WWE 2K25 is making some massive updates to the franchise formula, including one simple addition that completely changes how the game is played. WWE games have been an almost-annual staple for almost 20 years, and have mostly become standard since publisher 2K took over the franchise in 2014. It’s rare for any one WWE 2K game to make major changes to the one prior, but, according to creative director Lynell Jinks, 2K25 is making a serious effort to stand out.

A major part of that effort is bringing WWE 2K25 to a whole new group of players by making it more recognizable to fans of other games; “almost like GTA but wrestling,” Jinks says. He goes on to explain that he hopes the introduction of familiar features from other games – things like a third-person camera, exploration, et cetera – will bring new players to WWE 2K, opening it up to a whole new audience.

WWE 2K25 Has Lots To Get Excited For

New Match Types, New Perspectives, & New Modes

Jinks’ quote references WWE 2K25‘s new third-person camera. Originally developed for WWE 2K25‘s The Island mode, which is believed to have more of an exploration aspect than previous WWE 2K modes, third-person camera was eventually applied to other aspects of gameplay. Now, players can control their wrestlers during their entrances using WWE 2K25‘s new over-the-shoulder camera feature.

Jinks even goes on to say that he hopes the third-person camera is one of the most memorable things about 2K25. He admits that most of the WWE 2K games blend together in players’ minds, but introducing something as unique as this breaks the mold, and could make this entry stand out. Designing flashy entrances is fun, but forcing players to watch them, without interacting, every time can get boring. The hope is that this increased control will appeal to everyone: the mega-fans who want greater agency over their superstars’ entrances, and new players who aren’t used to pro wrestling theatrics.

Those aren’t the only changes coming to WWE 2K25, either. In addition to a third-person camera and The Island mode, 2K25 also marks the return of intergender matches to the WWE game series. For the first time in over a decade, players can book a match between any two wrestlers on the roster, regardless of era or gender. Other modes are expected to see total revamps, too, but it’s not clear yet exactly how those will work. There’s also a new match type, Bloodline Rules, which allows each side three run-ins on demand.

Why You Should Be Excited For WWE 2K24

You Don’t Have To Be A WWE Fan To Get Into 2K

WWE 2K25 will be released on March 14, 2025 – in other words, it’s coming soon, and there are plenty of reasons for everyone to look forward to it. WWE games have almost totally recovered their reputation since the disastrous release of 2K20; their improvements are, for the most part, incremental year over year, but the games have only been getting better.

The thing is, you really don’t have to be a WWE fan to get into the games – I certainly wasn’t. For me, the incredible customization mechanics of Smackdown vs. Raw got me into the games, and then actual, real-life wrestling in turn, almost completely by accident. I can only imagine how someone totally unfamiliar with WWE could get sucked in by 2K25‘s more immersive, controllable, exploratory take.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, consider that WWE 2K25, with all its improvements, has the potential to be a lot of fun. In fact, that’s what Jinks says is his guiding principle in designing WWE games. The top priority is to make it fun for everybody – both returning players and new fans – and the rest comes after. For these reasons and many more, there’s a lot to be excited for in WWE 2K25.