WWE 2K25 – A Botched Samoan Drop

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WWE 2K25 offers a peculiar gaming experience. While the gameplay is exceptionally well-crafted – Visual Concepts put in considerable effort to perfect the formula, making it one of the most enjoyable wrestling games I’ve ever encountered – some aspects of the game let it down. Regrettably, the fun is marred by incompletely realized modes that give the overall package a bloated feel, and The Island stands out as disappointingly forgettable given the excitement surrounding it prior to release.

As a gamer, jumping into NBA 2K25 is an absolute blast! Firing up a swift match and checking out the fresh modes and enhancements Visual Concepts has included in this year’s edition has me giving them the chance to prove themselves, even with some of the questionable gameplay modes they’re promoting as main attractions.

Including intergender wrestling matches in the game is a terrific enhancement, opening up possibilities for exciting dream confrontations. This option is additionally accessible for those who prefer Universe mode. Regrettably, MyGM players, you are not included in these festivities.

The innovative new match styles such as Underground and Bloodline are simply remarkable! I can’t help but express my admiration for the creative implementation of the Bloodline mode, for which 2K truly deserves accolades. In a nutshell, this mode resembles a No Disqualification or No Holds Barred match, except that each competitor may summon up to three random wrestlers to aid them during the contest.

2K meticulously designs each wrestler and their entourage, making every character feel authentic and true to life. For example, if you choose Hollywood Hogan as your playable character, you’ll get Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and X-Pac (formerly known as Syxx in WCW). This attention to detail in the gameplay mechanics adds a layer of realism that truly sets this game apart from others.

Not only is the primary gameplay simply fantastic, but the return of chain wrestling significantly enhances 1v1 encounters. In the past, the chaotic antics typical of multi-person matches were absent from these duels. However, with chain wrestling, we now have both the grappling moves and thrilling ladder stunts in a single game.

Man, let me tell you, nothing beats the thrill of leaping from a ladder to take down Roman Reigns, just like Seth Rollins would! The new feature allowing finishers to be executed in unique ways or pulling off stunts from the outside barricades really amps up the interactivity. It’s exactly what was missing in earlier versions. This upgrade will make creating exhilarating moments and sharing laughs with friends during gameplay a breeze.

This year, the excitement begins right at the doorsteps. The new third-person camera is a delightful small feature that’s been a pleasure to experiment with. If you’ve ever fantasized about being WWE’s next Kevin Dunn, 2K25 offers you the freedom to explore and I wholeheartedly support it.

Regrettably, several obstacles lie between you and fully experiencing the thrill that the game’s core essence holds.

The Island of Irrelevancy

As a gaming enthusiast, I was eagerly drawn into the world of WWE with 2K’s latest offering, The Island. From the outside, it seems like a vibrant and thrilling landscape. For fans of Rey Mysterio, there’s an impressive lucha temple to explore. Venture into the Deadlands, and you might just encounter the wandering spirit of Paul Bearer. It’s an immersive experience that promises to take WWE gaming to a whole new level.

In the real world, this game feels more like a frustrating maze than an enjoyable adventure. It’s jam-packed with unnecessary in-game purchases that feel like they’re more for the developers than the players, and the storyline is so confusing it makes me question if I’m missing something or if it was just thrown together without much thought. It’s baffling that this game wasn’t released on last-gen consoles, especially since it looks and performs like a title from the Xbox One or PS4 era – if you can call that a compliment.

Interested in purchasing a set of Nike shoes? They will cost you 18,000 Virtual Coins (VC). Please note that this is not a prank or mistake; it’s the actual price. For reference, the Deadman edition of NBA 2K25, which retails for $100, awards only 15,000 VC as a bonus. Unfortunately, you can’t buy digital shoes with the perks included in the premium edition.

Skipping through the entire experience might be straightforward for those prioritizing their time. However, unique cosmetic items to design your wrestler across various modes (please note that your The Island character cannot be transferred to MyRISE) are linked to advancement within this mode. If you’re after a striking lucha mask or broader customization possibilities in general, chances are, you’ll need to invest some time on The Island, or alternatively, spend money.

The overall experience seems exploitative since it encourages players to connect online and battle other users. There’s no option for teaming up with friends, and even if you do find a match that isn’t laggy or nearly unplayable, you’ll probably encounter an opponent who is so powerful that it might make you question your choices and the reason for investing time in such a game that seems to be more about exploiting players than providing entertainment. Care to guess how you can advance your character quicker? Well, prepare yourself to use your wallet again.

MyRISE Is the Better Island

To put it another way, although The Island and the locked cosmetics may detract from the overall package, there’s still much to enjoy about MyRISE this year. It offers an entertaining single-player storyline with a decent replay factor. Additionally, it introduces a fresh “brand” called Mutiny, which can also be utilized in MyGM. Keep an eye out for further details on that aspect later.

In the course of completing missions, you’ll need to develop both male and female wrestling characters for Smackdown and Raw. As you progress, unraveling the mysteries surrounding the NXT Mutiny uprising becomes crucial. The narrative could veer towards comedic relief or maintain a serious tone, based on your decisions. Essentially, remember to preserve the illusion, or kayfabe, throughout your journey.

Although MyRISE offers multiple storylines that can be experienced again, I doubt I’ll return for a second playthrough. The main reason being that the areas outside of the matches appear rather dull and uninteresting to me.

Unfortunately, the voice performances in this mode seem unpolished, which is disappointing given the caliber of talent involved. It appears that none of the stars feel at ease when voicing their characters, an oddity considering accomplished storytellers like CM Punk are heavily featured as mentors for your custom characters.

During these transitional phases, you’re essentially navigating dull menus and contemplating whether to advance the plot or engage in real-time activities to enhance your statistics. In essence, that’s about the entirety of it.

For Better or Worse, MyGM Is Just Still There

I’m quite fond of MyGM, it served as my primary gameplay option during NBA 2K24. With the buzz surrounding new features that 2K had teased for this edition, I was anticipating a significant update – unfortunately, it seems that’s not the case.

If you’ve never used this feature before, here’s a quick explanation: Think of it as a game similar to Football Manager, but instead of football, it’s about wrestling, with player-versus-player (PvP) and competitive aspects. You’ll challenge your friends or AI opponents to determine who can run the most successful wrestling promotion.

In this game, you’ll have the opportunity to select a specific brand and a General Manager for it, each equipped with special abilities that could potentially shift the course of a season. You’ll engage in drafts, schedule events, foster rivalries, and upgrade facilities, leading up to weekly Performance Leagues where the goal is to attract the most fans and win trophies. Ultimately, the aim is to be recognized as the greatest of all time.

The thrill of an exceptional MyGM gameplay experience isn’t just about being online; it’s the joy of spending time with friends and exchanging friendly banter that makes it truly special. I was looking forward to 2K’s introduction of cross-promotional PLEs this year, but their execution fell short of expectations.

In my opinion, the current system of Pay-Per-Views (PLEs) feels limited. For each event, a General Manager (GM) can only arrange one match and a promotional segment, choosing two wrestlers to compete in both the opening and main event matches. The catch is that these wrestlers will be squaring off against opponents from other promotions. Unfortunately, there’s not much flexibility beyond this setup; for example, it’s impossible to organize a title match between champions or a Survivor Series-style elimination match, as you might expect in a more interactive setting.

The newly introduced Playable Leagues (PLEs) like Money in the Bank fall short of expectations. Although winning your match at the event earns you $100k, it would’ve been great if Visual Concepts had given more thought to this iconic PLE and allowed for a genuine “cash-in” card that could be used strategically.

If you aim to resolve your feuds within your wrestling promotion, it will need to happen during the lead-up shows before the main event, which seems peculiar indeed. The primary purpose of managing a wrestling company is to create rivalries on a weekly basis, escalating into significant monthly matches. This dynamic is central to game modes like MyGM. However, this year, such an approach isn’t feasible at all, making it a baffling choice that disrupts my engagement and enjoyment of the game.

MyFACTION, The Less Predatory Ultimate Team!

As much as I initially pretended not to be captivated by MyFACTION, my experience has proven otherwise after spending a couple of hours immersed in its world. In some ways, it reminds me of The Island, yet it stands out due to its focus on microtransactions. Similar to the rain that showers you with rewards in the early stages, it’s designed to keep you engaged and playing for extended periods. However, the slow pace at which currency is earned suggests I might not stick around beyond those initial hours once the torrent of incentives subsides.

Essentially, we’re talking about a game that involves playing with cards. It shares similarities with EA’s Ultimate Team, but without certain frustrating aspects. Once you acquire a wrestler card, it becomes permanently yours. The World Tour mode provides an engaging single-player experience, although it can be repetitive as the initial stages may require using less powerful cards, even if you have stronger ones available from the start.

As a gamer, I’ve found some engaging rogue-lite game modes where I can pick up to four wrestlers to journey through a predetermined course of challenges and rewards. In this mode, the damage I sustain during fights doesn’t get wiped clean between matches, but my chosen wrestlers will gradually level up over time. The ultimate goal is to defeat challenging bosses, and once conquered, they can be purchased from an expensive store that, honestly, seems out of my reach for now.

Acknowledge the Showcase… or Not

2K25 Showcase is a feature that exists, essentially serving as a nostalgic journey through gaming history, though personally, it’s not something I’ve ever found appealing. This year was no exception to that sentiment.

Engaging in activities without any real purpose, merely to replicate famous gaming sequences, doesn’t hold much attraction. The game does provide hypothetical situations that are adorable, but if you’re neither a Bloodline enthusiast nor deeply interested in the Samoan wrestling dynasty, these instances won’t offer much pleasure.

As a gamer, I’ve got to give it to Visual Concepts for their meticulous work in creating this game. The way they brought back some iconic moments really feels like they spared no detail. And that opening sequence, revisiting WrestleMania 40? It’s like they’ve breathed new life into those memories.

Ultimately, despite my fondness for the gameplay, not finding any reason to engage in any of the provided modes diminishes my pleasure when playing WWE 2K25.

Or:

In conclusion, while I really enjoyed the gameplay, lacking motivation to participate in any of the offered modes dampens my experience with WWE 2K25.

It seems as though they’ve attempted to tackle too many aspects, resulting in an unpolished finish for each mode presented in this game. While there are glimpses of genius in MyRISE and MyFACTION, the initial excitement of the Showcase quickly fades, and the changes made to MyGM unfortunately diminish the overall experience. The Island serves as a cautionary tale on how not to forcefully integrate mandatory microtransactions into a game.

Indeed, nothing beats organizing a few friendly Bloodline rule sessions with your companions. Such activities are precisely what makes these types of games enjoyable. To put it simply, having a solid base for gameplay is certainly a good start.

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2025-03-14 14:13