AEW: Fight Forever – A Nostalgic Slam into the World of Professional Wrestling

AEW: Fight Forever delivers a unique and refreshing take on the professional wrestling video game genre. While giants like WWE 2K dominate the market with their hyper-realistic simulations, AEW: Fight Forever opts for a vibrant, arcade-style approach, harkening back to the beloved wrestling games of the late 1990s and early 2000s, specifically drawing inspiration from the classic AKI Corporation titles such as WWF No Mercy. This deliberate throwback isn’t just a stylistic choice; it fundamentally shapes the gameplay experience, offering a welcome alternative to the more complex, simulation-heavy competitors.

A Roster of All-Stars and a Healthy Dose of Nostalgia

The game boasts a compelling roster of fully licensed wrestlers from All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a company renowned for its fast-paced, high-flying action and charismatic performers. Fans will recognize and revel in controlling their favorite stars, including the likes of Chris Jericho, Sting, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), Hikaru Shida, Dr. Britt Baker, and Jon Moxley. The roster isn’t static; downloadable content (DLC) expands the playable characters, such as the FTR: Revival Pack, which adds Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, along with bonus mini-games like “Join Us” and “Death Race-X.” This commitment to expanding the roster keeps the game fresh and engaging, ensuring players always have new wrestlers to master and storylines to explore.

The nostalgic influence extends beyond the roster. The control scheme directly echoes the intuitive simplicity of the AKI games, making AEW: Fight Forever remarkably accessible. Players can jump into the action without needing to navigate layers of complex mechanics and button combinations. This streamlined control system is a crucial element of the game’s appeal, lowering the barrier to entry for casual players while still offering enough depth to keep seasoned wrestling game veterans engaged. The emphasis on pick-up-and-play functionality enhances the local multiplayer experience, making it a perfect party game for friends and family to enjoy together.

Diverse Match Types and Engaging Game Modes

AEW: Fight Forever doesn’t limit itself to standard wrestling matches. The game offers a diverse range of match types, catering to various player preferences and providing ample replayability. Beyond the fundamental singles and tag-team matches, players can experience the thrill of a Ladder Match, the chaotic unpredictability of a Casino Battle Royale, and the brutal intensity of an Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match. This variety ensures that every match feels fresh and exciting, preventing the gameplay from becoming repetitive. The inclusion of these unique match types is a testament to AEW: Fight Forever’s commitment to capturing the essence of AEW’s exciting and unpredictable style.

The game also features a robust career mode. This mode allows players to immerse themselves in the life of a professional wrestler, managing their career from the ground up. Players take on the roles of their favorite AEW characters and navigate the challenges of building their reputation, managing rivalries, and competing for championship titles. The career mode’s depth adds a layer of strategic decision-making and long-term engagement, encouraging players to make considered choices that shape their wrestler’s journey. The customization options further enhance the career mode, letting players personalize their wrestler’s appearance, movesets, and even their entrance themes. This allows for a high degree of personalization and a unique experience for every playthrough.

A Visual Style Rooted in the Past, Gameplay Focused on the Present

While AEW: Fight Forever embraces the aesthetic of classic wrestling games, its visual style might not appeal to everyone. The graphics and art style reflect the nostalgic inspiration, presenting a deliberately less realistic look compared to the photorealistic visuals of modern wrestling games. This stylistic choice is intentional, reflecting the game’s core focus on gameplay and accessibility rather than hyper-realistic visuals. However, it’s important to acknowledge that this simpler visual approach may not appeal to players who prioritize cutting-edge graphics and highly detailed character models.

The gameplay, however, shines. AEW: Fight Forever is undeniably fun to play. Its intuitive controls and fast-paced action make it a joy to pick up and play, while the variety of match types and game modes keep players coming back for more. The emphasis on arcade-style gameplay results in a more accessible and forgiving experience than its more simulation-focused counterparts. This focus on fun and accessibility is a refreshing change of pace, especially for players seeking a less demanding yet still deeply engaging wrestling experience. The game excels at capturing the energy and excitement of a live AEW event, making it a truly captivating experience.

A Niche Appeal with Broader Potential

AEW: Fight Forever’s greatest strength is also its potential limitation: its nostalgic appeal. While this will undoubtedly resonate with long-time wrestling game fans who fondly remember the AKI era, it might alienate players accustomed to the highly polished realism of newer titles. The game’s less realistic visuals and simpler control scheme might seem less impressive compared to competitors like WWE 2K23.

However, this niche appeal shouldn’t be seen as a purely negative aspect. AEW: Fight Forever provides a valuable alternative to the current market dominance of simulation-style wrestling games. Its accessibility and focus on fast-paced, fun gameplay carve out a unique space in the genre, creating an opportunity to attract players who might be intimidated by the complexity of other titles or who simply appreciate a different approach to wrestling game design. The game’s charm lies in its simplicity, its focus on fun, and its nostalgic appeal – elements that, while perhaps niche, are incredibly powerful and engaging for the right audience.

Comparison to Competitors: A Different Kind of Victory

Directly comparing AEW: Fight Forever to games like WWE 2K23 highlights the key differences in their design philosophies. WWE 2K23 aims for photorealistic graphics, intricate simulation mechanics, and a deeply immersive career mode. AEW: Fight Forever, in contrast, prioritizes arcade-style gameplay, accessibility, and a nostalgic aesthetic. One isn’t inherently better than the other; they simply cater to different preferences.

WWE 2K23 excels in delivering a hyper-realistic experience, replicating the finer details of professional wrestling with stunning accuracy. However, this level of realism comes at the cost of increased complexity, potentially alienating players who prefer a more straightforward, pick-up-and-play experience. AEW: Fight Forever, on the other hand, prioritizes fun and accessibility, sacrificing some visual fidelity and complexity for a more instantly gratifying experience.

The choice between these games depends largely on individual preferences. Players seeking a highly realistic and complex wrestling simulation will find WWE 2K23 more appealing. Those who prefer a simpler, more arcade-style experience with a focus on fast-paced action and a healthy dose of nostalgia will find AEW: Fight Forever to be a far more enjoyable and engaging option.

Conclusion: A Worthy Contender in the Wrestling Game Arena

AEW: Fight Forever is not trying to be the next WWE 2K. Instead, it successfully carves its own unique niche, celebrating the nostalgic charm of classic wrestling games while delivering a fun and accessible experience. The game’s simplicity, coupled with its impressive roster of AEW superstars and its variety of game modes, creates a package that is genuinely enjoyable and offers significant replay value. While its visual style and simplified mechanics might not appeal to all players, AEW: Fight Forever stands as a worthy contender in the professional wrestling game arena, proving that sometimes, a simpler, more arcade-focused approach can be incredibly effective and rewarding. For fans of classic wrestling games and those seeking a more accessible entry point into the genre, AEW: Fight Forever is a must-play title.