Summary
ThoughAEW Fight Foreversucceeded in delivering the casual arcade gameplay it promised, as anyone can pick up the game and have a good time, there are a number of areas where an eventual successor can improve upon the formula. More consistent roster updates is one flaw fans have pointed out, as rising star Swerve Strickland, current AEW world champion Samoa Joe, andthe legendary Adam Copelandare nowhere to be seen on the game’s roster. Other issues like a poor create-a-wrestler suite and lackluster match types have been highlighted as well, while a lack of commentary and painfully short entrances are other problems. However, one of the biggest issues is a lack of alternate attires.
To be fair toAEW Fight Forever, a handful of new outfits were added after release via Patch 1.04, withJon Moxley, Wardlow, and a few other wrestlers getting new outfits to select. However, a deeper selection of outfits at launch would have been hugely beneficial, as would more consistent attire additions after release as opposed to the rare batches of outfit drops like in 1.04. Given how rapidly the wrestling business and the characters within it can change, some of the figures depicted in the game look nothing like they currently do when fans watch an AEW show, and that’s a big problem for the next game to fix.
Why The Next AEW Game Has to Prioritize Alternate Attires
Fight Forever’s Limited Gear Selection is a Legitimate Problem
When looking at theAEW Fight Foreverroster, it does not take long to find wrestlers with outdated entrances and character models. One huge example is Christian Cage, who has become one of the most entertaining heels in the company thanks to his Patriarchy gimmick. Unfortunately, he lacks his heel entrance and turtleneck attire while in the ring. Another big example is Kris Statlander, one of the best women’s wrestlers in the company, who is still a fun-loving alien in-game despite having a more serious vibe now. Jack Perry is yet another example, as his heel character is the antithesis ofJungle Boy.
Sadly, this problem is only going to get worse when Toni Storm is added toAEW Fight Foreverin early 2024. While Toni is arguably the most popular woman onAEW’s rosterthanks to her Timeless gimmick, which has led to a meteoric rise for her in late 2023, the version of her that is being added next year is based on her Outcasts persona. There is a chance that Timeless Toni is an alternate skin, or that it comes later on, though that seems unlikely since that is surely the version that would be marketed if it existed. Though it is still nice to have any version of Toni in the game, it feels like a major missed opportunity to make a version of her from a year ago playable instead of the significantly more popular character she plays now.
Smaller examples of missed opportunities for alternate outfits include Brian Danielson with an eyepatch and viking-style hair, which could have been a great Continental Classic tie-in, as well as Brian Cage’s lack of face paint. New hairstyles forMJFand Wardlow would also be welcome.
AEW Fight Forever Shows That Alternate Outfits Are Viable
Yuke’s already showed that this kind of support is possible via the aforementioned Patch 1.04 outfits and the few unlockable attires that were in the game on day one. Being able to acquire golden attires was a solid idea, and simply adding more challenges to unlock outfits post-launch could have given them a reason to keep playing. Even a paid battle pass model that offers numerous outfits every few months could work, as money made from the passes could provide the budget to add more wrestlers to the game, fixing another problem with the title. WhileAEW Fight Forever’s slow roster and match type additions have been frustrating, the lack of attires is more annoying than one may think. And, in the case of theToni StormDLC, it is a problem that could genuinely end up harming the game.
AEW Fight Forever
WHERE TO PLAY
Developed by YUKE’S Co., Ltd., creators of numerous, multi-million unit selling wrestling games, AEW: Fight Forever combines arcade-wrestling game feel with innovative All Elite Wrestling finishers and tandem offensive moves. The All Elite Wrestling promotion is currently taking TNT and TBS networks by storm every week with their Rampage and Dynamite shows, featuring some of the biggest legends to enter the ring plus a stable of brand new, high-flying, AEW talent. AEW: Fight Forever brings more than 50 of the best of the best from that talent roster together in one game! Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level in Fight Forever with Tag Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. More than 10 different game modes, including Unsanctioned Lights Out and Falls Count Anywhere PLUS more than 40 weapons, deep customization, career mode, and mini-games all await in AEW: Fight Forever!
