AEW Fight Forever Xbox Series X Review
| Game: | AEW Fight Forever |
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| Publisher: | THQ Nordic |
| Developer: |
The AEW has emerged as a welcomed alternative to the WWE, gaining a passionate fanbase. As a long-time fan of wrestling, I strongly believe that the advent of AEW was a much-needed catalyst to invigorate the industry. Similarly, in the realm of wrestling video games, the dominance of 2K’s WWE series remained unchallenged for a significant period. Therefore, witnessing the arrival of AEW’s inaugural game, AEW Fight Forever, brings a refreshing and distinctive experience to the genre.
Without a doubt, AEW Fight Forever bears striking similarities to the acclaimed wrestling game from over two decades ago, AKI’s WWF No Mercy on the N64. Regarded by many as the pinnacle of wrestling simulations, WWF No Mercy captured the essence of actual wrestling matches through its impeccable momentum system. It brilliantly replicated the ebb and flow of a contest, enabling matches to swiftly shift in favour from one competitor to another. It’s remarkable that, despite the passage of time, no game has managed to truly emulate the essence of No Mercy since its debut. However, AEW Fight Forever has emerged as the closest contender to capturing that same magic.
Fight Forever presents a refreshing and contemporary interpretation of the brilliance showcased in No Mercy. Notably, the game introduces faster and more fluid gameplay, elevating the overall experience, and this is also more of an arcade-style game than No Mercy ever was. The inclusion of the momentum system, reminiscent of AKI’s masterpiece, allows matches to reach swift conclusions if one can assert dominance right from the start, utilizing a range of striking combinations and grapple attacks. The game also shares the light and strong grapple and strike attacks of No Mercy as well as the guard system. Building up momentum grants access to a wrestler’s signature move set, while taunting sets the stage for unleashing one of your finishing moves. Furthermore, reversals have been streamlined with dedicated buttons for countering strikes and grapples, with successfully executed reversals leading to significant momentum shifts. The ability to block strikes and grapples, and counterattack while rising to one’s feet adds another layer of strategy to each match. Undeniably, certain aspects of Fight Forever pay homage to the beloved No Mercy, while infusing modern elements into the gameplay.
Fight Forever showcases a diverse roster of wrestlers, each exhibiting unique moves and possessing individual buffs that aid in expediting momentum and potentially altering the outcome of a match. Certain wrestlers can strategically roll out of the ring, evading opponents or creating opportunities for recovery. Others possess a heightened probability of successfully kicking out when in a disadvantaged state, providing a fighting chance against overwhelming odds. Some wrestlers demonstrate the agility to swiftly kip up, displaying their resilience and agility. Additionally, there are those who possess the remarkable ability to salvage themselves from imminent defeat when their momentum reaches critical levels. The process of mastering and leveraging these distinctive skills to quickly build momentum adds an enjoyable dimension to the gameplay, and it is gratifying to note that the game maintains a mostly well-balanced experience, ensuring fair competition and engaging encounters.
AEW Fight Forever does have certain drawbacks that deserve attention. Firstly, the game only allows for a total of four competitors in the ring at once, which is disappointing and would have benefited with the potential of at least one or two more for certain match types. Even worse is that the game features a singular kick-out system and a single submission system, both requiring button mashing. Unfortunately, the game lacks a clear indicator to inform you of your proximity to success when attempting to kick out of a pin or escape from a submission. The absence of on-screen information can make these critical moments feel arbitrary, leaving you unsure of your chances. Similarly, the absence of button prompts for reversals further contributes to the lack of guidance in executing these crucial defensive manoeuvres. It’s also a shame that the game doesn’t allow you to move to the ropes in order to break a submission hold, and hit detection can also be occasionally a little off. Finally, with certain gameplay aspects not clear, the game would greatly benefit from a comprehensive tutorial mode that adequately explains all its mechanics and provides a structured learning experience. A tutorial mode could help fill the gaps in understanding certain aspects of the game that remain unexplained during gameplay.
AEW Fight Forever further disappoints in terms of its AI, as it fails to provide a substantial challenge even on the unlockable “elite” difficulty mode. While AI opponents occasionally put up a fight, I often found myself easily emerging victorious. It is hoped that future updates will address this issue and introduce tweaks to enhance the AI’s competitiveness, providing a more engaging and rewarding single player game in the process.
AEW Fight Forever boasts an extensive roster of approximately 60 wrestlers, featuring a wealth of notable talent such as Chris Jericho, Orange Cassidy, Adam Cole, Kris Statlander, Jungle Boy, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Jon Moxley, Darby Allin, MJF, Miro, Hikaru Shida, Britt Baker, and Hangman Adam Page. However, it’s important to note that the absence of certain wrestlers, such as Samoa Joe, Jamie Hayter, Saraya, Swerve Strickland, Toni Storm, Brodie King, Buddy Matthews, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, and The Acclaimed, is conspicuous and will leave many fans wanting more. While the game’s roster is sure to expand through downloadable content in the future (the likes of Matt Hardy and FTR were already offered as a pre-order bonus and as part of the Season Pass respectively, while Hook, Keith Lee, Danhausen and Bunny are coming at a later point), it is disappointing that the initial roster feels somewhat outdated, and even the designs of some of the wrestlers are out of date (Chris Jericho is on the heavier side for example). It is hoped that the addition of DLC will address these omissions and bring the game’s roster up to date.
AEW Fight Forever offers a diverse range of match types, catering to various preferences and adding some spice and excitement to gameplay. It includes classic options like single matches (with a falls count anywhere option also available) three and four way matches, and tag team matches, as well as exciting gimmick matches such as Lights Out, Casino Battle Royale, and ladder matches. Lights Out features an array of weapons, ranging from the timeless steel chair to fire extinguishers, lead pipes, helmets, golf clubs, propane tanks, skateboards, bats, and even the graphic use of thumbtacks. Additionally, the game features intense and visually stunning exploding barbed wire matches, capturing the intensity of this unique stipulation with huge explosions as well as plenty of blood. However, it is regrettable that certain match types are missing from the game, such as the iconic cage match and trios matches, the latter of which has long been integral to AEW programming. One can hope that future updates or downloadable content will address these omissions, which will add in extra authenticity as well as variety to the game.
Fight Forever’s primary single player mode is Road to Elite, which offers you the option to either control AEW’s established wrestlers or create your own (through a rather slim and disappointing set of options) and take him or her through an entire year, competing on the likes of the flagship show that is Dynamite as well as on Rampage, Dark and in major pay per view matches. Interestingly, the mode seems to lean towards encouraging the use of created wrestlers, as playing as an AEW wrestler doesn’t allow for skill set customization or improvement. In contrast, created wrestlers can evolve and grow through training sessions, earning points that can be distributed in various ways. Road to Elite itself is enjoyable, providing opportunities to compete for different titles, engage in various match types, initiate feuds, suffer injury and notably, winning every match is not a requirement for progressing the story. Even in defeat, the narrative continues to unfold. Between matches, you can engage in training sessions to earn skill points, restore health by consuming meals, explore the sights of the current city to boost motivation, and participate in meet-and-greet events or make appearances on talk shows. You’ll even build a album of selfies of your wrestler alongside other wrestling personalities. All in all, on the surface Road to Elite delivers an entertaining enough experience with some fun and silly moments, although the mode is brief, repetitive, and it’s also often unclear how to trigger new stories when replaying the mode. As the main and only real single player mode, it feels all too limited, sadly.
AEW Fight Forever offers both local and online multiplayer options. However, the online performance can be a bit inconsistent and any created content sadly cannot be shared online either. Unfortunately, the game also currently lacks penalties for players who quit during a match, which can be frustrating for those looking for a fair fight. Nevertheless, when the online matches run smoothly and you encounter a worthy opponent, there is still plenty of enjoyment to be had.
AEW Fight Forever surprises also has a collection of peculiar mini-games that range from spot-the-difference challenges and trivia modes to a rhythmic action game where you imitate wrestler Penta’s moves. These mini-games offer a light-hearted and ridiculous form of entertainment, reminiscent of party games, providing a refreshing break from the main wrestling experience. While they offer enjoyable distractions, they can be seen as somewhat disposable or inconsequential in the grand scheme of the game. Nonetheless, as limited as they are, they add a unique and fun element to the overall package. I think they’re so stupidly likeable and silly, that it would be difficult to discount them entirely.
AEW Fight Forever showcases a retro and cartoon charm with its visually basic-looking wrestlers, making it fall short of the graphical quality of 2K’s WWE games. It’s weird how brief entrances are as well, lasting around 10 seconds each. However, more positively, the hand-created animations are a standout feature, delivering wonderful and impactful moves. When it comes to the sound, one notable aspect is the absence of play-by-play commentary, which feels odd considering the presence of commentators like JR and Excalibur providing dialogue snippets at the start and end of each match. The game certainly excels in capturing the ambiance of a live wrestling event with its atmospheric crowd noises. The action is further enhanced by accompanying music, and you even have the option to customize the music tracks through a jukebox feature. This allows for a personalized experience, including the ability to have wrestler theme music playing in the background during matches.
It has its flaws and limitations but AEW Fight Forever is still a fine alternative to 2K’s WWE games, offering fast and fluid gameplay reminiscent of the classic WWF No Mercy. With its pick-up-and-play nature, the game provides lots of arcade-style fun, although there’s definitely some hidden depth here as well. The momentum system captures the essence of real wrestling matches, complemented by a diverse roster and unique abilities. Match types like Lights Out and exploding barbed wire matches add extra excitement. While the Road to Elite career mode can feel limited and repetitive and there’s a lack of other things to do for the lone player, there’s still some fun to be had with the mode. Overall, AEW Fight Forever combines nostalgia with modern elements to deliver an entertaining wrestling experience.
