With WrestleMania 41 wrapping up and John Cena winning his 17th world title, it is fitting that publisher 2K Games has retained its title as the best when it comes to modern wrestling games.
To understand why WWE 2K25 feels like such a high point, it helps to look back at the journey it took to get here.
The Unexpected Champion: The WWE 2K Journey
The WWE 2K series began back in 2013 when 2K Sports acquired the rights to the long-running SmackDown vs. Raw series. Early entries like WWE 2K14 and 2K16 were solid — if unremarkable — fun games buoyed by strong rosters and simulation-style presentation, but often lacking polish or innovation. (That’s not to say there weren’t standouts. WWE 2K19, often considered the highlight of the series, is a shining light of what a WWE game could be.)
Then came WWE 2K20, a game so plagued with bugs and technical issues — coupled with a truly bizarre story mode — that it became a meme overnight. It was such a disaster that 2K canceled 2K21 entirely, opting instead to take a year off to rebuild the series from the ground up.
That year-long break led to WWE 2K22, a soft reboot that reestablished the series with updated visuals, smoother gameplay, and a more accessible structure as the developers worked to ensure the product would match its past benchmark. Since then, each new installment (2K23 and 2K24) has slowly layered on improvements, refining mechanics and adding modes without falling back into the overcomplicated, janky pitfalls of the past. All the while, these recent entries have worked to ensure fun gameplay is always top of mind.
After years of rebuilding trust with fans, WWE 2K25 can now confidently enter the ring. With its latest release, 2K delivers the most complete and polished entry in the franchise to date. Developer Visual Concepts continues to fine-tune its formula for equal parts spectacle, simulation, and creative playground via its awesome online suite.
Everything that I liked about 2K24 has been upgraded, polished, and made better without removing the charm or feeling overdone.
A Showcase for the PlayStation 5
First things first: This game looks fantastic. WWE 2K25 is easily one of the best-looking sports titles on the PlayStation 5. It feels like you are watching an episode of Monday Night Raw or PLE. Get some cheap seats at a WWE show, and when the competitors go up the ramp, you will not be able to tell the difference.
Though the graphics are similar to past entries, the animations are smoother and the AI less awkward. The immersive experience of a WWE 2K game is here in spades. It is a true next-gen experience from bell to bell.
Tightened Gameplay, Smarter Design
WWE 2K25 delivers gameplay that feels more intuitive and rewarding. Strikes and grapples land with impact, while also allowing for big spots to be seamlessly set up and performed without awkward loading or cutscenes that break immersion. The returning submission system has been given a nice little update, too.
Outside of the ring, we’ve been given an array of new weapons and ringside-based action. These now feel more grounded and dynamic, making them more than just set dressing. Steel chairs now bend and dent visibly after repeated use, ladders can be propped in creative positions for high-risk spots, and tables don’t always break on the first hit — adding tension and unpredictability to hardcore matches.
These small touches combine to make hardcore matches and outside-the-ring brawls feel more alive and rewarding, encouraging players to experiment with the environment in a manner that is grounded in gameplay logic but never stops being fun. WWE 2K games can often struggle with that balance, but the weapons system was spot on this year.
Speaking of which, you can now take the action to the WWE Archives — something that, as a lifelong WWE fan, is a true highlight. A real-life place that houses countless WWE treasures, the WWE Archives is now a full brawling arena just waiting for the player.
With this focus on fresh backstage environments comes a new shot of personality into the series’ most underused features. In past games, backstage brawling was often limited to generic hallways, locker rooms, and boilerplate loading docks. They got the job done but rarely felt distinct or memorable. The Archives changes that completely, sparking fond nostalgia of WWE Smackdown Here Comes The Pain. Even the iconic Smackdown Fist is back, and you can jump off of it!
The Underground match, too, is something I wasn’t expecting to like as much as I did. This is something that wasn’t used for long on WWE TV but was very cool to see it finally make its debut in a WWE game. It plays like a normal match but has no ropes; it is dimly lit and has a unique camera angle. It has a more MMA “shoot fight” feel. If you’re an MMA fan, I think this will be something that could hook you for a while.
Aside from the cosmetic stuff, under the hood, the game is mostly free of bugs and AI hiccups. This allows one to enjoy the buffet that is WWE 2K25 without worrying about crashes or other technical oddities.
MyGM Mode and Beyond
Since returning in 2022, MyGM mode has been hit or miss. And it’s the most frustrating thing, as I loved it as a kid and would play the mode in Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 on my PSP well into the 2010s. The mode has never been able to match that level of excitement for me — until now.
This mode has seen meaningful tweaks: Booking and budget-balancing feel deeper without being overwhelming. There are more GM persona choices, deeper show additions, and various other updates to truly make this mode click. Though still a ways from achieving its greatest heights, MyGM is getting there and has been the mode I’ve spent the most time with. (As an aside, I think 2K is missing an opportunity by not releasing a standalone GM management sim.)
MyFaction
One of the biggest improvements to MyFaction in WWE 2K25 is how the daily challenges are structured. In the past, these challenges might have felt repetitive or like they were padding out gameplay for the sake of a grind. This year, however, the tasks are more diverse and rewarding in terms of both difficulty and payoff.
The progression system also feels more intuitive. Instead of relying on endless loops of low-reward tasks or heavy reliance on microtransactions, the game offers clearer milestones and time-sensitive unlocks. I didn’t fully understand this mode until this year. Now, I firmly believe 2K should use this as the template going forward.
MyRise
MyRise has always been one of the most charming aspects of the WWE 2K series, and WWE 2K25 keeps that spirit alive with its mix of lighthearted humor and a compelling narrative. It’s one of those modes where the story is just ridiculous enough to be entertaining without taking itself too seriously, and that’s part of what makes it so fun to revisit each year as the lore expands.
The mode lets you create your own superstar and walk them through their journey in WWE. The dialogue options and interactions with other wrestlers bring a lot of personality to the experience. Yes, that personality is goofy a lot of the time; however, I am always won over by its charm, and you know what you’re in for every year.
Showcase
Showcase mode brings the heavy hits this year, as it builds on the success of last year’s four decades of WrestleMania. This mode can struggle from year to year depending on who is picked to be the focus of this mode; when John Cena or Rey Mysterio was picked, I found that any hope of me finishing it went out the window.
However, focusing on “The Bloodline” in 2K25 provides a unique wrapping that carries you through this fun story-driven mode. The fact that “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman is your guide and hype man throughout the mode is the icing on this cake.
Final Thoughts: 2K Gets the 1, 2, 3
I can’t finish this review without talking about the future of this game. The DLC offerings from 2K are always great, and having so much TNA talent in a WWE game is a huge selling point, especially if you’re a TNA fan like me.
WWE 2K25 is an excellent entry in the series and a great addition to the wrestling genre at large. It’s not merely an update, and definitely not a mere roster refresh. 2K has ensured that the formula has been revised and tweaked across the board from last year’s offering to provide a deeper experience that is a must-play if you are a WWE fan.
Score: 8.5/10
WWE 2K25, developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K, is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. MSRP: $69.99. Version reviewed: PS5.
Disclaimer: A review code was provided by the publisher.
Roman art historian, computer nerd, freelance journalist, and podcaster with Nerd to Know Media.com. Obsessed with all things Star Wars, sci-fi, and horror. Got a major soft spot for awesomely terrible films and Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines. You can find him on Twitter @DarraghWV. Please come say hi and check out the podcast.
