WWE 2K25 Hands-On Preview

WWE 2K25: A Solid Evolution, But Is It Enough?

2K's WWE series, revitalized in 2022, continues its iterative improvement strategy with WWE 2K25. Promising additions like "The Island," a revamped story mode, and a new "Bloodline Rules" match type, were unfortunately unavailable for preview. My hands-on experience focused on the core gameplay and the updated Showcase Mode.

The Showcase Mode, centered around The Bloodline, offers three match types: recreating history, creating history, and altering history. This provides a unique and engaging experience for WWE fans, improving upon last year's iteration. However, the over-reliance on real-life footage, a previous criticism, persists, though significantly lessened. In-engine recreations of key moments are now utilized, resulting in a smoother, more immersive experience with shorter cutscenes. While progress has been made, complete player control is still lacking during certain match conclusions.

Another improvement is the refinement of the checklist system. While still present, optional timed objectives now reward players with cosmetics without penalizing failure, a positive change from previous entries. The ability to alter historical match outcomes is a standout addition, offering a fresh perspective on iconic moments.

Core gameplay largely remains unchanged, retaining the successful grappling mechanics from WWE 2K24. However, notable additions include the return of chain wrestling, adding a strategic layer to the beginning of matches, and the reappearance of the submission mini-game (optional, thankfully). Weapon throwing returns with an expanded roster and new environments, including the WWE archives, a fantastic addition for fans. The inclusion of intergender matches and an expanded roster (300+ wrestlers) is a significant step forward.

A completely new match type, "Underground," a rope-less exhibition match in a Fight Club-esque setting, was briefly showcased. A full match and detailed explanation will be available later.

Overall, WWE 2K25 builds upon a solid foundation with smart, incremental improvements. Whether the unpreviewed features will truly elevate it remains to be seen, but based on my experience, it’s a worthy evolution of a well-established series.

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