WWE 2K25 Review – The Island of Misfit Toys (PS5)

WWE 2K25 is the newest release in the yearly sports-entertainment video game franchise. And is, for some reason, the only 2K sports series that features the current year in the title instead of the upcoming year. Maybe it’s a nod to how these games are immediately outdated. In fact, it would be more accurate if they named these games after the year before they came out.

That being said, the WWE 2K franchise has been steadily improving since the utter disaster that was WWE 2K20 in 2019. A game so bad that it has an entry on the Wikipedia page for the worst video games of all time. However, I think WWE 2K25 is the first time that 2K has truly gone too ambitious. Choosing to dedicate their already limited development time to new features no one asked for instead of fixing issues that have been in the games for years.

“All Ego” Ethan Page

It’s at the point where there is simply no excuse for why they haven’t fixed or patched certain issues. That being said, there’s still a lot of fun to be had in WWE 2K25 and its many different modes. And it does feel like more than a simple roster update. 

WWE 2K25 comes in three different versions. The Standard Edition is $69.99. The Deadman Edition is $99.99. And The Bloodline Edition is $129.99. Each version is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows. The Island is exclusive to next-gen consoles.

Story – Death to the WWE 

“MyRise” is the closest thing WWE 2K25 has to a main story. It’s a narrative-driven mode that centers around a custom created male and female superstar. (Called create-a-wrestlers, or CAWs for short). And this year’s story is called “Mutiny.”

Nothing says “threatening” quite like Lard

In a story that feels five years too late, a group of disgruntled NXT alumni lead a rebellion against WWE because of their mishandling of NXT superstars once they’re called up to Raw and SmackDown. And your two CAWs find themselves at the heart of the conflict for reasons that aren’t ever clearly explained. So it’s up to the two of you, and any allies you make along the way, to squash the rebellion and restore order.

The story concept is interesting, just not executed as well as it could’ve been. A lot of the choices you make don’t feel like they have big impacts. Many of the story beats are repetitive and predictable. Though it’s clear that 2K were having fun with this one. Leaning into meta humor surrounding both WWE and their games franchise. So, while it’s far from perfect, it’s at least memorable. 

Gameplay – Island of Relevancies

The core gameplay of WWE 2K25 is no different from the style first introduced in WWE 2K22. For better or worse. Having to tie up with someone before you hit a move on them is still clunky and annoying, and wrestlers constantly pop up after moves like nothing happened to them. But the action is fast and fun for the most part.

Welcome to the Underground

The big additions/returns this year are Underground Matches, intergender matches, and chain wrestling. Chain wrestling is a welcome return that has been heavily improved since its last appearance in the franchise. Intergender wrestling is something people have been asking to be added for years. And Underground Matches…certainly are there. I don’t know how they made it in before the Iron Survivor Challenge. I’d also like to give special attention to the updated ladder match minigame. It feels so much more realistic than fiddling with a clip for ages.

However, there are quite a few bad gameplay bugs that weren’t in WWE 2K24. For example, the AI eliminating themselves from battle royals then standing frozen at ringside like they just realized their mistake. Or the AI randomly becoming invincible and kicking out of every single move at 1 no matter what you hit them with. But let’s get into the different modes on offer, and how they are in WWE 2K25.

The Island: Brand Supremacy

“The Island” is the big new feature in WWE 2K25. A sprawling online hub similar to The City from the NBA 2K series. At least from what I’ve heard. I don’t know basketball. The Island is exclusive to the PS5 & Xbox Series X|S versions. And gives players access to the different online features, as well as its own story mode.

The Island

However, that’s not the part of The Island that 2K actually cares about. That would be the brand integration. As there are shops for Nike, Jordan, Chalk Line, and even WWE Shop. And, as expected, every single customization item from those shops costs a whole lot of Virtual Currency. And you barely earn any in matches. Essentially annoying players into spending real money to buy VC instead of grinding matches.

I get the idea behind the mode, and I’m sure there are people who love it. But online multiplayer has never been my thing. And I would’ve much preferred if 2K took the time spent developing The Island and put it into fixing issues that have plagued the game for years. Or fixing the numerous new bugs.

MyFaction: Persona Non Grata

“MyFaction” is the WWE 2K equivalent of Madden Ultimate Team. A card-based deck-building mode enticing players to spend their real hard-earned money on digital trading cards with no value. As opposed to being real gamers and buying physical trading cards with little value.

MyFaction was utterly unremarkable for years. A mode filled with microtransactions and unnecessary limitations. However, they’re actually turning me around on the mode as time goes on. Thanks mostly to “Faction Wars” and “World Tour.” I couldn’t care less about the Online modes.

This is basically a game within the game

“Faction Wars” is a pro-wrestling deck-building roguelite tucked away in WWE 2K25. Where you take your four wrestlers down different paths with different outcomes, and try to strengthen your team as you go. Using the cards you unlock and money you earn to boost your team for your next run. 

And “World Tour” is something akin to a story mode. Sending you to different countries around the world to complete different challenges. Most of which come with the reward of a Persona Card, which unlocks that character on the regular roster as well. They’re both fun modes that I’ll definitely revisit from time to time.

MyGM: Superhighway to WrestleMania

“MyGM” is the modern version of the classic “GM Mode” from the SmackDown vs. Raw series of games. In which you compete against other players or AI to draft the best roster and book the best shows possible, all while making sure your brand is competently run. It’s a lot of fun, and the best mode they’ve added in decades.

Who needs storylines when you have brand warfare?

However, each year feels like two steps forward, one step back with MyGM. This year, the PLEs are finally dual-branded as they are in real life. Plus the massive addition of finally supporting Online play. However, every PLE has to have two brand vs. brand matches. Meaning you only get two match slots on a PLE to blow off any of your big rivalries. It’s a pretty dumb decision that should’ve been saved only for Survivor Series.

They tried to counter this with the addition of Go-Home Shows. The episode right before the PLE. Which now allows you to blow off rivalries like it was a PLE if you won’t have room for them on the upcoming show. I get the intent, I just don’t think it was a very good idea. 

Universe: Another Repackaging

“Universe” is the sandbox mode that puts you in the shoes of Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Taking full control over the creative output of WWE in whichever way you choose. You could even customize it so it’s not WWE if you feel like it.

I say the same thing about Universe every year, because it’s true every year. It gets nothing more than minor tweaks and upgrades each year. Despite being the most playable single player mode in the game. People playing WWE 2K25 in December are either going to be playing Online, or Universe.

Superstar Mode Menu

Universe received a couple enhancements this year that have been long overdue. Mainly the return of promos, and the ability to set more than one show on the same day. As well as allowing shows to span over multiple days. So we finally have accurate calendars for WrestleMania weekend. 

They’re nice changes, but the mode deserves so much more love and attention than that each year. It needs a whole lot more to it. Like a draft feature, for example. Though the additions that are there, and the UI improvements, did not go unnoticed. 

Showcase: Acknowledge Them

 “Showcase” is a staple of WWE 2K games. A playable retrospective on a number of different topics. Like WWE 2K20‘s deep dive into the rise of the Four Horsewomen. Or WWE 2K23‘s reflection on John Cena’s biggest career losses.

This year it’s all about one of professional wrestling’s biggest families: The Anoaʻi Family. A lineage that ties together some of the greatest of all time; like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns. As well as numerous modern WWE superstars like The Usos, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Naomi, and many more. 

Who can forget The Rock’s PowerPoint presentation?

Showcase this year feels more like a playable documentary. With each match introduced by Paul Heyman, and featuring talking heads from Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa about the focus of the next match. And it’s easily the best Showcase they’ve done in years.

They significantly shortened the length of each match and the amount of objectives. And have a fun mix of historical accuracy, dream matches, and rewriting history. Though, whoever came up with the idea for timed objectives needs a stern talking to.

Graphics & Sound – Draft Lottery

2K seems to pick and choose who gets massive upgrades each year. For example, Seth Rollins got an entirely new model and entrance that both look amazing. Meanwhile, Bayley has the same outdated model that hasn’t been touched since roughly 2K17, and Cody Rhodes’ entrance lacks several defining features.

One day Bayley will be fixed, and I will celebrate

They have also refused to address or attempt to fix the numerous presentation issues present for years. Like clothing clipping through each other or through titles. Or titantron displays not properly fitting on the different screen sizes. They keep building on the same cracked foundation. So it’s no surprise each game comes with bugs not found in previous games.

There’s also a strange inconsistency with how updated certain things are. The Raw Netflix arena made it in the game – which debuted in January – but the new designs for the NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship – which debuted in October – did not. Bayley once again got no love here. She turned face (became a good guy) in February of 2023. Yet commentary still treats her like a heel (a bad guy). 

WWE 2K25 was reviewed on PlayStation 5.