WWE 2K25: A Solid Evolution, But Not a Revolution
2K's WWE series, revitalized in 2022, continues its iterative improvement, aiming to refine its winning formula and justify annual releases. WWE 2K25 promises significant additions: The Island (an online interactive world), revamped story, general manager, and Universe modes, a new "Bloodline Rules" hardcore match type, and more. However, a recent preview focused primarily on the core gameplay (largely unchanged) and the updated Showcase Mode.
Showcase Mode: A Refined Experience
This year's Showcase Mode chronicles the Anoa'i family's history, featuring Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, alongside legends like The Wild Samoans and The Rock. It introduces three match types: recreating, creating, and altering history. I experienced recreating Nia Jax's 2024 Queen of the Ring victory, creating a Wild Samoans vs. Dudley Boyz match, and altering a Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins bout. While enjoyable, the mode still has minor issues.
Addressing Past Criticisms:
Previous Showcase Modes suffered from excessive use of real-life footage ("Slingshot"). While not entirely eliminated, the reliance on this system is significantly reduced in 2K25. Key moments are now recreated in-engine, resulting in a smoother, more satisfying experience. These sequences are also shorter, minimizing time away from gameplay. However, complete control was still lost during the conclusion of my Nia Jax match, an area for potential improvement. The checklist system remains, but optional timed objectives reward players with cosmetics without penalizing failure—a positive step. The ability to alter historical match outcomes is a welcome addition, offering a fresh perspective for fans.
Gameplay: Familiar but Enhanced
The core gameplay remains largely consistent with WWE 2K24, retaining the enjoyable grappling mechanics. However, several welcome additions and returns enhance the experience. Chain wrestling, absent in WWE 2K22, returns as a mini-game allowing players to gain an advantage. The submission mini-game also makes a comeback, though it's optional, as are other quick-time events. Weapon throwing, a highlight of WWE 2K24, returns with an expanded roster of weapons and new environments, including the WWE archives. The inclusion of intergender matches and a roster exceeding 300 wrestlers are significant additions.
A New Match Type: Underground
The preview also included a glimpse at the new "Underground" match type—a ropeless exhibition match in a Fight Club-esque setting with lumberjacks. More details will be revealed later.
Conclusion:
WWE 2K25 builds upon a solid foundation with smart refinements rather than revolutionary changes. While the unpreviewed features might significantly impact the final product, based on the preview, it appears to be a worthwhile incremental step for the series.
