Last Updated on Jul 1, 2025 @ 21:11:02 PM.
WWE 2K25 is here, after what has felt like an age of waiting. Going from no news about the latest entry into the franchise to an abundance of news and a quick turnaround drop after its original announcement is a move many other publishers should follow, as there was barely any time for excitement to wane. Many fans were wondering where the title was, as the now annual release from 2K seemed late, but thankfully, after quite a few hours spent inside the squared circle for our WWE 2K25 review, we can confirm that the wait was well and truly worth it.
For any sports fan, it’s always good to temper expectations with yearly-released video games. From the likes of Madden and EA Sports FC, it’s all too easy to get pretty jaded about any small differences in the iterations, especially with premium price tags slapped on them. Thankfully, it seems the guys at Visual Concepts are aware of this and have spent enough time thinking about how to make this version better than its predecessor, WWE 2K24.
The core experience of WWE 2K25 should be described as ‘built upon what came before, but bettered in every way’. There isn’t a corner that is untouched in Visual Concepts’ bid to make the perfect wrestling game, and a lot of the complaints from the previous releases have been addressed here, including some that just didn’t work for me (more on that later). For example, the bizarre choice to have individual PLEs in My GM mode, something that broke immersion every time, has been replaced by a cross-brand event, much like real life. The game allows intergender matches for the first time. It’s brilliantly put to use as the front-and-centre story of MyRise, as your two stars face an NXT Mutiny, with the help of some familiar stars. It brings back Chain Wrestling, a once-thought-forgotten feature after its previous omission.
Not only that, but the general gameplay of the matches feels far smoother compared to previous releases. The AI reacts more naturally to what you do, and in the way they build momentum throughout the match. It may still happen on occasion, but seeing your AI opponent spamming the same leg drop or submission is much rarer. The animations, movesets, customisation, and matches on offer all feel far greater as well, albeit I wasn’t exactly floored by the models of our favorite wrestlers, with some of them looking quite rough at times. There’s even a new third-person camera, which simultaneously took me closer to the action, also leaving me feeling seasick at the rapid movement. It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure, but I can see a lot of people using it compared to the classic one we’ve had for years.
Showcase makes its grand entrance again, this time narrated by the Wiseman Paul Heyman. There’s no great change-up to the formula here, with the story this time being centered around Romain Reigns’ historic bloodline of wrestlers that came before him, and their best matches. Whereas previously, you’d have a match and have to hit certain combos or moves to trigger the next phase, split up by a real-life clip from the corresponding match, you’re now instead greeted by a long cinematic in-gameplay. Gone are the real-life counterparts, and while this does allow the mode to revise and change history, it did feel less grand, less unique, and ultimately like a step back for the mode as a whole. I’m hoping they make a return next time.
That’s all before getting to the franchise’s newest addition, ‘The Island’. Oh, so shamelessly stolen from NBA 2K, The Island is an open world, free-roaming experience where you can complete quests, meet (and wrestle) other players, and more besides, all with the aim of pleasing the Original Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. This mode is the one where it could have done with a little more time to percolate, as I found myself repeating the same tasks far quicker than I should in a mode aimed at keeping you there all year long, until the inevitable WWE 2K26.
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 is the latest release in the long-running franchise from 2K. Developed by Visual Concepts, it features current and former wrestlers in the most ambitious attempt to bring the squared circle to our controllers, and give us the power to step in and get down to business.
Summary
WWE 2K25 is a huge step-up for the franchise in many ways, with more on offer, better customisation, far improved gameplay, and an entirely new mode that hopefully gets refined and bettered as time goes on. Beyond a few small mistakes, it feels like the best entry in the franchise for a long time, and certainly the best wrestling game available right now.
HOURS PLAYED: 31
PLAYED ON: PS5
- Some impressive and needed improvements to AI, animations, movesets, and overall gameplay.
- Intergender matches make an appearance in a very progressive move for the franchise.
- MyRise, MuGM and MyFaction all have small tweaks to make them a better experience individually.
- Some graphical hiccups can make the wrestlers look dated.
- The change to Showcase makes it feel far less grandiose compared to previous entries.
- The Island can quickly grow stagnant and boring.
For more Thumb Wars coverage, check out how to unlock Super Cena in WWE 2K25, or our review of 11 Bit Studio’s Sci-Fi epic The Alters. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews!
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Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
