We’re on the verge of WWE 2K26 being released, and with my recent WWE resurgence, I’ve felt the itch to get stuck into WWE 2K25 for quite some time.
Managing to pick it up at a bargain, I’ve been having a blast. Way more than anticipated, and honestly, it feels like wrestling games might be on the rise, after years of garbage. It isn’t perfect, but it’s good, and it runs really well on the Steam Deck, to boot!
In-ring action: The return of the technical
The biggest headline for purists is the return of Chain Wrestling. Last seen in 2K20, this mechanic brings back the feeling of a real match start. Instead of immediately trading strikes, you can engage in a grapple mini-game that mirrors the feeling of a TV broadcast. I actually really enjoy this; it adds a new level of engagement and makes it feel more like a wrestling sim.
Also, for the first time in ages, the gender barrier is gone. You can finally book Rhea Ripley vs. Roman Reigns, effectively doubling the competitive combinations for your roster.
The new Underground Match and the chaotic Bloodline Rules match offer fresh ways to break the standard formula. Larger-than-life superstars now have a Giant health bar, requiring you to drain their stamina before you can even begin to chip away at their actual health.
It all just works, and it’s fun. Maintaining what is kind of the “standard” control scheme from years ago. You strike, strong grapple, weka grapple and everything else with ease. WWE 2K25 is fun to play and feels technical.
Showcase and MyRise: The Island and the Mutiny
This year’s 2K Showcase: The Bloodline’s Dynasty is narrated by The Wiseman Paul Heyman.
It’s a slick documentary-style journey through the Anoaʻi family history. Thankfully, the slingshot tech transitioning from game to real footage is more polished, though some fantasy matchups feel a bit out of place for history buffs.
MyRise: Mutiny takes a bold step by merging the male and female paths into a single branching storyline. While the intergender focus is a great way to showcase the new mechanics, some players might find the narrative a bit corny and the grind for unlockables, which requires multiple playthroughs, a bit excessive.
I’ve personally found the MyRise stuff in WWE 2K25 to be fun. Wrestling storylines are cheesy and hokey. That’s fine and part of the fun to me. I think the Mutiny is a great narrative to play with, and being able to have two main characters on the go at the same time is fun. We’re already a championship tag team.
PC performance: The big dog verdict
On PC, WWE 2K25 is a visual powerhouse. The wrestler models look better than ever, especially with the new Battle Damage system. You’ll see bruises, welts, and even body paint fading as the match progresses.
Graphics are top-tier with 4K support and improved lighting and sweat textures.
Stability is generally favourable, though launch-day users reported slow-motion bugs on high-refresh monitors where the game engine is capped at 60 FPS.
It’s a solid experience on the Steam Deck, which we’ve already written about, too. Having some in-ring action on the go is a treat, and if you follow our tips, you’ll get the most out of it.
The verdict: Is WWE 2K25 worth it?
WWE 2K25 is arguably the best-playing wrestling game since the series’ hiatus. The inclusion of intergender matches and the return of chain wrestling make the simulation feel complete.
However, the introduction of The Island, a social hub mode similar to NBA 2K’s The City, has been met with mixed reviews due to its heavy focus on microtransactions and flat NPC interactions.
The game features the deepest roster in years, with over 300 superstars. Chain wrestling adds much-needed match pacing, and the Showcase mode is exceptionally well-produced. On the downside, The Island feels like a hollow vessel for virtual currency, and MyRise requires too much repetition to unlock all content.
The fact is that you can pick WWE 2K25 up for next to nothing now, so it’s an easy sell. If you’ve been on the fence, give it a go.
WWE 2K25 is developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Games. It was released on March 7th 2025, and is available on PC, PlayStation, Switch 2 and Xbox. For more game reviews like this, click right here.
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