This is widely considered the peak of the WWE creation suite.
Interestingly, WWE 2K14 was released exactly one month before the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One launched. 2K made the wise decision not to rush a "next-gen" version. By staying on PS3/360, the developers ensured a locked 30 (sometimes 60) FPS experience with zero loading lag in the create modes.
This decision makes WWE 2K14 arguably the most stable wrestling game of that console generation. Unlike WWE 2K15 (which was gutted on next-gen), this title is complete.
Retained:
Notable Absence:
Looking back, the roster for 2K14 is a strange, beautiful anomaly. You had the "Reality Era" rising stars (The Shield, Fandango) rubbing shoulders with Legends (Macho Man, Ultimate Warrior) and the "Attitude Era" cast. But the crown jewel was "Big Show: The Giant" as a pre-order bonus.
However, the true highlight is the inclusion of WrestleMania 29 specific models. The sweat, the bruises, the specific gear—it was a level of polish that the series has since traded for massive, less-detailed rosters.
These are "finishing moves" that affect the environment.
Looking at screenshots of SvR 2K14 today is shocking because they hold up remarkably well. The sweat textures, the realistic body deformation (muscles flexing during moves), and the lighting during "Pyro" entrances are stunning.
The audio, however, is a separate issue. The soundtrack is pure 2013 rock: "Indestructible" by Disturbed, "Even Flow" (Pearl Jam cover), and "This Means War" by Avenged Sevenfold. It is crushingly loud and repetitive, but evokes heavy nostalgia.
To understand why WWE 2K14 (the official stylization omits "SmackDown vs." on the cover, though the community still calls it SvR 2K14) is so revered, you have to look at the box art. Featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in his iconic "If you smell..." pose, the game screamed spectacle.
However, internally, this was developer Yuke’s final title under the THQ banner. During development, THQ went bankrupt. In a dramatic finish worthy of a WrestleMania main event, 2K Sports stepped in to acquire the license. Consequently, WWE 2K14 is a hybrid: a Yuke’s build engine with 2K’s publishing polish. This fractured birth resulted in one of the most feature-complete, chaotic wrestling simulators ever made.
The gameplay in WWE 2K14 is fast, fluid, and forgiving. It didn't reinvent the wheel from WWE '13, but it polished it to a mirror shine.