WWE 2K25 Review – Banger After Banger

The electrifying world of professional wrestling, a realm where larger-than-life personalities clash in a symphony of athleticism and theatrics, finds its digital counterpart in the latest iteration of the WWE 2K franchise. WWE 2K25, developed by the seasoned hands at Visual Concepts and published by 2K Games, arrives with the thunderous promise of delivering a truly exceptional wrestling simulation experience. As fans of the squared circle, we’ve keenly followed the recent resurgence of WWE’s real-world product, a period marked by unparalleled quality and a surge in mainstream appeal not witnessed since the iconic Attitude Era. It’s with great anticipation that we can report that WWE 2K25 not only mirrors this upward trajectory but, in many ways, sets a new benchmark for wrestling video games. This latest entry masterfully retains the foundational strengths of its predecessors while boldly introducing a transformative new feature: the long-overdue implementation of intergender matches, a change that dramatically expands the possibilities within the game. While its flagship new mode, “The Island,” presents some debatable design choices, the overall package of WWE 2K25 is an unquestionably strong performance that truly feels like a banger after banger.

Breaking Down the Roster: A New Era of Equality

One of the most significant and, for us, the most celebrated additions to WWE 2K25 is the groundbreaking ability for all 300-plus superstars on the roster to compete against each other as equals, regardless of gender. This move towards true intergender wrestling fundamentally alters the gameplay dynamics and, more importantly, the player’s engagement with the vast roster. In previous titles, a notable imbalance often emerged; the online community, and by extension our own playtime, tended to lean heavily towards male superstars. This meant that a significant portion of the incredibly talented female roster, stars like the enigmatic Asuka or the dominant Rhea Ripley, often languished in our virtual locker rooms, underutilized. WWE 2K25 eradicates this issue entirely. Now, the creative freedom to select any superstar for any match type means we can finally delve into the full spectrum of WWE’s talent pool.

The implications of intergender matches extend far beyond simply being able to play as our favorite female wrestlers against their male counterparts. It exponentially increases the potential for unique and exciting matchups. When both male and female superstars operate on a level playing field, with comparable abilities and move sets, the strategic depth and sheer fun of creating dream matches reach new heights. The arcade-like vibe that this brings to the gameplay is particularly infectious. Imagine Liv Morgan, with her agility and charisma, squaring off against the formidable Roman Reigns, not as an underdog relying on narrative convenience, but as a genuine competitor capable of achieving victory through skill and execution. This sense of empowerment and parity imbues every match with a fresh sense of possibility and makes the act of playing WWE 2K25 a consistently engaging and novel experience. We’ve spent hours experimenting with these new combinations, and the results have been consistently thrilling.

Refined Gameplay Mechanics: The Art of the Grapple

Beyond the roster inclusivity, WWE 2K25 also showcases a meticulous refinement of its core gameplay mechanics. The exceptional grappling system returns, feeling more responsive and impactful than ever before. A standout feature that makes its welcome return is chain wrestling. This meticulously crafted mini-game, triggered at the start of a match or during specific sequences, allows players to engage in a cinematic series of counters and tie-ups. The objective is to outmaneuver your opponent, gaining a positional advantage and setting up further offensive opportunities.

We admit that this feature wasn’t something we particularly missed from its last appearance in a WWE 2K title, and upon its return, it hasn’t fundamentally changed our minds. While the mechanic itself functions perfectly fine, and the visual presentation is undeniably slick, we find that it can sometimes devolve into a bit of a chore due to its potential length. If the chain wrestling sequence drags on for too long, it can momentarily disrupt the immediate action and become a feature we don’t actively seek out. It remains a “neat” addition, a testament to the developers’ attention to detail in replicating the intricacies of professional wrestling, but it doesn’t elevate the game in the same way that other innovations do. Nevertheless, its presence adds another layer of authenticity for those who appreciate its simulation-like qualities.

Innovative Match Types: Chaos and Controlled Carnage

WWE 2K25 doesn’t shy away from introducing new and exciting match stipulations that inject a fresh dose of chaos and strategic depth into the gameplay. Among these, the Underground Match stands out as a particularly enjoyable innovation. This MMA-style contest strips away the familiar ropes of the traditional ring, surrounding the combatants with a throng of raucous bystanders. The objective here is clear: victory must be achieved through knockout or submission. This stripped-down, brutal environment encourages a more aggressive and direct approach to combat, rewarding strategic strikes and submission holds.

However, the Bloodlines Rules match has quickly become our personal favorite stipulation in quite some time. This is essentially a high-octane street fight, a no-holds-barred brawl that allows players to summon up to three additional superstars to interfere on their behalf, mirroring the dramatic run-ins that have become a staple of WWE’s most compelling storylines. The sheer delightful chaos that this match type enables is unparalleled. The amusement factor is amplified when we deliberately select non-Bloodline-related superstars, just to witness the often hilarious and unpredictable alliances that emerge. Imagine Stone Cold Steve Austin receiving backup from legends like Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, and The Ultimate Warrior – the resulting mayhem is pure entertainment. Regardless of the specific match chosen, WWE 2K25 consistently delivers an entertaining hold-for-hold experience.

Yet, even amidst this stellar in-ring action, there is one persistent element that we find ourselves longing to move past: the commentary. The current team of Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton, while undeniably knowledgeable about wrestling, feels noticeably outdated. Their commentary often lacks the freshness and dynamism that the current roster and match types deserve, and we sincerely hope for a refresh in future installments.

The Island: A Mixed Bag of Ambition

WWE 2K25 prominently features The Bloodline, the dominant faction of wrestlers hailing from the legendary Anoaʻi/Maivia family dynasty, and this focus culminates in the game’s ambitious new mode: The Island. This mode serves as WWE 2K’s answer to NBA 2K’s incredibly popular “MyCareer” mode, tasking players with creating a custom superstar and immersing them in a sprawling, WWE-themed amusement park-like hub world.

Visually, The Island is a masterclass in fan service and environmental design. Destinations like the lucha libre-inspired Temple of the Ancients and a Japanese arcade themed after the members of Damage CTRL are not only cleverly conceived but also packed with inside nods and easter eggs that will undoubtedly delight hardcore fans. It’s a world begging to be explored, and the sheer detail in its construction is commendable.

However, the experience of navigating and interacting within The Island is unfortunately marred by several design choices that detract from its overall appeal. The text-based conversations with in-game superstars often feel remarkably flat and devoid of personality, making interactions feel superficial. Furthermore, the minimal ambient sound effects contribute to an atmosphere that feels surprisingly lifeless, despite the vibrant visual design.

The core mechanic of traversing this expansive hub world is also a source of frustration. Players are constantly required to hold down a trigger button to execute a sluggish and strangely unresponsive run, which only marginally increases movement speed. This constant need for button input makes exploration a genuine chore. Compounding this issue is the lack of an in-game map, leading to a significant amount of aimless wandering as players try to locate objectives. Even when missions are nearby, the small in-game mission indicators struggle to stand out against the crowded visual backdrop, making them difficult to spot.

The Island’s core loop tasks players with completing matches and various other objectives to earn a WWE contract and, more importantly, the acknowledgment of Roman Reigns. This involves engaging in goofy sidequests, such as searching for scattered pieces of a haunted urn or collecting mech suit parts from WWE’s gamer wrestlers. While these missions are generally acceptable and occasionally elicit a chuckle, their primary reward is the accumulation of VC, 2K’s premium in-game currency, which is essential for upgrading your custom superstar.

This is where The Island’s most egregious design choice comes into play: its aggressive monetization strategy. The mode heavily incentivizes players to spend real money to accelerate progress. Numerous in-game stores offer cosmetic items, some of which are even branded with real-world sportswear logos, like Nike. While it’s easy enough to ignore these temptations, the constant barrage of microtransaction prompts feels somewhat predatory. The pricing is particularly galling, with a single piece of attire, such as a pair of shoes or a t-shirt, costing a minimum of $5. Earning enough VC through gameplay alone to unlock even a few complete outfits requires a significant time investment. This becomes even more problematic when considering that the same VC currency is used to improve your character’s attributes. The prospect of having to budget real-world money to balance the acquisition of stylish attire with the necessity of performance upgrades is a frustrating and unwelcome aspect of The Island.

Showcase Mode: A Nostalgic Journey with a Few Detours

As fans of the annual Showcase mode, we found the decision to center WWE 2K25’s Showcase around The Bloodline’s extensive lineage to be a particularly appealing choice. This approach allows for a comprehensive exploration of the family tree, spanning generations of legendary wrestlers. From the foundational presence of Peter Maivia to the powerhouse Yokozuna, the iconic Usos, and the formidable Nia Jax, Showcase offers a thematically rich narrative.

However, the execution of this narrative is somewhat disjointed. Instead of solely presenting a faithful, documentary-style recreation of pivotal matches, several bouts incorporate fantasy matchups. For instance, the inclusion of “The Wild Samoans vs. The Dudley Boyz” is a pairing that, while intriguing on paper, feels a bit odd for those of us who appreciate historical accuracy.

Further contributing to this thematic disconnect is the occasional use of modern arenas for vintage matches, rather than recreating the era-appropriate venues where these historic bouts originally took place. The ordering of matches also feels haphazard. Paul Heyman, who provides narration and, as expected, delivers a superb performance, guides us through a family history lesson that frequently jumps back and forth between different generations. This non-linear progression can make it trickier to fully grasp the narrative, especially for those less familiar with The Bloodline’s intricate heritage. The 2024 Bloodline vs. Bloodline WarGames match, for example, would seem like an obvious and fitting grand finale, yet it is strangely positioned as the penultimate contest, preceding a rather random and less significant tag team match from yesteryear. Despite these criticisms, Showcase remains an enjoyable summary of The Bloodline’s decades-long impact on professional wrestling. However, it ultimately represents a weaker overall showing compared to previous iterations of the mode.

MyRise and Beyond: Continued Evolution

The story-driven MyRise mode continues to push the boundaries of intergender gameplay by featuring a single, branching narrative that cleverly allows players to switch between controlling a male and a female superstar. We particularly appreciate the streamlined approach this year, which wisely does away with the social-media-based match-ups that felt somewhat extraneous in past iterations. With only “Story Quests” and optional “Live Events” designed for grinding skill points, MyRise feels less bloated and significantly more manageable.

The overarching storyline of an NXT invasion of the main roster, reminiscent of the 2001 WCW/ECW Alliance angle, injects a healthy dose of hilariously absurd fun, especially when one considers that at least 90 percent of the current main roster consists of NXT alumni. It’s this very silliness that makes MyRise’s often ridiculous plots so enjoyable in a wonderfully dumb way. Despite a few instances of flat performances from some voiced superstars, including what sounds like a rather tired-sounding CM Punk in a primary role, MyRise remains a fun little romp that we still thoroughly enjoy partaking in.

MyGM, a personal favorite mode of ours, remains largely the same this year. While it may lack significant innovation, it compensates by finally introducing the much-requested online play functionality for up to four players. This addition alone significantly enhances the replayability and competitive aspect of this management simulation.

Our long-standing disinterest in the card-collecting MyFaction mode remains unchanged. It’s perfectly adequate for those who enjoy its particular brand of gameplay, but for us, playing it does little to inspire further engagement beyond an obligatory check-in. Similarly, the Creation Suite and, to a lesser extent, MyUniverse do not feature any substantial new additions. However, these modes continue to serve as entertaining time sinks for the dedicated players who love to meticulously craft their own wrestling worlds and narratives.

The Verdict: The King of the Ring Reigns Supreme

Ultimately, what matters most in a WWE 2K game is the action that unfolds when the virtual bell rings. And in WWE 2K25, taking control of this massive and diverse roster, mixing it up across an now-impressive array of stipulations – regardless of gender – is an absolute blast. While it may be the undisputed champion in its genre, with no other major pro wrestling simulation titles currently vying for its throne, WWE 2K25 solidifies its position as the best and most substantial pro wrestling simulation fans can buy. It’s a game that not only caters to existing fans but also offers a compelling entry point for newcomers, boasting a depth of content and a level of polish that is truly commendable. The evolution from its predecessor is palpable, and the introduction of intergender matches alone is a game-changer that elevates the entire experience.

Score: 8.25

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