We had the opportunity to play AEW: Fight Forever, a wrestling game that fulfills all our long-held desires. In this review, we’ll discuss our thoughts on the game.
The road to AEW: Fight Forever has been a tumultuous one, with numerous obstacles including staff departures, a global pandemic, development setbacks, legal issues, and other distractions that typically don’t garner much attention in the world of video game development. However, due to the high anticipation from wrestling fans, particularly with the involvement of wrestler and video game enthusiast Kenny Omega, every delay became magnified. But now, after four long years, the game has finally been released thanks to THQ Nordic and Yuke’s Co. We received an early copy of the game, so we donned our Young Bucks shirts, simulated Jon Moxley’s bloody head-smashing, and dove into the game to provide our comprehensive review.
Gameplay and Modes:
AEW: Fight Forever offers a sense of familiarity for those who have played the N64 games from AKI and the original THQ. It captures the essence of classic wrestling games like WWF No Mercy and WCW/nWo: Revenge, which is exactly what the developers aimed for. If you’re expecting a game similar to the modern WWE 2K titles, you’ll be in for a surprise. AEW: Fight Forever stands apart in terms of appearance, gameplay mechanics, sound design, and overall feel. The game provides various modes, including the standard arcade Exhibition mode for 1-4 players competing against the CPU or each other. Additionally, there’s the engaging story mode called Road To The Elite, online multiplayer, the option to create a custom wrestler, a set of challenges, and an in-game shop where you can purchase additional items using earned in-game currency.
From AEW Dynamite To Console:
AEW: Fight Forever offers an array of match options inspired by what we’ve witnessed on AEW television. You can indulge in 1v1, tag team, 3 and 4-way matches, the Casino Battle Royale, ladder matches, and even the infamous Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match (which surprisingly looks better in the game). The inclusion of a training mode and various mini-games adds depth to the gameplay experience. The controls in AEW: Fight Forever are streamlined and intuitive, requiring a slight learning curve, but once mastered, you’ll be able to dominate your opponents or stage dramatic comebacks. Though the controls are generally satisfying, there are some minor issues when dealing with situations like being staggered or executing complicated maneuvers. These areas could benefit from further refinement.
Becoming All Elite:
The story mode in AEW: Fight Forever is an absolute blast. It takes elements from career modes found in other sports games and provides a satirical twist while still serving a purpose. Before each TV taping or PPV event, players engage in a series of activities to prepare for the day. These activities range from sightseeing and working out at the gym to enjoying local cuisine and attending press conferences. Each activity contributes to your mental and physical well-being, affecting your energy levels in matches and your preparedness for upcoming challenges. Some activities unlock additional stories and opportunities to earn money within the game. Winning matches, especially championship victories, yields substantial rewards. The story mode cleverly portrays a fictionalized version of AEW’s history, allowing players to relive key moments in the company’s timeline. Interactions with different wrestlers, participation in various matches, winning championships – it all contributes to the ultimate goal of becoming one of the elite in All Elite Wrestling.
Creating Your Own Wrestler & Trivial Pursuits:
The custom wrestler system in AEW: Fight Forever offers ample opportunities for creativity, allowing players to design wrestlers of any gender, ethnicity, and appearance. A wide range of clothing options is available to create unique gear, and players can choose from a jukebox filled with AEW classics and original tunes to set their character’s entrance music. The customization extends to selecting video backgrounds and pyrotechnic effects as well. A library of moves is at your disposal, enabling you to tailor your wrestler’s fighting style according to your preferences. However, the menu lacks organization and navigation can be tedious. The inclusion of mini-games, such as a baseball-themed Kendo stick home run derby, adds an enjoyable twist to the overall experience. However, the trivia mini-game may prove challenging unless you possess an encyclopedic knowledge of AEW. Be prepared to be outsmarted by the CPU unless you’re an expert on AEW’s past four years.
The Shortcomings of AEW: Fight Forever:
AEW: Fight Forever is not without its flaws. One notable issue is the relatively small roster, consisting of just over 50 wrestlers. Considering that AEW boasts nearly 200 signed talents (excluding Ring of Honor wrestlers), the limited roster is disappointing. The exclusion of many wrestlers raises suspicions that they may be sold as DLC content or as part of a season pass. Furthermore, the championship belt designs suffer from the all-too-common flaw of appearing flat and photoshopped. It’s perplexing why wrestling games consistently struggle to create realistic belt designs. Additionally, while the commentary audio in the menus is adequate, its inclusion during gameplay feels unnecessary. There are moments in the game where you’re forced to lose based on the narrative, which can be frustrating. For example, during a match against Pac, I found myself overwhelmed by interference from other members of Death Triangle. Despite punishing them and drawing blood, they remained in the ring without facing disqualification and continued to attack me until I lost by default. Such situations hinder the enjoyment of the game. Lastly, a notable advantage of having a create-a-wrestler (CAW) system is the ability to recreate wrestlers from other promotions, as seen in WWE 2K and Fire Pro Wrestling. AEW: Fight Forever’s limited customization options make this task challenging, but it’s a fixable issue that could be addressed through patches or updates.
A Wrestling Game For Wrestling Fans:
Ultimately, AEW: Fight Forever is an engaging and entertaining game that caters to wrestling enthusiasts. It may not possess the same depth or complexity as other sports titles like NBA 2K or Madden NFL, but it shouldn’t be expected to. The game’s primary objective is to deliver an accessible, enjoyable, and easy-to-learn professional wrestling experience featuring the beloved characters from the weekly AEW programming. In contrast to WWE games, which tend to alienate casual gamers due to their complexity, AEW: Fight Forever strikes a balance that allows wrestling fans of all levels to immerse themselves in the action.
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Maria Malik is your guide to the immersive world of Virtual Reality (VR). With a passion for VR technology, she explores the latest VR headsets, applications, and experiences, providing readers with in-depth reviews, industry insights, and a glimpse into the future of virtual experiences.
