Professional wrestling is a combat sport. According to the script, yes, but the point is that two superstars walk into a ring and (mostly) pretend to beat each other. That’s why it’s understandably boxed into the combat/simulation genre. Aside from some collectible card games and general manager sims, the genre rarely strays beyond its competitive roots, and I think that’s a shame. Wrestling can offer much more to video games.
Upcoming WrestleQuest is a great example of what you can do with a game of wrestling if you apply a little creativity. The title turns the core concepts of the sport into a 16-bit RPG inspired by games like Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger. It’s a refreshing idea and I can’t wait to see how successful it will be when it launches later this year. WWE recently announced the plan develop a role-playing game also. It’s not clear if that’s a response to WrestleQuest, but it’s welcome news. Rumbleverse Apply the sport’s tropes to battle royale. Now let’s continue that momentum.
WrestleQuest
Drama is an essential element of wrestling. Highlight that side in a choice-driven narrative adventure Games of the caliber of a Quantic Dream or Telltale Games title. IInstead of emphasizing action, let me choose alliances, championships to pursue, align my heels/face, and make other important decisions. Imagine having an incredible web of possibilities present in games like Heavy Rain or Detroit: Become Human. Presents multiple endings based on my decisions. Do I peak in rank by aligning myself with an unstoppable faction? Should I betray my tag team partner to attack myself and how does that affect this fictional universe? WWE game modes like 2K22’s MyRise have traditionally offered relatively simplified versions of this for years, but it can be wrapped up in a separate, more immersive experience. Above all, anyone can play this game. With lighter interoperability, you don’t have to memorize complex moves or button inputs.
However, a wrestling adventure doesn’t have to be a cliché about the riches of a rookie climbing the ranks, winning titles, and becoming a household name. Movies such as Wrestler shows that you can also tell a compelling humanistic drama about life outside the ring. Imagine a third-person action-adventure game set in the ’70s/80s starring a struggling wrestler making a living. He travels across the country to “create (brother) towns” while grappling with conflicts, internal and external. Perhaps the story is more of a crime drama because the protagonist bonds with some evil individuals such as Dino Bravo, paving the way for fights and even gunfights. I could see a studio like Naughty Dog or Rockstar discarding what would essentially be a one-wrestle-only gritty period piece.
WWE Crush Hour
Remember WWE Crush Hour? WWE’s weird fight in a Twisted Metal-style car battle? That’s a super stupid idea. Let’s bring that back because why not? An entrance-themed rhythm music game! We can only upload of Sami Zayn Old song to defeat Saber for a long time. What about a Coffee Talk-style restaurant where you run the Waffle House and treat traveling wrestlers with chicken breast and egg whites as they tell you stories along the way?
The expansion of the wrestling game range positions the sport in front of new audiences who may not have encountered it. Those who may not love the action in the ring may love the top-notch performances and quirky sayings of wrestling. Even die-hard fans can benefit; Some people simply don’t excel or prefer a mechanical grappling simulation.
You can do quite a bit with sports entertainment in video games. I just hope more developers – and companies that struggle, for that matter – see this potential and are more willing to seize the opportunity.
