WWE 2K25 [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

The WWE 2K series has really hit its stride ever since the disaster that was WWE 2K20, and this year, it delivers another fantastic entry with the Bloodline-themed WWE 2K25. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, the game refines what’s already working and adds enough new additions to keep things fresh and exciting for returning players.

Check out some screenshots down below:

The core gameplay in WWE 2K25 remains largely unchanged from last year’s release, but given that it was arguably the best entry in the series, that’s not really a bad thing. The foundation is strong and ensures players can enjoy some brilliant showdowns with their opponents, but Visual Concepts has made several key adjustments that help keep the action feeling fresh and dynamic.

One of the most notable changes is the return of chain wrestling, which was last seen in WWE 2K19. Wrestlers can engage in a mini-game where they exchange holds and counters, with the goal of gaining the upper hand. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the early stages of a match and makes technical wrestling feel more engaging, whilst it’s also something that’s regularly seen in real-life WWE matches too, adding to the authenticity of the overall experience. It’s intuitive without feeling overly complicated, and whilst you’ll need to time your button presses and choose your transitions carefully, the system is forgiving enough that even casual players can grasp it quite quickly.

Another major addition comes with the ‘Giant’ archetype. Larger superstars such as Andre the Giant, Nia Jax, Omos, and Diesel now have an extra energy bar that acts as a shield. Opponents need to wear down this shield before they can start dealing real damage, which makes fighting against giants feel like a true David vs. Goliath struggle that lives up to the classic status of so many encounters seen over the years in the WWE universe.

Giants are slow, but with high power and defence, they can be devastating to face off against. They can no-sell certain strikes and have access to unique animations that emphasize their size and strength. Smaller yet nimbler wrestlers can still succeed, but they’ll need to rely on speed and reversals to overcome the size disadvantage. It helps makes matches against giants feel more strategic and varied, adding a fresh dynamic to the encounters that makes them a hell of a lot more believable than in previous entries in the series.

The submission system has also been tweaked. Gone are the frustrating button-mashing mini-games, with the game now utilising a hold-and-release mechanic. To lock in a submission, you’ll need to time your button presses to a circular meter, with successful holds wearing down your opponent’s stamina. This system feels more intuitive and balanced, making submission-based wrestling feel more nuanced and tactical as opposed to just a button-mashing fest.

“WWE 2K25 delivers another fantastic entry in the series, building on the foundation of previous games with cool improvements that add to the authenticity of each match.”

AI behaviour has also been noticeably improved upon, with opponents much better at adapting to your play style, varying their move set, and positioning themselves to deal more damage or deal with incoming attacks. Obviously, this can vary depending on the difficulty setting you’re playing on, but everything feels more balanced to ensure for an even playing field where you’re less likely to be able to exploit silly AI behaviour in order to succeed. It helps make matches feel more refined, with the pacing more natural and the momentum shifting between wrestlers more organically – again, making for a more authentic and satisfying wrestling experience.

WWE 2K25 introduces several new match types and features that help keep the action varied. Intergender matches are one of the biggest changes, finally allowing male and female wrestlers to square off in the ring again. While WWE rarely crosses this line on TV, it makes perfect sense in a video game where fantasy matchups are part of the appeal. And come on, who doesn’t want to see Rhea Ripley get her revenge on Dom Mysterio, right?

New match types also make their debut, with a highlight being the Bloodline Rules matches. These are chaotic affairs where up to three allies can interfere during the match, turning what starts as a one-on-one bout into a full-on faction brawl. Then you have the Underground matches, which strip things down to a rope-less ring with fans standing around the edge. It’s something that can admittedly feel a little gimmicky, but it certainly looks really cool and adds a… well… ‘underground’ vibe to the wrestling. Other modes have also been expanded upon, such as Guest Referee which supports more match types or the Backstage Brawl allowing players to venture through more areas (including the brilliant Archive which has plenty of nods to the jewels of WWE’s past).

What really stands out this year is the MyRise mode, which really is better than ever. Once again, there are stories to play through as either a male or female superstar, with both offering plenty of drama, twists, and classic WWE-style storytelling that makes for some unpredictable moments involving plenty of familiar faces. Without giving too much away, there’s a real effort to make the storyline engaging and personal, with rivalries and alliances that feel meaningful. It’s just well-paced, packed with fan service, and offers branching storylines and dialogue choices that make it more engaging than ever whilst also giving a bigger incentive to play through multiple times. I’ve always enjoyed the MyRise mode, but this year, it feels REALLY special.

Showcase mode this year focuses on the Bloodline, WWE’s dominant faction led by Roman Reigns. The mode features a mix of real-life and fantasy matchups involving both Bloodline members and those who are simply found on the Anoa’i family tree, including Roman Reigns, the Headshrinkers, Yokozuna, and even High Chief Peter Maivia, with each match introduced by the ever-brilliant Paul Heyman, whose delivery helps sell the importance and legacy of the Bloodline perfectly. As in previous years, the matches are a lot of fun to play through, with the array of objectives and real-life transitions adding a real cinematic tone to the mode. Just be warned: Tamina’s ‘Money in the Bank’ match stands out as a tough challenge that might frustrate some players (or at least it did for me, anyway).

Check out some screenshots down below:

The other existing modes have also seen thoughtful improvements. MyGM now supports online multiplayer for up to four players, which has been something that I’ve wanted for a long, long time. There are more management options, more match types, and more ways to build rivalries, with it still standing out as of the most addictive modes in the game. I can see me coming back to it for a long, long time, and finally prove to all my friends that MY Monday Night Raw is better than anything they have to offer.

MyFaction also remains addictive despite its reliance on microtransactions. The new World Tour feature replaces last year’s Proving Grounds and offers more structured challenges and rewards, whilst it looks like something that could really be built upon throughout the year. It also gives players a chance to earn some early Persona cards, which still stand out as the BEST thing to find across the mode. Sure, most will take a lot of effort (or money spent) to unlock, but WWE 2K25 does at least give players some easy opportunities to build on their roster.

Of course, the headline new addition this year is The Island, a new open-world mode inspired by the City mode from the NBA 2K series. The concept is intriguing: you travel to Roman Reigns’ ‘Island of Relevancy’ and complete quests and challenges to earn rewards and unlockables. On paper, it sounds really cool, and believe me, the unique design of the island and its nods to all things WWE got things off to a good start for me. Unfortunately, The Island is where the game’s monetisation issues become glaringly obvious, with most of the cosmetic items and stat upgrades requiring VC, which can be earned slowly through play or bought outright with real money. The problem is that The Island’s multiplayer focus creates a clear pay-to-win dynamic – players willing to spend money on upgrades will have a clear advantage, and those who don’t will just feel like they’re missing out. There’s potential here for it to stand out as a real engaging way to experience WWE 2K25, but for now, it feels like a bit of a wasted opportunity.

Visually, WWE 2K25 looks fantastic, with the lighting, animations, and character models all looking better than ever. The roster itself is also very impressive, covering multiple eras and including legends and current stars alike, whilst plenty have seen upgrades over previous years. You might need to flesh it out a little yourself with community creations to include some stars that just aren’t on the roster or who have left for ventures new, but with well over 300 playable superstars, it won’t be too hard to find some of your favourites.

Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Games
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Website: https://wwe.2k.com/2k25/