AEW: Fight Forever – Finally A Worthy Alternative To 2K's WWE Games?

AEW: Fight forever will be released at the end of June. It's the first Game licensed under the banner of the All Elite Wrestling Promotion. But will it be a real alternative to the WWE-Series produced by 2K?

AEW Fight Forever
Will the first game of All Elite Wrestling be a worthy alternative? | ©THQ Nordic

Fans of the independent wrestling world have been waiting for years in hope for a real alternative to 2K's WWE-Game series, which ruled the wrestling- and gaming word for nearly a decade now.

And there is a shining light on the horizon - AEW: Fight Forever, the first game of the hottest independent Wrestling promotion right now. It's produced by Yuke's and will be published by THQ NORDIC. The official release date is June 29. It will be launched for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch.

2K's Problems Are A Chance For AEW: Fight Forever

Especially in the last couple of years, Wrestling-Fans have been starving for new games and content. Due to massive bugs and problems, the ruling franchise of WWE-games, produced by 2K, have lost a lot of players faith in the product. This might be the biggest Chance for the new competitor AEW Fight: Forever.

Similar to AEW's TV-Products – AEW Rampage and AEW Dynamite – the game has the chance to enter this new market with a bang. The game is filled with well known names in the wrestling world and promises a more arcade-like feeling, which 2K's WWE Games had lost years ago.

AEW: Fight Forever - What's Promised

On their website, AEW and THQ Nordic, made several promises about the feeling of the Game. In difference to the more simulation-like WWE games of later years, AEW: Fight Forever should have an arcade-like feeling.

The best of the best from the AEW talent roster means players can look forward to playing as some of the most legendary wrestlers to enter the ring plus all-new, high-flying AEW talent! AEW: Fight Forever combines nostalgic, arcade-wrestler feel with innovative AEW finishers and tandem offense moves!

Gameplay Modes

AEW: Fight Forever promises a bunch of different gameplay modes. Of course, there are well known match-types like Single Matches, Tag-Team Matches, 3-Way and 4-Way Matches. But there are also more spectacular match-stipulations announced, like ladder- and Falls Count Anywhere-Matches or the big Casino Battle Royal (AEW's pendant to the famous WWE Royal Rumble Match).

Additionally, there will be Unsanctioned Matches, AEW's special Lights Out stipulation or, for the hardest of the hardest, the Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match. Also, there are special matches for the online mode.

AEW B2
Kris Statlander is just one of several playable female wrestlers | ©THQ Nordic


The Star Filled Roster

The All Elite Wrestling Promotion is the home of several well known Wrestling stars from around the globe. Big names like Chris Jericho, the first ever AEW Champion and front singer of the band Fozzy, or ex-WWE Champion Jon Moxley are just two of them.

Other big names like the Jackson Brothers (The Young Bucks) and Kenny Omega are well known for their work in Japan, and are the founders of AEW.

As huge gaming fans, they were heavily involved in the conception and promotion of the game. Nearly 40 male stars and 10 female wrestlers were announced so far. Also, there is a lot of speculation about more names, especially in terms of legends like Arn Anderson or Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Throughout the first season of AEW: Fight Forever, (yes, they have a season-model), there are several more names who will join the roster.

Customization And Universe-Building

2K's Games were famous for their Universe mode and the customization of nearly everything in-game, like Wrestlers, Shows, Stadiums or even match-stipulations (in the older games). Similar options were promised by AEW and THQ Nordic as well.

AEW: Fight Forever’s wide range of customization options include wrestler attire and appearance, move sets, entrances, teams and arenas.

If we get a manager mode in which we can book our own shows, pay-per-views and matches is currently unknown. The Manager- and the Universe mode are two of the figureheads of the WWE-Games. Also, there are talks about a career mode with several unique minigames.

AEW C3
Can "The Native Beast" Nyla Rose dominate the women's division? | ©THQ Nordic

AEW: Fight Forever | Deluxe Edition Content

As All Elite Wrestling announced, there will be a standard edition and the Elite Edition for the PlayStation Release. The Standard Edition will give you access to AEW:Fight Forever base game and the AEW: Fight Forever bonus Character Matt Hardy, a long time WWE-Superstar and one part of the famous Tag Team "The Hardy Boyz".

The Elite Edition contains the base game, the Fight Forever Season Pass and the Matt Hardy DLC. The Season Pass contains three deluxe-packs- the "FTR Revival Pack", the "Limitless Bunny Pack" and the "Hookhausen - Very Handsome, Very Evil Pack". All these packs will give you access to the wrestlers, that gave these packs their name.

These are:

  • Dex Harwood and Cash Wheeler (FTR Pack)
  • The Bunny and Keith Lee (Limitless Pack)
  • Hook and Danhausen (Hookhausen pack)

The Matt Hardy DLC contains Matt Hardy and his alter Ego "Broken Matt Hardy", likely with differences in his move set and in-ring attire.

Fun Fact: The Name "Fight Forever" comes from a popular wrestling chant. The viewers chant "Fight forever", when the match is outstanding and super entertaining. It's a form of paying respect for the hard in-ring work of the Wrestlers.

Henning Paul
Henning Paul