Let’s cut to the chase.
I have long been a fan of pro-wrestling video games, with my favorite titles being WCW/NWO Revenge and WWF No Mercy for the N64. While AEW Fight Forever isn’t an exact replica of those THQ classics it does hit that nostalgia button while feeling original enough on its own.
For starters, the action is quick. If you are a proficient enough gamer you can build up your momentum and unlock signatures/finishers after a few exchanges. After only 30-minutes of playtime I found that I had wrestled 10+ matches and had tried out several of the mini-games. I consider this a positive since the replay value for me is high and exploring all of the different characters and move-sets was a treat. Playing with a friend, online, or cranking the difficulty up to “Elite” will certainly make the matches play longer.
The roster looks great, even if some characters (looking at you Chris Jericho) come off far more arcady/cartoony than the WWE 2K series. Depending on what you want from your experience this can be a good thing or a bad thing but it didn’t bother me. The Road To Elite mode is far from the expansive story mode that WWF No Mercy originated, but with the game playing so quick grinding for all the possible outcomes seems like a decent enough adventure, even if it does become a chore.
Upon release, there were a few minor bugs/glitches that came up, but none that ruined my experience. The reversal system could be somewhat frustrating, but as someone who found it WAY too easy to counter in WWE 2K I welcome the challenge. Entrances have a fun add-on where you can control the pyro. It would be a lot more fun if the entrances lasted a bit longer and if certain stars had their proper theme music. (Jon Moxley does NOT have ‘Wild Thing.’)
In my opinion, the standout match types are the Lights Out Unsanctioned Match and the Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch. Both offer the blood and brutality that makes AEW stand apart from WWE in real-life, so it’s only proper that the same chaos gets offered in Fight Forever. The slow-mo replays are cool and the ring actually explodes! Plus thumb tacs!
The Casino Battle Royal plays a lot like the Battle Royal in WCW/NWO Revenge. Four competitors enter the ring, and no other entrants can come in until someone is eliminated. While this is vastly different from how AEW actually does the Casino Battle Royal, it does seem that any more than four inside the ring would be unenjoyable. (No Mercy did a similar trait for its Royal Rumble game mode).
I got a chance to play as nearly everyone, but Kenny Omega feels like the best choice for online/competitive gamers. Omega’s mixture of power and athleticism make him feel like the most complete wrestler in the game, and the V-Trigger and One-Winged Angel animation looks the best out of all the signatures/finishers. Darby Allin was also a ton of fun due to his speed and daredevil-esque move set, which matches the former TNT Champion’s real-life counterpart. Kris Statlander, Britt Baker, and Jade Cargill play really well in the women’s division and are suitable opponents in any intergender matches. (Unrelated to the review but I made Sting the AEW Champion immediately.)
Overall, Fight Forever has not reinvented the wheel, nor would I even call it a necessary purchase, but if you’re a fan of AEW and enjoy throwbacks with a new fresh coat of paint it’s certainly a treat. 7 out of 10.