Since the successful re -cancer 2022, the popular WWE 2K series has been constantly making many iterative improvements, trying not only to rely on its victorious formula, but also justify its annual editions. WWE 2K25 certainly promises a modern batch of iteration, including a completely modern, interactive online world called island, modernization of its history, general manager and universe mode, a modern hardcore match called Bloodline Rules and several others. However, I cannot say whether all these modern additions will augment by 2K25 above his predecessor, because unfortunately I could not try any of them during a recent preview event.
Instead of taking samples in this year’s most significant changes, my time with 2K25 was largely focused on (mainly) unchanged basic game and this year’s adapted Showcase mode, which focuses on a stable line of wrestlers. But when I was closed with most modern ideas, I appreciated some of the compact but significant changes. They are enough that I am sure that WWE 2K25 will be another successful evolution of the series and most likely worth the wrestling time.
The WWE 2K25 presentation mode focuses on the history of the Anoa’s family, at the head of its latest stars Roman Reigns and Bloodline, but also celebrates previous generations, such as Wild Samans, Yokozuna and, most celebrated, rock. The mode now includes three types of fittings: those in which you reproduce History, others where you create History and the most significant for me, it goes where you change history. I have to experience all three types in the shape of Niia Jax’s Queen of the Ring Victory from 2024, creating dreams Wild Samoans compared to the Dudley Boyz match and a change in the history of the iconic Roman rule against Seth Rollins of Royal Rumble in 2022. All three offered their own Style of fun and a unique perspective for every hardcore fan of WWE and improvement last year in presentation mode. But this does not mean that there are still no problems.
The presentation mode in last year’s WWE 2K24, like the one in WWE 2K23 in front of it, was tough by excessive rely on the transition to real materials that lasted for many minutes-program for visual programmers Dubs “Ridiness”. As I pointed out in my preview of WWE 2K23, “I discovered that I wanted to go back to action and create these moments myself, not only watching clips of materials that are already burned in my brain.” Two years later, I am pleased to confirm that although the problem was not completely solved, progress was made.
The cutting of materials to a real life has already passed, as is the excessive rely on taking you from the action (at least as far as I experienced during a practical session). Key moments are played in engineering through animation, providing less shocking experience and level of satisfaction with the sight of iconic moments implemented in (mainly) game graphics (mainly). These sequences also seem much shorter, which means less time than controlling the operation.
This does not mean, however, that all my previous handles with control were solved. During the end of my match, Jax was taken full control. Instead of staying in the ring, I was forced to embody the observer during 1,2,3. I would like to perfectly have more control at these significant moments. I want to experience them with my own game decisions, and not only I watch as a passive observer.
Elsewhere, 2K25 introduces slight upgrades of other coarse edges. Previous presentation modes were largely based on the control list system, requiring you to fill out basic maneuvers often to launch the sequence of live shares. A common complaint is that this approach makes the match seem less similar to animated gameplay, and more like a list of things to do. This system Is The return, which will undoubtedly prove to be controversial, but has been slightly improved for WWE 2K25, with additional optional goals on the timer. You are awarded for performing these activities with cosmetics, but most importantly, you are not punished for failure, as in previous entries. This is an significant (child) step in the right direction.
A distinguished addition to the presentation mode is undoubtedly the above -mentioned ability to change the conclusion of some historical tips. Where Roman Reigns, who once lost disqualification towards Seth Rollins, you can now experience how things could play if Roman changed his temperament in the last moments. This is a modern experience for hardcore fans of WWE and I am very excited, seeing what will happen in other unannounced matches of changes.
Although there are noteworthy changes in modes and types of matching, the basic essence of the WWE 2K25 game is basically the same as before with minor corrections. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I was already satisfied with the struggle in WWE 2K24, so I think to a huge extent that this is a wise decision to stick to a proven, successful formula. However, there are several engaging additions and phrases.
WWE 2K25 sees the long -renovated revival of Chain Wrestling, the game sequence, which has been dedicated with great modernization of the WWE 2K22 engine. In the opening times of the duel, the incitement of grabbing will force players to make a mini-patch, which allows you to gain an advantage. After blocking, you can choose, pull out, attack and finally change your opponent’s location to a place that is beneficial to you. Like the commercial mechanics introduced last year, Chain Wrestling adds another basis of WWE, taking another significant step towards thorough reproduction of what fans see on television every week.
Return is also a system of notifications, a mini-mast in which the opponent’s color block should be avoided or adapted. Although it has an overwhelming presentation of the user interface, he quickly becomes the second nature and I am glad that he is coming back. If you are less excited about his re -appearance, fortunately it can be turned off in options. The same applies to chain wrestling and other moments about speedy time-all are optional.
Undoubtedly, my favorite gameplay function with WWE 2K24 also triumphs: throwing weapons. Not only the list of weapons was improved, but the fights behind the scenes have now expanded to modern environments that are ideal for throwing weapons. The best location I experienced in the demo version was WWE archives, which not only allow you to throw apples, football and megaphones, but also let you into the dreams of WWE fans, littered with a lot of history and Easter eggs. Oh, and you can also fight on the gigantic sign of wrestlemia and your favorite gigantic fist from the time of Smackdown.
As you might expect, as in real life, the area of the ring is covered with the main sponsorship. Tell me what you want about it, but it allows you to exploit a giant bottle of the main station as a weapon. For my money, the Logan Paul airy bottle wrapping around the opponent’s head certainly seems to be the best exploit of glaring electrolytes.
Perhaps the most significant change in the game this year is the long delayed game. For the first time in the 2K WWE match you can put men against a woman in the match of your choice. This, along with the largest list in history (with over 300 wrestlers to choose from), finally opens the door to many matches that were not previously available.
Finally, although the demonstration compilation contained a restricted number of modern updates to discover, I spent time with a modern type of match called Underground. This is a hopeless variety of the exhibition match that puts you in the Wood Fighting Club around the ring. This is something completely modern in the series and something that I can share more about this month as part of our exclusive Ign. Remember to check Ign this week to watch a full match, as well as a full, detailed explanation of a modern type of match from the Visual Concepts developer, Dereka Donahue.
WWE 2K25 continues the latest tradition of the series, applying modern functions on existing and solid foundations. Nothing seems particularly revolutionary now, because the formula seems largely consistent with last year’s offer with only a few compact but wise corrections. Time will tell if the advertised huge sweeping and modern modes that I have not seen will really make this edition stand out from the background of peers, but from my low experience it is tough to say that this is something other than a very incremental step for a well -realized series .
Dale Driver is an executive producer of video programming in IGN and throughout his life WWE FAN/Apologist, who recognizes his tribal boss. Get bored, following him at BlueSky at @daldriver.bsky.social
