- WWE 2K25 revolves around The Bloodline legacy
- Paul Heyman takes centre stage in this year’s Showcase mode
- New ‘The Island’ mode leans in new direction for the franchise
WWE is all about ‘cinema’ these days. The long-running Bloodline saga, centred around Roman Reigns and the Anoa’i family’s trials and tribulations, has delivered us four years of magnificent melodrama. It has been so wildly successful for WWE that Paul Heyman, Reigns’ anointed ‘Wise Man’ and Hall of Fame manager, has regularly called for WWE to receive Emmy Awards for the work they have put into it.
Now, even as someone who was positioned on the edge of their seat for every twist and turn of Reigns’ Tribal Chiefdom between 2020 and January of this year – when he defeated younger upstart cousin Solo Sikoa to cement his position at the head of the table – I cannot in good faith agree with Heyman’s assessment that the work is Emmy worthy. Wildly entertaining though it has been.
Fortunately, however, 2K have been incorporating WWE’s penchant for cinematic moments into their recent releases, culminating in what feels like their most complete offering so far, in WWE 2K25.
WWE 2K25 is Paul Heyman’s Playground
Anchored by the irreplaceable Paul Heyman, this year’s Showcase mode is an immersive Anoa’i and Maivia family history, taking in not just Reigns’ recent history making run, but key moments in the careers of Yokozuna, The Rock, Rikishi and Umaga, while also presenting dream matches with the likes of The Wild Samoans. And, while some WWE fans may understandably roll their eyes at the idea of altering the course of history (albeit virtually) to make the Bloodline EVEN MORE dominant, the potential to shift the courses of some of WWE’s biggest moments and matches is still an intriguing take on a classic mode. Yeah, I wanna see Umaga crowned as WWE Champion in 2007 after spiking John Cena into oblivion. Yeah, WHAT IF Rikishi had mowed down Steve Austin one more time, at No Mercy 2000?
Heyman’s involvement in Showcase mode really is key, as his natural proclivity for being ever so slightly on the correct side of scenery chewing plays perfectly into the aforementioned melodrama of everything. WWE is already the world’s greatest soap opera, and here you are, with one of the business’ all time greatest showmen and storytellers narrating you through decades of iconic turning points. Really, for this alone, you should be investing your time in this game.
The ever popular MyRise, MyGM and Universe modes are still reliably immersive, as WWE 2K’s colossal creation suite is allowed to shine in MyRise, in which you guide your created superstar through the turmoil of a ‘Mutiny’ by NXT talents. The attention to detail is as jaw dropping as ever, allowing you to lose yourself in every storyline swerve that comes your character’s way. 2K really knows how to let their most impressive assets flourish, and MyRise is a heap of fun to enjoy after losing several hours finessing the finer points of your next big thing’s various outfits, their moveset and entrance.
The Island
Going ‘Beyond the Ring’ this year is new mode ‘The Island’ which instantly feels as though it will be massively divisive. However, even with more than a few wrinkles to iron out, the decision to pursue a PvPvE space similar to NBA 2K25’s The City is one that should fill WWE 2K’s fanbase with excitement for iterations to come. The initial implementation of the mode, which sees the player navigating a world overlooked by the all-seeing eye of Roman Reigns, leaves a lot to be desired. Interactions taking place via static imagery and text boxes feels outdated, especially in a game that leans so heavily, and impressively on the aforementioned ‘cinema’ of their cutscenes and storylines.
Also, to The Island’s detriment is the fact players who don’t want to part with their cash to immediately boost their character’s stats are at a major disadvantage when coming up against community members who will load up straight away, enter beastmode and annihilate the free-to-play crowd in every match. However, if this concept can be evolved and offer more of a ‘WWE goes GTA only with hurricanranas instead of hijackings’ then The Island could very well become an integral part of 2K’s future offerings with this franchise.
New Match Types
The introduction of Underground, Bloodline Rules and Intergender contests is the headline news when it comes to new match types in WWE 2K25. The Undeground match, popularised on NXT, sees the ring ropes removed and victory arriving via KO, meaning the mode feels much more like an old school beat ’em up than a usual wrestling game. Bloodline Rules is the usual no holds barred fare but with an added sprinkling of Samoan chaos for good measure, which lends itself perfectly to Universe and GM modes. Intergender matches, meanwhile, while maybe not to everyone’s tastes, do offer you the opportunity to pulverise Dominik Mysterio with Rhea Ripley over and over again. Who knows, maybe you want to make Nia Jax more than just Queen Of The Ring and have her challenge Roman for Tribal Chief status? Now you can do. Each new match type is different enough to remain enjoyable for a good few hours and has been executed in such a way that you’re not left feeling more should have been done with them.
The Verdict
While The Island may be a mode that requires some significant work (though the idea and elements of it are still very solid), WWE 2K25 is a game that has leant into the cinema of the real world it is attempting to replicate, and more than done it justice. 2K and Visual Concepts have always leant admirably into their storyline modes and with 2K25, they have produced one of their finest hours. All wrestling fans are fantasy bookers, and 2K has always indulged that preference with aplomb. In 2k25, they appear to have elevated it even further. Although perhaps still not quite to Emmy winning level. Sorry, Wise Man.
