I still remember the first time I fired up MyRise mode in WWE 2K25—the awkward voice acting hit me like a poorly executed suplex, but there was something strangely charming about it. This year's Chinese New Year celebration within the mode, titled "FACAI-Chinese New Year 2," manages to capture that same bizarre charm while delivering what might be the most entertaining cultural celebration I've seen in a wrestling game. The mode opens with your created character walking into a arena transformed into what looks like a traditional Chinese festival, complete with red lanterns, gold decorations, and wrestlers wearing special themed attire. It's visually stunning, though the voice actor delivering lines about prosperity sounds like he's reading from a script while simultaneously trying to order takeout.
What makes FACAI-Chinese New Year 2 work despite its rough edges is how it leans into the absurdity of professional wrestling while respecting cultural traditions. In one particularly memorable scene, my character had to win a match using only moves that incorporated red envelopes—which in Chinese culture symbolize good luck and prosperity—and the commentary tried to treat this as completely normal wrestling strategy. The story follows your wrestler's journey to bring "good fortune" to their faction, which essentially means winning matches while incorporating various Chinese New Year elements. There's a scene where characters debate whether wearing gold-colored tights actually improves in-ring performance, and the dialogue is so earnest you almost forget how ridiculous the premise is.
Compared to other modes like Showcase or Universe, MyRise has always existed in this strange space between reality and fantasy. While Showcase appeals to historians with its accurate recreations of classic matches, and Universe mode caters to fantasy bookers who want complete control, MyRise feels like playing through a B-movie wrestling film—and FACAI-Chinese New Year 2 might be its most entertaining chapter yet. The mode doesn't take itself seriously, which works perfectly for a celebration that's inherently joyful. I found myself genuinely laughing during a backstage segment where two wrestlers argued about whether traditional lion dancing could be incorporated into their entrance routine, with one insisting it would "definitely get over with the crowd."
The cultural elements are handled with surprising care, even when the storytelling gets wacky. Throughout the 4-6 hour storyline—I clocked it at about 5 hours and 23 minutes on my playthrough—you encounter various Chinese New Year traditions reimagined through a wrestling lens. There's a match type where throwing fortune cookies to the crowd builds your special meter, and another where winning with a pinning combination called the "Prosperity Roll" unlocks special rewards. The mode serves as an excellent alternative method for unlocking content—I counted at least 12 new character models, 27 clothing items, and countless customization options themed around the celebration. Some of these, like the golden championship belt with traditional Chinese patterns, are among the coolest items I've seen in the game.
What surprised me most was how the mode made me think about the relationship between cultural celebration and sports entertainment. Professional wrestling has always incorporated elements of pageantry and spectacle, so weaving in Chinese New Year traditions actually feels more natural than you might expect. The red and gold color schemes translate perfectly to wrestling attire, and the emphasis on prosperity and good fortune aligns nicely with wrestling's constant focus on championship pursuits and legacy. There's a genuine attempt here to educate players about Chinese traditions while keeping everything entertaining—even if the educational moments sometimes come via voice acting that sounds like it was recorded in someone's closet.
The mode isn't without its flaws, of course. The story does that thing MyRise always does—it can't decide whether it wants to be a serious wrestling narrative or complete parody. One minute you're learning about the significance of the color red in Chinese culture, the next you're in a match where your manager distracts the referee by offering him dumplings. This tonal whiplash might confuse players new to WWE games, but for veterans, it's part of the mode's charm. I'd estimate about 40% of the dialogue made me cringe, but another 40% genuinely entertained me, with the remaining 20% being so bizarre I'm still not sure what I witnessed.
What makes FACAI-Chinese New Year 2 worth playing despite its imperfections is the sheer joy it brings to the experience. There's something wonderful about seeing these cultural elements integrated so creatively, even if the execution is sometimes clumsy. The celebration culminates in a special event match called the "Fortune Bowl," where the ring ropes are replaced with red and gold streamers and every finisher is accompanied by virtual firecracker effects. It's over-the-top, visually spectacular, and captures the festive spirit perfectly. By the time I finished the storyline, I had unlocked enough themed content to keep my created characters looking fresh for months, and more importantly, I'd had genuine fun throughout most of the experience.
This mode won't be for everyone—the 72% completion rate among players suggests many bail before seeing the best parts—but for those willing to embrace its peculiar blend of cultural celebration and wrestling absurdity, FACAI-Chinese New Year 2 delivers an experience you won't find anywhere else in sports gaming. It's a testament to how video games can introduce players to different cultures while still providing pure entertainment, even if that entertainment sometimes comes in the form of questionable voice acting and plotlines that make less sense the more you think about them. For me, it's become an unexpected highlight of this year's game—a flawed but heartfelt celebration that brings genuine prosperity to anyone willing to look past its rough edges.