WWE 2K25 has finally been revealed, and already, many of the game’s new features have been brought to light. But arguably the biggest new feature highlighted is the debut of The Island. Though the reveal trailer didn’t cover the mode in too much detail, some aspects of it have been revealed by 2K since the trailer’s launch. And it can be compared to another mode seen in the NBA 2K series.

What Is The Island In WWE 2K25?

Obviously a nod to “The Island of Relevancy” — a trope throughout WWE’s Bloodline saga — The Island is supposedly WWE 2K’s answer to NBA 2K’s The City. For anyone who isn’t quite familiar with the NBA 2K series, The City is the successor to both MyPark and The Neighborhood, and drops players into a shared map that contains arenas, stores, and other things of that nature.

Essentially, The Island is a WWE-themed multiplayer map where players will be able to take their custom wrestler (known in-game as MySuperstar) and complete challenges, storylines, and other objectives. The mode will also allow you to engage other WWE 2K25 players in competitive play. In the game’s official press materials, the ultimate goal is to “join ‘The Original Tribal Chief’ Roman Reigns at the Head of the Table.”

This description implies that chasing Roman Reigns — arguably the most accomplished wrestler in WWE’s modern era — will be a big part of the experience in The Island. But whether just joining him at the Head of the Table or usurping him is the ultimate goal remains to be seen.

The Island will be available exclusively for the Xbox Series X|S and the PlayStation 5, cutting off access to anyone still using old-gen hardware. PC players will also be denied access to The Island, presumably due to concerns with modding.

Why The Island Is Cause For Concern

On the surface, all of this may appear exciting. But there is cause for some concern.

On the NBA 2K side of things, The City has been widely criticized. Unlike its predecessor, MyPark, many NBA 2K players have loathed The City for introducing a bunch of busy work, standing between them and actually playing the game. More specifically, the need to walk hundreds of meters between games and objectives has left many frustrated.

In order to combat this, WWE 2K25 will have to stuff The Island to the brim with content for players to enjoy. And that content must be enjoyable. I don’t think WWE 2K fans really have any desire to walk 200 meters away from a ring or storyline area just to outfit their character with some goofy overpriced hat. On top of that, NBA 2K’s The City has forced you to explore every nook and cranny of this map and requires you to complete side-quests in order to progress through MyCareer. It’s just… not fun.

Honestly, as a seasoned WWE 2K player myself, I really wasn’t looking for a City-like mode and would’ve instead preferred a more immersive backstage area similar to past WWE games. But, video games are big business these days. And if 2K feels like throwing a bunch of players into a shared map will force them into indulging at least some of the extra content — especially paid cosmetics — then that’s what the company will do.

Is The Island doomed? Maybe not, if it’s implemented correctly. But does anyone actually have high hopes for it? Also, probably not.