WWE 2K25 Preview: Chain Wrestling Returns in Fun & Polished Gameplay

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Recently, ComingSoon was fortunate enough to participate in the 2025 Royal Rumble and test out WWE 2K25 for a span of four hours. After a rocky initial try (WWE 2K20) that necessitated a whole year’s break and extensive overhaul, developer Visual Concepts has been consistently improving the series. The gameplay, which was previously enjoyable yet messy, has seen continuous enhancement. Although the early version I played still exhibited some humorous animations, WWE 2K25 appears to be the most polished game in the series to date.

What stood out to me was the subtle improvements in the main gameplay mechanics that made it incredibly engaging. For instance, chain wrestling has returned, enabling your skills to be showcased prominently at the onset of a bout. It operates in a manner similar to before, where you select different tactics and then locate a “sweet spot” using your joystick to execute it successfully. Additionally, the trading-blows mini-game from 2K24 resurfaces with an impressive visual upgrade. These encounters now look fantastic and incorporate dynamic camera perspectives. All these elements contribute to an already entertaining experience that is steadily improving and reaching its peak potential.

As a fan, I’m eagerly exploring the fresh third-person camera perspective introduced in WWE 2K25. It’s like stepping into an action game, where you can manipulate the camera from behind your wrestler using the right analog stick. I’ve dabbled with it during one match and found it intriguing, a refreshing change from my usual playstyle. However, after so many years of gaming, I’m not quite ready to overhaul my approach just yet. The potential for innovative gameplay in the future is evident, and I can’t help but ponder if this perspective could influence the career mode – something we unfortunately haven’t had a chance to explore as of now.

I managed to explore two fresh battlegrounds recently, namely the amusingly self-referential NXT Parking Lot (the riskiest spot in all wrestling) and the WWE Archives. Both were fantastic locales, but I found myself particularly captivated by the WWE Archives, as it’s packed with nods to past wrestling personas and is guaranteed to stir up a wave of nostalgia for long-term fans. As I traversed these battlefields, I also got a chance to witness another novelty – intergender matches. Although blood is absent during these (however, women can now bleed in matches against other women), it’s thrilling to revisit moments like Nia Jax joining the Men’s Royal Rumble and brainstorm potential dream matches.

Ultimately, I managed to explore the fresh 2K Showcase mode known as “The Bloodline’s Dynasty”. This mode revolves around the cover star, Roman Reigns, and the wrestling legacy of his family. The unique aspect here is that matches can be categorized into three groups: reenacting history, altering history, and inventing new history. Reenacting history mirrors famous bouts from the past, for example, Nia Jax defeating Lyra Valkyria to claim the Queen of the Ring title. In contrast, altering history allows you to change the results of historic matches, such as Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins’ 2022 Royal Rumble encounter featuring a different outcome. Lastly, inventing new history lets you experience dream matches like The Wild Samoans versus The Dudley Boyz. I’m eager to delve deeper into this mode beyond the three matches I’ve tried out.

WWE 2K25 Preview: Final Verdict

I thoroughly enjoyed trying out an early version of WWE 2K25. It seems like it could become the most engaging and entertaining game in the series when it comes to gameplay. Although I didn’t get a chance to explore many different game modes that will be available, it’s evident that the extra work being done by Visual Concepts is really bringing out the quality.

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2025-02-05 20:10