WWE shocked the world recently by turning John Cena heel for the first time in his twenty plus years within the company. It left many speechless, and was talked about all over the world. For years, WWE has given its fans everything. The organisation might not get it right every time, but so much joy has come from watching. With WWE 2K25, it feels as though Visual Concepts has found its feet. There may not be any huge changes or shocks, but it’s still a superb collection of engaging modes, headlined by its brand new one: The Island.
As a lifetime WWE fan, I loved wandering around The Island. Every corner is filled with references to the current product and that of the past. It might not be as big as NBA 2K’s The City, but it’s packed with plenty of stores and places to go and wrestle. The Deadlands is themed around Superstars like The Undertaker and Jake “The Snake” Roberts. The Temple of the Ancestors is surrounded by Lucha Libre-themed buildings. Everywhere you go, there’s always something cool to see.
Whether its a computer repair store called Damage CTRL or a barbers that resembles the famous set where Shawn Michaels hit the Sweet Chin Music on his old partner Marty Jannetty in 1992, there’s something for every fan. Your role on The Island is to earn a contract from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. To get there, you must wrestle the best the island has to offer, both computer-controlled characters and players from around the world. It’s not all about competition, though. Plenty of Superstars make cameos, and it’s just a beautifully designed place.
You can by new gear, see the sights, and immerse yourself in wrestling culture. The Island is definitely a mode that will be sticking around. It may be in its infancy here, but I can’t wait to see what’s in store as the months roll on. For those of you who love Universe mode, there are some cool additions that beef up the already stacked details available. To mimic the real world, two-night PLEs are available. Promos also return to add a bit of spice, even if they’re not exactly as exciting as watching them unfold on the actual shows.
MyGM now supports online matchmaking. This means you can play the mode with others from around the world. WWE 2K25 provides a great balance for fans who want to interact with others and those that want to play alone. Its one of my favourite modes within the game. Drafting talents, managing contracts, and building the ultimate brand is so much fun. General Managers like Miss Elizabeth, Sensational Sherri, and Mr Fuji can be chosen for old-timers like myself. PLEs are also cross-brand, which is an awesome inclusion because it adds the option to fight opposing GMs talent on the same show.
When it comes to playing WWE 2K25, there are plenty of new features. The return of chain wrestling adds authenticity to bouts, allowing you to get into the bones of a match-up. If it was more frequent, it would slow things down. Thankfully, it’s not always an issue and it can be adjusted in the menus. Collecting a championship or briefcase atop a ladder is now done by pressing a sequence of buttons. I was never a fan of the old way, and while it’s a small tweak, it actually makes a big difference. In a way to bring more excitement to matches, jumping off barricades is awesome. Again, another new feature that adds to the overall matches.
Intergender matches are another addition from Visual Concepts. Not everyone likes the idea, and it isn’t forced into every mode. You can select them in Universe and opt out as you see fit. You seldom witness it on WWE programming, but it’s neat having the ability to choose. The NXT parking lot is finally available for you to cause mayhem in, as are the WWE Archives. There’s just so many great ways to wrestle, with new match types like Underground being added. I’m not its biggest fan, but it’s nice for those that are.
One of the big flagship additions is that of the third-person camera. It takes a while to get used to, but it looks awesome. Watching entrances from third-person is such an experience. I preferred playing matches like I always have before, but it’s definitely a new and exciting way to experience all the action the WWE has to offer. The roster is stacked this year, too. While I always have my favourites, the option to wrestle against a staggering roster is always a dream.
Perhaps my favourite thing about WWE 2K25 is this year’s 2K Showcase, The Bloodline Dynasty. While I’ve followed this family for 30 years, it was incredible getting to relive special moments from the past. There’s definitely some big matches to be a part of, yet a was excited to see some curveballs. The presentation is phenomenal, with Paul Heyman providing introductions to each match. Yokozuna, The Wild Samoans, The Rock, Roman Reigns, and “The High Chief” Peter Maivia are just some of the Superstars featured.
This year, MyRISE has provided a story with roots in those big takeovers we’ve seen over the years. Nexus, The Corporate Ministry, nWo. It doesn’t matter who it is, those stories are always incredible. This time, NXT and alumni of the brand run roughshod, taking out everyone who refuses to bow to them. It brought a refreshing take on the concept of a mutiny, and I loved seeing who was in on it and who wasn’t. The writing can sometimes be a bit corny, but it worked great. Not just in MyRISE but everywhere.
WWE 2K25 is an incredible game, offering fan service and so much to do across all of its modes. Its presentation is stunning, with arenas and Superstars all looking amazing. A lot of the new features are down to preference such as intergender wrestling or the third-person camera, yet you don’t have to use them. Gameplay is superb this year, with little tweaks making a pleasant difference. The Island shows plenty of promise, and while modes like MyFACTION don’t feel massively different, there’s plenty of new stuff in WWE 2K25 to make players dive in.
