Are you ready for the “Island Of Relevancy”?

Hot on the heels of all the world-wide, headline-grabbing events coming out of WWE HQ recently (Yes, the John Cena Heel turn actually happened). And who would have thought WWE is now fully accessible on Netflix? Attention now turns to the latest release from the 2K franchise of its efforts at wrestling simulation.

After a rough start with 2K15 and most certainly 2K20, poor online servers, bugs galore, glitchy models/textures, and a real cut down on matches and modes, the franchise looked resigned to being no better than a jobber striving for glory but lacking the quality required to push up to the next level. Fast forward ten years and 2K have adapted to the demands of the fanbase whilst continually looking for ways to keep each yearly release fresh and different from the previous.

Gameplay and in-game movements, gameplay mechanics, and general flow of matches have much improved in recent years. WWE 2K25 continues to be a grand slam in this department as the game feels and plays better than ever before.

This year’s edition is no different and the main mode to feature is without doubt “The Island” mode.

The Island

The island mode sees players push themselves through a series of trials and challenges set by the tribal chief Roman Reigns to earn a contract with the WWE. Set around four districts with their own themes, players create their wrestler and push themselves to improve the skills and techniques needed to earn Reigns’s respect. Initial impressions show some promise, with the mode offering a small open-world environment to explore arenas, challenge other online players, and purchase licensed in-ring gear from memorabilia stores.

Sadly, there are some teething issues. The production values don’t look anywhere near as impressive as other modes in the game. A lack of interactive elements with the NPC’s roaming the island also makes it feel a little lacking in atmosphere & purpose, and microtransactions behind neat looking official merchandise/gear is never going to win folk over.

On the plus side, arenas look fab to explore and there’s a real homage to some of its biggest stars throughout history. The cathedral inspired by the Ministry Of Darkness version of the Undertaker is a delight to see. Also, there’s plenty of other little nods and tributes to other stars throughout the WWE universe.

I’d say graphically it’s on a similar level to MyRise with some of the poor, goofy dialogue lines fitting of the worse aspects of that mode. It’s hard to comment on server performance as I didn’t come across many other online players at the time of playing through this mode.

The mode does show promise, and with further polish and resources, the Island mode could certainly provide a nice alternative for fans looking for something different.

Showcase Mode

Kicking off from last year’s Wrestlemania showdown between Roman Reigns, The Final Boss Rocky Maivia and the American nightmare Cody Rhodes, the showcase begins with the chaos ensuring in the ring. To then go on a trip down memory lane with Rocky Maivia Sr.

This year’s showcase mode focuses on the bloodline and its rich family tree of Samoan heritage. With the wise man Paul Heyman sharing words of knowledge and wisdom as he details the history of the bloodline and how ancestors of today’s biggest stars played a pivotal role in the wrestling industry.

The inclusion of Heyman offers a real sense of importance and hype that perhaps no other narrator could. Demanding players change history and lead the Samoan dynasty to success, this sees players re-write history, such as the Wrestlemania IX match between the Steiner Brothers and the Headshrinkers. (Fatu and Samu).

The mode doesn’t feel much different to previous years and yet it feels superior. Due to the scale of impact the Bloodline and their ancestors have had on the industry, and the superb promo/storytelling skills from Heyman to pump up the importance of succeeding in matches that arguably some of which have gone under the radar.

Whilst not being a necessity to progress, as winning by whatever means does the job. The objectives required to meet in the match do unlock added belts, wrestlers, attires etc.

All in all, whilst hardly breaking new ground, the bloodline showcase is perhaps the best evolution in its storied history due to the compelling, multiple stories detailed and the law-defying, history changing turns of match results. Shining a light on those that paved the way for the stars of today.

Universe, MyRise

MyRise kicks things off with a brand uprising in NXT, perhaps influenced by one of a new number of features (intergender matches). MyRise requires players to create two caws, one female and one male to progress through the mode. Like previous years narrative decisions and choices alter the path your characters go. With a number of outcomes influencing your personality which results in plotlines of a scheming, bold, ally, or a comedic nature.

MyRise continues to be a solid, enjoyable mode, with an original, somewhat gripping storyline for players to get into should they wish for some offline entertainment. Its a worthwhile playthrough with VC and unlockables rewarded for progression.

Universe mode puts the power in your hands. Creative leads of the future can bend the rules and follow their own path, pick a superstar or a CAW and manage their own career, rivalries, and storylines.

The return of the promo feature is a nice bonus, though I was rather baffled when I saw Kurt Angle with a mic in hand, lip read. (Sadly, the promos have no voice over and are emoji based with speech boxes).

Newly included is the option to juggle around 3 shows in 1 day, this includes all types of events from the PLE’s to smaller house/NXT shows. There’s also a score and sort system which sees events organized by a basis of importance. This system takes into account reputation and prestige of the wrestler and the title on the line. This then affects the match card such as opening and closing the show.

Online & Further Tweaks/Features

One of WWE 2K’s Achilles heels has no doubt been the lobbies online server performance. With performance being rather bog standard in most yearly releases, 2K promised to get it right this year. For me, online is where I have most fun. Playing with the likes of the WCW icon Sting and going back and forth in chamber matches is incredibly satisfying. Previous years would often see the servers fail to get past the loading screen.

This year I can very happily say it’s improved in that sense. Supporting up to 8 players simultaneously. Unfortunately, it remains flawed, after a match has fired up, the game’s server can disconnect and inform the player that to continue they’ll need to leave the match. Yet it remains the most fun in my book. Offering all the matches, including bloodline rules, casket, brawl, TLC, and many more lobbies is a fantastic inclusion and I hope 2K will further allow tweaks such as custom images and videos for online entrances.

Some further features and matches new to WWE 2K25 include tag team finishers, the bloodline rules match which is an impressively unpredictable affair as it’s inevitably an interference fest, leaving you guessing at the moments your momentum can be halted.

Another neat feature is the body damage during bouts. Those chest slaps and body slams can leave bodies literally red raw.

With an abundance of talent to pick from (around 300), 2K25 is certainly bigger and bolder as each year passes. This means A LOT of entrances, (which leads me to the next point). New options to tweak and play around with entrances give gamers the power to view angles of the titantron and their favourite wrestlers in a way unlike any other.

Intergender matches are newly implemented into the game for the first time (since I can remember). This new feature allows players to choose Chyna (female) to fight Triple H in a legit match.

In Game angles can now be adjusted into a mixture of standard, ramp, and third person view. This allows for a mix of up close and personal to a more distant shot of in the ring action.

Just when you think the devs have possibly reached the series peak (2K24), 2K25 arrives and blows it out the park. With a complete change in user interface, menus, added features, and new matches/modes like the Island. The island is far from perfect but I commend 2Kfor their ambition with it. For a further review score breakdown please see the box below.