AEW: Fight Forever Vs WWE 2K23

All wrestling fans, gather here! Get ready to step into the ‘Ring of Champions' and witness a battle that will ‘Body Slam' your expectations! It's time to put the wrestling bigwigs to the test. 

Only two games hold the official license in the history of wrestling video games: AEW: Fight Forever and WWE 2K23. The two have made fans achieve their wrestling fantasies by stepping into the ring as the iconic wrestlers that graced our timeline. 

If you want to deliver a grand beatdown but don't want the pain that comes with it, these two games are your ideal choice. However, at the end of the day, one has to emerge as the King of the Ring. So which is it? Let's draw parallels and explore the similarities between AEW Fight Forever vs WWE 2K23. 

What is AEW: Fight Forever?

AEW: Fight Forever is a masterful creation by Yuke's based on All Elite Wrestling, an American professional wrestling promotion. The developers took an ambitious leap in creating a game that would stand against the reigning champion, WWE 2K.  

While it was considerably noble of them, AEW Fight Forever could be the up-and-coming contender, giving the long-running franchise a run for its money.

The game borrows concepts from beloved classic wrestling titles like WWE Day of Reckoning and WWF No Mercy. It ties it all together under a ribbon of pick-up and play, allowing newbies to bask in the glory of being virtual pro wrestlers.

Although the game doesn't thoroughly check all the boxes of a fully-fledged wrestling game, it has a solid foundation.

What is WWE 2K23?

For wrestling enthusiasts, the WWE 2K franchise is not a new kid on the block. The wrestling video game series has dominated the space since its debut in 2000. It emulates the professional wrestling sport, in particular the WWE. The franchise's grand success has led to the boom of 24 games in the series, with 2K23 being the latest entrant. 

So what is 2K23? It's an epic wrestling game that gets better every year. Although some games in the series have been misses, the perfect headline for the franchise's latest installment is “King of the Ring”. From how it looks to how it sounds, every detail of this game is impeccable and fine-tuned to the last bit. 

The game makes several improvements to its predecessor, picking up the pieces from where it left off and polishing every element. WWE 2K23 is a fighting game like no other.

Gameplay

Despite the buggy appearance, AEW: Fight Forever delivers enormous depth. You get to live out your wrestling fantasies in various modes. Interestingly, the game modes are familiar, given that Yuke developed WWE games for two decades. This familiarity makes it a beloved pick for veterans and newbies alike.

Moreover, AEW: Fight Forever features arcade-style gameplay. Players can access nine match types: Singles Match, Ladder Match, Tag Team, Casino Battle Royale, and Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch. The smooth animation and swift movement add a layer of frantic energy to the action, depicting the chaotic blows and kicks you'd expect in the ring. 

The controls are relatively easy to master. The kick, punch, and grapple buttons pair well with directional tilts, resulting in varied moves. But it sometimes fails to deliver a satisfactory KO hit since the game is buggy.

In contrast, WWE 2K23 shines from this perspective of delivering successful hits. Rarely will you miss striking your opponent down. But grasping the technique is where the hassle is. 

For newbies, one-note punches may do the trick since mastering the combos is a challenging climb, but that soon wears you out. The game uses a complicated system to deliver signatures and finishers, which calls for absolute precision. To get a gist of the game. It's advisable to master the combos. Thankfully, we've rounded up the best tips for beginners for you to get your game on.  

Moreover, 2K23 also leverages the arcade game style with an infusion of heavy simulation, adding a layer of realism. 

Character 

On customization, it's a no-brainer who takes the lead—definitely WWE 2K23. The game provides an insane depth of customization in its Creation Suite. Arguably, it's the most resourceful tool in all of gaming history that grants players the freedom to add personality to their gaming experience. 

With over 600 items in the Creation Suite, you can craft up your own Sasha Banks or CM Punk. And it doesn't stop there. You can customize your character's grand entrance and the arena too. 

Like the controls, the creation suite isn't straightforward, but once you get the gist, it's absolute bliss to knock the snot out of your opponents the best way you know how. 

Roster-wise, WWE 2K23 has an impressive character selection featuring the current top-tier wrestlers. A candid example is Braun Strowman, a one-time Intercontinental Champion, former Universal Champion, and two-time Raw Tag Team Champion. You can view more of the undisputed champs featured in this game here.

In contrast, AEW: Fight Forever feels like an outdated game that should have seen the light of day ages ago. The rooster doesn't feature current players and also contains wrestlers who made their exits from the ring. A good example is Cody Rhodes, who moved from AEW to WWE in 2022 but is still featured in the game. Nevertheless, Fight Forever delivers a significant piece of AEW history.

Verdict: AEW Fight Forever Vs WWE 2K23

WWE has revolutionized wrestling, from the good old days of Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers to John Cena, Ric Flair, and others. Suffice it to say, the sport's video game adaptation has also followed in the same footsteps, rising to the glory of pure, unadulterated wrestling action. 

WWE 2K23 is one of the games in the series to get it absolutely right. The customization features add to the entire wholesome experience. Did you know you can have an AEW experience while playing 2K23? Use the Creation Suite to switch things up; boom, you have your very own AEW 2K23. 

Admittedly, AEW: Fight Forever hit the ground running, but WWE 2K23 seems to have this game pinned down. A sequel could improve the game's shortcomings, but that's all in the wind now. So, will AEW Fight Forever tap out or hope to spot itself back in the top seat? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, WWE 2K23 is reigning supreme in the ring. 

So, what's your take? In AEW Fight Forever Vs WWE 2K23, which of the two professional wrestling games is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here.