It’s that time of the year again – when the most electrifying sports entertainment gets its yearly update. And so, WWE 2K25 makes its way to the ring. Over the last few years 2K and Visual Concepts have had a good run of things with the WWE series.
Each instalment has built on the past and garnered positive reviews overall. WWE 2K24, in particular, set a new high bar for the genre. To say WWE 2K25 has some big boots to fill is an understatement.
Top Rope
WWE 2K25‘s efforts all start with a number of new features to the series. A more in-depth character creator, MyRise, a new story mode of sorts, and a new WWE universe mode. Each changes the gameloop a bit, breathing some life into the wrestling itself. Though, it must be said that some modes fare better than others in wringing some fun from proceedings.
There are also new match types, like the ‘bloodline rules’ matches. These are full-on brawls where anything really goes; including weapons and ally attacks. The match type often spins into the best kind of chaos, and is a star addition amongst all of WWE 2K25‘s new content.
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MyRise has seen a bit of an overhaul. You can now play as both a male and female wrestler since the tale is no longer split between both. Instead, the main tale, called Mutiny, follows the NXT roster, as their fighters take on the best in WWE.
It does an excellent job of delivering a smorgasbord of talent both old and new, as well as up-and-coming stars. You get a real taste of the sport, from CM Punk and Kevin Owens, to Bayley and Becky Lynch.
Sliding Doors
The mode also mixes things up a bit more, adding in branching paths – a key point which will see your choices redefine the overall tale and can be as simple as what your created wrestler did post-entering the ring, to who wins championship matches. There is a wide array of moments where you can really make your mark.
This means there is a decent amount of replayability to the mode, as you see what your other choices would have led to, the biggest issue with the mode is the writing on show. It’s ok, but beyond the main Mutiny path the side tales are just not as strong or compelling.
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Also taking a more prominent role is intergender matches – which really mixed up intergender tag team matches, as you no longer have to tag to have matching genders, so you can be Alexa Bliss whaling on Drew McIntyre.
Universe and MyGM modes have also been tweaked with Universe now letting you set up promos, to better build revivals with the roster. This adds a surprising amount of depth to the mode that it was lacking looking back. MyGM is very much more of the same, but it now has online play, opening things up just a bit more.
Enjoying the Ride
The final new big mode is Showcase Mode Bloodline Dynasty hosted by Paul ‘The Wiseman’ Heyman. And, you can really tell The Wiseman has had a hell of a time doing it. The mode focuses on the history of the Bloodline, acting like a historical archive. It lets you experience some of the greatest matches by one of the most iconic wrestling family dynasties: the Bloodline and the extended Anoa’i family.
You can play as Roman Reigns, facing Cody Rhodes from WWE WrestleMania XL. Or more classic fare; like Yokozuna vs Hulk Hogan in the WWF King of the Ring 1993. There are also a few ‘what if’ matches, where you can change the outcome of the match from how the history book tells it.
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Like past Showcase modes, it’s a highly polished offering. However, since it’s focused on a number of wrestlers over the years, it loses something compared to the laser-focused past offerings, like those that followed Rey Mysterio in and John Cena respectively.
More is More
It’s worth noting that WWE 2K25 has the biggest roster seen in the series, with 300+ brawlers to pick from. Plus, even more on the way as future DLC, though there are some nice touches like having some wrestlers, like the Rock and Stone Cold, feature different versions of themselves from different periods in their career.
However, having more than four Triple H’s is a bit overkill, as its really just states that change between them.
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MyFaction also returns. This is a mode I’ve never clicked with, to be honest. But, if you’re an Ultimate Team fan wanting to swap the football pitch for a square bit of canvas for a season, I am sure you’ll have fun.
Unwelcoming Island
For all the good the WWE 2K25 does and nails, there is a bit of a shadow within the package – The Island which is an interesting idea, maybe. It’s this game’s spin on something that feels more at home in NBA 2K‘s The City if I am being fair.
A PvPvE area where you battle it out to try and win a WWE contract from Roman Reigns. It’s a bit empty for being a hub, and the overall quality on show is not on the level of the rest of the game – for example, the use of still cutscenes.
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The biggest issue is you can ‘pay to win’ right off the bat by building a monster wrestler. This means it’s an uneven battleground, but, again, it’s a new idea and if 2K and Visual Concepts are on the ball, it may not return in next instalments.
Style and Sweat
Visually, WWE 2K25 is of the standard you would expect. The game has a near-broadcast quality at times. A few of the superstars have had a bit of a touch up on their face models, and you can tell. Several of the biggest stars now look more like living people than mannequins now. Bruises, sweat and blood all look that bit more realistic, with you being able to just look at the wrester to see how burned out they are.
Worth noting as well that during some of the historical live footage shown during the Showcase Mode, some of the people featured have had their faces blurred out again, similar to last years game which does feel a bit awkward/trying to rewrite history or more so forget it.
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Sound also hits the levels you expect. From the entry themes being spot on, to the commentator’s adding flavour during brawls, to that pitch perfect thud of hitting the canvas. The audio package is immersive overall. That said, there are a few rough spots to be found on the voice acting front during some modes.
Looking Past the Issues
WWE 2K25 is what most fans were hoping for. It brings a number of meaningful updates and tweaks to an outstanding game. The game also add a few new modes, and buffs a few features to enrich the whole thing. There are a few microtransaction issues in MyFaction and The Island, but most player should be able to overlook these.
Regardless, WWE 2K25 is, pound for pound, the best wrestling game to date, no questions asked.
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