WWE 2K25, one of the most anticipated sports games of the year, has officially launched. This year's title brings many new features which impact the game's presentation, gameplay, and modes.
It arguably has the best roster of any wrestling game ever, an insane amount of match types, and introduced a new mode that promised to deliver a new way of experiencing the game.
But was 2K able to provide fans with a great product and perhaps even a return to the golden days of wrestling games? Or did WWE 2K25 fall short of expectations?
My WWE 2K25 review will provide an answer to that question.
The Island Is Everything But Relevant
The Island is the new WWE 2K25 game mode, where players enter an interactive world inspired by wrestling and WWE themes. In The Island, you can challenge other players, complete quests, undergo plenty of challenges, and experience the life of a wrestler outside the squared circle.
In short, it's the wrestling version of the NBA 2K The City in a bare-bones state. It has the microtransactions that everyone knows and hates. You need to use VC to improve your character, a la NBA 2K The City, and your traditional 2K server issues are also present.
This game mode had the potential to be great. Instead, it presents a storyline that isn't that fascinating, an environment that feels soulless, and no voice acting from the Superstars you talk to, which is very disappointing.

Not everything is bad; some of the challenges and quests are entertaining, there are a couple of matches that you will definitely enjoy, and The Island districts look visually appealing.
But that's not enough to make The Island a great mode, at least not for me. You have no map to navigate, something The City has, no voice acting when talking to NPCs; yeah, The City also does that, and the invite system is a mess.
However, you do have an ocean of microtransactions, and isn't that what we are all here for? Having to pay 9K VC just to change your hairstyle? Sign me up!
You have to spend money on top of already having paid for the game so that you aren't playing with a 70 OVR character against the new Super Cena. If you don't want to do that, good luck grinding the game for VC and slowly improving your character while everyone around you is already 90 OVR +.
Death, Taxes, and Universe Mode Receiving Minimal Changes
Fans have been asking for big changes to Universe Mode for years, but 2K continues to deliver small changes that don't impact the overall feeling of the mode.
Promos have returned, a new maximum of shows per day was introduced, you can finally create two-day PLEs, and you can now have intergender matches. These are good additions (or re-additions), but there aren't enough to make Universe Mode feel like a realistic and immersive wrestling simulation mode.
So, if you were hoping for Universe Mode to provide a completely different gameplay experience in WWE 2K25, we are sorry to inform you that is not the case.
The mode is undoubtedly better than in WWE 2K24, but not so much that it makes it worth buying the game to try it out.
MyRISE is the Star of the Show
MyFACTION delivers the same experience as in WWE 2K24, and while Showcase mode has improved, timed objectives there continue to be painful, and the overall experience of the mode isn't revolutionary.
Fortunately, MyRISE is here to save the WWE 2K25 modes, delivering an exciting, entertaining, enjoyable, and immersive gaming experience. Yes, I'm out of adjectives to describe the mode now.

The mode has replay value, the storylines are pretty interesting, and it's the only WWE 2K25 mode that makes you feel like a wrestler. The Island was supposed to make you feel that way, but the difference between the two modes is night and day.
MyRISE is by no means a perfect mode, but it's the one that moves the needle and the only one that is worth acknowledging.
Gameplay Worthy of a WrestleMania Main Event
WWE 2K25 gameplay is incredible; it's so good that if it were an actual wrestler, it would be worthy of a WrestleMania Main Event, and it would probably get it before CM Punk does.
It's fluid, it found the sweet spot between arcade and simulation gameplay, allows you to re-create pretty much everything you see on WWE TV, and the addition of chain wrestling makes matches feel even more authentic.
The CPU is also impressive. You can clearly see that each Superstar has a unique style, like in real life, and they wrestle according to their strengths.

You rarely see Braun Strowman going to the top rope, HBK is not running around suplexing people, and Batista is not trying to do springboard moves; in 2K25, 'The Animal' just wants to clothesline you into oblivion.
These might seem like little details to some, but to me, they are very important as they make the matches look and feel real. Because of that, you get more immersed in the moment, and every match feels unique.
The CPU loves to use weapons in matches, and it does so in creative ways. This makes the matches more challenging and fun, especially in multi-men matches like Money in the Bank or Extreme Rules.
In my opinion, the gameplay does a huge job of elevating WWE 2K25 from an ok game into a good one. If the gameplay was just ok, I think WWE 2K25 would be a forgettable game, instead, it's a title that can provide you many memorable moments.
Verdict
WWE 2K25 is a good game and a solid entry in the WWE 2K franchise. Is it a game that will usher in the new golden era of wrestling games? No, but it's very fun to play, and that's what video games are all about.
The game modes are okay, with MyRISE standing out and The Island being disappointing. There isn't a game mode that will make you go "WOW," but they are serviceable.
New match types, the introduction of intergender matches, a star-studded roster, and the third-person camera mode all contribute to making WWE 2K25 good, and they add to the overall gaming experience in a unique way.

Playing offline against your friends or versus the CPU is a lot of fun, and with so many different matches with unique stipulations, there is never a dull moment inside the ring.
However, there is something to be concerned about. The Island has too many microtransactions that impact the players' experience, which should worry you. The mode is very similar to NBA 2K The City, so it's hard not to think it will follow the same path and become a microtransaction hell.
There are just too many similarities to ignore, and I really hope I am wrong. However, I think The Island will eventually become a Pay-To-Win mode, which is not what fans want. So, players should at least be aware of that.
Overall, WWE 2K25 is a good sports video game despite introducing a lackluster game mode and a significant increase in microtransactions, which should worry you.