WWE 2K25 The Bloodlines Dynasty
Wrestling and video games—on paper, a match made in heaven. Big personalities, over-the-top action, and enough spectacle to fill a stadium? Check, check, and check. But if you take a step back, it’s kind of an odd mix. In the real world, WWE is more like a high-octane action movie than an actual contest, while wrestling games are all about winning by any means necessary. Still, contradictions aside, WWE 2K25 delivers an impressive package. Thanks to its refined Showcase and MyRise modes, some smart additions like intergender matches, and ever-reliable favorites like WWE Universe and MyGM, it’s an all-around good time. Sure, there’s a weak link—an underwhelming newcomer called The Island—but he’s not enough to make me walk away from the show.
As someone who’s been grappling with wrestling games since the N64 days, my first stop in any new release is always the tutorial. Games change, and if a series is doing things right, even minor tweaks can make a big difference. This year, for example, brings back Chain Wrestling, a long-missed feature that adds some old-school strategy to matches. WWE 2K25’s tutorial is one of the best in sports gaming, offering a deep dive into every move and mechanic. The Performance Center is a fantastic learning tool, whether you’re getting a quick refresher or figuring out how to pull off an Irish Whip for the first time. And let’s be real—every game is someone’s first, so it’s nice to see Visual Concepts taking new players seriously.
WWE 2K24 Was Great, So What’s New?
WWE 2K24 proved that 2K and Visual Concepts have found their groove. While not a massive departure, it made enough small improvements to justify another round in the ring. The docuseries-style Showcase mode, the ever-evolving MyRise, and the push to make all wrestlers look as polished as their top stars were all steps in the right direction. Sure, there were rough spots—some inconsistent storytelling, uneven visuals across the roster—but overall, it capped off a strong three-year streak for the series.
So, does WWE 2K25 keep the momentum going? In many ways, yes.
A Roster That’s Bursting at the Seams
One of WWE 2K25’s biggest strengths is its sheer star power. Whether you’re here for legends like Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Hollywood icons like The Rock, or the wild cards like Doink the Clown, there’s something for everyone. The multiple versions of superstars are a fun touch—turns out, 1997 Rock was kind of a scrub compared to his modern self. Who knew? The customization options are also fantastic, letting you tweak everything from move sets to crowd reactions. The ability to fine-tune wrestlers isn’t new, but with a roster this massive, it’s more valuable than ever.
In-Ring Action: If It Ain’t Broke…
WWE 2K25 sticks close to what worked in WWE 2K24, and that’s not a bad thing. Chain Wrestling makes a welcome return, adding a layer of strategy early in matches. It can be tricky at first—finding the sweet spot in a circular mini-game isn’t exactly intuitive—but once you get it, it brings an extra level of depth to the action. The only downside? It mostly comes into play at the beginning of a match and doesn’t show up much after that.
New match types also help keep things fresh. Intergender matches don’t change the mechanics much, but it’s still fun to see Rhea Ripley take on Kevin Nash. Underground matches add a gritty, no-ropes brawl where you win by knockout or draining your opponent’s health, and Bloodline Rules bouts bring their own brand of chaos. More variety is always a good thing, and these additions keep things interesting.
Showcase Mode: A Step Forward, But Not Perfect
This year’s Showcase mode highlights the Bloodline, with Paul Heyman narrating the story behind one of WWE’s most dominant dynasties. He’s clearly having a blast, and his energy makes the mode engaging. The heavy use of archival footage is nice, but the awkward blurring of certain wrestlers due to rights issues is still a distraction.
The good news? Showcase plays better than last year. Full ring entrances are back, mid-match commentary is excellent, and big moments now play out in-game rather than cutting away to real footage. This makes everything feel more natural, even if you’re not following the script exactly. Plus, the “what if?” matches—where you change history by flipping match outcomes—are a cool twist.
That said, Showcase still has its hiccups. Some optional in-match objectives are frustratingly specific, and failing one often means restarting the whole thing. More importantly, the Bloodline’s story sometimes feels a bit one-sided. Great wrestlers lose all the time—it’s part of what makes their victories meaningful—but here, there’s an almost obsessive need to rewrite history so that the Bloodline always comes out on top. It’s a weird mix of revisionist storytelling that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
The Verdict
WWE 2K25 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It refines what worked, adds some welcome extras, and delivers a deep, engaging wrestling experience. The roster is bigger than ever, the gameplay is tight, and Showcase mode—despite its quirks—offers plenty of entertainment. Sure, it’s not perfect, but it’s still a championship-worthy effort.
