WWE 2K25: Expert Reviews and Impressions From Around the Web

The first impressions from reviewers of WWE 2K25 from around the internet slowly continue to filter in, with many assigning positive scores and grades to this year's release.

Highlighting a loaded roster and an array of improved and evolved modes, they have found it to be a worthwhile upgrade to 2K Games' last two editions, which helped reinvigorate a franchise left for dead after an infamously bad 2K20 release.

Did the latest reviewers maintain that sentiment or vary from their peers?

More Praise for the Visuals and Gameplay

Alistair McGeorge of Metro Game Central continued the trend, applauding the fluidity of the gameplay and Visual Concepts' follow-up to last year's critically acclaimed release. He wrote, "The gameplay is more fluid and immersive than ever, with new matches and enhancements across the board. The Island is a afun addition, while MyRise and Showcase get a welcome boost."

He broke from other reviewers who criticized the addition of The Island as a money-grab for developers, adding, "While some changes and improvements are more subtle, and the full impact of The Island remains to be seen, this does feel like another big step forward for the franchise, building on last year’s incredible effort with another wrestling juggernaut."

He was critical of the MyFACTION mode and creative suite, though.

"MyFaction’s microtransactions still don’t sit right, while the creation suites could do more (particularly in terms of arenas) to help creators."

Still, McGeorge followed in line with other reviewers who ultimate graded the game out just shy of a perfect 10, assigning it a 9 out of 10 score.

Steady Consistency, but The Island Brings It Down

Not so kind to The Island feature is Chris Scullion of Video Games Chronicle, or VGC for short.

He wrote:

"However, putting aside the gameplay issues, which are merely frustrating – finding your next quest can be an annoyingly slow trek even when sprinting, you can’t invert the Y-axis camera and the story is forgettable fare mostly told through static dialogue screens – it’s the fact that the Island seemingly has more shops than anything else that perfectly highlights its main issue. Simply put, if you’re not willing to pay up here, you’re going to have a lesser experience."

He continued, "If you’re the sort of person who will happily spend $5 on a pair of virtual Nike shoes then you’ll be in whale’s heaven here, but if you’re instead the sensible type the whole thing will just make you sad."

He also aimed the MyFACTION mode for the same reason as his fellow reviewer McGeorge, criticizing its many microtransactions.

"As long as you can hold your nose tightly enough and avoid the bad smell caused by the microtransactions you’ll still have fun in MyFaction, and – to be frank – they’re so comically overpriced that ignoring them doesn’t take much effort."

Still, despite his criticisms, Scullion gives the game a mostly positive review. He concluded:

"With a string of improvements across all its existing modes, WWE 2K25 outdoes its predecessor in pretty much every way. The weak link is the new Island mode with its cynical pay-to-win mechanics, but throw a Cena taunt in its face and pretend it doesn't exist and you'll find more than enough elsewhere in the game to keep you entertained for months."

He ultimately awarded the game four stars out of five.