GivenAEW’s rapid growth as a company, it was only a matter of time before the wrestling promotion received its own full-fledged video game. Unfortunately, 2023’sAEW Fight Foreverwas the definition of a mixed bag. While the core gameplay nails the pick-up-and-play vibes of early 2000s wrestling games that Yuke’s was going for, the title is lacking in several ways. The biggest points of criticism are its lackluster character creator, limited match and mode types, expensive DLC packs, weak presentation, and the forgettable Road to Elite story mode. It’s that final trait that could become a new game’s greatest strength, though, asAEWhas a chance to do something its competition cannot.
To be clear, AEW would have a very tough task ahead of it if it wanted to matchtheWWE 2Kfranchise, as it would likely need to partner with a major sports developer like EA if it wanted something on par with the high quality of WWE’s video games. Still, even if AEW were to release anotherFight Forever-like title that prioritizes fun gameplay over presentation, it could deliver an incredibly in-depth story mode that covers AEW’s entire history. Given how WWE has decades of history to its name, the most WWE 2K developer Visual Concepts could possibly do is hit the key points in the careers of specific wrestlers or shows like WrestleMania, which it has already done. With AEW only being 5-years old, though, the next game could hit nearly every major story arc and event of the company’s brief life.
The Next AEW Video Game’s Story Mode Can Cover The Company’s Entire History
If the next AEW game were to embrace such a concept with its singleplayer mode, there would be some fun gameplay opportunities available to it. Players could constantly switch through the different stages AEW has had over the years as the story progresses, watching the company grow from its stint in Daily’s Place to medium-sized arenas to eventual high points likeWembley Stadium. New belt additions like the International title and concepts like the Continental Classic tournament could be introduced within the story exactly when they happened in the real world, too. Players would not only be seeing the evolution of the wrestlers they control, but AEW itself, with the story mode serving as a fun tour of its history that newer fans can use to catch up and older fans can appreciate for its heaps of nostalgia.
GivenCM Punk’s controversial stay in the company, and his return to WWE making an appearance in the next game impossible, a “History of AEW” mode would need to skip over his feuds and matches. Cody Rhodes, one of AEW’s founders, would also need to be omitted.
A History of AEW Mode Could Let Its Biggest Stars Shine
Making such a concept work would mean that players would need to control existing wrestlers instead of creating their own, as a player-made character being inserted into the mode would instantly defeat the purpose of it. Fortunately, several members ofthe AEW rosterhave been given standout periods on top of the card, meaning that control could switch smoothly between certain stars as the years progress. The following wrestlers could be playable for each era of AEW:
AEW has managed to set itself apart from WWE by honing in on in-ring quality, as every PPV event it runs features match of the year contenders and gets the wrestling world talking. Its next game should take a similar approach, finding its own identity and offering something thatWWE 2Kdoes not. While gameplay like the wrestling titles of old was an interesting angle to take, and could be something to pursue further, the next AEW video game needs to be significantly deeper and more replayable. A huge story mode that highlights all the best moments from AEW would be a brilliant way to give fans more bang for their buck, so hopefully it’s somethingKenny Omegaand everyone else who oversees the company’s games consider prioritizing.
