WWE 2K25 Xbox Series X Review: Little Ring Rust, A Lot of Polish

WWE 2K25 officially launches March 14; however, for those purchasing any of the special editions, the game becomes available March 7. This year’s game is rich with new content. And I am not just talking about the advertised modes. In addition, to things like The Island, WWE 2K25 features a litany of Quality-of-Life improvements. There is so much to cover this year, almost too much for one review. That said, I took the time to grind through WWE 2K mainstays like the Creation Suite, match types, and many other things. Expect that to be the focus of this review as you read. So, without further delay, here is our SGO WWE 2K25 review for the Xbox Series X.

WWE 2K25 Xbox Series X Review – Little Ring Rust, Lots of Polish

There’s a lot to cover so let’s get to it!

The Good: New matches, quality-of-life improvements, and much more!

WWE 2K25 is a very robust game, and has much to explore. The issue with past games (and many AAA titles) is navigating it all. However, this year 2K has made a pass over the UI to streamline the experience. It still uses the tile trend like most modern UIs, but makes a few important changes. When players access various modes, from Creation Suite to Exhibition play, they should notice an overall reduction in menus.

Now, overall, there are probably more menus across the game because there is overall more content. But, for preexisting menus, players should notice an overall streamlined experience allowing them to access the action sooner. For example: when navigating to Create-A-Superstar, normally players must then choose to make a new one, edit, or edit an original superstar. In WWE 2K25, when selecting Create-A-Superstar, players land on a full roster page with the first slot labeled “New”. From this page, players can select “New” to create a new male of female wrestler, or select from the roster to edit. The roster available will include previously created superstars as well. Players can expect this streamlined experience in other modes, like Universe too.

Speaking of Universe…

Speaking of Universe mode, 2K dropped a Ringside Report covering most if not all the latest additions. So, for brevity’s sake, I will simply list them all here and give my TLDR opinion on the Universe mode experience. New to Universe mode this year (buckle up, it is A LOT):

• Major and Minor Shows can be assigned to Sundays; PLE shows can be assigned to Monday-Saturday
  • More than one show can be assigned to individual days; by default players will notice King and Queen of the ring happen on the same day
• PLEs can run across two days; two day events must be within four weeks of each and do not need to be consecutive days
  • Two-night shows split the matchmaking, meaning you cannot double book superstars for Day 1 and Day 2
  • Both days share the same match number, so a 7 match show becomes 14
• PLEs can be swapped with other PLEs on the Calendar menu and shows can be moved to different days via the edit menu; so no need to delete and remake on a different day
• Players can now setup Tournament style PLEs (think King of the Ring)
  • This new tournament show format is also available for creating custom PLEs by using the KOTR/QOTR PLE template.
  • Winners of tournaments receive guaranteed title shots at Summerslam— I was not able to confirm what happens if a player does not have Summerslam on their Calendar.
• Universe mode supports all new match types and backstage areas including the new Special Referee matches

Universe TLDR

I could spend all day on Universe mode. 2K clearly took note of player feedback in regards to the mode and it shows. Players can expect to leverage new intergender options for matchmaking as well. And with those changes, it appears this year, players will not have to jump through hoops to get the most out their calendar and matchmaking.

In this year’s game, we’ve revamped matchmaking for better stability and reliability. Also included is a new scoring and sorting system during match card generation. This new system takes multiple factors of each match into consideration, such as the Overall rating of the Superstars involved or whether the match is for a World title (and more) to curate the card while prioritizing the biggest matchups for the main event and opening matches of the show.

I did my best to break the mode in the time I had while playing it. My initial tests show the mode to be stable. That is, at least on Xbox Series X. Only time will tell for PC and last gen console versions of the game. I even edited a card mid-show, saved, and exited to menu. Last year this 100% broke or changed the card. Not this time. All that is to say, if you prefer Universe mode, there is a lot to do this year even though Show intros still aren’t in.

This includes the new Promo feature. I say “new” rather than return because it is not the promo system from previous games. The mode does not feature subtitled nor voiced promos. They act more so as cutscenes. However, promos act as vehicles to drive additional rivalry actions as well as match objectives that provide various rivalry buffs and boosts. I encourage anyone looking at this system to avoid getting hung up on the lack of subtitles and see it more as an enhanced and engaging version of the promos from WWE RAW 2.

General gameplay and improvements

With the introduction of intergender matches, by far one of the most exciting features of WWE 2K25, comes an unexpected improvement on stables and Tag Teams. Oh, and before we jump into Tag Teams, intergender matches work as expected despite the sometimes confusing marketing. When picking match participants, players can choose male or female superstars. That’s it, simple. However, for Universe mode championships and regular championship matches, divisions and the belts must be specifically designated as intergender.

Tag Team & Stable Management

When editing a team, players will notice the inclusion of a new team management system. With this system, it is possible to assign Superstars to multiple teams. In addition, within each stable, superstars can be given specific roles including:

• Singles (Solo): Prioritized for singles and free-for-all matches
• Tag Team (Tag): Prioritized for two-person tag matches and eligible for tag division championships with another tag-role team member
• Trios: Prioritized for three-person team matches
• Quad: Prioritized for four-person team matches
• Manager: Prioritized as a manager for fellow team members’ matches

Using WWE 2K25’s new management system, teams now support lineups for stables of 3 or more members. Lineups act smaller groups within a larger team. Each Lineup also can have their own unique names, ring announcements, crowd reactions, entrances, victories, and roles separate from the base team. So think, ReDragon as a Lineup within the Undisputed Era. When creating a new lineup, by default, it will inherit its base team’s settings as a starting point. However, players are free to edit as desired. Players will also be warned when editing a team might break unique 5-man entrances. The best part is, all this factors into how the aforementioned improved Universe mode creates matchcards.

Quality of Life

I mentioned before several quality of life improvements in WWE 2K25. Outside of the UI experience, players will notice many things as they move around the game. As advertised, Chain Wrestling has returned. This year’s iteration is a definite improvement over its predecessor with the result being far more engaging.

Create-A-Moveset even sees its own enhancements. In addition to a new move slot for Corner-to-Center attacks separate from Signature/Finishers, players also have the ability practice reversing attacks. For those playing strictly on Legend, this is a definite bonus. I advise everyone to take a look as this year has seen the control change a bit with the addition of the new camera modes. More on that later. Also, it appears 2K went in and renamed several moves as well as added some new animations for older ones. Moves like the Boss Man Slam and O’Connor Roll German Suplex to have been renamed Cobb Country Slam and Chaos Theory respectively. So players should browse a bit before concluding their favorite move has been removed altogether.

All new matches

WWE 2K25 introduces the Bloodline Rules and Underground match as well as more support for Guest Referee. Having had time to play all three, I cannot recommend them enough. Having to referee a tag match or multi-man match proves just how chaotic keeping in check three or more superstars can be. The referee meter is a great addition and helps gauge how well you’re doing— as well as how much you can still get away with. However, this can be disabled.

Bloodlines Rules is a fun twist on hardcore rules stipulations. In this match, superstars expend a Payback up to three times to call in an ally to aid in the match. The AI is very smart here by having run-ins attack other run-ins while keeping an eye on Pinfall attempts. Be sure to setup CAS Allies ahead of time so that your call-ins are who you want them to be.

A word of note, call-ins for Bloodline Rules appear to be not intergender unless the opponents in the match are intergender. The match also seems unable to have CAS as call-ins, replacing created superstars with random members of the default roster. The former may not be completely true as I realized as of this writing, my intergender allies were custom superstars and that might be the sole issue.

But anyway and finally, there’s the Underground match which is its own section of fun. Mechanically, Underground is a basic match with no DQ or count outs. Of course, players also cannot win by Pinfall. From what I experienced, knockouts occur when hitting a finisher on an opponent who is in the Danger Zone. Seeing “Danger” on the character’s HUD definitely brought back memories of old N64 wrestling games. That said, there may be others ways, but I had yet to encounter them.

MyGM & MyRise

These modes deserve a review all onto themselves, so as before, I’ll note some new features then hit you with the TLDR. This year in MyGM, players can expect:

• Online play supporting up to 4 players (this does not support cross-platform)
• Save file selection now includes more details like difficulty, AI difficulty, last time played, roster used, and the current season and week.
• A host of new settings and tuning options for saves
  • Choose if the game is won by either fan count or trophies
    • If trophies, players set how many are needed for victory
  • Adjust the game length
  • Control over superstar level and Promo Skill when creating a custom roster
  • An optional timer for players who want that additional challenge or to track how long their show bookings take (thanks WrestleTalk)
• Double the amount of GMs as well as adding back the custom superstar option
• Cross brand PLEs and so much more

For a full breakdown of the mode, I suggest checking out the 2K Ringside Report which goes over each in greater detail. I did not get to dive too much into MyGM, but the additions are much appreciated. That said, I did get to dive into MyRise.

MyRise

In WWE 2K25, the MyRise plot centers around NXT Mutiny, an NXT roster invasion of the other brands in a bid to not be seen as merely “developmental”. Setting voice acting aside, the mode handles the idea of brand warfare with maturity. Immediately, the mode calls into focus the use intergender matches making NXT Mutiny feel different as a brand. Players will find their male and female MyRise characters will interact. While the focus will still be on one or the other, players can swap over to the other in specific portions of the story. Inconsequential Live event matches allow players to earn extra XP, leveling their superstars faster.

While shoe horned into one of 3 personality archetypes, I still found the choices players make along the story to be rather compelling. It’s no Baldur’s Gate 3, but it does add a fun and much warranted level of player agency. This also means the mode is worthy of more than one playthrough. Across other modes, some items require MyRise progress to use. The upside is, MyRise is a fun experience worth playing through.

The Not-so-good

It’s clear WWE 2K25 incorporates a lot of player feedback from years prior. And while a lot has been touched on, its not all perfect. First, yes, there are new items all throughout the Creation Suite. Some remain locked behind MyRise and Showcase progress, but some also require The Island progress. For those on last gen or PC, we cannot yet say how that looks as those versions will not include The Island. Having PC use the last gen version of the game seems like a crime, but with modding doing what it does, its kind of understandable.

Creation Suite

Last year, I briefly touched on the need to polish the Creation Suite as its showing its age despite being robust. Someone somewhere heard that feedback as a number of CS assets received minor tweaks and fixes. Players will find new hairs and a lot, if not all, the ones that looked like mud received noticeable texture upgrades. Seeing those hairs with better textures makes many of them useable. However, its clear now some of them just have less than stellar meshes. It’s time to remove them or remake them with the new hair techniques.

Custom Advanced Entrances seemed to have been improved in terms of stability. But, there is still room for improvement. I honestly cannot say how to really fix that part of the Creation Suite. It’s still bit cumbersome to navigate and use. 2K could alleviate this by allowing players to preview currently highlighted motions like one can preview trons, lighting presets, or moves rather than having to full on select a motion first.

In regards to creating superstars, the body templates return. Although more varied and detailed than last year, many leave a lot to be desired. Obviously the game cannot accommodate every body type know to man, but to have almost every large body type seemingly skip leg day is almost criminal. The bodies tend to lean towards one extreme or the other leaving the in between non-existent. Bringing back morph sliders or the body blend modes could help with this. I believe their removal was due to how CAS parts work nowadays, but when parts still clip even on original superstars, I’m starting to see less of a benefit year over year.

General Gameplay

Intergender is a big part of the game’s return to a more arcade wrestling feel, and I endorse it. However, as I played with the new tag team formats and gender restrictions-free Tag Team management, I noticed you cannot set Tag Team finishers for intergender tag teams. To the game, they still count as a mixed tag. Add this on top of the limitations experienced in Bloodline Rules, I begin to wonder what other oddities intergender options may face as time goes on.

I also hopped into The Island to check out the fuss. For those familiar with the Neighborhood in NBA 2K, this feels like home. The Island has all the right tools and matches its NBA 2K counterpart. It’s not something I plan on playing, but I can see the appeal. Improving your character does require gold VC which can be earned by completely objectives. Players can also buy VC to circumvent that which is why I have no plans to play the mode, among other reasons. But its is there for those who enjoy that sort of thing. That said, the same VC required for player attributes is used to unlock those Creation Suite locked items I mentioned earlier.

Also, recall I mentioned subtle changes to the control scheme? Well, dodges and reversals are now both mapped to the same button. And no, it is not smooth. WWE 2K25, like its predecessor, indirectly forces players not too play at super high paces due to what can feel like button lag or straight up detection delays. This new scheme means when attempting to dodge, players will constantly be reversing too early, locking them out of another reversal window. Having used the dodging feature quite avidly in 2K24, I am not a fan of this change, but perhaps there is just new timing to be mastered.

Hopefully not the case

One thing I do want to call out is the ability to import roster settings into Universe mode, but there is a catch. When importing roster settings to Universe mode or Universe mode settings to a new Universe mode, the only thing that imports is superstar settings. Settings specific to Universe mode will not be imported. This means shows, Relationships, Championships, Power Rankings, Teams, Rivalries, and Statistics will not transfer. This is only problematic if the Universe Calendar turns out to be like previous games as this means players can no longer spend time adjusting a specific save to fix the bugs and serve as a template for other saves. Hopefully, with the changes made to Universe mode, this will no longer be necessary.

And the Verdict

Games this size prove hard to measure in a few days time. WWE 2K25 has the right idea about a lot of things but still suffers some pains of its predecessors. That said, it is refreshing to see focus brought to modes like Universe mode that have long been neglected for more controversial modes like MyFaction. 2K25 is a victory for gamers in that regard. Is the game fun? Yup. But will it remain that way as time and months with the game wear on, its hard to say. For any game, I find it difficult to justify a $100 – $130 price point, especially for annual releases. But for those who do buy the game, there is so much to do and experience. And this for everybody regardless if you prefer MyRise, MyFaction, Universe mode, The Island, Showcase, Exhibition, Online Play, or any combination of those.

The improvements to the game are noticeable and effective. Each mode’s new additions bring life into the game in ways players may not expect. And I, for one, am excited to continue putting the game through its paces.

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