AEW Fight Forever 2: 10 Improvements Fans NEED To See
AEW's first video game can be better. AEW's next video game WILL be better!
AEW's Fight Forever game was heavily marketed towards those who yearned for the classic AKI engine or a nostalgic throwback to timeless SmackDown bangers from the early-2000s. That's fine, but it also caused a quite horrible realisation in this writer's life.
A friend's son is 13 years old, and fired back with a cutting remark when asked if that branding excited him. "Why would I be hyped for a game that's trying to be like something from the 90s? I never played those old games!". Instantly, yours truly felt his hair greying just a little more.
It's a fair point, and shows the delicate balance between retro blasts and pleasing the younger gaming generation. WWE's 2K series offers a wealth of options without sacrificing some of the old-school sensibilities some expect. That's what AEW's next video game must achieve then.
In fairness, there's a ton THQ and Yuke's could improve upon. Lots of folks are enjoying Fight Forever, but it's safe to say things could be better. In fact, no, that's not positive enough - they will be better.
Here's what the devs have to tackle first...
10. Better Roster Choices
There are some baffling omissions on the Fight Forever roster.
Sure, if you're being fair about it, THQ/Yuke's couldn't pack in everyone they wanted. They had to make cuts somewhere, but the game shouldn't have launched without reigning Tag Team Champs FTR or current Women's titleholder Toni Storm. That was a mistake.
The tag team roster in general could use a bit of help. There are nowhere near enough duos in AEW's game at launch, which is a shame when the tag team action is so slick and inviting. Honestly, pesky deadlines and lengthy development cycles or not, someone like Yuka Sakazaki shouldn't have made it in there ahead of Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler.
Fight Forever 2 must nail down a roster stacked with workers fans are tripping over themselves to play as. The pre-order bonus decision-making could also use some work - including Jeff Hardy but locking Matt behind a deluxe edition paywall was just plain sh*tty.