There are two types of wrestling game fans out there. There are those that believe in the technical art of the game and absolutely, positively master every grip, reversal and move that they can to earn a championship. Then there are those that simply jump in and have a good time. THQ’s AEW: Fight Forever definitely falls in the latter.

The developers at Yukes (formerly WWE 2K’s makers) have mastered the formula of arcade-style wrestling over the years, and with Fight Forever, they’re definitely going for a WWF No Mercy or WCW/NWO World Tour vibe. Getting players into the game and letting them pull off masterful moves with little effort is what it’s all about here, and in that regard, it’s a championship contender.

A few modes come up short, and we were hoping to see more folks in the roster, but Fight Forever should be a winner with wrestling fans looking for a good time. So LISTEN!

Now This is Rasslin’!

The first thing you’ll grasp with Fight Forever is the simple gameplay. Yukes has this dialed in to a T, right down to reversals and being able to pull off neat moves, such as a flying drop kick while riding on a skateboard. (It’s a Darby Allin thing.) There are hardly any hiccups here, though tables tend to break easier than expected. (Maybe it’s a budget problem.) Overall, it’s tons of fun; and the fact your friends can jump in online to challenge you is a treat, since online play works reasonably well (along with local, of course).

The modes are alright. There are some that really stand out, like the wild Casino Battle Royale mode, as well as variations – such as that ridiculous exploding ring – that are sure to be winners with the AEW crowd. That said, the Road To Elite mode could’ve been better. There are some neat story angles here, but some of the activities – like going to dinner to build up strength – seem out of place. I didn’t snag a wrestling game to put Wardlow through a meal, thanks.

Create-a-Wrestler is also here; and though it isn’t as in-depth as we hopes (like WWE 2K23’s wild options), it’s not bad. The finished look might be a little rough, but overall there are enough viable tools to create something cool here. You can unlock more goods in the store as well, including – peculiarly enough – finishers you’d see on WWE wrestlers. Hey, if Roman Reigns can do it…

There are also some strange but enjoyable mini-games to take on here, which can help pass the time in some humorous ways. It’s not every day you see Penta engaging in a dancing mini-game, but here it is. They’re a decent distraction when you need a cooldown from the ring, but obviously, they won’t be everyone’s speed.

Finally, that brings us to the roster. Now, AEW’s roster is packed with over 200 faces, so getting everyone in the game is impossible. But there’s a pretty good variety here, including favorites like Sting, CM Punk, Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson, Orange Cassidy and “Hangman” Adam Page, as well as favorites like MJF (that schmuck), Chris Jericho and Adam Cole (BABY!). The women have good representation as well, though I’m disappointed that Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter didn’t make the cut. In fact, the big problem is key wrestlers missing, such as the Acclaimed. There is DLC coming, however; and THQ can always add more down the line, without the need to revert to a yearly model. So that’s a plus.

Ring Worthy Presentation

AEW: Fight Forever nails down enough of the wrestling ambience to be a winner in the ring, if not exactly a grand champion.

Some of the character models are a bit iffy – especially with the way the light shines off their noses – but overall they animate beautifully and look just like their counterparts when it comes to performance. The ring looks excellent, and some of the items are a blast to use (with the exception of those odd breakaway tables). That said, the blood effects can be a bit comical. I mean, I know Jon Moxley likes to bleed, but…wow.

The audio is great. Along with the authentic wrestler themes (even Cody Rhodes’ is here, though he’s with WWE now) and sweet sound effects, there’s good voiceovers too, and they never wear themselves out. There’s also not really that much odd commentary, like we’ve heard in prior wrestling releases, so I’m fine with that.

A Good Start For a Wrestling Institution

If THQ Nordic and Yukes can keep adding DLC to the game and get its roster flowing, along with making other changes like adding more Create-a-Wrestler content and more modes, AEW: Fight Forever can truly grow into championship status. As it stands, there’s a lot for fans to enjoy here, from the classic style gameplay to the packed roster to the multiplayer potential. It can be over-the-top at times, but it effectively carries AEW into the video game world without missing a beat.

If you’re fine with WWE 2K23 and want to see what establishes in Fight Forever before picking it up, that’s totally up to you. But there’s enough here to warrant a few championship runs. So enjoy…and watch out when my wrestler gets in the ring. Good luck, and good night…BANG!

RATING: 4 (out of 5) Joysticks