Editor’s Note: I originally wrote this for another wrestling site I created, Pro Wrestling Wire. I decided to add it here to have everything in one spot. Enjoy!
Pro wrestling and simulation games can be a fun combination, and this Journey of Wrestling review proves just that.
I’ve been playing Adam Ryland’s various wrestling simulation games for years (TEW, EWR, etc.), but admittedly, it’s not the most versatile gaming option available for wrestling fans in terms of accessibility.
So, when I randomly stumbled upon Journey of Wrestling on Reddit, it was obvious that it was a viable alternative.
Let’s jump into the Journey of Wrestling review.
Simplicity
To be clear: This is not a review that aims to knock the TEW series. However, noting the similarities and differences is necessary for wrestling fans curious about what Journey of Wrestling has to offer. TEW has become the gold standard for simulation games, so it’s understandable why it’s a part of the conversation.
One area where Journey of Wrestling shines is its simplicity. It doesn’t require the ins and outs of looking at hundreds of stats or thousands of available wrestlers, making it one of the most ‘pick up and play’ wrestling games ever.
Your goal? Build your company’s reputation and put on the best shows that you can. Even better, booking matches and shows is an incredibly simple task.
Whereas in TEW games, the screen is filled with numerous options and information, the Journey of Wrestling screen contains only the essentials. Pick the wrestlers you want for the match or segment, and boom, it’s on the booking sheet. You can take care of the rest (pick winners) once the actual show begins.
The game is also very easy to navigate with only five main tabs: Dashboard, Book, Play, Manage, and Menu.
Dashboard gives you an overview of roster alerts, staff tasks, injuries, and upcoming shows. Book is where you book your matches and segments. Play is for when you’re ready to start your next show. Manage is where you can immerse yourself in your roster, feuds, job goals, and other fun stuff. Menu sends you back to the main Journey of Wrestling screen.
Scenarios
Much like TEW 2020 has mods for different eras in wrestling history, so does Journey of Wrestling.
When starting a new game, you can choose from numerous scenarios made by members of the Journey of Wrestling community.
Want to take over the WWF right after the Montreal screwjob and dive into the Attitude Era (this is the one that got me hooked on the game)? You can do that. Prefer to stick to the current era with WWE, AEW, NJPW, or another company? You can do that too. There are also options to play an NXT-based scenario, a 1994 scenario, and lots of other scenarios involving both real and created companies.
Scenarios are constantly updated with tweaks, and you can even filter them by Top Rated, Popular, New, and All to find the right one for you.
Of course, if you find that you love Journey of Wrestling and want to create your own game world, you have that option with the Create Scenario button on the main page.
Creative Points
I love the creative points aspect of Journey of Wrestling, as they allow you to further expand the options available to you within the game.
You earn creative points based on certain achievements within matches and shows, and these give you the opportunity to add more gimmick matches, better TV show segments, and things like that.
For example, after putting together some quality shows in my Attitude Era save, I earned enough points to finally have the Hell in a Cell Match as a match option.
Naturally, I used that for a match involving Mick Foley, and he was thrown off the top of the cage by Shawn Michaels. All it needed was Jim Ross’ commentary, and it would have been perfection.
But that’s just one aspect of what creative points can do. They play a role in other fun tasks involving booking and management.
Versatility
Perhaps one of the biggest things that works for Journey of Wrestling is the fact that it can be played anywhere.
Whereas a game like TEW 2020 can only be played via download on a PC (or Mac with the right software), Journey of Wrestling is a browser-based game. That means you can play it on your desktop, laptop, iPad, and mobile device.
Ease of use is important in an era where millions of apps and websites are competing for a person’s attention. Luckily, all you’ve gotta do is type in JourneyofWrestling.com, and you can start playing. It’s that simple.
Admittedly, Journey of Wrestling has replaced Reddit as my go-to entertainment option when laying in bed.
Sorry, Reddit. I still love you.
Price
Journey of Wrestling is free for the basic version of the game. For the full version, it’s a one-time payment of $15 (US). It has a free trial if you want to try before you buy.
I started off playing the free version and loved it so much that I eventually bought the full version. If you’re a casual fan that just wants a fun game to play every now and then, the free version may be all you need. If you want a little more depth (but nowhere near the level of TEW 2020), the full version will more than meet your needs.
Among the features that are offered in the full version: Staff and Facilities management, sandbox mode, multiple game saves, special segments, custom segments, random events, and so much more.
Plus, paying the $15 for the full version gets you access to all future paid features.
When comparing the prices for Journey of Wrestling and TEW 2020, I’m not sure there’s a a perfect way to do it. They’re different games that offer different things, and for my money, they’re both worth it.
Journey of Wrestling Summary
If you find yourself with a hectic schedule and need a wrestling game that you can play literally anywhere that has an internet connection, Journey of Wrestling is an excellent choice.
It’s a simple alternative to TEW 2020 (and cheaper), yet still packs an incredible punch when it comes to fun and replayability.
The game offers lots more than what I’ve mentioned, which is part of the beauty of it. You discover little things along the way that make it an even more awesome experience (the Help section on the main page offers more specifics on how the game works).
Even if you’ve never played a simulation wrestling game, Journey of Wrestling is so incredibly easy to play and understand that anyone can have fun with it. And again, the replayability is just outstanding.
So, if you’re searching for your next pro wrestling gaming adventure, Journey of Wrestling is a great game for casual and hardcore fans alike.
And while I’d love to tell you even more about it, I’ve gotta get back to the game so I can work on the feud between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!
