WWE 2K25 review: A must play for every wrestling fan

WWE 2K25 adds some exciting new features and puts the focus on the Bloodline – but expect the same gameplay you’ve enjoyed for years. 

WWE 2K bounced back after the 2K20 disaster that resulted in a rethink and the cancellation of the following year’s game. However, while they have provided fun, fighting action, wrestling fans want to know if it’s worth buying – especially if they bought WWE 2K24 last year. Thankfully, some of Triple H’s TV magic has been sprinkled onto WWE 2K25, making it the best WWE game since his reign began (and one of the best games of 2025 so far, too).

So while the grappling gameplay remains pretty similar to what you have come to expect since 2K22, the new Bloodline storyline, plus some fun new features, make this year’s effort worth buying.

WWE 2K25 screenshots & details

• Price: $59.99 USD | £54.99 GBP | $79.95 AUD
• Developer: 2K
• Release date: March 14, 2025
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PC
• Reviewed on PS5

Showcase of the Immortals

Since Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over running WWE creative, the company has had somewhat of a renaissance. WWE 2K25 benefits from this by making The Bloodline saga (arguably the best WWE storyline ever) the theme of this year’s Showcase, which is essentially the game’s story mode that highlights the career of a single wrestler or a group.

Not only does Showcase focus on Roman Reigns and The Usos, but it also features matches involving other members of the dynasty, such as The Wild Samoans, The Rock, and even Nia Jax.

While some players will be keen to just jump into some Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa action, old-school wrestling fans will get a kick out of playing matches with legendary figures such as Yokozuna or Umaga.

You can also rewrite history by making a different wrestler win a famous match. For example, you can replay matches like Yokozuna versus Hulk Hogan from King of the Ring (1993) and ensure that Hogan is the one who gets squashed this time. 

This mode is fully narrated by “the wiseman” Paul Heyman, which makes it more entertaining for WWE fans. As a figure who’s been involved in the Bloodline story from the start – and one of the best to ever hold a mic – Heyman is the perfect choice for recapping this story.

2K have also adapted NBA’s The City mode with WWE 2K25’s The Island. This is a place where you can buy cosmetics, complete challenges, and wrestle in some new locations. It’s fun, but it’s more of a novel distraction than something you’re going to sink many hours into.

The best version of WWE 2K so far

2K25 is a better game than 2K24. Yes, things look and feel very similar to last year, but this time, there’s some extra detail to make matches look more realistic.

Wrestlers now show more battle scars, with the game’s bruising and damage system being overhauled. If you’ve been slugging it out with your opponent for over 20 minutes, it really shows, with competitors appearing visibly battered and bloodied.

However, the gameplay is mostly the same as it was in 2K24, so those expecting a total overhaul or a vast improvement will be disappointed. The combat is still as slick and exciting as it has been since 2K22, but there are slight tweaks to the visuals and performance, like there is every year. 

The roster has also been refreshed, with current stars and legends of the past all returning. Of course, the rise of AEW has meant that certain stars, such as Sting, no longer make the cut.

However, the entire current active roster is all there, as are the legends and Hall of Famers that didn’t sign with the competition.

New signings like Penta will be added with the Season Pass, as will the creepy faction The Wyatt Sicks, among others in DLC later this year.

Verdict

Mechanically, 2K25 is a very similar game to 2K24, just as 23 was before that… Normally, it would be hard to get that thrilled about an annual update, but this definitely captures the excitement of the new Triple H era with its Showcase mode, and that is enough to make it the best WWE game since 2K started developing them. So, even if you have 2K24, you won’t want to miss wrestling with Roman Reigns this year.