Acknowledge Me! WWE 2K25 is the latest instalment in the long-running wrestling simulation franchise, bringing fans an even more immersive and action-packed experience than ever before. WWE 2K25 has added an expanded roster of legends and rising stars, smoother gameplay mechanics, enhanced graphics, and new match types. Whether you are a new or returning player, you will love what 2K has in store this year.

The tribal chief, Roman Reigns, is featuring this year on the Standard Edition of the game, while the Deadman Edition is paying tribute to the legendary Undertaker. For the die-hard fans of WWE’s most dominant faction, you have The Bloodline Edition, which brings together key members of both Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline factions, including the likes of Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Paul Heyman, Honorary Use Sami Zayn, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa. The bloodline dates back to the days of Peter “High Chief” Maivia, and the showcase explains it all.

WWE 2K25 puts new updates and gameplay enhancements each year, and they’ve not held back with 2K25 adding new brawl environments, match types, and the long-awaited debut of intergender wrestling. With this, women can now compete across all the game modes, which is a great addition. Chain Wrestling is back, which was fantastic because we had no idea why it was removed.

The Bloodline Rules match has entered the arena, and if you like diving off things, you can now dive from the barricades. The developers did not stop there, with over 300 playable superstars spanning multiple generations of the WWE from RAW, Smackdown, and NXT. You get a great mixture of Legends and Hall of Famers added to the mix. If you get anyone from Peter “High Chief” Maivia to Becky Lynch or even Rob Van Dam, you will not be disappointed with the faces in this year’s title.

The all-new 2K Showcase is hosted by none other than the wise man himself, Paul Heyman. He shines a spotlight on one of wrestling’s most dominant dynasties, “The Bloodline”, which consists of the iconic Anoa’i, Fatu and Maivia families. You will get to step into the boots of WWE superstars past and present, including the likes of Roman Reigns, The Rock, Yokozuna, and Jacob Fatu. This showcase will allow people to relive historic matches and sometimes change the outcome of what we all know happened.

2K have added another twist with dream matches between Bloodline members and WWE legends, which added a weird twist and made me wanna see the matches happen in real life. There are 16 matches you can progress through, which, if you complete all the objectives, will unlock over 70 rewards, varying from legends, alternate attires, managers, championships, arenas, and MyFACTION cards. Compared to previous years, I got dragged into this year’s showcase like no other. It might have been the rich history or the fact that you could have the dream matches that changed how history was written.

WWE 2K25 offers a brand-new immersive experience exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, where players can now explore a WWE-themed area called “The Island”, where you create a start, complete quests, and participate in live events. While doing this, you are trying to win the favour of the tribal chief Roman Reigns. The Island was a little bugged due to extended load times and teething issues with the server connections. The connection issues seem to be there now and then, but since an update was dropped, the loading times have been cut in half. I was surprised how much I enjoyed spending time on The Island with the unique little storylines you had to follow or helping fellow superstars with their business.

It kept you asking what was next, and being able to just run up to a ring and opt to start fighting someone in a match was pretty cool. I had issues with a mate with us being in the same lobby, but it was like one of us was in a ghost lobby and could not join the other for a quick fight. I would have loved to see a map implementation, so I would not be standing in the middle of The Island and wondering where I needed to go. I would have loved to see more animated dialogue and not feel like I was reading a book each time I talked to someone.

MyGM has had a substantial update. Now, you can take the show on the road and compete against other general managers worldwide with online multiplayer for up to four players. Like previous years, you draft WWE Superstars and Legends, build their weekly rosters, and lead the brand through multi-week seasons. The new online implementation has added another layer to an already popular game mode among the 2K fanbase.

I’ll forever be surprised by how much time I spend on MyFaction mode, and MKAU has made another comeback this year with another content-filled MyFaction. Some new updated features, such as World Tour, have replaced the previous Proving Ground, allowing you to explore different locations. Community events have also been added, but whilst reviewing this, there were not too many community events, but I got a couple done. Regular seasonal content updates will bring new card themes and goals throughout the year. Don’t forget to check those locker codes online for freebies to add to your collection.

MyRise is back with a fresh new storyline, which is multi-gender. You need to create a superstar and then choose what path you want your superstar to take. If you have not played MyRise before, you have options, and you need to select the answer, but each answer will paint history in a different way, making no two stories the same. You meet enemies and allies along the way. It’s a great, immersive, interactive story that gives you something else to do if you want more story-driven gameplay.

I can almost hear my mate Slappy crying with joy that Universe mode has had a well-needed upgrade and has brought back Promos. The new system they’ve added includes multiple promo types and outcomes, with new cutscenes and choices creating different branches. This is another feature that was removed, and people were scratching their heads as to why it was removed. It’s not one I have dabbled much in the past, but it was some good fun to play around with it this year.

Some could argue that the creation suite is what is best for business, and it’s one of the hallmarks of WWE 2K’s franchise, and it’s still a key feature to this day. You can design custom superstars, GMs, referees, arenas, entrances, move sets, crowd signs, and last but not least, Championships. Watch this space for the MKAU Gaming Championship. It’s never been something I’ve spent much time in, but I find myself diving into it more and more. The level of detail you can see from other creations is truly remarkable. I question how they are so good and how I am so trash I can make my superstar, and that is about the extent of my talent level.

If you are familiar with the WWE 2K franchise, you will be quite familiar with the controls, with the biggest re-addition this year being the chain wrestling. For those who have not experienced chain wrestling, it relies heavily on your joysticks and following the on-screen prompts about what you’re doing. It adds a nice strategic level to the matches, and success will come with practice. It also adds another immersive value to the game, making it feel and look more realistic about how they do things in the ring.

There haven’t been many updates to the audio in WWE 2K25, as it still feels much like last year’s game. However, just like last year, we got a badass soundtrack that complements the game quite well, featuring tracks from favourites like Eminem, Architects, Electric Callboy, and many more. Implementing this into entrance songs would have been awesome because I would have one hundred per cent used, RATATATA by Electric Callboy, but we can’t have everything. I would have also liked to hear some audio dialogue on The Island. As I mentioned before, I felt like I needed to read a book.

Graphically, the game looked super clean, with the wrestlers having more details than ever before. They brought the models to life and added those small, fine touches that count. Aside from the occasional texture glitch, the game feels polished, which is impressive. The one that stood out to me was the attention to detail in The Island. You can find various stores that are themed after WWE superstars, and the arenas you wrestle in look so clean and original, which surprised me. The different locations on The Island added extra layers of immersion. They made you feel like you were in different places all the time cause it felt like a completely different environment.

WWE 2K25 is a true love letter to WWE Fans, delivering exciting new additions, reintroduced favourites, and an all-around fun experience. While minor teething issues must be addressed in future updates, the overall gameplay is solid and enjoyable. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, WWE 2K25 offers something for everyone, making it a worthwhile and entertaining experience. Don’t forget. Acknowledge Me!

Written by: Hayden Nelson