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0 Having been out for a week or so now, WWE 2K25 has hit the ground running. With potentially the biggest line-up of superstars to pick from, as well as some improved game modes to choose from. We were lucky enough to be provided with the Bloodline Edition. However aside from some extra bits and pieces, it is all the same fundamental game, so let’s take a look.
Your Tribal Chief Says Buy It!
Having recently got back into wrestling, thanks mostly to the WWE signing a deal with Netflix, I felt obliged to get this game in my locker and get to grips with some of the biggest and most iconic wrestlers out there.
Now before I get too deep into this review I want to let you know that I’m mostly going to be covering what’s new. If you are searching for this review then you already know the basics. What you really want to know is whether or not the new stuff is worth picking up the latest game. And believe me, it is. So join me as we head down the runway and into the ring with our review of WWE 2K25.
Gameplay
I feel that the best place to start is with the roster. With over 300 superstars to play with, this is an incredible line-up. Featuring superstars of Raw, SmackDown and NXT, but also hitting the ropes are the Legends as well as the WWE Hall of Famers. Oh, and some toys too. I’d love to sit here and list out the entirety of the roster, but honestly I loved scrolling through to see everyone. I think you should do the same. Rest assured though that all the fan favourites are included, along with a whole host of pre-release DLC wrestlers coming in the future. Add to that the community creations, some of which are incredible, even the wrestlers that aren’t in the game will no doubt make an appearance.
The newest mode to hit WWE 2K25 is The Island. This immersive world, hosted by Roman Reigns, sees you take on challenges, complete quests and much much more. All with the aim of joining Roman Reigns at the Head of the Table. It’s essentially an open-world game mode, for its first foray, it isn’t bad. Although it probably won’t be the main mode you play.
The main mode, if you’re like me, that you will end up spending a lot of time on will be the Showcase mode. This mode celebrates The Bloodline, one of the most iconic wrestling families. This game mode will see you take on historic matchups and play them out as they were, alternatively, you may just get the chance to rewrite history. This game mode not only was a lot of fun to play, but it was also very informative. Being able to experience some of the most poignant matches in WWE history was great. Although dropping a Banzai on Hulk Hogan hurt a bit, lifelong Hulkamaniac right here!
Game Modes To Dive Into
The MyGM mode returns, and is improved. This time you can head online and play with up to 4 friends. Play through the ridiculously fun Draft section, signing superstars and legends to take part in your show. Although be careful as those top-tier superstars cost a pretty penny. You then setup your show and the matchups, all whilst managing their fatigue levels to ensure they don’t get injured.
MyRise gives you a unique storyline to spend some time with both a male and female character. In this game mode, the NXT superstars are trying to take over the entire WWE franchise and it’s down to your characters to join forces with certain superstars. As well as some Ally Storylines giving you control over a number of the top wrestling talent to take on the NXT Mutiny. With multiple endings, it really does pay to play through MyRise a few times just to see how the story unfolds.
There is a whole host of gameplay updates as well in WWE 2K25. Giving you more control over both your gameplay and the matchups. With the inclusion of intergender matches you can pit your favourite superstars from the men’s and the women’s division against one another. Find out who the fairer sex really is. Add to it the ability to climb on the barricade surrounding the ring, giving you another angle to take down your opponents.
A new camera angle makes it debut as well, and whilst I haven’t really spent that much time with it, it’s definitely there. This Third-Person viewpoint allows you to get closer to the action. Rotate the camera around the superstar though with the right stick so you will always stay in charge of the action.
Graphics & Audio
Graphics = Great
Sound = Great
There that’s all you want right? No? Fine, graphically I think the WWE 2K25 is incredible. The superstars are (for the most part) accurate and detailed. The facial expressions as The Undertaken choke-slammed The Rock were incredible. Even the plastic toy figures that you can play with are incredibly realistic. The arenas are also awe-inspiring to look at. With so many different arenas to choose from I dare you to find one that isn’t there. And if it isn’t then why not create it in one of the many creation modes?
The cut scenes and video segments are also brilliant. Although I did find it funny the number of superstars that had their faces blurred out. Although I’m sure this was down to a licensing thing.
Audio-wise the game is spot on. My only irk is that the ring was overly squeaky. With the ropes squeaking way too much for my liking. The rest of the game was brilliant though. The superstars’ entrance music was able to be pumped out and every impact had a suitable thud. With just enough voice acting to keep the game interesting as well. Nobody wants to be reading and pretending to be the superstars on screen. Do they?
Longevity
As with most sports games, the real question isn’t how long is the game going to take you to play. But how much spare time do you have? It certainly is a game that you can spend hours and hours playing. There are so many game modes that you can make this your main game to play for the whole year. Especially with the addition of new superstars.
All I would hope is that they stop releasing games each year and just expand on this one. Keep it updated with new superstars and new events, it would be way easier than releasing a whole new game each year.
Final Thoughts
So how do you sum up that this is probably the best wrestling game I’ve played in a long time? Yes, even when compared to the Smackdown Vs Raw era. With so many game modes to play, as well as more event types than I’ve ever seen, WWE 2K25 brings you the ultimate in Wrestling experiences. Giving you the experience that you’ve been wanting for many years. 2K Sports have really hit the top rope with this one.
The only thing stopping me from giving this the highest award is the micro-transactions within the game. However, I know there are many people out there who enjoy this feature in games.
And so WWE 2K25 gets the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.
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