Pro wrestling has always been a unique blend of spectacle and sport, equal parts athleticism and theater. WWE, at its core, is a variety show—a buffet of drama, comedy, action, and sometimes horror, tailored to appeal to fans from all walks of life. WWE 2K25 understands this better than any entry in the series before it, presenting a game that mirrors the variety and chaos of the real product with a deep and diverse array of game modes, features, and mechanics. While not every aspect of this year’s edition sticks the landing, WWE 2K25 remains a top-tier wrestling sim that continues the franchise’s climb back from the dismal lows of 2K20.
WWE 2K25 feels like the culmination of several years of rebuilding. Ever since Visual Concepts took the reins, the series has seen steady improvement, and this year’s offering is easily the best yet. In-ring mechanics are smooth, matches are dramatic and fun, and small additions—like the return of chain wrestling and the introduction of intergender matches—add more depth without disrupting what already works. The chain wrestling mechanic, while optional, allows matches to unfold more organically, mimicking the real-world pacing of wrestling bouts where grapplers start slow before building to high spots, signature moves, and near-falls.
Intergender matches are one of the most welcome additions. For years, WWE’s games have shied away from allowing male vs. female matchups, but 2K25 breaks that mold. Now, dream matchups like Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio aren’t just possible—they’re encouraged, adding new storytelling possibilities that wrestling fans have been craving for years.
Character archetypes return with a new twist—the Giant class. Giants have an extra health bar, making them imposing obstacles in the ring and forcing smaller opponents to wear them down before executing big moves. In a traditional fighting game, this might seem unfair, but in the context of pro wrestling psychology, it’s a brilliant nod to storytelling—David vs. Goliath, but with steel chairs and suplexes.
The game’s variety of match types expands further this year, with Bloodline Rules and MMA-inspired Underground matches joining the lineup. These additions may not be essential, but they help inject freshness, especially in modes like Universe and GM, where match diversity is key to long-term engagement.
Speaking of modes, WWE 2K25 boasts more worthwhile ways to play than any annual sports game on the market. Showcase mode, a series staple, focuses this year on The Bloodline—a dynasty that spans generations of Samoan wrestlers. Hosted by the always charismatic Paul Heyman, the mode jumps through time in a non-linear fashion, spotlighting icons from The Wild Samoans to Roman Reigns. It’s part history lesson, part fan service, and a rewarding experience that unlocks classic wrestlers, arenas, and more.
For those who love to fantasy book their own WWE universe, Universe and GM modes remain the crown jewels. Universe mode is the ultimate sandbox, letting players control every aspect of WWE programming or follow the career of a single wrestler. This year brings back promos—text-based and a bit awkward without voice acting—but their presence enhances storytelling nonetheless. GM mode leans into strategy and competition, and while the long-awaited online multiplayer is here, it’s a disappointment. Matches can’t be played or watched, only simulated, which makes the mode feel unfinished—especially for fans eager to run fantasy leagues with friends.
MyRise, the narrative-driven career mode, is another familiar component. This year’s story follows a group of NXT stars in a hostile takeover of Raw and SmackDown, and while the plot can be messy and inconsistent in tone, it offers plenty of unlockables and laughs—some of them intentional. It’s best viewed as a fun, kid-friendly distraction rather than a serious campaign, and for that purpose, it works.
The creation suite is, as always, untouchable. No other sports game allows this level of user-generated content, from meticulously sculpted custom characters to bespoke arenas, championship belts, and even move sets. WWE 2K25 empowers players to bring nearly any character imaginable to life, whether it’s real-world legends, fictional icons, or meme-worthy creations. The suite is robust, intuitive, and endlessly entertaining—a game within a game.
For competitive multiplayer fans, the news is more mixed. MyFaction returns with its card-collecting mechanics and pay-to-win elements intact. While it offers enough solo content to stay engaging without spending real money, the specter of microtransactions looms large, especially in online play. The introduction of World Tour mode within MyFaction adds some welcome depth, but the mode’s core problem—pitting paying players against those who don’t—remains frustrating.
Then there’s The Island, WWE 2K25’s answer to NBA 2K’s The City, and perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the entire game. Conceptually, it’s a brilliant idea: an open-world PvPvE social hub where players can mingle, compete, and grow their custom characters. In execution, it’s a mess. The Island is visually bland, largely empty, and filled with pay-to-win systems that reward players who spend money over those who grind. Performance issues, confusing UI, and bugs further sour the experience, making what should have been an exciting new frontier feel like a botched experiment. It’s a mode with potential, but its current form is a frustrating eyesore.
Despite these missteps, WWE 2K25 is still an excellent wrestling game. Its in-ring action is the best in the series, its modes cater to a wide range of fans, and its creation suite remains unparalleled. Online play needs significant work, especially when it comes to balancing and input lag, and the ambitious but flawed Island drags down the overall experience. Still, WWE 2K25 doesn’t need to be perfect to be great—and this year, it’s great.
It’s like a WrestleMania card with a couple of duds on the lineup, but when the main events deliver, the crowd goes home happy. WWE 2K25 may not win the title clean, but it’s a worthy contender for sports game of the year—and a love letter to the chaotic, colorful world of pro wrestling.