AEW Fight Forever vs WWE 2K23: Who will come out on top?

WWE and AEW have been in direct competition for a number of years, and now that battle is set to arrive on our consoles.

WWE 2K23 was released earlier this year and immediately became one of the best wrestling games of all time.

However, a rival has emerged in the form of AEW Fight Forever, with its imminent release set to throw a spanner in the works for 2K and co.

We're taking a look at the merits of both games and working out who could end up coming out on top.

WWE 2K23 vs AEW Fight Forever

Wrestling fans haven't had it easy when it comes to gaming in recent years, with certain disasters like WWE 2K20 murdering hope with a clothesline from hell.

With 2K releasing the only major player on the market, recent wrestling games have been somewhat of a sparsely populated letdown.

Fast forward to now and things are looking a lot better, with WWE 2K23 a huge success with both players and critics alike.

However, 2K aren't the only players in the game, with THQ Nordic releasing the first ever AEW game, AEW Fight Forever.

The game will release on June 29 and usher in the start of a new era for wrestling gaming, with rival promotions set to do battle on our consoles.

So, what makes these games different? And, rather more importantly, which one should you choose?

WWE 2K23

WWE 2K23 blew expectations out of the water, with general gameplay and graphics being elevated to a whole new level.

2K Games clearly poured a lot of heart and soul into this release and the game is easily one of the best wrestling games ever released.

Matching an incredible roster with masterful graphics, WWE 2K23 is a game for wrestling purists who want immersion and complete realism.

With plenty of individual game modes on offer, WWE 2K23 has something for everyone. Whether you're a fan of online gameplay or story modes, WWE 2K23 has something for you.

Bugs and Glitches are still present, but they don't detract too much from the overall product.

Impressive DLC packs and an incredible creation suite are the cherries on the cake for 2K Game's wrestling offer, with this game well and truly translating the brutal reality of WWE 2K23.

AEW Fight Forever

THQ Nordic has made it very clear that AEW FIght Forever will not be a purely realistic wrestling game.

Instead, the game will possess an arcade-like feel that will harken back to the days of wrestling games past.

Instead of having the realistic scans and gameplay seen in WWE 2K23, AEW Fight Foerver will focus on more fun and joyous aspects, with ludicrous finishers and an over-the-top display taking centre stage.

That doesn't mean there won't be aspects of reality in the game, with a large roster and a host of legends set to feature.

Whilst we can't review AEW Fight Forever yet, given it hasn't been released, we can say that this game will offer something very different for players that are looking for a more arcade-like experience.

Taking to the Ring

This feels like a simple conclusion: why not both?

Both AEW Fight Forever and WWE 2K23 will offer something completely different, to the point where true wrestling fans should just try both.

With different rosters on show, it also gives players a chance to try out different stars and find their own legends.

Whilst WWE purists may not want to try out AEW Fight Forever, the lure of stars like CM Punk and Sting may be too much to curtail, so it's well worth giving the game a try.

Tribalism is rife and everyone must pick a side, but when it comes to AEW Fight Forever and WWE 2K23, we reckon that both games are well worth a try.