterio in both its standard and Deluxe Edition variants. Ahrensmeier also shared several exciting tidbits about WWE 2K22, namely that it will offer a three-day early access period on March 8, and that the Deluxe Edition will feature a pre-order content pack centered around the Undertaker. Dubbed the Undertaker Immortal Pack, this batch of content will include three alternate Undertaker personas - Phantom Mask Undertaker, Lord of Darkness Undertaker, and Boneyard Match Undertaker - as well as exclusive Undertaker-themed MyFACTION EVO cards and MyFACTION Perks and Bonuses.
2K Games and Visual Concepts have been fighting an uphill battle to build up excitement for 2K22 following the controversy of WWE 2K20, but this is far from the only roadblock the game has come across. WWE’s recent wave of releases and firings have severely impacted WWE 2K22’s roster, with Visual Concepts supposedly being forced to scrap its plans to center the game’s single-player campaign around the rookie-focused NXT brand. Outside reports have claimed that WWE 2K22 will have one of the most outdated rosters in the history of the franchise because of this, and previous WWE superstars like Daniel Bryan have ultimately been cut from the game due to signing onto rival wrestling promotions like AEW.
With WWE’s current roster in a state of flux at the moment, it makes sense for Visual Concepts to focus WWE 2K22 on established WWE stars like Rey Mysterio and Undertaker, as evidenced by WWE 2K22’s choice of cover wrestler and pre-order DLC. While the exact release date for WWE 2K22 hasn’t officially been confirmed yet, it likely won’t be too far removed from the leaked March 8 early access date.
Source: Nils Ahrensmeier/Twitter (via VGC)