Unleashing the Ultimate Wrestling Experience: AEW Fight Forever Dominates WWE 2K in One Key Aspect

AEW Fight Forever, the latest addition to the wrestling genre, introduces All Elite Wrestling promotion to the world of video games. Since its establishment in 2019, AEW has quickly become a strong competitor to the dominant WWE, attracting both legendary wrestlers of the past and emerging stars. For over two decades, WWE and its affiliated brands have held complete control over the world of wrestling games. However, AEW Fight Forever, developed by Yuke's, brings a fresh and innovative IP to the table. While it offers a compelling alternative to the WWE 2K experience in many aspects, AEW Fight Forever falls short in terms of one important characteristic that defines the genre.

Although AEW Fight Forever may not boast the extensive roster seen in WWE 2K23, it compensates for the lower quantity with exceptional quality. With renowned wrestling icons such as Chris Jericho, Sting, and even Jeff Hardy, AEW's game features a stacked lineup of historical legends that add credibility to the rising brand. While it may not prioritize realistic graphics like the modern WWE 2K titles, Fight Forever fully embraces its unique, nostalgic style, reminiscent of what many fans consider the golden era of wrestling games.

Competition for the WWE 2K Games is Healthy for Wrestling

The WWE brand has been associated with wrestling games for almost a decade through the 2K series of annual releases and its ties to the original SmackDown series since 2000. These games have set themselves apart from traditional fighting games with their unique gameplay style. Over the years, the WWE games have evolved and experimented, eventually adopting a realism-centric formula in recent entries. However, the promotion's digital history goes even further back, with the WWF series of games having its own distinct legacy.

One of the standout releases from the WWF series was WWF No Mercy, which came out in 2000 for the Nintendo 64 and was developed by THQ. This game received widespread critical acclaim and is still considered one of the greatest wrestling games ever made. No Mercy is particularly praised for its well-balanced mechanics, which have stood the test of time. Despite its age, No Mercy continues to be compared to modern WWE releases and has had a significant influence on the genre. AEW Fight Forever appears to have drawn direct inspiration from the solid combat mechanics featured in the WWF classic, but it falls short in one aspect that even No Mercy is still recognized for.

AEW Fight Forever’s Create-a-Wrestler Mode Doesn’t Compare to WWE’s

The Create-a-Wrestler mode in AEW Fight Forever lacks the extensive character options found in previous WWE releases. Compared to WWE's detailed editing sliders, AEW offers only eight options for male faces. Limited choices in hairstyles and clothing further highlight the game's lack of customization options. However, Fight Forever compensates for this by prioritizing custom move-sets and gameplay rather than visual presentation.

AEW Fight Forever is a strong addition to the wrestling promotion's expanding brand, although it may not have the same appeal to WWE fans. Despite its rougher graphics and limited customization, the game excels in fast-paced wrestling combat. While its overall content may not match up to WWE, further games in the franchise have the potential to reach new heights if AEW Fight Forever establishes itself as a successful series.

AEW Fight Forever is currently available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.