WWE’s flagship video game series “WWE 2K” has come up with its new edition, “WWE 2K23.” The game was released on March 17, 2023, and has received positive reviews, with some stating that it is even stronger than its previous edition. 2K23 was declared the best edition this series has had so far. Moreover, it has never been in a more deserving spot amongst other professional wrestling simulation games.
On the other hand, WWE’s nemesis AEW is working on their own video game, “AEW Fight Forever.” The game is set to release on June 29, 2023, as announced by AEW. It is speculated to be a stronger rival for WWE 2K23 and would not release a yearly edition like the 2K game series. The game will ignite the rivalry between the promotions on an online level and will try to overcome the other one.
WWE 2K23 was released around two months ago, and AEW Fight Forever will be released this month. Fans have played both games and stated the differences between them. Upon the game’s official release, gamers will be able to spot more differences among them. The features that have been confirmed or tried by the fans are stated below. Here is a list of the 10 major differences between WWE 2K23 and AEW Fight Forever.
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1. AEW Fight Forever offers cross-platform gameplay
AEW Fight Forever has been officially confirmed to have cross-platform gameplay. Kenny Omega stated the inclusion of this feature during an interview with Wrestling Observer Radio. This online component will allow every player to play the game on the device of his choice. This desired feature in Fight Forever will greatly promote the game’s reach on every possible platform.
Cross-platform gaming (via The Nerd Stash)Unfortunately, cross-platform gameplay is not a part of the WWE 2K23 game, which supports only cross-progression. The desirable feature has never been a part of WWE 2K games. However, the developers of the game might think of its inclusion in the future. The cross-progression feature only applies to the Xbox and PlayStation console families.
2. WWE 2K23 offers more editions
WWE 2K23 comes in three major editions, each with various bonuses. Standard Edition, as the name suggests, comes with the game itself without any fancy extras. Deluxe Edition offers the player five DLC character packs, the MyRISE Mega-Boost Pack, 200 attribute points, and a lot more benefits. Icon Edition offers a playable version of the prototype John Cena and throwback versions of Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar. It has some of the content of the Ruthless Aggression Era and much more.
The three editions of WWE 2K23 (via IGN)On the other hand, AEW offers only two editions, namely the Standard Edition and the Elite Edition. Standard Edition offers base-game features with no extra perks. The pre-orders for this game will include bonuses for both editions. The Elite Edition will offer 24-hour early access, four mini-games, two exclusive costumes, a season pass including six amazing in-game wrestlers, and Matt Hardy as a playable character.
3. AEW Fight Forever offers more weapons
In general, being a more sports-based promotion, AEW tends to go more physical in their matches. The same has been implanted in their Fight Forever game, which has a confirmed list of 40 weapons. The trailers released for the game have shown thumbtacks, baseball bats, fire extinguishers, and Darby Allin’s skateboard.
Chris Jericho with a baseball bat (via THQ Nordic)While WWE falls into the TV-PG category, it showcases fewer weapons on-screen and even in the game. Weaponizing matches has not been a motto for WWE 2K23, as it gives only nine options for weapons and aims for their lesser use. The basic weapons include a chair, sledgehammer, kendo stick, shovels, and five more items.
4. WWE 2K23 offers better graphics
WWE 2K23 is a step up from its last version and betters itself in every aspect. With improved graphics and enhanced features, this game takes players on a much more realistic wrestling experience. The hair movements, body details, facial expressions, and overall clarity of the game are breathtaking and feel natural.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s entrance (via 2K Games)On the other hand, AEW Fight Forever is not that well-versed in its graphic section. The game tries to bring back the arcade-style graphics, which are not that attractive. The characters do not look very polished with such graphics, which holds back the player from immersing themselves in them from the first look.
5. AEW Fight Forever offers glitching and breakage of TitanTron
Wreaking havoc is what AEW does on a regular basis, and the same has been adapted into their video game. A very distinct feature of this game is the LED screen’s breaking upon hitting an opponent on it. The damage taken by TitanTron has three break points. On the first instance of attack, it glitches, and the display wears off. On the second hit, it goes all black, and a crack in the screen is visible. And on the third assault, the screen finally breaks and falls to the ground.
Kenny Omega kicks Chris Jericho (via THQ Nordic)WWE 2K23 has not seen such instances of TitanTron damage. It does not provide three break points of damage as Fight Forever does. The maximum limit on its breakage is when it glitches after hitting an opponent on it. But LED screens are not designed to break off or appear with cracks over them.
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6. WWE 2K23 offers more match types
WWE 2K23 is full of various match types and game modes to indulge the players deeply in their game. The basic structure of match types is grouped by the number of competitors in them and goes on diverging within them. Ten types of base matches are included, with some branching into other types like Ladder matches, Hell in a Cell matches, Battle Royale matches, etc. A new match type introduced in this edition is the War Games match, which subverts into three-on-three and four-on-four matches.
WWE 2K23 War Games match (via WWE 2K)A total of nine base match types are included in Fight Forever. Half of those matches are listed by the number of competitors in them. While the rest are Ladder Match, Casino Battle Royale, Falls Count Anywhere, Unsanctioned Light Out, and AEW’s classic Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match. All the match types in the game are not yet confirmed but will be clarified upon its release.
7. AEW Fight Forever offers actual mini-games
Fight Forever promises to deliver the best gaming experience to fans. They are making sure to entertain the players with various mini-games in the game. A video shared by AEW Games showcases an option for mini-games in the lobby area during match selection. It has stars playing baseball, playing cards with stars on them, the dancing battle amongst them, finding the wrestler, finding the difference between the two pictures, and much more.
AEW Fight Forever Mini-games (via THQ Nordic)On the other hand, WWE 2K23 doesn’t provide the feature of silly mini-games. But it gives a small training session that translates into a mini-game. That feature includes pinfall practice to get used to its complexity. The pinfall mini-game helps us train ourselves to kick out of the pinfall at the right time. As the kick-out world occurs, it initially teaches us how to perform a kick-out and then allows us to practice it upon the opponent’s pinfall on us.
8. AEW Fight Forever’s career mode allows the in-game star to be the playable character
AEW Fight Forever’s Career Mode is named “Road to Elite,” which allows a newbie to showcase his talent and become “All Elite”. In this game, developers allowed in-game stars to be the playable characters and experience the journey to becoming a part of the AEW roster. Also, Owen Hart has appeared in a wrestling game for the first time in two decades. His last appearance came in the Legends of Wrestling series in 2002 and 2004.
Owen Hart in AEW’s Road to Elite mode (via Inside The Ropes)WWWE 2K23 doesn’t allow in-game stars to be featured as newbies starting in the WWE. The game has named its career mode MyRise, with “The Lock” storyline stored for male stars and “The Legacy” for female stars. Both stories are scripted and made with keen attention to detail. While fans have enjoyed the thrill that comes with WWE 2K23’s MyRise mode, the desire to have an in-game star as ourselves has been fulfilled by AEW Fight Forever.
9. AEW Fight Forever includes a star that excludes the AEW roster
The WWE Universe went berserk when The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes returned to WWE after investing three years in AEW. It made him the only wrestler who came to WWE from AEW, otherwise, it has always been vice versa. His time at AEW was priceless, as he was the executive vice executive president of the company. In order to pay tribute to Rhodes, AEW pulled out some big guns and made a bold move to acknowledge Cody’s legacy.
Cody Rhodes in WWE 2K23 (via IGN)The American Nightmare is now part of both the WWE and AEW games, even though he is not a part of the Jacksonville-based company. His key role in AEW’s foundation was recognized by the company, which decided upon his inclusion on the roster. Thus, it made him the only star to get featured in video games by two rival companies in the same year.
10. AEW Fight Forever offers nostalgia in a distinct way
AEW Fight Forever has focused on making the game look arcade-style like the older WWE games. Fight Forever shares a distinct feature with current WWE 2K games as it offers a different camera angle and health bar. It doesn’t replicate the WWE 2K series but is inspired by the, WWF No Mercy game as they share the same publisher. Published by THQ in 2000, WWF No Mercy was an instant success and it is the one responsible for THQ Nordic publishing AEW Fight Forever.
Kenny Omega pins Jon Moxley (via THQ Nordic)As a game that has evolved over the years, WWE 2K23 has the most modern look with fewer callbacks to its older versions. But there had to be similarities between 2K23 and Fight Forever, as Yuke’s is essentially responsible for the WWE 2K series’ evolution. They were developing every edition from 2000 until 2018 (WWE 2K19). The same company has also developed Fight Forever, continuing their legacy of developing professional wrestling simulation games.
