Gameplay

Gameplay within matches is essentially the same as if you had chosen the match from the main menu. The major differences lie in the organic momentum and attribute changes that occur based on match results. Additionally, you can affect the WWE Universe by manually editing the Superstar’s attributes or abilities.

Edit Superstar

This is mission control for your Superstars.

This screen is where you can truly be the puppet master between matches. Attribute sliders, abilities, brands, allies and rivals, and even crowd cheers or boos are all under your direct control. Match outcomes affect your WWE Universe storyline, but this is the hub of “manual” control.

Momentum

On the Edit Superstar screen, you’ll notice a Momentum meter at the top, underneath the Superstar’s picture. This rating is dependent on how the Superstar is performing at any given time. Take a few losses and the meter will fall. Put together some solid wins and you’ll see the momentum grow.

Brand and Title

This is one of two places to edit brand affiliations. If you want to edit brand by each Superstar, go to the Edit Superstar screen and click on the brand of your liking. Add a title to the Superstar by selecting a title from the inventory. If the Superstar has more than one title championship at a time, the picture will cycle between all held championships.

Allies and Rivals

The outcomes of matches will naturally create allies and rivals within the flow of gameplay. Choosing to interfere in matches will also see Superstars pick sides. But, for ultimate control you can go right into the Edit Superstar screen and select the allies and rivals you want. There are five slots to insert Superstars into in both the allies field and the rivals field.

Increase or decrease the intensity of the relationship by selecting the spot along the intensity meter to place the ally or rival.

Attributes and Abilities

In the WWE Universe, Superstars get better or worse—they get a serious attribute adjustment based on their performance in the ring. You can also manually customize both attributes and the Superstar abilities.

Big Show sees his attributes improve +2 with his momentum. Fans cheer him.

Christian has lost momentum. He’s hearing boos and he has seen his attributes drop by -2.

Here you can check out the work the Superstars have been doing in the ring. But, to give the player total control, the ability to manipulate the slider bars from this screen is an option.

We just made CM Punk even more awesome in our WWE Universe.

Select the attribute and adjust the slider to increase that attribute to the maximum allowable threshold; you can make any Superstar’s overall rating 100.

There are still some limits, though: You’re not going to be able to make Mark Henry the fastest guy in the ring or give Chavo Guerrero a 100 Strike Power rating. Each Superstar’s attribute limit is tied to his weight class.

Simulating Matches

As master of your domain you can simulate matches to expedite the schedule, but beware: You have to live with the results. There is no going back to the calendar to play or simulate any match again.

However, if you choose to physically play a match and then lose when you wanted to log a victory (grrr…two-on-one Steel Cage Matches!), you can play a rematch until you get your desired result.

Clicking on a show or pay-per-view event on the schedule in the months ahead simulates all prior matches, and you’ll be immediately transported to that event with whatever rankings and momentum occurred from the simulations.

Interfering

Interfering in matches is a fun way to create allies and rivals, and to affect match outcomes. You can interfere in any regular match noted by the title “Match #” in the Match Cards screen. When you interfere, you choose the Superstar you’d like to play as when you run down the ramp to interfere.

From the Superstar selection menu, you can see who are allies and rivals of each opponent, so you can help or even double-cross your friends! When you join the match, the ref will be knocked out and you have one minute to force a pin and wake up the ref to count out the opponent. If time expires, the ref will catch you in the act and call a draw.

Here, Triple H ducks Mason Ryan’s grapple attempt and the referee gets knocked out. We chose CM Punk and are allied with Triple H as we join the fray. Instead of simply waking up the ref when our friend Triple H pins Mason Ryan, we kick Triple H off the pin.

CM Punk double-crosses his ally and slams him to the ground, and then our old rival Mason Ryan jumps on Triple H for the pin. Now we move over to the ref and press the grapple button to wake up the ref, who then counts out Triple H! This is the WWE!

We can see in CM Punk’s Edit Superstar screen that Triple H has moved from ally to rival in one deft double-cross. Yep, and Mason Ryan is now an ally. Sweet.