EVER since WWE 2K22 the developers have been listening to player feedback and giving them exactly what they want.
We were invited to play the upcoming entry WWE 2K25, and there are a number of changes we’ve been begging for.
Iconic matches are more playable than ever in Showcase Mode[/caption]
We didn’t play Island Mode but it will be make or break for the series[/caption]
Fights will no longer be split by gender and anyone is free to fight[/caption]
The biggest addition is intergender matches, in which any wrestler can fight any other, in any match type and under any circumstances.
Pitting the smallest women against the biggest men will cause clipping issues, but you’re more than welcome to pit Alexa Bliss against Braun Strowman.
WWE 2K25 is embracing the sillier side of wrestling, and the NXT parking lot is now included among the brawl environments.
This means that you can fight on top of the WrestleMania sign before throwing your opponent into the Smackdown fist.
The latest entry has also added in a third-person camera instead of a fixed camera angle.
In its current state, we found we were wrestling more with the camera than the opponent, but there is still time to iron out the creases.
Players love creating cinematic matches and stories with their gameplay, and this will give them a whole new way to record it.
Showcase mode has also been dramatically improved, as all footage has now been animated in-game.
This replaces the old ‘Slingshot’ system which mixes in real WWE footage with the cutscenes.
The number of cutscenes has also been reduced, meaning you feel more like you are playing the iconic match rather than watching it.
Not only can you play iconic matches as they happened, but you can change history by playing out alternate scenarios as well.
You can also play dream matches that never happened in real life, no matter how chaotic they would be.
It feels as if the series has finally embraced how people’s wrestling fantasies can come true via video games.
You will receive some context between each match via commentary, not only telling you about the wrestlers involved, but also the storyline leading up to that match.
In the past many people played Showcase Mode because they felt obligated, as there are items you unlock for completing each match.
This year might be the first time that people play Showcase Mode outside of the in-game incentives.
It’s still early, but WWE 2K25 seems to be taking all the right steps to become a perfect new entry in the series.
We didn’t even have the chance to play Island Mode for our preview, and it is by far the most exciting new prospect for the game.
If nothing else the Island Mode will show us whether WWE 2K25 takes a bold step forward or continues to play things safe.
Whether Island Mode is everything we hope for or not, it’s clear that the fundamentals of the series are the strongest they’ve ever been.
If you want to read more about upcoming games, check out our Ninja Gaiden 2 Black review.
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