Since 2K Games and developer Visual Concepts took a break from their WWE games, their return has been rather exceptional. Last year’s WWE 2K24 was probably one of the better wrestling games in recent memory, and in that sentiment, it holds some serious pressure on WWE 2K25, having to take things up at least a notch.
In many ways, WWE 2K25 feels similar to its recent predecessors in terms of its gameplay and general mechanics, but it does shake things up rather nicely with a cool new showcase mode, improved grappling and striking minigames and even new ways to pit certain wrestlers against each other with Intergender and Underground matches.
While its updates might feel more important to WWE and wrestling fans, it’s still a great time for newcomers to jump on board and experience one of the better wrestling games available today.
The Ring Awaits
WWE 2K25 feels like its predecessors in the gameplay department, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s been a relatively solid couple of years, and general combat in WWE 2K25 is responsive and satisfying. Of course, you’ll have your arsenal of light and heavy attacks, along with various grapples that can all be altered by tilting the left stick in various directions.
There is a fair amount of controls to learn and remember, so it’s worth jumping into the game’s tutorial up front. It does feel quite lengthy, but there is a bunch of stuff going on at any given time. While the main Showcase mode points out required movies and objectives with control prompts, the remaining modes and matches leave things up to you.
Chain Wrestling does make a return, however, as players must grapple for the correct submission positions by holding the left stick in the correct position, in which the player will feel a certain vibration. Once the vibration disappears, players must move the stick again to find the new sweet spot. Win that mingame, and you essentially set things up to finish the match with a cool submission. While these interactions take place earlier on in the match, it’s quite a challenge as even the AI is quick to find those sweet spots.
Trading Blows also returns, which sees wrestlers dealing alternating hits by holding a button to charge a particular bar, only to release the button when that bar is over a small green zone. It’s more of a cinematic feature than anything else, but it adds to the momentum of matches, particularly earlier on.
Aside from that, things are great across the board once again. The Intergender matches also allow players to pit any of the 300+ past and present, male and female wrestlers against each other, and while this has no impact on the way the game is played, it is a nice touch for the sake of variety, even if it allows Rhea Ripley to launch The Undertaker like it’s nothing.
Follow the Family Tree
One of WWE 2K25’s newest features is its new Showcase mode, which follows a popular real-world story of The Bloodline. The Bloodline is essentially a long list and family tree of Samoan wrestlers who have competed in the WWE and beyond, making their mark on the sport.
Narrated with live-action sequences from longtime manager, executive and promoter Paul Heyman, we get to experience a long lineage of some of the best wrestlers in the business, from the “High Chief” Peter Mavia to his grandson The Rock and the Uso brothers, down to this year’s cover star, Roman Reigns.
Like previous Showcase modes, The Bloodline sees you taking control of various interlinked wrestlers across multiple decades of the WWE. Each match sees you generally playing out these real-life interactions, complete with a list of objectives to simulate what happened.
Unlike previous Showcase modes, however, these matches don’t cut to any real footage and instead use the in-game engine footage to get their point across.
I feel like it’s a huge missed opportunity, as it added so much to the authenticity of the experience. That being said, there are certain matches where you’re actually asked to change the outcome of the match, presenting an interesting what-if scenario of sorts.
Completing matches gives you specific bonuses like new wrestlers and outfits while completing all the objectives in a single match gives you some extra exclusive bonuses as well, some of which can amount to additional wrestlers for your roster.
The only annoying thing about these additional objective-based bonuses is that they’re unlocked only when you complete all the objectives, so if you miss the first one but complete every single one after, you’re still missing out.
Either way, it’s a cool mode that, once again, does a great job at taking you through almost 5 decades of the WWE while bringing light to some of the more underrated and less popular wrestlers in the sport who have still made a huge impact.
Rule the Ring
The remaining modes all feel familiar in one way or another but do bring a couple of new features to help things feel fresh. Aside from the new Intergender matches, you’ll also be able to take part in Underground matches, which play out like more traditional 2D fighting games where you simply need to drain a health bar and knock out your opponent.
MyRise returns as a dedicated mode for you to create your wrestler and essentially fend off a bunch of NXT wrestlers trying to make their way into and ruin the WWE. It’s a bunch of fun, and while it’s a little silly in certain places, it does throw some interesting stories your way in which you’re able to make various choices like certain matchups and alliances.
The MyGM and Universe modes are also back, but there’s not much to them this year. The MyGM mode allows you to manage the entire WWE along with rosters and contracts, and it is now even online to play with up to four friends. The Universe mode brings back Promos which allows you to book all types of crazy matchups in the WWE as well.
MyFaction is still the same card-based game you’ve played before, as you collect various wrestlers and abilities via new card packs to take to other players online. It’s still made to pull at your wallet strings, and it’s usually the mode I fall off first.
Finally, there’s The Island, which feels like WWE 2K’s take on NBA 2K’s MyCity, which allows you to compete for a WWE contract being offered by Roman Reigns. The Island is simply boring to exist in, and while it offers up that same PvPvE space, there’s not much going on apart from a few single-player takes here and there. You can also take your wrestler online to compete against others, but much like NBA 2K, the player with the most amount of cash to splash usually has the advantage.
Look the Part
WWE 2K25 is gorgeous in terms of its visuals and overall presentation. The entire experience runs at an even 60 FPS, while character models are all incredibly detailed and accurate.
Each wrestler also comes with a fresh entrance, each of which can be admired via the new camera controls, which allow you to choose between a third-person view, a spectator view and a live-feed view. It’s always looked good, but given that it’s so consistent this year, there’s not much else to complain about.
Final Thoughts
WWE 2K25 is yet again a solid entry into 2K and developer Visual Concepts’ fresh new chapter of WWE games. The Chain Wrestling and Trading Blows minigames are fun and accessible, while the new Showcase mode highlights even more of the WWE world instead of a single superstar.
While modes like The Island and MyFaction fail to impress, there’s still plenty to unpack and enjoy, even if it’s just in the form of enjoying that same solid gameplay. While I’m sure fans will appreciate these additions, there’s never really been a better time for newer fans to jump on board as well.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Fun new Showcase mode; Same satisfying gameplay returns; MyRise stories are still fun; Solid visuals and performance
Lowlights: MyFaction mode still wants your cash; The Island mode feels a little wonky and empty
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Games
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC
Available: Now
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 with a pre-release code provided by the publisher.
