Because trying to review Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2 isn’t enough. We’ve been diving into WWE 2K25, too!
Whilst the full review is being put together for our friends over at Fullsync.co.uk. We thought we should share notes on the Steam Deck experience, because WWE 2K25 has been a really pleasant surprise.
For those with only a bit of time, it’s a great entry onto the handheld. It runs great out of the box, and playing the campaign mode on the go is great fun.
Handheld Performance
Out of the box, WWE 2K25 is a massive improvement over its predecessors. By all accounts, last year’s game required significant tinkering just to hit a stable frame rate. But 2K25 is better optimised for the Deck hardware.
The most critical thing for Steam Deck users to remember is that the game engine physics are tied directly to the frame rate. If you try to save battery by capping the system to 30 FPS or 40 FPS, the entire game runs in slow motion. To get the proper speed, you must keep the refresh rate and frame limit set to 60.
Still cap it, but you have to take the rough with the smooth. 60 FPS is your upper limit, but also your lower limit. WW2K25 legitimately benefits from it, though.
Finding the Sweet Spot
Visually, the game is a (Stone Cold) stunner on the small screen. The wrestler models carry over a high level of detail, and the improved sweat and lighting systems make the entrances pop.
However, to maintain that buttery 60 FPS in more chaotic scenarios like an 8-man Battle Royal, some compromises are necessary.
Turning off AMD FSR in-game and switching the anti-aliasing to FXAA provides a cleaner look than the native TAA, which can look a bit blurry at 800p.
Texture quality can safely stay on standard or high, but we recommend keeping shadows on medium and turning off motion blur entirely. This ensures that even when the ring gets crowded, the action stays responsive.
Storage and Stability
The biggest opponent for Steam Deck users isn’t Roman Reigns, it is the storage requirement.
WWE 2K25 is a heavyweight, demanding nearly 150 GB of space. If you are running an LCD model with a smaller internal drive, you will almost certainly need a high-speed microSD card. Just be prepared for slightly longer load times compared to the internal SSD. But you can just upgrade the drive if you want!
Stability is generally good, but the game is not without its quirks. A common issue reported in the community involves the Create a Video mode, which has a tendency to crash the system.
Additionally, online matchmaking remains a gamble on Linux-based systems; while MyFaction and local modes work flawlessly, getting into a stable online lobby without a disconnect is still a rare occurrence.
The Best Way to Play on the Go
WWE 2K25 a well-refined wrestling experience available on the Steam Deck. It delivers a console-quality experience in the palm of your hand without the compromised graphics of a Switch port.
As long as you have the storage space and keep your framerate at 60 to avoid the slow-motion bug, this is a must-have for wrestling fans on the move.
It’s been fascinating to see it all work so well with minimal effort. We picked it up cheap, and now we’re getting our money’s worth on the go, in bed and anywhere else.
The Steam Deck never ceases to amaze. And the optimisation work by studios needs to be recognised, too. Exceptional.
