AEW: Fight Forever

 PlayStation 5
User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 47
  3. Negative: 19 out of 47
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  1. raw603
    Jul 2, 2023
    7
    Let me say this right from the jump: For this game to have a critics rating of 65 while 2K Battlegrounds pulled a 60 just completely invalidates this rating system. 2K Battlegrounds was borderline unplayable in terms of gameplay mechanics, and in my experience only took maybe 2 hours of play time before every character felt exactly the same. But I digress...

    I cut my teeth on AKI & THQ    Let me say this right from the jump: For this game to have a critics rating of 65 while 2K Battlegrounds pulled a 60 just completely invalidates this rating system. 2K Battlegrounds was borderline unplayable in terms of gameplay mechanics, and in my experience only took maybe 2 hours of play time before every character felt exactly the same. But I digress...

    I cut my teeth on AKI & THQ wrestling games. I played basically every wrestling game on console, licensed by a major promotion or not, from WCW vs. the World through Day of Reckoning 2. And the last wrestling game I purchased was WWE 2K15 (Battlegrounds was a PS+ monthly free game). In short, I've played a lot of wrestling games, and a variety of them, at that.

    What I can say is, AEW: Fight Forever delivers one of my favorite gameplay experiences. In a lot of ways, AEWFF plays like a spiritual successor to WWF No Mercy with a lot of innovative enhancements to the classic AKI-like mechanics. The gameplay could use some fine tuning, but is absolutely worth trying out and, in my opinion, delivered EXACTLY what I expected from AEW's first video game entry.

    Getting to the "whole package," the best term I can use is inconsistent. If you're like me, you've got most of everything you want. There's tons of titles to defend in exhibition matches (plus a nice title management menu that shows title histories). Not every match type you might have expected (like tornado tag or iron man) is included, but there's still a fair assortment that provide surprisingly unique experiences. The exploding barbed wire death match in particular was a match I didn't expect to care much for, but was taken aback by how much fun and how unique of an experience it is. Leading up to release, I was bummed there was no cage match, but cage matches are really so much of just a visual gimmick most of the time. Whereas, the exploding barbed wire death match plays how, IMO every cage match in any game ever SHOULD have played but didn't, rending the cage match omission moot. And if you don't understand what I'm saying, play the match and you will.

    Outside of the versus menu, Road to Elite is more fun than the initial impression it gave me. But to be completely fair, for a full priced game, I don't feel the mode lasts long enough and/or has enough story scenarios. The mode will likely feel competitive sooner than later.

    And lastly, the oddest part of the overall game is, it seems to have been built in a way to support a lot of fun and interesting unlockable content, but it's just... not in the game? There's a store. There are systems in the game to unlock items and characters, etc. but there's so little that actually adds any value at this point its just a little concerning for the longevity of the game. It's not been a week, and despite life and responsibilities as a parent I've nearly unlocked everything in the store (that anyone knows exists at this point). So, it really begs the question how soon AEW/THQ plan to add more content, if at all. And that's probably just not a great vibe to give off again considering the Elite edition of this game was $70.

    I could keep going and going but I just want to be done with this review. Bottom line is, there are more than a handful of things you can scratch your head and say, "How does this game not have [XYZ] right now?" But at the same time, I've not been unable to put the controller down from the day the game was released, and don't see and end to that in sight.    … Expand
  2. MarkiplierCream
    Jul 5, 2023
    5
    AEW Fight Forever feels like a game that can’t get out its own way. While the gameplay itself is fun, the bugs, glitches, pitiful ‘story mode’, poor character creator and bad graphics turn a game that could’ve been fun into something that’s just painfully below par on what we expect from even indie games
  3. arostislavna
    Aug 13, 2023
    6
    Updated review: Multiplayer is hit and miss and entirely dependent on good connection, some latency just ruins the online experience. Additionally, the seasonal updates haven't started, and there's nothing to grind the in-game currency for... it has potential to be fun, still. But lack of updates has really hindered this game. I'm inclined to say this is in a state like Cyberpunk 2077 inUpdated review: Multiplayer is hit and miss and entirely dependent on good connection, some latency just ruins the online experience. Additionally, the seasonal updates haven't started, and there's nothing to grind the in-game currency for... it has potential to be fun, still. But lack of updates has really hindered this game. I'm inclined to say this is in a state like Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. Yikes.

    It's AEW's first major console game & YUKE's expertise comes from the N64 arcade style wrestling games, which is forgiveable that it isn't a simulator game.

    Controls are easy to pick up but hard to master, I had to change the running controls to L2 and do training to figure out how to play. The default controls are not the best, and I would recommend changing them.

    This base game is NOT perfect, and there are glaring features missing upon launch.
    Difficulty is not scaled correctly IMHO, a 1v1 can be beaten on elite relatively easy, but a 4v4 on easy or normal will kick your butt.

    There is very limited voice acting for the story, and if you're wanting depth it's not there. Road to Elite basically exists to level up your Create a Wrestler, unlock the photo postcards, and convert your rewards to the grindable currency.
    It's a relatively short experience, and worthy of your time atleast once a week.

    Most of the minigames are cool, PENTA says is probably the hardest one to master.
    The weapon list and the overall craziness from all the matches with no disqualification is fantastic.

    There are 4-5 moves in the move list that just don't work, and need to be fixed ASAP.

    The Create a Wrestler & Arena modes are lacking in features and NEED an online ecosystem to keep the game alive.

    The in-game store is lacking in content currently, but will be updated in the future. Additionally, most clothing options and hair need an overhaul in colour selection. (It probably won't happen so it's unfortunate)

    In closing, the real draw to this over the WWE2K series is the gameplay.    … Expand
  4. BigDaddyAstro
    Sep 10, 2023
    6
    (bOOM!)
    LETS GO- IGNITE
    ELEMENTS COLLIDE
    AND A FLASH OF LIGHT
    AND YOU FEEL THE (BOOM!)
    THAT MEANS ITS TIME
    LIGHT THE FUSE- BRING THE (BOOM!)
    DYNAMITE!
  5. wcwmans
    Jul 13, 2023
    7
    This game is a sequel of day of reckoning 2, inspire by no mercy . It is inspire by smackdown vs raw series.
    The gameplay is great. the roster could be better (dlc every month will solve the issue). The carreer mode (rtte) is lesser long and good than no mercy and day of reckning 2. Unlock big show feel stupid. There are good modes but not enough, update and dlc could solve this    This game is a sequel of day of reckoning 2, inspire by no mercy . It is inspire by smackdown vs raw series.
    The gameplay is great. the roster could be better (dlc every month will solve the issue). The carreer mode (rtte) is lesser long and good than no mercy and day of reckning 2. Unlock big show feel stupid. There are good modes but not enough, update and dlc could solve this issue).There is no Bakstage fight. The tag team move are great and easy, weapon and move too. Create a wrestler is a shame not for the move part but for the body accessories etc creation.
    With imporvement by update or dlc ( creation, mode, wrestler, carreer mode) and the mode battle royal, it will deserve an 8 or 9. but we will need to pay... i like to play to this game but for me this game don't have enoug content at the time of my critic.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 45
  3. Negative: 6 out of 45
  1. Cubed3
    Jun 12, 2025
    60
    For what it is, AEW: Fight Forever is a simple, fun brawler. If you like simplicity and prefer your wrestling without the bells and whistles, pick this up. What lets it down is the lack of presentation and features. WWE does not own the monopoly on these things, and it’s a shame that after such a long wait, a lot is missing. The dedication to additions is commendable and bodes well for the future. Until then, this reviewer isn’t quite "All Out", but is definitely holding onto the turnbuckle.
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  2. Meristation
    Aug 28, 2023
    60
    Its gameplay it's largely recognizable, we are talking about the studio that created the classic Smackdown vs Raw. It could be some worthy, but it's lack of content makes it difficult to recommend.
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  3. TierraGamer
    Aug 24, 2023
    75
    AEW Fight Forever tries to return the old game mechanics of more than 20 years ago to consoles that no longer need them. This video game is entertaining. It has enough combat modes to feel part of a night with all AEW's action. However, the reality is that it is a product with a lot to improve, especially if it is going to compete with the WWE 2k games.
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