In the world of professional wrestling, anticipation has been building for AEW: Fight Forever, the debut game for All Elite Wrestling license. Developed by YUKE’S Co. and published by THQ Nordic, this title aims to provide an alternative to the long-standing WWE 2K series. Combining an arcade-wrestler feel with the innovative finishers and moves of All Elite Wrestling, Fight Forever seeks to capture the excitement of the ring in a new way. However, does it truly deliver as a worthy competitor? Let’s step into the arena and find out.
AEW: Fight Forever takes a different approach compared to its more simulation-based counterpart, the WWE 2K series. Embracing an arcade-style feel that brings it closer to the beloved classic Wrestlemania games, the game simplifies controls with basic heavy, light, and low attacks assigned to face buttons. Grapples can be executed by pressing a direction and a face button, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. The inclusion of chain wrestling and organic reversals adds an eye-catching element whenever you pull them off, allowing players to actively participate in the art of wrestling. Moreover, the game offers an array of weapons, enhancing the fun factor for fans who love getting creative with props. However, it must be acknowledged that some long-standing issues from previous wrestling games pop up in AEW: Fight Forever as well, such as a finicky lock-on system, lackluster kick-out mechanics, and frustrating multi-opponent matches.
For those not familiar, the game centers around All Elite Wrestling, a promotion that has been making waves on TNT and TBS networks with their Rampage and Dynamite shows. AEW: Fight Forever brings together the biggest legends and high-flying AEW talent, showcasing their skills in a single game. However, while the premise sounds promising, the game falls short in fully capturing the essence of what AEW represents, lacking the variety and richness found in the promotion’s roster while perhaps also lacking some of the recognition that you get with some of the (classic) WWE stars.
As such, one of the significant drawbacks of AEW: Fight Forever is a relative lack of content at launch. Despite the inclusion of exciting match types like the barbed wire exploding death match (it’s as crazy as it sounds), the game suffers from a shortage of modes and a disappointing roster. Considering AEW’s impressive talent pool, this limitation is a missed opportunity. We get that DLC is a popular strategy, but if you compare this base roster to the one in WWE 2K23 then AEW falls a bit short. Additionally, the game’s career mode, although featuring some cool ideas, is disappointingly short and rather generic. The inclusion of video clips of memorable AEW moments adds a nice touch, but overall, the career mode fails to leave a lasting impact.
The visual quality of AEW: Fight Forever is a mixed bag. While some character models are passable, others lack the likeness and appear dated, something that’s also true for how the crowd is rendered. A solid creation suite is a crucial aspect of wrestling games, but AEW: Fight Forever disappoints in this regard. Limited appearance options and unattractive character models hinder the potential for creative expression. On the other hand, the variety of move sets available is a definite highlight, providing a wide range of references for hardcore wrestling fans that help you make your wrestling style your own. In terms of audio, the absence of in-match commentary or other voice work is keenly felt, taking away from the overall immersion when compared to the competition.
AEW: Fight Forever shows promise as an arcade-style wrestling game, which is something we’ve been craving, but it falls short in a few areas. While it offers accessible gameplay mechanics and engaging moments, it struggles to capture the essence of All Elite Wrestling and lacks the content and depth of WWE 2K. The simplified controls and inclusion of chain wrestling and organic reversals add a fresh twist to the gameplay, but issues like the finicky lock-on system and lackluster kick-out mechanics hinder the overall experience. Matches involving multiple opponents can be frustrating, and the shortage of modes and a disappointing roster limit long-term appeal. There’s a lot of fun to be had and potential to see here, but we’re hoping this is a series that will improve if there’s a follow-up.
Score: 6.8/10
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