Wrestling fans, get ready—2K Games is back with its latest annual installment in the WWE 2K series. WWE 2K25 doesn’t take any wild swings, but that might just be the best thing about it. Based on a hands-on preview, the game refines what already worked in WWE 2K24 while bringing back some long-requested features.
Familiar Yet Polished Gameplay
For longtime fans, the most immediate takeaway is that WWE 2K25 feels just like last year’s release—and that’s no bad thing. The controls remain largely intact, avoiding the constant overhauls that plagued the series during the Yukes era. Instead of reinventing the wheel, developer Visual Concepts has focused on fine-tuning and minor tweaks.
One of the biggest gameplay adjustments is the return of chain wrestling, last seen in WWE 2K20. This feature allows for a more technical style of grappling, where players engage in a quick-time event (QTE) sequence to gain an advantage early in the match. While entirely optional, it adds an extra layer of authenticity, particularly for technical wrestlers like Bret Hart and Kurt Angle.
Beyond the basics, WWE 2K25 introduces a small but fun new mechanic—barricade running. Superstars can now climb onto the ringside barricade and sprint across it to deliver a high-flying attack. It’s a minor detail, but for fans of daredevil wrestling, it’s a welcome touch.
Backstage Brawls Get an Upgrade
Backstage brawls have been a staple of WWE games for years, but WWE 2K24 left a lot to be desired in terms of variety. WWE 2K25 aims to fix that with two fresh locations: the WWE Archives and the NXT Parking Lot.
- The WWE Archives is a nostalgia-packed battleground filled with classic relics from wrestling history. Think of it as a museum where you can smash opponents into Stone Cold Steve Austin’s monster truck or leap off the iconic SmackDown fist.
- The NXT Parking Lot, while less visually exciting, brings plenty of weapons, climbable objects, and even an interactive ambulance.
Both locations add much-needed freshness to the game’s backstage fights, making them more dynamic and unpredictable.
Intergender Matches Finally Arrive
One of the most significant additions to WWE 2K25 is the long-awaited inclusion of intergender matches. While male vs. female bouts were common in past WWE games, they’ve been absent from the series since 2K took over. That’s finally changed, and players can now book dream matches like Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio—something fans have been clamoring for.
This new feature extends to the Royal Rumble mode, where male and female wrestlers can now compete in the same match. The Rumble itself also gets an improvement, allowing up to eight Superstars in the ring at once without noticeable performance drops.
Showcase Mode Goes Bloodline-Centric
Showcase Mode remains a major selling point, and this year’s theme is The Bloodline Dynasty. The mode takes players through key moments in the history of Roman Reigns’ dominant faction, featuring playable matches that mirror real-life events.
The preview build included three matches:
- Nia Jax vs. Lyra Valkyria – The King & Queen of the Ring 2024 final.
- The Wild Samoans vs. The Dudley Boyz – A dream match between two legendary tag teams.
- Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (Shield Gear) – A rematch of their Royal Rumble 2022 showdown.
Each match follows the usual Showcase format, where players can either win traditionally or complete objectives to recreate historical moments. WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman narrates the mode, adding extra flair and insight.
Graphics and Animations Reach New Heights
Visually, WWE 2K25 might be the best-looking wrestling game ever made. Character models have received noticeable upgrades, with small details like Bubba Ray Dudley’s scarred scalp showcasing the developers’ attention to realism.
Animations, moves, and even sweat physics have been fine-tuned to look more natural. While WWE 2K24 already pushed the series to new heights graphically, this year’s edition takes it a step further.
A Few Minor Annoyances
No game is perfect, and WWE 2K25 isn’t without its quirks. One recurring issue is the awkward diagonal Irish Whip into the turnbuckle. It often feels inconsistent, making some Showcase Mode objectives unnecessarily frustrating.
Additionally, eliminating opponents in the Royal Rumble with sprint attacks can be a bit hit-or-miss. These might seem like small issues, but for seasoned players, they’re noticeable. Given that this was an early build, there’s hope these problems will be ironed out before release.
After just a few hours with WWE 2K25, one thing is clear—it might not shake up the formula, but it doesn’t need to. With smart refinements, long-requested features, and a stronger Showcase Mode, this year’s game feels like a confident step forward.
WWE 2K25 launches on March 14, 2025, with early access available on March 7 for those who purchase the Deadman or Bloodline Editions on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
