AEW Fight Forever Review: Old School Goodness

As June’s gaming releases conclude, AEW Fight Forever emerges as Yuke’s triumphant return to wrestling video game development. My recent viewing of the explosive Forbidden Door PPV event, particularly Kenny Omega versus Will Osprey, rekindled my passion for professional wrestling. While WWE 2K has increasingly focused on hyper-realistic simulation gameplay over recent years, arcade wrestling enthusiasts have primarily relied on McDickie’s Wrestling Empire. AEW Fight Forever strategically targets this underserved market segment with its fast-paced, accessible combat system. Through our partnership with THQ Nordic, we’ve extensively tested this title throughout the past week. Continue reading for our comprehensive analysis of this wrestling spectacle.

AEW Fight Forever includes the fundamental match varieties typically featured on Dynamite and Rampage weekly broadcasts. Players can engage in standard singles competition, tag-team bouts, triple-threat encounters, and four-way free-for-alls. The one-on-one matches offer both conventional rule sets and two specialized variants. Lights Out mode and falls-count-anywhere create no-disqualification hardcore environments, with the latter permitting pin attempts anywhere throughout the arena.

The game showcases distinctive AEW match types including the heavily promoted exploding barbed-wire death match, casino battle royale, and ladder matches. The exploding barbed-wire death match confines competitors inside a ring surrounded by explosive barbed wire with an active countdown timer. When the timer reaches zero, the entire ring detonates, inflicting significant damage on all participants. Recreating the legendary Jon Moxley versus Kenny Omega confrontation proved immensely satisfying. For fans familiar with that historic match, this mode contains a delightful hidden reference, though its activation remains uncommon and randomly determined.

Casino Battle Royale serves as AEW’s equivalent to Royal Rumble, incorporating gambling-themed aesthetics. Four wrestlers begin the match, with additional entrants joining following each elimination. The mode includes twenty randomly selected participants beyond the initial four selections. Meanwhile, ladder matches challenge two competitors to retrieve a suspended casino chip using elevated platforms.

While the available exhibition matches provide solid entertainment value, their limited customization options represent a significant drawback. For instance, ladder matches restrict participation to exactly two wrestlers without options for additional competitors or multi-person variations. Similarly, tag team matches only accommodate two teams and cannot be modified into hardcore rule sets. Implementing these customization features would substantially enhance replayability and social gaming experiences.

Beyond these limitations, the match selection remains commendable. While I personally missed the dog collar match variety, I recognize the programming complexities involved in tethering two wrestlers together. The absence of steel cage matches represents another missed opportunity—imagine recreating Cody Rhodes versus Wardlow’s iconic confrontation within AEW Fight Forever’s engine.

To experience AEW’s diverse match offerings, you’ll need wrestling talent—and Fight Forever delivers fifty playable characters spanning male and female competitors. The distribution includes thirty-seven male wrestlers alongside thirteen female athletes, featuring performers from the organization’s inaugural years alongside notable recent additions.

Notably, the game imposes absolutely no limitations regarding intergender matchups across all game modes. This means you can freely pit Britt Baker against Jon Moxley whenever the creative impulse strikes.

The selection encompasses numerous wrestling personalities, including Cody Rhodes despite his current WWE affiliation. Interestingly, the real-world tension between AEW’s Elite faction and CM Punk hasn’t impacted the Chicago native’s inclusion. However, the in-game roster doesn’t perfectly mirror AEW’s current real-world lineup, omitting several historically significant performers from our review build.

Pro Tip: Master each wrestler’s signature move sets by practicing in exhibition matches before jumping online. Many characters have unique combo chains that aren’t immediately obvious during gameplay.

Common Mistake: Don’t overlook the female wrestlers—their faster movement speed and different attack animations can provide strategic advantages in certain match types.

All match types support online multiplayer with crossplay functionality between Epic Games Store and Steam platforms. Our review period limited online testing to single-copy access with sparsely populated servers. We’ll provide comprehensive online performance analysis following the public launch.

Optimization Tip: For smoother online matches, practice timing your reversals in single-player first—the input delay in online matches can make counter-attacks more challenging to execute consistently.

The foundation established by AEW Fight Forever shows tremendous potential for expansion through future updates and downloadable content. While the current experience delivers satisfying arcade-style wrestling, additional match types, roster members, and customization options could elevate it to must-play status for fighting game enthusiasts. For those seeking deeper strategic gameplay, our Class Guide explores character specialization in competitive environments.

The Road To Elite campaign kicks off at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view event, spanning an entire in-game calendar year of wrestling drama. Unlike conventional wrestling narratives that demand specific victory conditions to advance, this mode embraces adaptive storytelling where match outcomes directly shape your journey. Triumph or defeat both propel the narrative forward, creating unique branching paths where unexpected alliances can form from surprising losses.

Between major events, strategic downtime management becomes crucial. You can participate in exhibition matches to hone skills, engage in training sessions to boost energy reserves and ability scores, or take recreational breaks to maintain mental sharpness. Four core systems govern your progress: the energy meter dictates injury susceptibility and recovery rates, skill points measure performance quality and narrative influence, career currency enables in-game purchases for character enhancements, and morale directly impacts match performance quality.

This story mode offers substantial replay value for players seeking depth beyond standard exhibition matches. The narrative structure carries distinct Yukes design philosophy, evoking nostalgia for classic Smackdown vs Raw career modes while introducing modern branching elements. Road To Elite stands as a compelling addition that wrestling enthusiasts will appreciate for its dynamic storytelling and strategic depth.

AEW Fight Forever embraces arcade-inspired combat mechanics reminiscent of classic N64 wrestling titles like WWF No Mercy. The design philosophy prioritizes accessible, fast-paced action over simulation realism, eliminating technical considerations like wrestler weight classes. Based on extensive testing across multiple platforms, controller gameplay on either traditional gamepads or Steam Deck provides superior responsiveness compared to keyboard input, despite adequate keyboard functionality.

Mastering the control scheme begins with fundamental strikes: Square/X buttons execute punches while Triangle/Y handles kicks. Sustained button presses unleash powered-up variations, and directional input during attacks creates diverse strike combinations. The true combat depth emerges when blending these offensive options into seamless assault chains that overwhelm opponents.

Grappling mechanics activate with X/A during proximity, enabling either modified strikes through face buttons or special maneuvers via repeated grapple input. Directional stick manipulation during grapples unlocks additional technique variations for strategic diversity. Defensive play proves equally crucial—timely RB activation counters striking attacks, creating retaliation opportunities, while precise LB timing reverses grapples to seize offensive initiative. This counter-based combat rhythm delivers exceptional satisfaction when executed flawlessly.

When match rules permit, environmental weapon utilization becomes a game-changing tactical element, and AEW delivers an impressive arsenal. The game incorporates virtually every implements imaginable in wrestling spectacle—steel chairs, folding tables, ladders, thumbtack-covered boards, barbed-wire-wrapped bats, and numerous other destructive tools. Strategic deployment of these elements significantly accelerates your momentum gauge progression.

Positioned in the interface’s corner, this critical meter monitors both endurance levels and special move availability. Successful counters, landed strikes, and even crowd-engaging taunts contribute to momentum accumulation. Certain character-specific actions provide temporary buffs that dramatically increase meter generation rates, enabling faster access to match-concluding techniques.

Upon reaching maximum momentum capacity, your wrestler unleashes their devastating signature technique or finishing move. These high-impact maneuvers frequently decide match outcomes when properly executed. Advanced movement options like ring-to-floor diving attacks, technical chain wrestling sequences, and other sophisticated techniques expand the combat toolkit. Comprehensive mechanical instruction comes from Sir William Regal through integrated tutorials during initial gameplay sessions.

To maximize your Steam Deck’s battery performance with AEW Fight Forever, begin by adjusting several key graphical settings. Reduce shadow quality, disable anti-aliasing completely, and set post-processing effects to medium levels. However, maintain textures on high settings to preserve visual clarity during matches. These adjustments alone can extend gameplay sessions to approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes on a single charge.

The most significant battery improvement comes from implementing a locked frame rate to 40 FPS. This optimization reduces power consumption substantially while maintaining smooth gameplay responsiveness. When combining the 40 FPS cap with the previously mentioned graphics adjustments, you can achieve around 3 hours of continuous wrestling action. This makes the game ideal for extended travel sessions or longer gaming periods away from power outlets.

For additional optimization, consider reducing resolution scaling to 85-90% and disabling motion blur effects. These minor adjustments can squeeze out extra minutes while maintaining acceptable visual quality. Always monitor your Steam Deck’s performance overlay to ensure stable frame pacing and temperature management during extended play sessions.

During testing, we encountered occasional visual artifacting issues, particularly within the Road to Elite story mode. Wrestler models would sometimes flicker briefly on screen for one to two seconds during cinematic sequences. This technical anomaly appears related to the game’s incomplete Proton optimization rather than hardware limitations of the Steam Deck.

When running the latest Proton compatibility layer versions, AEW Fight Forever performs nearly identically to its Windows counterpart in terms of core gameplay stability. The flickering issues seem isolated to specific game modes and don’t significantly impact actual wrestling matches. For optimal performance, ensure you’re using Proton Experimental or the latest stable Proton GE release.

Common mistakes players make include using outdated Proton versions or enabling unnecessary graphics features that strain the APU. Always verify your Proton version through SteamOS and avoid enabling high-resolution texture packs that may not be optimized for portable hardware. These proactive steps can prevent most technical issues before they occur.

Graphically, AEW Fight Forever embraces a deliberate stylistic approach rather than pursuing photorealism. The developers have chosen comical aesthetics reminiscent of classic Smackdown VS Raw titles from the PlayStation 2 era, creating a nostalgic arcade feel. While texture quality has seen noticeable improvements over those predecessors, character models feature an excessive shine effect that gives wrestlers an oily, glossy appearance.

This visual presentation won’t satisfy players seeking ultra-realistic graphics, but it successfully establishes its own distinctive identity. The artistic direction maintains consistency throughout the game, though character facial expressions sometimes appear stiff or emotionless. Some models exhibit an uncanny valley effect where they fall between stylized and realistic representations.

The lighting system contributes significantly to the shiny character appearance, with arena spotlights creating pronounced specular highlights on wrestler models. Environmental textures and crowd details receive less attention, focusing resources on the in-ring action where it matters most during gameplay sequences.

Budget constraints are evident throughout AEW Fight Forever’s production values, preventing it from delivering a AAA premium experience. Cost-saving measures appear in simplified character models, abbreviated entrance sequences, complete omission of commentary teams, and relatively basic wrestler customization options. Despite these limitations, the core wrestling mechanics and Road to Elite story mode emerge as standout features that justify the experience.

The game serves as a worthy spiritual successor to classic titles like WWF No Mercy, capturing the pick-up-and-play accessibility that made those games beloved. After years of disappointing wrestling titles, including the underwhelming WWE 2K21, AEW Fight Forever’s intuitive control scheme and immediate gameplay satisfaction provide refreshing entertainment. The learning curve accommodates both newcomers and veteran wrestling game fans effectively.

Gameplay depth comes from mastering the reversal system, understanding momentum mechanics, and exploring the extensive move sets available. While the creation suite lacks the complexity of contemporary alternatives, the fundamental wrestling action remains engaging and responsive. For advanced players, mastering the timing-based mechanics and developing strategic approaches to different match types provides substantial replay value.

AEW Fight Forever’s straightforward pick-and-play design makes it perfectly suited for portable gaming on the Steam Deck. The gameplay mechanics successfully carry the experience, representing a solid debut effort for the wrestling promotion and a welcome return for developer Yuke’s. Long-term appeal will depend on future content updates and community support, but the foundation provides satisfying wrestling action.

The game effectively satisfies the craving for accessible wrestling entertainment and comes recommended for both casual and dedicated fighting game enthusiasts. While presentation elements show budgetary limitations, the core experience delivers where it matters most—in the ring. For Steam Deck owners specifically, the optimization potential and portable-friendly design make it an excellent addition to your gaming library.

Check out AEW Fight Forever on Steam ($59.99)

For players looking to enhance their technical skills, our Class Guide provides advanced strategies that can be adapted to wrestling game mechanics. Additionally, understanding optimization principles from our Complete Guide can help improve performance across various games on your Steam Deck.

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