The basic move list can feel a little thin though and repetition of attacks became particularly noticeable through regular play, leading to yet another top rope elbow drop landing with a whimper instead of a bang.
Wrestlers definitely feel unique thanks to their taunts, traits and signature moves. Whilst each wrestler looks the part, there is a lot of shared DNA throughout the roster when it comes to how they perform in the ring. DLC plans have already been announced to add some much needed stars (FTR and Danhausen among them) and the game certainly feels built to grow instead of being usurped by a new game in twelve-months time. All Elite Wrestling may sound like an exclusive promotion, but its vast roster isn’t fully encompassed by the talent available in-game. However, there is also bound to be a feeling amongst some fans that their favourites are missing. Legends like Sting, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy and the late Owen Hart (his first appearance in a video game since 2004) will please the more hardcore and casual fans alike, whilst AEW’s younger talent like Darby Allin, ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry, and Sammy Guevara are also well represented. Almost all of AEW’s biggest names are represented with the inclusion of CM Punk, the Young Bucks, Britt Baker, Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley and the aforementioned Kenny Omega sure to make AEW fans happy. There’s a larger-than-life aspect to the wrestlers themselves as well, their character models riding the line between realism and action figure, their signature looks and personalities dialed up to 11.
Even entrances are reduced to their best bits a pop of music and a quick taunt before a match begins. Hearing the crowd chant your name, or an even better “holy sh*t” or an apt “fight forever” as the momentum swings back and forth is a nice touch, especially as the game wisely ditches commentary - notoriously hard to pull off well - in favour of introductory soundbites before and after matches. Landing a heavy strike, a particularly powerful slam, or a perfectly executed top rope dive feels satisfying (although I was surprised I needed to turn vibration on in the menus), and you can clearly see how the effects of a match take their toll on your chosen wrestler even without a traditional health bar.
FOREVER LOST 2 VIDEO GAME PRO
And whilst I occasionally encountered an attack not landing properly or some confused AI, those moments were almost always quickly disrupted by the next big move before the back and forth began once again.ĪEW: Fight Forever revels in pro wrestling’s more exaggerated elements. It’s all very easy to grasp which, in turn, keeps the action as fun and free-flowing as possible no matter you or your opponent’s skill level. Raining down blows on the opposition builds your chosen wrestler’s momentum until, with a push of the D-pad or a flick of the right stick, you can pull off your chosen wrestler's signature or finishing move. Light and strong moves are augmented by pressing or holding the attack button, or by moving the left stick in any direction. Fight Forever's more approachable control scheme allows for some solid combat variety without ever being overwhelming. Much like those classic games, there’s also just enough depth to the grappling gameplay to keep things interesting in the longer-term as well. The action is fast-paced, over-the-top, and trading hard-hitting moves with your opponent as one of AEW’s biggest stars is refreshingly straightforward. Whilst It may take a match or two to shake off any ring rust, AEW: Fight Forever will feel immediately familiar to anyone who played a wrestling game in the late 90s and early 2000s. The result is a modest yet ambitious first attempt an arcadey pick up and play wrestling game that offers a true alternative to the long-established WWE 2K series. AEW: Fight Forever is developed by Yuke’s, the developer who had long worked with WWE on their annual video game releases, with Hideyuki “Geta” Iwashita, director of classic N64 wrestling game WWF No Mercy, at the helm, and fans like AEW’s own Kenny Omega also assisting on the project. Nostalgia and wrestling are the ultimate tag team and AEW has been clever to tap into rose-tinted fanaticism when making its debut in the digital squared circle.
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