WWE 2K22: Release Date, Roster Analysis and Gameplay Preview

After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the WWE 2K video game series is back in a big way with WWE 2K22.

Gamers will have the opportunity to play WWE 2K22 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on Friday, but those who preordered the deluxe or nWo 4 Life edition of the game can start playing Tuesday.

The game, which features WWE and lucha libre legend Rey Mysterio on the cover, includes a huge roster and has no shortage of new gameplay aspects and features.

Ahead of WWE 2K22's official release, here is a closer look at the roster and what gamers can expect out of the gameplay for the first offering in the WWE 2K series since October 2019.

WWE 2K22 Roster Analysis

As is usually the case with the WWE 2K video game series, the roster for WWE 2K22 is stacked with the top stars of today and the past.

The following is a rundown of the game's playable characters, courtesy of the official WWE 2K website:

• AJ Styles
• Akira Tozawa
• Alexa Bliss
• Alexander Wolfe
• Andre the Giant
• Angel Garza
• Angelo Dawkins
• Apollo Crews
• Ariya Daivari
• Asuka
• Austin Theory
• Batista
• Becky Lynch
• Beth Phoenix
• Bianca Belair
• Big Boss Man
• Big E
• Billie Kay
• Bobby Lashley
• Booker T
• Braun Strowman
• Bret Hart
• Brock Lesnar
• Cameron Grimes
• Candice LeRae
• Carmella
• Cedric Alexander
• Cesaro
• Chad Gable
• Charlotte Flair
• Chyna
• Dakota Kai
• Damian Priest
• Dana Brooke
• Danny Burch
• Demon Finn Balor
• Dexter Lumis
• Diesel
• Dolph Ziggler
• Dominik Mysterio
• Drew Gulak
• Drew McIntyre
• Eddie Guerrero
• Edge
• Elias
• Ember Moon
• Eric Bischoff
• Faarooq
• Fabian Aichner
• Fandango
• Finn Balor
• Goldberg
• Gran Metalik
• Happy Corbin
• Hollywood Hogan
• Hulk Hogan
• Humberto Carrillo
• Io Shirai
• Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
• Ivar
• Jake "The Snake" Roberts
• JBL
• Jeff Hardy
• Jerry "The King" Lawler
• Jey Uso
• Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
• Jimmy Uso
• Jinder Mahal
• Joaquin Wilde
• John Cena
• John Morrison
• Johnny Gargano
• Jordan Devlin
• Kalisto
• Kane
• Karrion Kross
• Kay Lee Ray
• Keith Lee
• Kevin Nash
• Kevin Owens
• Kofi Kingston
• Kushida
• Kyle O'Reilly
• Lacey Evans
• Lana
• Lince Dorado
• Liv Morgan
• Mace
• "Macho Man" Randy Savage
• Mandy Rose
• Mansoor
• Marcel Barthel
• Maryse
• Mia Yim
• Mickie James
• Montez Ford
• Mr. McMahon
• Murphy
• Mustafa Ali
• MVP
• Naomi
• Natalya
• Nia Jax
• Otis
• Papa Shango
• Pete Dunne
• R-Truth
• Randy Orton
• Raquel Gonzalez
• Raul Mendoza
• Razor Ramon
• Reckoning
• Rey Mysterio
• Rhea Ripley
• Ric Flair
• Ricochet
• Riddle
• Road Dogg
• Robert Roode
• Roderick Strong
• Roman Reigns
• "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
• Sami Zayn
• Samoa Joe
• Santos Escobar
• Sasha Banks
• Scott Hall
• Seth Rollins
• Shane McMahon
• Shawn Michaels
• Shayna Baszler
• Sheamus
• Shelton Benjamin
• Shinsuke Nakamura
• Shotzi
• Slapjack
• Sonya Deville
• Stephanie McMahon
• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
• Syxx
• T-BAR
• Tamina
• "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
• Tegan Nox
• The Brian Kendrick
• The Miz
• The Rock
• Timothy Thatcher
• Tommaso Ciampa
• Toni Storm
• Trent Seven
• Triple H
• Trish Stratus
• Tucker
• Tyler Bate
• Tyler Breeze
• Ultimate Warrior
• The Undertaker
• Walter
• William Regal
• X-Pac
• Xavier Woods

Additionally, multiple versions of The Undertaker and Rey Mysterio are included as preorder bonuses, while Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville and William Regal are non-playable characters in MyGM Mode.

There were some questions regarding how the roster would look after WWE made some sweeping changes, but the WWE 2K22 lineup looks robust, as it includes the stars of today, legends and even some performers who recently left the company.

One of the most fun things about the WWE 2K video game series has traditionally been the ability to create dream matchups, and that will very much be possible in this year's games.

Not only can gamers control legends like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, John Cena, Chyna, Trish Stratus and many others, but they can also utilize the top Superstars of today like Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks.

If there is one thing that will keep gamers playing WWE 2K22 in the weeks and months to come, the roster is likely it.

WWE 2K22 Gameplay Preview

Not having a WWE 2K video game for more than two years essentially allowed the developer to start with a clean slate, and it seems that is precisely what Visual Concepts did for WWE 2K22.

In November, WWE 2K released a trailer touting some of the additions and improvements it made, both in terms of game modes and gameplay.

GM Mode was long one of the most popular aspects of WWE video games, and fans have clamored for its return since its most recent appearance 14 years ago. The developer has finally made that happen with the introduction of MyGM Mode in WWE 2K22, allowing gamers to manage their own WWE brand.

WWE 2K22 also includes MyFaction, which allows players to build a stable and earn rewards, as well as MyRise, which is a career mode for both male and female Superstars.

In terms of gameplay, a press release noted that players will be able to "feel the difference" and enjoy "an authentic WWE feeling throughout the game."

Fans were treated to their first deep dive into the gameplay in February when WWE 2K released a video featuring a match between Rey Mysterio and Damian Priest.

WWE 2K creative director Lynell Jinks and several developers talked over the match, discussing what players can expect to experience.

One developer explained why the tag line of "it hits different" rings true by noting that the animation system is brand-new and an improvement on the look and feel of every character.

The physics system was said to create a more realistic WWE feeling as well, and a concerted effort was made to simplify the controls in order to make it easier for people to pick up and play.

While there are button-mashing elements to the game, there is still plenty of opportunity to use a strategy for those who are well-versed in playing the WWE 2K series. Some of the additions on that front include the breaking and blocking system to counter moves, as well as a way to dodge moves launched by the opponent.

Gamers won't get a full idea of everything WWE 2K22 entails until they get the game in hand, but all signs point toward a far better and more immersive experience than WWE 2K20.

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