AEW: Fight Forever

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of AEW: Fight Forever are varied. Some critics, such as PCGamesN and GGRecon, appreciate the game's story mode for celebrating the AEW brand and its achievements in the wrestling scene. They find the story mode, particularly the Road to Elite mode, to be a clever and enjoyable experience that pushes players through different types of matches and backstage skits (Pure Nintendo). Additionally, the game's use of video vignettes and references to real-life events and wrestlers adds depth and authenticity to the story (PCGamesN). However, there are also negative opinions regarding the story mode. Critics like Gaming Age, Digital Spy, and Game Informer express disappointment with the lack of coherence and depth in the storyline. They find that the story mode doesn't always make sense (Gaming Age) and lacks depth, with repetition occurring in multiple playthroughs (Digital Spy). Game Informer specifically criticizes the Road to Elite mode for falling flat with a bland and occasionally bizarre journey from new signee to world champ. Impulsegamer and PlayStation LifeStyle also criticize the minimal voice acting and dropped storylines in the game's career mode. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the story mode for its cleverness, celebration of the AEW brand, and inclusion of key moments from AEW's history (Player 2), others find it forgettable, lacking depth, and repetitive (Press Start Australia, Metro GameCentral). The game's story mode offers various options and storylines (Nintendo Life), but it lacks immersion and gravitas due to issues such as terrible AI and lack of consequences for losing matches (Slant Magazine, TheSixthAxis). The replay value of the story mode is also a point of contention, with some critics finding it high due to different directions depending on match outcomes (Gamereactor UK), while others find it limited (PlayStation LifeStyle). In conclusion, the opinions of the critics regarding the story of AEW: Fight Forever are diverse. While some appreciate the game's celebration of the AEW brand and clever story mode, others find it lacking in coherence, depth, and immersion. The inclusion of video vignettes and references to real-life events and wrestlers is generally seen as a positive aspect, but issues such as repetition, minimal voice acting, and dropped storylines detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, the consensus is that the story mode has its strengths and weaknesses, with varying levels of replay value and overall impact.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of AEW: Fight Forever are quite varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics praise the game for successfully emulating the golden age of wrestling games, with controls that are well-executed and easy to pick up and play (PCGamesN, App Trigger). The gameplay is described as fun, arcade-style, and reminiscent of classic wrestling games like No Mercy, with a focus on strike combos, grappling, and reversals (PCMag, Digital Spy, GamingBolt). The game offers a large move catalog, allowing for customization of wrestlers and the creation of unique movesets (App Trigger, Gaming Age). The inclusion of special matches and unique mechanics, such as chain wrestling and dives, adds depth and variety to the gameplay experience (Digital Spy, GAMES.CH). The game also features various match types, including one-on-one, tag team, and Casino Battle Royale, catering to different playstyles (GAMES.CH). However, there are some negative aspects that critics point out. Some reviewers mention occasional wonky moves, polygon clipping issues, and issues with no-sell moves and reversals (PCMag, App Trigger). Tag matches are criticized for being constantly interrupted, and matches with three or more participants are considered a drag (PlayStation LifeStyle). The AI is described as predictable, and escaping a pin fall is underwhelming (VideoGamer). Some critics feel that the gameplay lacks variation, is not involving or dynamic, and is considered sloppy (GameSpew). The career mode is also criticized for feeling lacking (GGRecon). Pin attempts and computer-controlled characters are mentioned as issues (Gamereactor UK). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that AEW: Fight Forever delivers a fun and enjoyable gameplay experience, capturing the spirit of classic wrestling games while adding some unique features. The game is praised for its simple controls, easy-to-understand mechanics, and emphasis on strike combos and grappling. The inclusion of special matches, unique mechanics, and a large move catalog adds depth and variety to the gameplay. However, there are some technical issues and areas for improvement, such as wonky moves, clipping issues, and predictable AI. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics find the gameplay to be engaging and entertaining, making AEW: Fight Forever a worthwhile experience for fans of wrestling games (Hooked Gamers, Cultured Vultures, GamingBolt, TheSixthAxis).

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of AEW: Fight Forever, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. Several critics, such as COGconnected and GamingBible, appreciate the attention to detail in the wrestlers' design and the authenticity of their moves, which adds to the overall experience. Additionally, GamingBible mentions the enhanced graphics mod that updates the game with a fresh coat of paint, making the world look clearer and the brutality bloodier. This suggests that there are elements within the game's visual design that are well-executed and enhance the gameplay. However, there are also several criticisms regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of AEW: Fight Forever. Multiple critics, including Hooked Gamers and PCMag, mention that the game's graphics feel dated and lack contemporary polish. PCGamesN points out issues with character models resembling frog-like appearances at times, while Pure Nintendo and Nintendo Life mention visual glitches and blurriness, especially on the Nintendo Switch. GameSpew criticizes the visuals for being plasticky and awkwardly animated, while Game Informer mentions that the wrestler designs and proportions resemble semi-cartoony action figures, which can be hit-and-miss in terms of resemblance to the real versions. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that AEW: Fight Forever falls short in terms of its Graphics and Visual Design. While there are some positive aspects, such as attention to detail and enhancements through graphics mods, the game is often criticized for feeling dated, lacking polish, and suffering from visual glitches and blurriness. Critics like PlayStation Country and PlayStation LifeStyle express disappointment in the wonky character models and lackluster presentation. TheSixthAxis and Slant Magazine highlight the shortcomings in wrestler designs and create-a-wrestler mode. These criticisms outweigh the positive aspects, leading to an overall consensus that the game's Graphics and Visual Design do not meet modern standards and fail to impress.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of AEW: Fight Forever are quite varied. Several critics, such as Hooked Gamers and Digital Spy, highlight the positive aspects of the game's music. Hooked Gamers mentions a massive list of customizable music in the career mode, while Digital Spy praises the hefty entrance music library and recorded announcer audio for specific wrestlers' entrances. These aspects contribute to an immersive experience and capture the essence of AEW. Additionally, COGconnected commends the combination of sound and animation, which enhances the impact of each attack and creates memorable sequences. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of AEW: Fight Forever. Critics like Gaming Age and Nintendo Life express disappointment in the lack of commentary during matches. Gaming Age specifically points out that the crowd sounds tinny and far away, while Nintendo Life simply states the absence of commentary. Furthermore, Game Informer and Impulsegamer criticize the game for its lack of match commentary and voice acting during the story mode. These aspects contribute to an underwhelming presentation and detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of AEW: Fight Forever is mixed. While there are positive aspects, such as the extensive music customization options and the immersive impact of sound and animation, there are also significant drawbacks, such as the absence of commentary during matches and limited voice acting. Critics like GGRecon and Slant Magazine appreciate the game's efforts to capture the quirks and iconic moments of AEW, but others, like Game Informer and Impulsegamer, find the presentation underwhelming due to the lack of match commentary and voice acting. Therefore, it can be concluded that while AEW: Fight Forever has some positive elements in its Sound Design and Music, there are notable areas for improvement that affect the overall sentiment of the critics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in AEW: Fight Forever are varied. Some critics, such as PlayStation Country and PCMag, mention positive aspects of the voice acting. PlayStation Country highlights the solid performance of Tony Khan, the owner of AEW, while PCMag mentions that the game lacks voice work without providing further details. These positive comments suggest that there are some instances of decent voice acting in the game. However, the majority of the critics express negative opinions about the voice acting in AEW: Fight Forever. Critics like GAMES.CH, GGRecon, Game Informer, Impulsegamer, Slant Magazine, and Gamereactor UK all criticize the game for its lack of substantial voice acting or limited voiceover. GAMES.CH specifically mentions that there is no commentary during matches, which can be a significant drawback for players looking for a more immersive experience. Gamereactor UK goes as far as describing the voice acting in the story mode as uninspired and almost laughably bad. These negative comments indicate a consensus among the critics that the voice acting in AEW: Fight Forever is lacking and fails to meet expectations. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in AEW: Fight Forever is a weak point of the game. While there are a few positive mentions, the majority of the critics highlight the limited voice acting, lack of commentary, and underwhelming presentation. This suggests that the voice acting does not contribute positively to the overall experience of the game. Players who value strong voice acting and immersive storytelling may find this aspect of AEW: Fight Forever disappointing.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, PCMag mentions occasional graphics bugs and clipping, as well as cloud save issues. However, they also note that the game runs smoothly on a mid-range gaming PC. This indicates that while there are some technical issues, the game generally performs well on this platform. Moving on to the Nintendo Switch, several critics point out technical issues. App Trigger mentions moves clipping through opponents and AI walking into downed bodies, while Gaming Age mentions intermittent performance issues including freezing and wobbling ropes. Nintendo Life adds that the game runs at 30fps on the Switch and experiences occasional freezes, while Pure Nintendo highlights visual glitches and frame rate problems. These reviews collectively suggest that the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch is subpar, with various issues impacting the gameplay experience. For the PlayStation 5, Cultured Vultures criticizes the game for feeling clunky to play, with sluggish running and clumsy controls for certain wrestlers. GAMES.CH adds that the game suffers from numerous programming errors, while TheSixthAxis mentions confusing online play setup and irritating lag. However, Impulsegamer notes that the game runs smoothly even with modest internet speeds. Overall, the reviews for the PS5 indicate a mixed bag of technical performance, with some critics highlighting significant issues while others find the game to be relatively stable. Lastly, for the Xbox Series X, Gamereactor UK mentions bugs and stability issues, such as not being able to start the last week of the story mode. Unfortunately, no other specific reviews for this platform are provided, making it difficult to draw a comprehensive analysis of the technical performance on the Xbox Series X. In summary, the opinions of the critics regarding the technical performance of AEW: Fight Forever vary across different gaming platforms. While the PC version seems to perform relatively well, with occasional bugs and clipping, the Nintendo Switch version receives criticism for various technical issues such as freezes, glitches, and frame rate problems. The PlayStation 5 version also faces challenges, including clunky controls, programming errors, and online play issues. The Xbox Series X version is mentioned briefly with stability issues highlighted. Overall, the consensus suggests that the technical performance of AEW: Fight Forever is lacking, with notable issues impacting the gameplay experience on multiple platforms.

In analyzing the opinions of the videogame reviewers regarding the replay value of AEW: Fight Forever, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. Several critics, such as Hooked Gamers and COGconnected, highlight the game's content and updates, including additional modes, mini-games, and different routes in the single-player career mode, which contribute to its replay value. Pure Nintendo also emphasizes the abundance of activities, daily/weekly challenges, and unlockable items that can keep single players entertained. These positive aspects suggest that the game offers a variety of options and incentives to revisit and engage with its content. However, there are also negative opinions expressed by critics such as Cultured Vultures and Game Informer. They mention concerns about the limited roster, lackluster mini-games, and shallow overall package, which may lead to the game's content growing stale quickly. Additionally, the absence of certain features, such as the inability to share characters online or lack of real tag teams until DLC is released, as mentioned by GamingBolt, can detract from the game's replay value. Metro GameCentral also points out limited match choices and a lack of depth in the story mode, which further diminishes the overall replayability of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is somewhat mixed. While some reviewers highlight the game's potential for replay value, particularly in terms of its single-player career mode, mini-games, and challenges, others express concerns about the limited content, shallow package, and lack of certain features. The positive aspects mentioned by critics such as Hooked Gamers, PCMag, and Pure Nintendo indicate that AEW: Fight Forever has enough content and updates to entice players to stick around. However, the negative opinions voiced by critics like Cultured Vultures and Game Informer suggest that the game may not have enough depth or variety to maintain long-term engagement. Ultimately, players' enjoyment and perception of the game's replay value may depend on their personal preferences, love for the sport and franchise, and the potential for future updates and additional content, as suggested by Gamers' Temple and Movies Games and Tech.