WWE 2K25

== Gameplay ==

== Gameplay ==

''WWE 2K25'' largely builds on the mechanics of its predecessor, including the returning "Chain Wrestling" mechanic, the new "Giant" class of wrestler (which have an additional [[Health (game terminology)|life bar]] that must be drained before they are able to take damage), and new gimmick match modes such as "[[Professional wrestling match types#Raw/NXT Underground|Underground]]" and "Bloodline Rules" (a no-disqualifications match inspired by the [[WrestleMania XL]] night 2 main event, which gives the wrestlers an ability granting up to three [[Run in|run ins]] who stay in the ring after they've been summoned).{{Cite web |last=Jessey |first=Ben |date=2025-03-12 |title=WWE 2K25: Bloodline Rules Matches, Explained |url=https://www.thegamer.com/wwe-2k25-bloodline-rules-matches-explained/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en}} ''2K25'' is the first entry in the ''WWE 2K'' franchise to support intergender matches since [[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009]].{{Cite web |title=WWE 2K25 Review - New World Order |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wwe-2k25-review/1900-6418343/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Driver |first=Dale |date=2025-02-05 |title=WWE 2K25 Hands-On Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-hands-on-preview |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}

''WWE 2K25'' largely builds on the mechanics of its predecessor, including the returning "Chain Wrestling" mechanic, the new "Giant" class of wrestler (which have an additional [[Health (game terminology)|life bar]] that must be drained before they are able to take damage), and new gimmick match modes such as "[[Professional wrestling match types#Raw/NXT Underground|Underground]]" and "Bloodline Rules" (a no-disqualifications match inspired by the [[WrestleMania XL]] night 2 main event, which gives the wrestlers an ability granting up to three [[Run in|run ins]] who stay in the ring after they have been summoned).{{Cite web |last=Jessey |first=Ben |date=2025-03-12 |title=WWE 2K25: Bloodline Rules Matches, Explained |url=https://www.thegamer.com/wwe-2k25-bloodline-rules-matches-explained/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en}} ''2K25'' is the first entry in the ''WWE 2K'' franchise to support intergender matches since [[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009]].{{Cite web |title=WWE 2K25 Review - New World Order |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wwe-2k25-review/1900-6418343/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Driver |first=Dale |date=2025-02-05 |title=WWE 2K25 Hands-On Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-hands-on-preview |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}

The Showcase mode is themed around [[The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|The Bloodline]] and the [[Anoaʻi family]], highlighting members such as [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]], [[Roman Reigns]], [[Tamina Snuka]], [[The Usos]] ([[Jimmy Uso|Jimmy]] and [[Jey Uso|Jey]]), and [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]]. MyFaction, MyGM, and Universe mode also make returns, with GM adding support for online simulation matches, and Universe reinstating support for [[Promo (professional wrestling)|promos]]. The MyRise campaign mode, entitled "Mutiny", follows a group of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] wrestlers, known as "Mutiny", attempting to take over [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] for control of WWE. A new mode known as "The Island", which is exclusive to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2,{{Cite web |last=Amoroso |first=Dan |date=2025-01-28 |title=WWE 2K25's Island Comes With a Catch |url=https://gamerant.com/wwe-2k25-ps5-xbox-series-x-only/ |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} is an online [[Player versus player|PvPvE]] mode modelled after "The City" from recent ''[[NBA 2K]]'' games, which takes place in a [[Samoa]]-inspired setting and uses players' custom wrestlers.{{Cite web |last=Borger |first=Will |date=2025-03-13 |title=WWE 2K25 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-review |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}

The Showcase mode is themed around [[The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|The Bloodline]] and the [[Anoaʻi family]], highlighting members such as [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]], [[Roman Reigns]], [[Tamina Snuka]], [[The Usos]] ([[Jimmy Uso|Jimmy]] and [[Jey Uso|Jey]]), and [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]]. MyFaction, MyGM, and Universe mode also make returns, with GM adding support for online simulation matches, and Universe reinstating support for [[Promo (professional wrestling)|promos]]. The MyRise campaign mode, entitled "Mutiny", follows a group of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] wrestlers, known as "Mutiny", attempting to take over [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] for control of WWE. A new mode known as "The Island", which is exclusive to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2,{{Cite web |last=Amoroso |first=Dan |date=2025-01-28 |title=WWE 2K25's Island Comes With a Catch |url=https://gamerant.com/wwe-2k25-ps5-xbox-series-x-only/ |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} is an online [[Player versus player|PvPvE]] mode modelled after "The City" from recent ''[[NBA 2K]]'' games, which takes place in a [[Samoa]]-inspired setting and uses players' custom wrestlers.{{Cite web |last=Borger |first=Will |date=2025-03-13 |title=WWE 2K25 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-review |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}

''WWE 2K25'' received "generally favorable reviews", according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]]. On [[OpenCritic]], the game received a "strong" rating according to 87 percent of critics' recommendations.

''WWE 2K25'' received "generally favorable reviews", according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]]. On [[OpenCritic]], the game received a "strong" rating according to 87 percent of critics' recommendations.

''IGN'' felt that the game was improved over ''2K24'', noting that "it looks fantastic, still feels good, and there’s a lot of it, including small but welcome updates like intergender matches or bigger updates like the new MyRise and Showcase modes"—with the latter being complimented for presentation improvements (such as in-engine [[Cutscene|cutscenes]] for in-match scenes that had used archive footage in ''2K24''). The Island was considered to be a "cool idea" with possibilities, but was criticised as being "mostly quiet, empty, and boring" in execution, and containing multiplayer PvP fights that were largely [[pay-to-win]] and dominated by "[[High roller|whales]] who will spend inordinate amounts to make their customized wrestlers beasts off the bat."

''IGN'' felt that the game was improved over ''2K24'', noting that "it looks fantastic, still feels good, and there's a lot of it, including small but welcome updates like intergender matches or bigger updates like the new MyRise and Showcase modes"—with the latter being complimented for presentation improvements (such as in-engine [[cutscene]]s for in-match scenes that had used archive footage in ''2K24''). The Island was considered to be a "cool idea" with possibilities, but was criticised as being "mostly quiet, empty, and boring" in execution, and containing multiplayer PvP fights that were largely [[pay-to-win]] and dominated by "[[High roller|whales]] who will spend inordinate amounts to make their customized wrestlers beasts off the bat."

''GameSpot'' was similarly positive, noting that changes such as chain wrestling allowed matches to play out more like those seen in actual shows, felt that the "Giant" archetype (which was compared to heavily-armored enemies seen in shooter games such as ''[[Destiny (video game series)|Destiny]]'' and ''[[Tom Clancy's The Division|The Division]]'') demonstrated Visual Concepts' "keen understanding" of the differences between wrestling, other sports games, and traditional [[Fighting game|fighting games]], and praised [[Paul Heyman]]'s performance as host of the Showcase mode. It was noted that the MyRise storyline "awkwardly exists with a foot both in and out of [[kayfabe]], telling a story that doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense if you look past the surface", while The Island was criticized as "simply awful" for being underdeveloped and emphasizing upgrades made with microtransactions.

''GameSpot'' was similarly positive, noting that changes such as chain wrestling allowed matches to play out more like those seen in actual shows, felt that the "Giant" archetype (which was compared to heavily-armored enemies seen in shooter games such as ''[[Destiny (video game series)|Destiny]]'' and ''[[Tom Clancy's The Division|The Division]]'') demonstrated Visual Concepts' "keen understanding" of the differences between wrestling, other sports games, and traditional [[Fighting game|fighting games]], and praised [[Paul Heyman]]'s performance as host of the Showcase mode. It was noted that the MyRise storyline "awkwardly exists with a foot both in and out of [[kayfabe]], telling a story that doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense if you look past the surface", while The Island was criticized as "simply awful" for being underdeveloped and emphasizing upgrades made with microtransactions.

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