As the first entry in the series on next-generation hardware, WWE 2k15  has a lot of expectations to live up to. Anticipation for the title is extremely high, and the brief snippets of gameplay that 2K Games has shown look absolutely fantastic. The only problem with the footage players have seen so far is that 2K Games has been surprisingly selective with what it has shown. The developers have shown the characters models and some ring entrances, but nothing in terms of in-ring action.

Finally, 2K Games and IGN have given fans what they want: an extended in-game trailer, looking at the core gameplay of WWE 2k15. It's not a full match by any means, but the footage on display is no less amazing:

It's impossible to miss the improvements that 2K Games has made to the game. From the moment the trailer starts, the facial scan technology used in WWE 2k15 looks amazing. This is easily the closest that WWE games have ever come to replicating the athletes on the roster; superstars such as Triple H and Hulk Hogan are startlingly close to their real-life counterparts. Some of the models look like they could've used a bit more work upon closer inspection (Daniel Bryan's model looks strange, as does Fandango), but it's hard to argue against the tech when it can produce such impressive results.

Amazingly enough, there was a time when the future of WWE games was in question. In 2013, publisher THQ went bankrupt and dissolved, which left the WWE license in limbo. Thankfully, the license was quickly acquired by Take-Two Interactive (the publishers behind Grand Theft Auto), and the studio rebooted the franchise with WWE 2k14.

Now, with WWE 2k15, it's clear that any development difficulties from the loss of THQ are no more. The game looks absolutely amazing, with some of the most realistic representations of pro athletes yet. Add in the return of wrestling superstars like Hulk Hogan and Sting, 2K Games could very well have a blockbuster on its hands.

The last-gen versions of WWE 2k15 are due out on Oct. 28, while the Playstation 4 and Xbox One versions will hit store shelves on Nov. 28.