Professional wrestling has permeated popular culture over the last few decades but it has been some time since a wrestling video game truly shook up the genre. Instead of taking a sports simulation approach, developer Mega Cat Studios and publisher Skybound Games teamed up to present a new approach with WrestleQuest. A turn-based pixelated adventure, WrestleQuest takes a zanier approach that befits the wild world of wrestling.
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Expect the unexpected in the kingdom of madness in WrestleQuest, which follows the story of Muchacho Man, an aspiring wrestler looking to make a name for himself. The world of WrestleQuest is dominated by wrestling with wrestlers everywhere and even a giant statue of “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Muchacho Man’s idol. He is tasked with working his way up the wrestling ladder in order to become the best wrestler “east of the Pacific Ocean, west of London, England, south of Mars, and north of Hell.” Surrounded by other aspiring wrestlers, the challenge ahead is not going to be easy but it promises to be entertaining. There is a great cast of supporting characters that bring the world to life as well, with each new addition even zanier than the last.
Right off the bat, I fell in love with the storytelling in WrestleQuest. Wrestling is all about the storylines, making characters and their motivations more important than the actual moves in the ring. WrestleQuest delivers an intriguing storyline with cameos from legendary wrestlers in virtual form that makes the world feel like a top-notch wrestling story in a unique role-playing game setting. The full-length story is sure to unfold with all sorts of crazy twists and turns, and the taste I got in the preview left me hungry for more.
Combat in WrestleQuest is turn-based instead of realistic simulation which works surprisingly well. Using regular moves builds up the crowd’s hype which in turn makes more powerful moves available, pinning opponents in front of a raucous crowd for a satisfying victory. There are even taunting options to really drive home that pure wrestling feel that works incredibly well on screen. I’m interested to see how the combat system continues to expand as the full game plays out, but the initial system in place is really fun to play with and makes the wrestling experience unique and enjoyable. There are so many wrestling gimmicks to enjoy in a combat system that works perfectly with the setting.
Visually, WrestleQuest is vibrant and enagaging. The pixelated approach allows for more creativity with the world and every location is dripping with pure style. Wrestling is a flamboyant and extravagant sport, so it is fitting that WrestleQuest embraces that visually. The tiniest of details help showcase the love Mega Cat Studios has for wrestling, with so many small touches that will make every wrestling fan rejoice.
WrestleQuest has the potential to be the greatest wrestling video game of all time. A creative world and an excellent combat system combine to make an incredible experience that I can’t wait to see fully fleshed out in the full game. If you’re the tower of power, too sweet to be sour, or funky like a monkey, the sky’s the limit and WrestleQuest is the place!
WrestleQuest releases August 8th on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and PC.
