Since its successful reinvention in 2022, 2K's popular WWE series has consistently introduced iterative improvements, aiming to enhance its winning formula and justify its annual releases. WWE 2K25 promises an exciting array of new features, including an online interactive world called The Island, revamped story, general manager, and Universe modes, as well as a new hardcore match type named Bloodline Rules, among others. However, I wasn’t able to experience these new additions during a recent preview event, so it's uncertain whether they will elevate 2K25 above its predecessor.

My time with WWE 2K25 was primarily focused on the core gameplay, which remains largely unchanged, and this year's adjusted Showcase Mode, centered around The Bloodline stable of wrestlers. Although I didn't get to explore most of the new features, the minor but significant alterations I experienced left me confident that WWE 2K25 will be another successful evolution of the series, likely worth any wrestling fan's time.

WWE 2K25's Showcase Mode delves into the history of the Anoa’i family, spotlighting recent stars like Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, while also celebrating past legends such as The Wild Samoans, Yokozuna, and The Rock. This mode introduces three types of matches: recreating history, creating history, and altering history. I had the chance to experience all three, from recreating Nia Jax’s Queen of the Ring victory in 2024 to creating a dream match between The Wild Samoans and The Dudley Boyz, and altering the iconic Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins bout from the 2022 Royal Rumble. Each type offered unique fun and a fresh perspective for hardcore WWE fans, marking an improvement over last year's showcase mode. However, some minor issues persist.

Last year's WWE 2K24, like its predecessor WWE 2K23, suffered from an over-reliance on real-life footage, a system Visual Concepts calls "Slingshot." As I noted in my WWE 2K23 preview, "I found myself wanting to be back in the action and create these moments myself, not just watching clips of footage that are already burned into my brain." I'm pleased to report that while the issue hasn't been entirely resolved, significant progress has been made in WWE 2K25.

The reliance on real-life footage has been eliminated, and the game now recreates key moments in-engine through animations, offering a smoother, less jarring experience. These sequences are also shorter, allowing more time for player control. However, during the conclusion of my Nia Jax match, control was taken away, leaving me to observe as a bystander rather than actively participating. Ideally, I'd prefer more control during these crucial moments to relive them through my gameplay decisions.

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WWE 2K25 makes minor improvements to other rough edges as well. Previous showcase modes relied heavily on a checklist system, requiring players to complete basic maneuvers to trigger live-action sequences, often making matches feel more like a to-do list than dynamic gameplay. While this system returns in WWE 2K25, it has been refined with the addition of optional objectives on a timer. Completing these actions rewards players with cosmetics, but, importantly, failing them doesn't result in penalties as in previous games. This is a significant step in the right direction.

The standout addition to Showcase Mode is the ability to change the outcome of certain historic matches. For instance, where Roman Reigns once lost by disqualification to Seth Rollins, players can now explore alternate outcomes based on different decisions in the final moments. This feature offers a fresh experience for hardcore WWE fans, and I'm eager to see what other unannounced changes will be available.

While there are notable changes in modes and match types, the core gameplay of WWE 2K25 remains largely the same, with only minor tweaks. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as I was already satisfied with the grappling action in WWE 2K24. However, some interesting additions and returns have been made. WWE 2K25 reintroduces chain wrestling, a mini-game sequence that was removed with WWE 2K22's engine overhaul. During the opening moments of a match, initiating a grapple leads to a mini-game where players can gain the upper hand by driving, wrenching, attacking, and repositioning their opponent. This, along with the trading blows mechanic introduced last year, adds another layer of WWE authenticity, bringing the game closer to what fans see on TV every week.

The submission system also makes a return, featuring a mini-game where players must either avoid or match their opponent's color block on a wheel. While the UI can be overwhelming at first, it becomes intuitive quickly. Fortunately, both the submission system and chain wrestling can be disabled in the options, along with other quick-time event moments, offering flexibility to players.

One of my favorite gameplay features from WWE 2K24, weapon throwing, returns with enhancements. The roster of weapons has been expanded, and backstage brawls now take place in new environments, such as the WWE archives, which is packed with history and easter eggs. Players can toss apples, footballs, and megaphones, and even fight on top of a giant Wrestlemania sign and the iconic giant fist from the Smackdown days. The ring area is adorned with Prime sponsorships, allowing players to use the Prime Hydration Station's giant bottle as a weapon. Wrapping a bottle of Logan Paul's luminous juice around an opponent's head is certainly a creative use of these electrolytes.

Perhaps the most significant gameplay change this year is the introduction of intergender matches. For the first time in a 2K WWE game, players can pit men against women in matches of their choosing. Coupled with the largest roster ever, featuring over 300 wrestlers, this opens up a wide range of new matchups that were previously unavailable.

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Lastly, though the demo build had limited new updates, I did get hands-on time with the brand-new match type called Underground. This is a rope-less variation of an exhibition match set in a Fight Club-like environment with lumberjacks around the ring. This is a completely new addition to the series, and I'll share more details later this month as part of IGN's exclusive First content. Be sure to check IGN later this week for a full match and a detailed explanation of the new match type from Visual Concepts developer, Derek Donahue.

WWE 2K25 continues the series' recent tradition of layering new features onto robust fundamentals. While nothing feels particularly revolutionary, the formula remains consistent with last year's offering, enhanced with small but smart tweaks. Whether the advertised major changes and new modes I didn't get to see will truly set this edition apart remains to be seen, but based on my brief experience, WWE 2K25 appears to be a solid, incremental step forward for an already well-realized series.