Video Games

EA Sports released a trailer for its updated player and manager career mode in the upcoming FIFA 23 on Monday.

The new additions to the mode include:

• A player personality system for the player career mode that will alter your character based on the decisions you make during games and the activities you participate in outside of games. There is the Maverick trait (your classic goal-chasers who seek to be stars off the pitch), Virtuosos (technically savvy players) and the Heartbeat (leaders on and off the pitch). 
• A new playable highlights system that allows players who don't want to play the full 90-minute match in career mode to instead play the key moments in a match. 
• New cinematics for switching clubs, completing transfers (especially for star players) and key moments in your player's career. 
• A new transfer evaluation feature that will break down your signings and sales as you complete them.
• Updated AI tactics that adjust to your playstyle throughout the game.
• A suite of authentic managers such as Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel and Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti. 

The latest edition of the FIFA series is set to drop on Friday, Sept. 30.

Player ratings for the Madden NFL video game are a source of controversy and debate every year, so EA Sports is giving fans an opportunity to make a case for their favorite stars to boost their overall grade.

After the Madden hotline launched Thursday, Emma Waldren of EA Sports tweeted it had received 1,000 calls in the first six hours it was operational:

1000 of you called the #Madden23 #RatingsAdjustor hotline in the first six hours 🤯

— Emma Louise Waldren (@emmalwaldren) July 29, 2022

Anyone can call the hotline, whether it's fans or NFL stars, to talk about the ratings for a player.

It would be fun to see the caller ID of players who might have called in. Indianapolis Colts star Shaquille Leonard didn't seem to agree with being the No. 5 linebacker with a 90 overall rating.

📝 yep pic.twitter.com/Me8SCz1WeF

— DatboiLeRoy (@Vallejokid93) July 19, 2022

Some players, though, had positive reactions when the ratings were announced.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who will happily tell you how awesome he is, wasn't upset at receiving a 98 overall rating and being the top-ranked player at his position.

Blessed 🙏🏾 https://t.co/Tv4tPMJuJe

— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) July 28, 2022

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams are the only players who received 99 overall ratings in Madden NFL 23.

Donald received the highest possible rating for the sixth consecutive year, tying Peyton Manning for the most in Madden history.

Anyone who calls the hotline and presents a valid case for a player could get the rating adjusted. It's unclear what your argument would need to consist of, but it's good preparation for anyone considering a career as a lawyer or taking a debate class.

Madden NFL 23 will be released Aug. 19 for Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.

FIFA 23 has unveiled features for the new version of the popular video game franchise.

The biggest difference for this year's game is the inclusion of HyperMotion2 Gameplay Technology.

The developers used motion capture on two professional matches as well as training drills to create "over 6,000 authentic true-to-football animations." They totaled twice as much real-world motion capture as the year before with the aim of producing a more realistic game.

FIFA 23 will also feature women's club teams for the first time and includes specific animations for the women's game.

Among the in-game improvements, the addition of a power shot and upgraded free kicks are notable as players look for new ways to score.

FIFA 23 will be released Sept. 30.

F1 22 from developer Codemasters and EA Sports arrives at perhaps the most interesting, if not critical, time possible.

This year's Formula One season underwent dramatic changes to the majority of its regulations. What teams can spend and how, as well as how the vehicles actually get developed and designed has led to huge changes for the on-track performances and, in turn, for spectators.

The task for F1 22, besides following up on a brilliant next-generation console debut with last year's F1 2021, is juggling the implementation of those changes while also assuring the experience is as welcoming to new players as possible as the sport's popularity keeps increasing.

No simple task, but the series has been on a rather dramatic upswing in recent years while expanding in a way that urges players from all avenues to give it a chance.

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Gameplay

F1 22 seems to understand that if there's a perfect time to broaden the appeal more than ever, it's right now.

Codemasters remain the champions in elite simulation racing, and that doesn't change here. But savvy optional additions, in tandem with the big adjustments to the sport itself, leave this offering feeling like the best to date on the track.

In pursuit of mirroring the real-life changes to the sport, F1 22 revamped handling and tires, as well as overall physics. Funnily enough, veteran sim players and completely new players will find themselves on the same footing as the old strategies and builds just won't work within the new ecosystem.

The result is profound. Like the actual on-track sport, the game feels like it keeps competitors bunched up on the track longer. It's simply more enjoyable to play as opposed to in the past, when just breaking away was common and mistakes were relatively easy to overcome. Now? Every little thing feels like it matters a lot.

The game also boasts an addition dubbed Adaptive AI that, based on what a player chooses, will have computer opponents reacting more realistically to where a player's at on the track.

Notably, gameplay remains a deep-as-you-want-it affair. Players can turn on the droves of expected assists and make the game feel more like a Forza Horizon—which, when paired with that Adaptive AI, will have it feeling like an arcade racer where rubber-banding and other video-game trappings persist.

But there are also little things for simulation players, too, such as the ability to pick a vehicle's angle after a formation lap in order to pursue specific lines or strict timing-based minigames on pitstops. Adding to the realism on the simulation front is that it's not uncommon to see opposing A.I. make little mistakes here and there, removing the robotic feel.

The F1 series has never had a problem with snappiness or responsiveness that properly reflects even the smallest of pre-race tweaks to a vehicle. That's all still tried and true. The real gains are in the expansion of options and how the competition navigates those same hurdles.

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Graphics and Presentation

There's a fun juggling act pulled off by F1 22 in the presentation department, too.

The game has to reflect very real alterations to tracks like Spain, Australia and Abu Dhabi and has done so, while also managing to pull off an exclamation point with the addition of Miami International Autodrome to the mix.

As always, each track feels distinct in its visual presentation and performance. The same goes for the level of immersion via the respect paid to the unique details surrounding each track.

This same notion applies to the vehicles, which are of course the star of the show again in both look and booming sound design. The attention to detail, especially when it comes to vehicles, is especially fun in tandem with the inclusion of Supercars from McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin and others, drivable between races and in F1 Life.

It also seems understood that matching presentation style to the real-life product is as important as ever in this day and age of sports gaming.

New additions include broadcast-tier cutscenes for pit stops, formation laps and even the safety car period. Players can choose to leave these as simulations very similar to actual broadcasts or interact with them, tasking players with navigating the moments. It's always refreshing to see the standard camera angle cut to something worthy of a broadcast.

F1 22 also touts an EAMusic playlist for the first time, and it's fitting in the sense that the electronic-based tracks fit the theme well but won't stop players from listening to other background music.

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F1 Life, Esports and More

A year ago, the narrative-based Braking Point was the star of the show, as it provided a fun look at the life of an up-and-coming driver while almost serving as a tutorial for new players, too.

There's no equivalent to that mode in this year's game, which registers as both disappointing and understandable. Trying to level-up that experience on a yearly basis is something most sports games struggle with—and most sports games don't have to do so while the sport itself dramatically changes across the board.

In its place, F1 Life is the big talking point. It's a social player hub with a standard lobby system for interactions with friends and others while viewing cosmetics, collected via in-game trophy unlocks and/or leveling the Podium Pass.

There's nothing too shocking about it as a whole, although it feels like the series is just checking off another box in modern game design. Players can acquire name brands on attire. There's an in-game store. There's the community feel. There are avatars to personalize. For those who dig that scene, it's a feature that was notably absent.

As expected, the series is again one of the most robust esports offerings in video games. There is an in-game area for online qualification events.

For those who don't want to compete and just want to take it all in, there's an option to view the events themselves through the in-game hub.

MyTeam, once a shiny new addition to the series, continues to settle in as a workhorse mode. It gets more quality-of-life updates found in other sports titles here. Perhaps most notably, players can now choose from one of three starting points to begin careers. Those who don't want to slog from the very bottom, underdog-style, can simply select to start as a Front Runner, for example.

The other workhorse mode is Career, the pleasantly upgraded mode from last year. It still spans a decade and, most notably, still permits a co-op campaign with a friend.

A few research and development tweaks here and there make the off-track stuff engaging. The RPG-styled feel to team and vehicle management while working for unlocks is simple enough to welcome all players but complex enough that simulation lovers will stay engaged.

As always, there are plenty of other ways to play in one-off modes like time trials or quick mini-events like Average Speed Zone. And the inclusion of things like hot laps with celebrities is a nice touch for the more casual crowd coming into the experience as the popularity of the sport booms.

Sprint races are a welcome debut too, as 100km sprints after qualifying and before the race itself to cement the event's starting grid add another layer to each event's feel. Players are also free to dip into the world of Formula 2.

Fitting its annual expansion feel, F1 22 also dips into VR on PC for the first time. There, the game runs well as expected after that impressive next-gen debut a year ago.

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Conclusion

On paper, a game swapping out a narrative mode while implementing a social hub for online activities might be met with a shrug from players.

But F1 22 sits in a position of luxury in that it boasts one of the best career modes in sports games, and there's similar depth and enjoyability in the stellar MyTeam effort. Also praiseworthy is arguably the best esports hub and experience of any sports game.

More important than any of that, though—which has always been the Codemasters vibe—is the on-track performance, which mirrors the real-life changes incredibly well.

Continued smooth expansions to game systems across the board mean an even broader appeal to new and deep-sim players alike, marking it as one of the best games in the series and creating plenty of excitement for future installments.

Mario Strikers: Battle League is a must-own for gamers seeking an intense, chaotic and exhilarating over-the-top soccer game good for both single and multiplayer experiences.

The Strikers series has been long overdue for a return after skipping the Wii U and last releasing in 2007 for the Wii with Mario Strikers Charged. Although soccer appeared in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the Strikers series is unlike any other soccer game available because of the combination of intense, arcade-like action and Mario charm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UmjcJT6nuQ?

With the Switch's ability to play in handheld mode, Strikers is a great choice for single-player gamers being able to play with them anywhere, but more importantly because of the access to play against others online. Aside from playing quick battles online, players can enter Strikers Club, which allows gamers to create or join a club to compete against other clubs during a one-week season. There's coin and tokens to be won, customization options and the opportunity to advance to higher rankings, so it will be a great way for gamers to keep playing and feeling like they're advancing toward a goal.

The CPU is no slouch on "normal" mode, so playing on "hard" mode will provide a great challenge for players looking to continuously hone their skills.

Multiplayer is where Strikers will shine brightest and why it will be a necessary addition to any Switch collection. With the option to game with up to eight players in a Quick Battle on a single console, Mario Strikers is an epic multiplayer game that should become essential for parties, friendly tournaments and especially esports events.

Although Strikers will be highly entertaining at parties and for casual gaming, it does not offer the same pick-up-and-play potential as the other Mario-based sports titles Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Golf: Super Rush because the control scheme is more involved and the player has to switch between four characters during matches.

Battle League feels more difficult than Aces or Super Rush, as it is far more fast-paced with more characters to control and track. There's a lot of precision movements and timing in such a fast setting that it might become overwhelming for younger or inexperienced gamers

The tutorial will be essential for new players, but it is also wise for fans of the series to check because of the advanced moves. The controls may take several matches to nail down as they are very involved if trying to master the skills and techniques for the Perfect Moves, but they are responsive and ultimately feel intuitive.

The timing is essential for the most effective form of shooting and tackling. The most difficult to time correctly is the Perfect Combo, a mix of passing and shooting, to achieve the ideal charged shot. The systems are reminiscent of a fighting game with how precise the timing is for the passing, shooting, tackling and dodge mechanics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmvzfwj85Vo?

As with other Mario-based sports releases, there's an extravagant maneuver that can be unleashed during a match: Hyper Strikes. These are special moves that have awesome, flashy scenes and are similar to power shots from Mario Tennis.

The system to use Hyper Strikes is reminiscent of getting a smash ball in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and then executing the move is similar to kicking/punting in the Madden franchise with stopping a meter in the perfect spot at the perfect time. The timing can be tricky, which will help keep matches more balanced. However, characters with higher technique have a bigger section on the meter for the player to nail the timing.

It's cool that each character has their own Hyper Strike scene, so it'll be fun for gamers to check out each character when they first get the game. It's exhilarating to be behind two goals and then score with a Hyper Strike with zero seconds left to win a match.

When playing with Hyper Strikes active, there is no option to skip the Hyper Strike animations, players will have to watch them unfold. However, each character also has a celebration cutscene, which thankfully can be skipped.

Aside from the Hyper Strikes, there are items similar to those from Mario Kart, such as the invincibility star, red shell and mushroom to provide a speed burst. Items are fun, but not as essential as in Mario Kart, and they don't have nearly the same impact on a match as Hyper Strikes. At times, they can be difficult to keep track of because of how fast-paced the matches are and because CPU teammates are also picking up items to stash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LTO7vziwHk?

As with many games now, there are RPG-like customization options by equipping gear that can be purchased using gold coins acquired from playing matches. Hundreds of coins are awarded for winning each Cup Battle tournament, but players are also awarded a small number of coins after losing matches to keep progression advancing.

Different gear allows gamers to try to make characters more evenly balanced or lean into their inherent attributes to make them even more specialized in certain categories while sacrificing other attributes, such as speed. A smart feature is that before beginning a match, players can choose to use a character without any gear enhancements to stick to their original base attributes.

Nintendo confirmed there will be free post-launch updates with additional characters, but there will surely be speculation about potential gear and stadiums too to provide more customization options.

For match settings, players can adjust the match length and CPU skill, while also being able to turn off items and Hyper Strikes. The option to turn off items and Hyper Strikes is essential, as that is something many gamers often do in the Smash Bros. games so that matches are more based on the gamer's skills instead of using items and Hyper Strikes to gain advantages.

Per the usual, Nintendo's exceptional polish, optimization and charm is on full display. In handheld mode with the Switch OLED, Battle League feels just as great to play as it does using a Pro Controller. The loading times are quick, and there are no glitches or hiccups. There isn't much in terms of accessibility features, but the option to turn on visual-assist mode to better highlight the user's character will likely be a must-use for all gamers.

The graphics are smooth and vibrant, highlighted by the fantastic Hyper Strike and celebration cutscenes. The stadium intros are eye-popping and give an awesome broadcast feel similar to something like the movie Space Jam as all-star members of the Mario universe team together for the match.

Nintendo also leans into funny characteristics and personality traits with the characters, like how Rosalina, Wario and Donkey Kong interact with the ball when dribbling or shooting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLAzzYz92r4?

Mario Strikers: Battle League was well worth the wait after such a lengthy absence between releases. Strikers was a staple for multiplayer gamers during the Gamecube era and will surely scratch that nostalgic itch. The addition of online play, plus Strikers Club, means Battle League has long-lasting appeal for solo players.

Strikers may initially be a bit more challenging than its Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Golf: Super Rush counterparts, but players of similar skill set will have a blast competing because the gameplay is tight, precise and frenetic. It will be a joy to watch skilled players compete to see their tactics, which should also lead to exciting esports tournaments and "let's play" streams.

Party hosts should look at Battle League as an ideal option for quick battles and tournaments at their events because there's plenty of fun to be had because of the chaotic nature. Battle League is unlike any other soccer game and provides the perfect arcade-like experience to further appreciate the sport that only Nintendo can do with its gameplay and cast of characters from the Mario universe.

Deandre Ayton apparently works on his virtual hooping skills as much as he does his real-life ones.

The Phoenix Suns center told Maya A. Jones of ESPN that he spends between four and five hours playing NBA 2K every day.

"I don't think I could live without the game and that's real talk," Ayton said.

Ayton says he has already reached Level 40—the highest you can go—in four different 2K seasons for NBA 2K22, becoming a "Legend" in the process. He believes he's the only NBA player to reach Legend status.

For those unfamiliar, reaching Level 40 takes roughly 150-200 games in Rec (depending on your skill level) and potentially hundreds more if Ayton prefers to play in the Park or Old Gym.

To put it another way: Ayton has put in hundreds of hours crafting his 2K game.

Ayton says gaming helped him make friends as a teenager and reconnected him with people he lost when he moved from the Bahamas to San Diego to pursue his basketball dreams in high school. He manages to keep his basketball game and his one-year-old son at the forefront of his focus while also gaming thanks to an eye-popping sleep schedule; Ayton says he sleeps only a few hours a night and games instantly upon waking up in the morning. 

"Gaming always keeps me level-headed. That's not a thing I'll ever lose. Like on the road right now. ... It's just a load off where I can just play the game and just chill out for a bit and then get back to work," Ayton said. "It's just video games and basketball. That's what keeps my head clear so I can play this sport."

Ghostwire: Tokyo managed to keep a spectral, secretive nature around its supernatural first-person adventure right up until its anticipated release.

From developer Tango Gameworks, known for sleeper horror hits like The Evil Within series, Ghostwire: Tokyo tackles a supernatural event in Tokyo, with the Ghostbusters slant to the story and first-person experience giving players probably the closest thing they will get to Marvel's Doctor Strange in video game format.

Thanks to one of the most beautifully rendered, immersive and downright spooky worlds we've seen in a game to date, plus an experience that keeps surprising throughout a lengthy tale, Ghostwire is one of the sleeper hits of the generation for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC.

Graphics and Gameplay

Ghostwire takes players on a journey through an extremely detailed, ghastly version of Tokyo.

A red moon hangs over a city that continues to run as if its citizens were going about their normal lives. Stores are lit up, music plays and the city, at least from a distance, looks to be having a routine night.

But humans have left behind their bundles of clothing and items like bags all around the city. Animals, however, are scattered about, contributing to a sense of dread and wonder not often found in a game. The graphics overall are pretty, but it's the crafting of the environment and some superb sound design that pull together the whole experience.

We have often talked about locations as characters themselves in other games, and that's 100 percent true here. The environmental storytelling is downright stunning. Certain enemies have typical human behavior before going berserk when aggroed on the player. Spectral-style glitches to otherwise normal-looking environments pop up often and wow. The way interiors of buildings shift in stunning, unexpected ways feels like the best possible callback to Control from 2019. And besides the spooky stuff, it's just a plain amazing recreation of Tokyo.

And that's not all—and perhaps not the biggest selling point. This version of Tokyo has some shocking verticality to it. Players get access to a grappling hook and glider pretty quickly and are free to use those tools as one might expect.

Through the course of the narrative, the game ushers players through a variety of distinct, eyebrow-raising locales. Some sections of tunnels, for example, are perhaps more somber than the abandoned city above, while leisurely sites like restaurants and arcades bombard the senses with noises and flashy lights.

If the traversal sounds interesting, rest assured the actual look and feel of combat is even more so.

Protagonist Akito uses a paper doll to absorb spirits and wages battle by using hand mannerisms and gestures as attacks. It sounds wacky, but it's a fun take on first-person combat and not too dissimilar from a typical first-person shooter. A softer wind attack is clearly a pistol, and a gesture that produces a bigger punch resembles a shotgun, to name a few examples.

In a fun twist, Akito doesn't just pick up packs of ammunition, either. Instead, players have to find interesting sources of energy throughout the world, such as abandoned vehicles. Ripping the electric energy from those, in turn, lets him use electricity to zap out the hearts of paranormal baddies.

Akito also has his own version of detective vision we've seen in games before. This one, as expected, helps players uncover secrets out in the world and is helpful when it comes to plotting attacks on groups of enemies. It feels justified given the game's narrative too.

While fun and often visually stunning, combat does feel to be missing something. There's a fun parry system. With the right timing, players can send spells and other attacks right back at enemies. But keeping distance is often the best recipe, and things get a little strange if an enemy closes the gap, as it feels like a dodge button is missing. Enemy A.I. doesn't stick out as a bad thing, at least.

Also following this supernatural theme are pay phones functioning as a hub for progression. Find those to convert spirits into cash and standard experience points. There are a bevy of new abilities and boosts to unlock that seem to match the escalation of enemies and challenges nicely.

Ghostwire's combat and overall play style is niche but fun and throws enough mixups in the form of powers and abilities to keep things fresh.

The Spider's Thread is a brilliant addition to provide more content for Xbox gamers playing for the first time but especially for returning gamers who played at launch. Considering Ghostwire's gameplay and atmosphere are the stars of the show, any new content to showcase the abilities, explore more of the unique world and receive more context in the story is a welcomed addition. Spider's Thread is an excellent way for gamers to test their skills. It's a must-play mode for new gamers or those who already finished the campaign and want another reason to re-visit Ghostwire: Tokyo.

Story and More

Ghostwire's overarching narrative is a mystery for Akito and spectral companion KK to solve, with big bad Kannya the omnipresent force helping to move things along.

But as hinted, it's the environmental storytelling that overshadows everything else, similar to how the locale of Oldest House did in Control. That's not a bad thing; solving the mystery and trying to set things right is still a fun motivator that's sure to keep players engaged.

It helps that the two protagonists have a fun dynamic, with Akito sort of a deer in headlights while KK is a hardened tutor of sorts. The former is a good way for players to get immersed in the world, while the latter acts as a guiding hand.

Thankfully, Ghostwire doesn't go overboard on the dread and gloom, either. The two will trade jabs and make jokes to lighten the mood, assisted by some funny real-world moments, locations or events in the story or otherwise.

Ghostwire also uses side missions as a way to mix up the gameplay and experiment with new things should players seek them out. We won't dive in too much there for the sake of spoilers, but gameplay mixups and location changes lead to some fun and memorable surprises.

Notably, exploration and consistently engaging with the superbly crafted world is encouraged smartly too. A thick fog hangs over the undiscovered portions of the map, and it damages the player to wade through it. That encourages seeking out ways to clear the fog, which means more time is invested in exploring and stumbling upon little secrets and memorable moments.

Speaking of exploration, Ghostwire avoids the recent checklist-style feeling of open-world games. There are plenty of things to collect out in the world, but it's not necessary. Should players go that route, though, the reward is ample experience that will let them unlock skill trees faster.

Perhaps most importantly for new gamers, or those who want to play the campaign again, the additions from the Spider's Thread update create the definitive version of Ghostwire: Tokyo as the story is enhanced.

While Ghostwire has three optimization options on console, it's easy to see that performance mode should be favored on both the console and in PC settings. At least at launch, performance stability isn't good enough with the graphics cranked up to justify the sacrifice by choosing Quality Mode. However, the game looks superb even on performance mode and load times and other technical specs are zippy.

Speedrunning Tips

In open-world games, it's easy to suggest avoiding unnecessary battles, optimizing for offensive output and going as fast as possible after some trial runs to get the best speedrunning times.

That's not necessarily the case with Ghostwire.

Given that only a small portion of the map unveils at a time as a player pushes back the fog, it's not always easy to avoid combat. Luckily for runners, if forced into a confrontation, they can always pull out the bow and pick off enemies from a distance or get up close in stealth and steal their souls before a big fight.

Still, the typical advice of rolling with offensive stats and attacks is good advice too. So is skipping cutscenes and dialogue and taking a few runs of the game for routing purposes. Most side items can be easily skipped.

Interestingly, runners might find it beneficial to level a certain skill tree that lets them spawn grapple points of their own at a whim. That would make traversal around the city even faster and open up even more time-saving routing.

Given the unique setting and tools capable of creating a pretty big skill gap at a player's disposal, it's easy to see Ghostwire quickly cobbling together a healthy speedrunning community.

Conclusion

Control from 2019 got several nods here and for good reason: It was a sleeper smash hit that came out of nowhere with a stunning world and a lengthy, replayable experience.

Ghostwire: Tokyo feels like the next major entry in this category and is sure to get mentioned like this for years to come. It boasts an immersive, captivating open world that features as a character itself and a unique gameplay loop.

That gameplay or the surreal setting might not be for everyone, but it's a novel experience worth checking out. Ghostwire: Tokyo exceeds expectations in pretty much every way and has zero issue getting its hooks into a player through its promise of more secrets and memorable moments around every corner.

After a hiatus for the biggest wrestling game series out there, developer Visual Concepts and publisher 2K Sports plan on long-term support for the upcoming WWE 2K22. 

Launching on March 11, the long-awaited return is the first entry in the series since late 2019. And before release, the details surrounding new features, different versions and planned post-launch support in the plan of several DLC packs has only helped build up hype even more. 

It's the DLC packs that are especially interesting for would-be players because the details surrounding them could help decide on whether to pre-order—and which of the three additions to grab. 

Based on what we know right now, the game will get five DLC packs issued periodically after release day. Those will beef up an already-massive full roster list. Michael Straw of Sports Gamers Online, reported that some of the DLC packs will include names like NXT 2.0 star like Bron Breakker. 

That's an as-expected route for the DLCs to go, especially with the current in-game roster an odd mashup of current Superstars, names from throughout history and names no longer currently with the company because the real-world roster has undergone such dramatic upheaval over the last year. 

But it wouldn't be WWE without some sort of celebrity involvement, either. We've already got confirmation that musician Machine Gun Kelly will be part of one DLC pack. It's safe to presume another celebrity currently prominent in the sprint to WrestleMania like Johnny Knoxville could be part of a pack, too. 

Again, the allure of these additions could help decide on what to pre-order and why. The game's season pass includes all five DLC packs. It's purchasable separately, but also part of pre-orders on non-standard versions of the game. 

Those include the nWo 4-Life Edition or Deluxe Editions. The latter includes the Undertaker Immortal Pack and the Starrcade '96 Rey Mysterio pack as well, which means additional Superstars for the roster and other bonuses. The former does similar with an nWo theme—and all pre-orders mean early access to the game on March 8. 

As far as new features go, WWE 2K hits on the expected notes—and then some. 

Combat, for example, has been overhauled to feel more welcoming to new players and more akin to a typical fighting game. And a beloved mode like MyGM has finally made it back to the series, enabling players to take control of entire brands and manage both rosters and shows. 

Also of note is the return of 2K Showcase, which this time will allow players to experience the most pivotal moments of Rey Mysterio's legendary career. Not only are these accurate and era-specific moments, some interviews with Mysterio that play in documentary-style format offer new insights and context to the matches and moments. 

Then there's MyRISE, which is the big-ticket item for players who like to create their own Superstars and go on a WWE-styled journey to the main event. 

MyRISE looks to be a culmination of what players have hoped for from that type of mode for years. They can start as a male or female Superstar, pick backgrounds that dictate what sort of in-ring Superstar they'll be, then hit the WWE Performance Center for training. From there, it's on to a WWE career that will span all three major brands and the expected pay-per-view events. 

The emphasis for the mode indeed seems to be player agency, too. Players can swap between brands like Raw and SmackDown, choose whether their character is a heel or babyface and decide in what order they tackle storylines and objectives. 

Before release, 2K22 indeed seems like the game many players have been hoping for over the years. There would appear to be a newfound depth to a variety of game modes, a selection that offers a little bit of something for every type of player. 

Much has changed for WWE and the video game landscape since the previous installment of the WWE 2K series from developer Visual Concepts and publisher 2K Sports was released.

Case in point: WWE 2K22's full roster list, at the time of its March 11 launch, boasts Superstars who have already been released or left the company while the game was in development.

Since WWE 2K20 was released in October of 2019, a launch that sent the series into a hiatus, the promotion has undergone massive roster changes, shaken up brands like NXT, seen major competition arrive elsewhere and so much more.

Much of that will be reflected in WWE 2K22, where some of the usual suspects, plus legends and even released Superstars, rank among some of the game's highest-rated names:

• AJ Styles: 91
• Becky Lynch: 92
• Braun Strowman: 90
• Brock Lesnar: 94
• Demon Finn Balor: 90
• Hollywood Hogan (nWo 4-Life Edition): 92
• John Cena: 92

Everyone on that full roster list has an accompanying rating. That includes variations of the same Superstar, such as the following versions included in the Undertaker Immortal Pack:

• Ministry of Darkness (Undertaker Immortal Pack): 93
• Phantom Mask (Undertaker Immortal Pack): 88
• Boneyard Match (Undertaker Immortal Pack): 91

Pre-ordering one of the game's versions, by the way, gives players access to the game three days early Tuesday. Besides the standard edition, there are nWo 4-Life Edition and Deluxe Edition to consider, with both carrying varying bonuses.

Fittingly, the folks behind WWE 2K have made sure the game itself feels different after the lengthy absence.

First up on any must-know basis is the revamped gameplay. Returning players will feel a marked change the first time they pick up the controller because gone are the old submission and combat systems in place of something that feels more like a modern fighter.

This means players will need to learn combos to execute certain moves and partake in a more timing-based system when it comes to blocks and dodges. It also means the game should feel even more welcoming to new players.

Alongside the revamped gameplay and presentation—which occurs naturally thanks to the next-generation consoles that launched during the series' hiatus—the next biggest thing to know is the long-awaited return of MyGM.

Like the beloved mode of old, players will get to sit in the general manager's chair of Raw or SmackDown. Drafting the brand's roster, managing every Superstar on it, controlling a budget and overseeing entire show layouts while getting feedback in the form of match and television ratings sounds like a mode that is every bit as immersive as some of its best iterations in the past.

While perhaps not as big as MyGM, the arrival of a new mode called MyFACTION could end up being a big hit too.

If card-collecting modes in games like Madden and FIFA are any sign, taking the same approach with WWE Superstars past and present should be a big success for 2K22. This new mode draws inspiration from those modes found in other sporting games, tasking players with collecting a faction while tackling challenges that update on a daily and weekly basis, if not more.

While there aren't a ton of details on the mode just yet, one could argue WWE is positioned better than most to dive deep into wrestling's history and keep the game interesting and varied over the course of its lifespan.

Fittingly, returns are a huge part of pro wrestling. Some of the sport's most iconic moments feature the returns of beloved Superstars. WWE 2K22, partially due to this, has major expectations chasing it to its release date.

While everything sounds great, long-term fan reaction beyond the initial hype will be dictated by how well the above performs in the ring itself. Players will find out soon enough, with the March 11 release date looming.

EA Sports will remove the Russian national team and all licensed Russian clubs from FIFA 22 in response to the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

"EA Sports stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and like so many voices across the world of football, calls for peace and an end to the invasion of Ukraine," the company said.

A statement from EA SPORTS FIFA: pic.twitter.com/v3pZvpblgS

— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) March 2, 2022

EA Sports is taking the same step with national and club teams from Russia and Belarus in NHL 22:

A statement from EA SPORTS NHL: pic.twitter.com/2uX4h55ok4

— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) March 2, 2022

EA Sports didn't obtain the full licensing rights for the Russian Premier League, the country's highest soccer division. But FIFA 22 does include CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Spartak Moscow.

In December, EA Sports announced its partnership with the International Ice Hockey Federation, which opened the door for international teams and competitions in NHL 22.

Wednesday's announcements follows widespread condemnation toward Russia from international sporting organizations.

FIFA and UEFA suspended the Russian national team from international competition indefinitely. That could jeopardize the status of the men's national team for the 2022 World Cup. Russia was scheduled to play Poland in a qualifying fixture on March 24.

UEFA also moved the Champions League final from Saint Petersburg, Russia, to Paris and severed its partnership with Russian multinational Gazprom.

The IIHF rolled out an indefinite ban for Belarus and Russia as well and will move the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships from its original host city of Novosibirsk, Russia.