10 Things AEW’s Video Game Must Learn From WWE 2K22

4. A Single-Player Story Is Essential

AEW Video Game Jungle Boy Darby Allin
AEW Games

Word to the wise: Yuke's shouldn't touch 2K22's MyRise mode with a barge pole. There's nothing wrong with 2K's CAW-centred story, but fans are crying out for something a little more authentic. Basically, the masses want a proper 'Story Mode' that lets them use real-life workers.

Taking control of an actual AEW star and living their rise up (or fall down) the ranks sounds better than creating Johnny Runstheropes and pretending that's as awesome as kicking heads in as Eddie Kingston. It's truly baffling that wrestling game developers don't seem to grasp this simple concept.

Older games, like the aforementioned SmackDown: HCTP, did this beautifully. Yes, 2K22 let's you spotlight one wrestler's journey in Universe Mode, but it's fairly hollow after 20-30 matches. A fully-voice acted story that has a beginning, middle and end (albeit with player choices thrown in) is something AEW's game needs.

Having marked differences between picking Kenny Omega and Jungle Boy would be sweet too.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.