WWE 2K25

When we asked WWE 2K25’s lead gameplay designer, Derek Donahue, about how Visual Concepts manages creating games on a yearly schedule, he described working on an annual franchise as both a blessing and a curse. “I love it because it means we get to give something to fans every year, and it gives us a chance to see how people engage with something; that informs how the next evolution of it works.” The downside, of course, is producing installments like WWE 2K20, a game so infamously broken that it became the cautionary example of what can go wrong with annualized franchises.

WWE 2K25 is not WWE 2K20. It’s a much stronger entry, featuring new features, match types, and at least one mode that may divide opinions. Overall, it’s a solid release that should satisfy wrestling fans looking to buy cheap PS4 games while getting their latest dose of virtual grappling.

If you’ve played a WWE 2K game before, such as last year’s WWE 2K24, you’ll be familiar with most of the gameplay mechanics. There are light and heavy strikes, over a dozen grapples per character, and a wide range of finishing and signature moves to deal damage to your opponents. None of that has changed significantly in 2K25, so I won’t go into detail on how it all works. The core systems remain largely the same, providing a solid foundation for those interested in a wrestling simulation.

The difference lies in the details. You can now include a special guest referee in most match types, which adds fun options if you want to manipulate the AI or show favoritism when playing with friends. Intergender matches have returned, allowing you to have Rhea Ripley compete across both halves of WWE’s roster, or, if you prefer, introduce both men and women to the concept of Tiffy Time.

Chaotic, Ally-Fueled Matches

There are new match types this year, with the standout being Bloodline Rules and Underground. The Underground match harks back to Raw a few years ago, when Shane McMahon hosted fight-club-style brawls in gritty locations where the only ways to win were by KO or submission. With no ring ropes, you can Irish-whip opponents out of the ring and into onlookers before continuing the fight outside. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Underground matches. While I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to wrestling, these brawls feel closer to fighting games due to the KO requirement, and they’re a blast to play with friends who enjoy a more combat-focused experience.

Bloodline Rules matches are even more chaotic. First introduced at WrestleMania 40, this mode lets you and your opponent summon allies to unleash havoc on one another. The ring quickly fills with wrestlers wielding steel chairs and Kendo sticks. It resembles a bar fight more than a traditional wrestling match, which is exactly what makes it so fun for players looking to buy cheap PS5 games and experience the wildest wrestling action.

Customization and Pay-to-Win Concerns

MyRise, MyFaction, and MyGM modes return, but the highlights this year are the Bloodline Showcase and The Island. Starting with The Island, it’s a large hub world where you explore, complete quests, and compete in matches to impress Roman Reigns. The Island is visually impressive and packed with interesting locations, but the virtual currency costs add up quickly. It almost feels like the game is nudging players toward spending real money to buy more coins and gear, raising concerns that future iterations could end up resembling NBA 2K’s controversial microtransactions.

And it’s not just for cosmetics. Virtual currency can also be used to boost your character’s attributes, creating a potential pay-to-win scenario that might make online matches uneven for players who choose to grind stats instead of spending money.

Fortunately, you can ignore the Island and stick to the game’s other modes, namely Showcase. The idea behind this year’s Showcase is that you get to relive and rewrite history by controlling members of the Bloodline factions and their extended family. For instance, you can play as Roman Reigns going up against Seth Rollins in a rematch from their fantastic Royal Rumble 2022 encounter. You’ll also get the opportunity to crown Tamina as the first-ever women’s Money in the Bank winner by competing in the 2017 match with Charlotte Flaire, Becky Lynch, and other competitors who were there. Paul Heyman narrates the videos that set up each match, and he does an incredible job relaying all the history and gravitas leading into each encounter.

WWE 2K25 Verdict: Polished, Expansive, and Fan-Friendly

WWE 2K25 is a standout year for the franchise. It’s easily the most polished entry so far, packed with a variety of ways to play and featuring the series’ largest roster to date, which will appeal to fans of virtually any wrestling era. The Island is a mixed bag, but the rest of the game is more than enough to keep wrestling fans satisfied until 2026.