AEW Fight Forever: Difference between revisions

The game was released on June 29, 2023, for [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X/S]], and [[Nintendo Switch]] and received mixed reviews, being praised for its throwback style of arcade gameplay, but criticized for limited presentation, modes, and customization.

Several members of AEW management expressed interest in an AEW video game ahead of ''[[AEW Dynamite]]'''s debut episode in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Young Bucks confirm there are plans for an AEW videogame |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/aew-videogame |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=PCGamesN |date=July 13, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Dalton |date=2019-07-15 |title=AEW Video Game Teased by The Young Bucks |url=https://gamerant.com/aew-video-game/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> The game was officially announced on November 10, 2020, at the AEW Games 1.0 Special Event.<ref>{{Citation |title=AEW Games 1.0 Special Event | date=November 10, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0Cgu-I_dS4 |access-date=2022-07-03 |language=en}}</ref> [[Yuke's]] was announced as the developer, having previously worked on multiple games for both New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WWE, as well as ''[[Rumble Roses]]'' for [[Konami]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Game Releases |url=https://www.yukes.co.jp/en/service-en/games-en/works/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Yuke's Co., Ltd. |language=en-US}}</ref> It would be their first wrestling game since ''[[WWE 2K19]]'' in 2018. The reveal trailer featured AEW wrestlers Kenny Omega, [[Chris Jericho]], and [[Hikaru Shida]].<ref>{{Citation |title=All Elite Wrestling: The Game - Official Teaser | date=November 11, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0MnBsBnaqc |language=en |access-date=2022-07-03}}</ref> Hideyuki "Geta" Iwashita, director of ''WWF No Mercy'' and ''[[WCW/nWo Revenge]]'', was also announced as the director.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

Later that month, Hiromi Furuta, senior producer at Yuke's, stated that ''WWF No Mercy'' was a key influence due to its popularity with fans of the genre, and that ''Fight Forever'' was not intended to rival the ''[[WWE 2K]]'' series.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Harradence |first=Michael |date=2020-11-November 24, 2020|title=WWF No Mercy Cited As Key Inspiration For Upcoming AEW PS4, PS5 Title By Producer |url=https://www.psu.com/news/wwf-no-mercy-cited-as-key-inspiration-for-upcoming-aew-ps4-ps5-title-by-producer/|website=PlayStation Universe|access-date=May 20, 2023|archive-05url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209074433/https://www.psu.com/news/wwf-20 no-mercy-cited-as-key-inspiration-for-upcoming-aew-ps4-ps5-title-by-producer/|websitearchive-date=PlayStationDecember Universe9, 2023|language=enurl-USstatus=live}}</ref> In June 2021, the first in-development gameplay video was released, including the reveal of [[Darby Allin]]. In September, another short gameplay video featuring [[Jungle Boy (wrestler)|Jungle Boy]] was released.<ref>{{Citation |title=AEW Console Game – Development Update: Jungle Boy Reveal | date=September 8, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GeN0rl824k |language=en |access-date=2022-07-03}}</ref> On September 20, 2021, AEW announced a partnership with the [[Owen Hart Foundation]] to preserve the legacy of [[Owen Hart]], which included an appearance in the forthcoming console game. This would mark Hart's first appearance in a video game since 2004 in ''[[Showdown: Legends of Wrestling]]'', which was released by [[Acclaim Entertainment|Acclaim]].<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=2021-09-September 20, 2021|title=Owen Hart will appear in AEW, his first video game in nearly 20 years |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/owen-hart-will-appear-in-the-aew-video-game/ |website=VGC|access-date=June 3, 2023|archive-06url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010141748/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/owen-03 hart-will-appear-in-the-aew-video-game/|websitearchive-date=VGCOctober 10, 2023|language=enurl-GBstatus=live}}</ref> In February 2022, Kenny Omega stated that the game would feature [[cross-platform play]].<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Taylor |first=Sanchez |date=2022-02-February 20, 2022|title=Kenny Omega Confirms Cross Platform Play For AEW Console Game |url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/kenny-omega-cross-platform-play-aew-console-game/ |website=WrestleTalk|access-date=June 27, 2023|archive-06url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627194710/https://wrestletalk.com/news/kenny-27 omega-cross-platform-play-aew-console-game/|websitearchive-date=WrestleTalkJune 27, 2023|language=enurl-USstatus=live}}</ref> However, only cross-generation play was available at launch, with [[PS4]] players able to connect with [[PS5]] players, and [[Xbox One]] players being to interact with [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] players.<ref>{{Citecite web|date=June 27, 2023|title=AEW Fight Forever - Pre-release FAQ {{!}} THQ Nordic GmbH |url=https://thqnordic.com/article/aew-fight-forever-pre-release-faq|website=THQ Nordic|access-date=2023-06-June 27, 2023|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701052027/https://thqnordic.com/article/aew-fight-forever-pre-release-faq|archive-date=July 1, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the April 21, 2022 taping of ''[[AEW Dynamite]]'', AEW founder [[Tony Khan]] told the live crowd that the title of the game would be ''AEW: Fight Forever''.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Colbert|first=Isaiah|date=2022-04-April 21, 2022|title=All Elite Wrestling's New Game Is Named After A Crowd Chant And That's Too Sweet |url=https://kotaku.com/aew-all-elite-wrestling-yuke-s-game-fight-forever-tony-1848825994 |website=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=July 3, 2022|archive-07url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703220925/https://kotaku.com/aew-03 all-elite-wrestling-yuke-s-game-fight-forever-tony-1848825994|websitearchive-date=KotakuJuly 3, 2022|language=enurl-usstatus=live}}</ref> This was formally announced on May 4, 2022, with the release of gameplay videos featuring [[Kris Statlander]] and [[Nyla Rose]].<ref>{{Citation |title=AEW Fight Forever – Dev Update: Kris Statlander Reveal | date=May 4, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egU5k2_lYbo |language=en |access-date=2022-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=AEW Fight Forever – Dev Update: Nyla Rose Reveal | date=May 4, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwO6CsnS0SI |language=en |access-date=2022-07-03}}</ref> In June 2022, Omega stated in an interview with Fightful that the game was tentatively scheduled to release later that year.<ref>{{Citecite web|last1=Guzzo|first1=Gisberto|last2=Lambert|first2=Jeremy|last3=Sapp|first3=Sean Ross|date=June 24, 2022|title=Kenny Omega Provides Update On AEW Fight Forever, Hopeful For 2022 Release {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/kenny-omega-provides-update-aew-fight-forever-hopeful-2022-release |website=Fightful|access-date=2022-07-03July 3, 2022|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809225131/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/kenny-omega-provides-update-aew-fight-forever-hopeful-2022-release|archive-date=August 9, 2022|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref> Omega later confirmed that the game would be published by [[THQ Nordic]].<ref>{{Citecite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|date=July 1, 2022|title=Kenny Omega Confirms AEW: Fight Forever's Publisher {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kenny-omega-confirms-aew-fight-forever-s-publisher |website=Fightful|access-date=2022-07-03July 3, 2022|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810015720/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kenny-omega-confirms-aew-fight-forever-s-publisher|archive-date=August 10, 2022|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref> In December 2022, [[Evil Uno]] revealed to Fightful that the game would launch with over 50 playable characters, with new roster members and game modes being added as [[downloadable content]] over time, likening it to ''[[No Man's Sky]]''.<ref>{{Citecite web|last1=Russell|first1=Skylar|last2=Thatch|first2=William|last3=Sapp|first3=Sean Ross|date=December 20, 2022|title=Evil Uno Provides More Details On AEW Fight Forever, Compares It To Deep Rock Galactic, No Man's Sky {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/evil-uno-provides-more-details-aew-fight-forever-compares-it-deep-rock-galactic-no-man-s-sky |website=Fightful|access-date=2023-05-May 20, 2023|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520023427/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/evil-uno-provides-more-details-aew-fight-forever-compares-it-deep-rock-galactic-no-man-s-sky|archive-date=May 20, 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref>

Despite his departure from AEW in February 2022 and subsequent return to the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] at [[WrestleMania 38]], former executive vice-president [[Cody Rhodes]] remained part of the base roster as an unlockable wrestler in ''Fight Forever''. When asked about Rhodes' presence in the game, Kenny Omega responded that he was "very passionate about making sure [Rhodes'] legacy and position within the company were preserved," and that "you get to experience AEW from the beginning, from day one," referencing Rhodes' involvement in the formation of AEW.<ref>{{cite web |last1last=Casey |first1first=Connor|date=June 26, 2022|title=AEW: A Current WWE Superstar Will Appear in the AEW Fight Forever Video Game |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/aew-cody-rhodes-fight-forever-video-game-kenny-omega-confirmed-forbidden-door/ |website=[[ComicBook.com ]]|access-date=June 1, June2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004061130/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/aew-cody-rhodes-fight-forever-video-game-kenny-omega-confirmed-forbidden-door/|archive-date=October 4, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, Rhodes became the first wrestler in 24 years to appear in two professional wrestling games released by rival promotions within the same calendar year, having been playable in ''[[WWE 2K23]]'' which was released 3 months prior to ''Fight Forever''.

Tony Khan said in June 2021 that he put forth an eight-figure investment in AEW's games division.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Lambert |first=Jeremy |date=2021-06-June 22, 2021|title=Tony Khan Discusses Eight-Figure Video Game Investment, Believes It Will Pay Off In 2022 {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/tony-khan-discusses-eight-figure-video-game-investment-believes-it-will-pay-2022 |website=Fightful|access-date=August 14, 2023|archive-08url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015131315/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/tony-14 khan-discusses-eight-figure-video-game-investment-believes-it-will-pay-2022|websitearchive-date=FightfulOctober 15, 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref> Journalist [[Dave Meltzer]] reported the budget for ''Fight Forever'' itself exceeded $10 million as of June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Leah J. |date=2022-04-22 |title=AEW: Fight Forever aims to be a major WWE 2K rival |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/aew-fight-forever-release-date-news-17536/ |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Games Hub |language=en-AU}}</ref> Other reports during this time stated that development costs exceeded the game's planned budget, causing conflict between Yuke's development staff and AEW management.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Chance|first=Patches|date=2022-05-04May 4, 2022|title=AEW Fight Forever could be 'one and done,' reportedly 'way over budget' |url=https://realsport101.com/misc/aew-fight-forever-report-budget-one-and-done-tensions-yukes-kenny-omega/ |website=RealSport101|access-date=2023-08-August 12, 2023|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813000128/https://realsport101.com/misc/aew-fight-forever-report-budget-one-and-done-tensions-yukes-kenny-omega/|archive-date=August 13, 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref><ref>{{Citecite web |last=Straw |first=Michael |date=May 4, 2022-05-04 |title=AEW, Yuke's Butting Heads Over AEW Video Game |url=https://www.sportsgamersonline.com/games/aew-yukes-butting-heads-over-aew-video-game/|website=Sports Gamers Online|access-date=August 12, 2023|archive-08url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814155229/https://www.sportsgamersonline.com/games/aew-12 yukes-butting-heads-over-aew-video-game/|websitearchive-date=SportsAugust Gamers Online14, 2023|languageurl-status=en-USlive}}</ref>

On June 22, 2023, AEW Senior Vice President Nik Sobic stated in an interview with SEScoops that the decision was made early on to hand-animate the moves instead of using [[motion capture]] technology. He also mentioned that if the team had unlimited time, the game would have featured full rosters from both AEW and NJPW, adding that if ''Fight Forever'' performed well and the fans requested it, there would be opportunities for crossover updates in the future. In the same interview, THQ Nordic producer David Knudsen pushed back on rumors that blood was removed due to issues with the [[ESRB]].<ref>{{Cite newscite web|last=Fishman |first=Scott |date=2023-06-June 22, 2023|title=AEW SVP Nik Sobic & THQ Nordic Producer David Knudsen Break Down 'AEW Fight Forever' Video Game (Exclusive) |url=https://www.sescoops.com/interviews/aew-fight-forever-interview-exclusive |work=SEScoops|access-date=June 24, 2023|archive-06url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629205139/https://www.sescoops.com/interviews/aew-24 fight-forever-interview-exclusive|newspaperarchive-date=SeJune Scoops &#124; Wrestling News29, Results & Interviews 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref>

Before the game's launch, two versions of [[Matt Hardy]] were announced as the pre-order bonus for the game, featuring both his standard and "Broken" Matt personas.<ref>{{Citecite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|date=June 1, 2023|title=AEW Fight Forever 'Elite Edition' Announced: Matt Hardy As Pre-Order Bonus, FTR, Keith Lee, More Set {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-fight-forever-elite-edition-announced-matt-hardy-pre-order-bonus-ftr-keith-lee-more-set |website=Fightful|access-date=2023-06-01June 1, 2023|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525160941/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-fight-forever-elite-edition-announced-matt-hardy-pre-order-bonus-ftr-keith-lee-more-set|archive-date=May 25, 2024|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref> The contents of the Elite Edition was also revealed and made available for digital pre-order that same day, containing the Matt Hardy pre-order bonus, a one-day early access before wide release and the [[Season Pass|Season One Pass]], which itself includes [[FTR (professional wrestling)|FTR]] tag team ([[Cash Wheeler]] and [[Dax Harwood]]), [[Keith Lee (wrestler)|"Limitless" Keith Lee]], [[Allie (wrestler)|The Bunny]], [[Hook (wrestler)|Hook]], and [[Danhausen (wrestler)|Danhausen]], as well as four additional mini-games.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thqnordic.com/article/multifarious-matt-hardy-steps-aew-fight-forever-ring | title=The Multifarious Matt Handy Steps Into the AEW: Fight Forever Ring |website=THQ Nordic|date=June 1, 2023|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628011358/https://thqnordic.com/article/multifarious-matt-hardy-steps-aew-fight-forever-ring|archive-date=June 28, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2023, a new [[Stadium Stampede match|Stadium Stampede]] mode was announced as part of a free update, loosely based on the match stipulation of the same name but presented as an online multiplayer [[Battle royale game|battle royale]] game mode for up to 30 players to fight in an open arena environment set in a stadium, where players can level up, customize weapon loadouts and skills, with item chests and vehicles, with visual comparisons being made to games like ''[[Fortnite]]'''.<ref>{{Citecite magazine|last=Stewart|first=Marcus|date=July 6, 2023|title=AEW: Fight Forever Is Getting Stadium Stampede |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/07/06/aew-fight-forever-is-getting-stadium-stampede|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|access-date=July 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714082404/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/07/06/aew-07 fight-forever-is-getting-stadium-stampede|magazinearchive-date=GameJuly Informer14, 2023|languageurl-status=endead}}</ref><ref>{{Citecite web |last=Dator |first=James |date=July 6, 2023-07-06 |title=AEW: Fight Forever's new mode is wrestling meets Fortnite and it's dumb in the best way |url=https://www.sbnation.com/wrestling/2023/7/6/23785694/aew-fight-forever-stadium-stampede-fortnite|website=[[SB Nation]]|access-date=2023-07-07July 7, 2023|websitearchive-url=SBNationhttps://web.archive.org/web/20230708110705/https://www.sbnation.com/wrestling/2023/7/6/23785694/aew-fight-forever-stadium-stampede-fortnite|archive-date=July 8, 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref> On August 23, 2023, AEW general manager, Tony Khan, AEW executive-vice president and head of AEW Games, Kenny Omega and [[Eddie Kingston]] announced that the Stadium Stampede mode would launch the following day in a video message filmed at [[EverBank Stadium]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]] ahead of the [[All In (2023)|All In]] pay-per-view at [[Wembley Stadium]] in [[London, England]].<ref>{{Citecite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|date=August 23, 2023|title=AEW Announces Stadium Stampede Mode Will Be Playable In AEW Fight Forever On 8/24/23 {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-announces-stadium-stampede-mode-will-be-playable-aew-fight-forever-82423 |website=Fightful|access-date=2023-08-August 23, 2023|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002071736/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-announces-stadium-stampede-mode-will-be-playable-aew-fight-forever-82423|archive-date=October 2, 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref>

In November 2023, Season Pass Two was announced, which included wrestlers [[Toni Storm]]), ([[The Acclaimed]] tag team ([[Anthony Bowens]] and [[Max Caster]]), a new arena based on the updated [[AEW Dynamite]] arena and a new game mode in ''Beat the Elite'', a fighting game style arcade mode where the player faces ten wrestlers in order, with the final battle being against a member of [[The Elite (professional wrestling)|The Elite]], to earn exclusive rewards based on game difficulty settings.<ref>{{Citecite web|date=November 22, 2023|title=AEW: FIGHTFight FOREVERForever KICKSKicks OFFOff SEASONSeason 2! |url=https://www.thqnordic.com/article/aew-fight-forever-kicks-season-2|website=THQ Nordic|access-date=2024-01-January 21, 2024|websitearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225050416/https://www.thqnordic.com/article/aew-fight-forever-kicks-season-2|archive-date=February 25, 2024|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref>

In February 2024, Season Pass Three was announced featuring [[Swerve Strickland]], [[Claudio Castagnoli]], and [[Jamie Hayter]], a new arena with a ring set at beachside and various additional wrestling moves, music tracks, skins and clothing options for customizing.<ref>{{Citecite web|last=Janca|first=Ben|date=February 14, 2024|title=AEW Fight Forever Season Pass 3 is Available Now! |url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/aew-fight-forever-season-pass-3-is-available-now/2300-6463401/ |access-date=2024-01-21February 16, 2024|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216131239/https://www.gamespot.com/videos/aew-fight-forever-season-pass-3-is-available-now/2300-6463401/|archive-date=February 16, 2024|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref>

On August 3, 2022, AEW and THQ Nordic released an official teaser for the game, along with the cover art featuring [[CM Punk]], [[Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.]], Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, [[Jon Moxley]], and [[Jade Cargill]].<ref>{{Citation |title=AEW: Fight Forever {{!}} Announcement Teaser | date=August 3, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iPsass11R0 |language=en |access-date=2022-08-11}}</ref> However, following CM Punk's indefinite suspension following a backstage altercation at [[All Out (2022)|All Out]], a new cover art without him was revealed in November, additionally featuring [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], [[Maxwell Jacob Friedman|MJF]], [[Orange Cassidy]], [[Bryan Danielson]], and [[Adam Page|"Hangman" Adam Page]], alongside the wrestlers of the previous cover art.<ref>{{Citecite web|last=Shirey|first=J Brodie|titledate=November 21, 2022|title=AEW: Fight Forever Removes CM Punk From Game Cover After Suspension |url= https://screenrant.com/aew-fight-forever-game-cover-cm-punk-suspension/ |firstwebsite=J Brodie[[Screen Rant]]|lastaccess-date=November Shirey23, 2022|datearchive-url=2022https://web.archive.org/web/20221125001016/https://screenrant.com/aew-11fight-21 |accessforever-date=2022game-11cover-23 cm-punk-suspension/|websitearchive-date=[[ScreenNovember Rant]]25, 2022|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref><ref>{{Citecite web|last=Murray|first=Sean|date=November 20, 2022|title= CM Punk Has Been Removed From AEW: Fight Forever's Cover Art |url= https://www.thegamer.com/cm-punk-removed-aew-fight-forevers-cover-art/ |firstwebsite=SeanThe Gamer|lastaccess-date=November Murray23, 2022|datearchive-url=2022https://web.archive.org/web/20221228183618/https://www.thegamer.com/cm-11punk-20 |accessremoved-date=2022aew-11fight-23 forevers-cover-art/|websitearchive-date=TheDecember Gamer28, 2022|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref>

On August 12, 2022, a trailer at the THQ Nordic Digital Showcase featuring Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. and [[Tony Schiavone]] was revealed, with one-on-one gameplay, as well as a look at the different mini-games in ''Fight Forever''.<ref>{{Citation |title=AEW: Fight Forever {{!}} Showcase Trailer 2022 | date=August 12, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rdrmi13XI0 |language=en |access-date=2022-08-16}}</ref> It was also announced that a demo of the game would be playable at [[Gamescom]], winning the award for Best Sports Game at the event.<ref>{{Citecite web|last=Denzer|first=TJ|date=August 12, 2022|title=AEW Fight Forever will be playable for the first time at Gamescom 2022 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/131837/aew-fight-forever-gamescom-2022 |website=Shacknews|access-date=2022-08-August 16, 2022|websitearchive-url=Shacknews https://web.archive.org/web/20220925183504/https://www.shacknews.com/article/131837/aew-fight-forever-gamescom-2022|archive-date=AugustSeptember 1225, 2022 |languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref><ref>{{Citecite web|last=Casey|first=Connor|date=August 28, 2022|title=AEW Fight Forever Wins Major Gamescom 2022 Award |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/aew-fight-forever-gamescom-award-best-sports-game-kenny-omega/ |website=[[ComicBook.com]]|access-date=September 22, 2022|archive-09url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408060750/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/aew-22 fight-forever-gamescom-award-best-sports-game-kenny-omega/|websitearchive-date=WWEApril 8, 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref> On September 15, 2022, a demo was also playable at the [[Tokyo Game Show]].<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Black|first=Todd|date=2022-09-September 18, 2022|title=AEW Fight Forever Had A Big Display For Tokyo Game Show |url=https://gameranx.com/updates/id/363994/article/aew-fight-forever-had-a-big-display-for-tokyo-game-show/ |website=Gameranx|access-date=September 22, 2022|archive-09url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525000647/https://gameranx.com/updates/id/363994/article/aew-22 fight-forever-had-a-big-display-for-tokyo-game-show/|websitearchive-date=GameranxMay 25, 2023|language=enurl-USstatus=live}}</ref>

In March 2023, at a press conference following the [[Revolution (2023)|Revolution]] event, Tony Khan stated that ''Fight Forever'' was complete, and that they would announce a release date soon.<ref>{{Citecite web|last=Lee|first=Joseph|date=March 6, 2023|title=411ManiaTony Khan Says AEW Fight Forever Is Finished, Won't Announce Release Date Yet|url=httphttps://411mania.com/games/tony-khan-says-aew-fight-forever-is-finished-wont-announce-release-date-yet/ |website=411Mania|access-date=May 19, 2023|archive-05url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325122804/https://411mania.com/games/tony-19 khan-says-aew-fight-forever-is-finished-wont-announce-release-date-yet/|websitearchive-date=TonyMarch Khan Says AEW Fight Forever Is Finished25, Won’t Announce Release Date Yet 2023|languageurl-status=en-USlive}}</ref> However, THQ Nordic community manager Per Hollenbo would clarify on his [[Twitter]] account that the game was not finished, and was still being prepared for release.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=2023-04-April 12, 2023|title=THQ Nordic community manager denies claims that AEW Fight Forever is 'basically ready' |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/thq-nordic-community-manager-denies-claims-that-aew-fight-forever-is-basically-ready/ |website=VGC|access-date=May 19, 2023|archive-05url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607224759/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/thq-19 nordic-community-manager-denies-claims-that-aew-fight-forever-is-basically-ready/|websitearchive-date=VGCJune 7, 2023|language=enurl-GBstatus=live}}</ref>

On May 16, 2023, the achievements for the game were listed on [[Xbox]] platforms.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Nash|first=Anthony|date=2023-05-May 16, 2023|title=AEW Fight Forever Xbox Achievements Leaked |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/aew-fight-forever-xbox-achievements-140323085.html |website=[[Yahoo!]]|access-date=May 19, 2023|archive-05url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519212250/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/aew-19 fight-forever-xbox-achievements-140323085.html|websitearchive-date=YahooMay Entertainment19, 2023|language=enurl-USstatus=live}}</ref> On May 22, 2023, in a special video message from Kenny Omega, it was announced that ''Fight Forever'' would release internationally on June 29, 2023, with pre-orders and pre-loads officially commencing that same day.<ref>{{Citation |title=AEW: Fight Forever Release Date Announcement | date=May 22, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JEyDX8vvlw |access-date=2023-05-22 |language=en}}</ref>

| MC = (PC) 68/100<ref name="mcCP">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/aew-fight-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=AEW Fight Forever for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref><br>(PS5) 64/100<ref name="MCps5">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/aew-fight-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=AEW Fight Forever for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref><br>(Switch) 57/100<ref name="MCswitc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/aew-fight-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=AEW Fight Forever for Nintendo Switch Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |accessdateaccess-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref><br>(XBSX) 66/100<ref name="MCxbox">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/aew-fight-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=AEW Fight Forever for Xbox Series X Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |accessdateaccess-date=July 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129095642/https://www.metacritic.com/game/aew-fight-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|archive-date=November 29, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

| GI = 6.25/10<ref name="GI Review">{{cite magazine |last=Stewart |first=Marcus |date=June 28, 2023 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/aew-fight-forever/stuck-in-the-mid-card |title=AEW: Fight Forever Review|magazine=[[Game Informer]] |accessdateaccess-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701184526/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/aew-fight-forever/stuck-in-the-mid-card|archive-date=July 1, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| GSpot = 6/10<ref name="GSreview">{{Citecite web |last=Fanelli |first=Jason |date=June 28, 2023|title=AEW: Fight Forever Review - A Midcard Debut |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/aew-fight-forever-review-a-midcard-debut/1900-6418082/ |accessdatewebsite=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701184530/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/aew-fight-forever-review-a-midcard-debut/1900-6418082/|archive-date=July 1, 2023|websiteurl-status=[[GameSpot]]live}}</ref>

| GRadar = {{Rating|3.5|/5}}<ref name="GR Review">{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Ben |date=June 28, 2023 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/aew-fight-forever-review/|title=AEW: Fight Forever review: "Every wrestling fan needs to play it"|website=[[GamesRadar+]] |accessdateaccess-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630095010/https://www.gamesradar.com/aew-fight-forever-review/|archive-date=June 30, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

| IGN = 6/10<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web |last=Green |first=Jarrett |date=June 28, 2023 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/aew-fight-forever-review|title=AEW Fight Forever Review |website=[[IGN]] |accessdateaccess-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701184526/https://www.ign.com/articles/aew-fight-forever-review|archive-date=July 1, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

| Poly = ''Recommends''<ref name="POLYreview">{{cite web |last=Diaz |first=Hector |date=June 30, 2023 |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23778559/aew-fight-forever-review-roster-wrestlers-switch-ps5-xbox-pc|title=AEW Fight Forever Review |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703181015/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23778559/aew-fight-forever-review-roster-wrestlers-switch-ps5-xbox-pc|archive-date=July 3, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|/5}}<ref name="SM Review">{{Citecite magazine |last=Clarke |first=Justin|date=June 28, 2023|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/aew-fight-forever-review/|title=AEW: Fight Forever Review: All About the Boom|websitemagazine=[[Slant Magazine]]|access-date=June 2829, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630001810/https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/aew-fight-forever-review/|archive-date=June 30, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Polygon''{{'}}s Hector Diaz lauded the arcade style of gameplay, favorably comparing it to classic wrestling titles such as the [[syn Sophia|AKI]] developed ''WWF No Mercy'' and ''WCW/nWo Revenge'', and early games in the ''[[WWE 2K|WWE SmackDown!]]'' series.<ref name="POLYreview"/> ''[[Nintendo Life]]'''s Chris Scullion stated the gameplay "will feel right at home to No Mercy fans" due to similar mechanics and "a lot of it does feel like where we’dwe'd be if AKI’sAKI's series had continued to evolve and not stopped in 2000."<ref name="NLreview">{{Citecite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/aew-fight-forever|title=AEW: Fight Forever Review: Penta Plays|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|date=June 28, 2023|accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701195856/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/aew-fight-forever|archive-date=July 1, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Justin Clarke of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' considered the gameplay noticeably different from the ''[[WWE 2K]]'' series, with particular praise to the hardcore match types such as the Lights Out and Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch as highlights, saying they "[push] the envelope in ways wrestling games haven’thaven't in years".<ref name="SM Review"/>

The ''Road To Elite'' mode drew mixed reactions from critics, with Jarrett Green of ''[[IGN]]'' writing that while it was an earnest attempt at recreating a classic wrestling game story mode and featured a lot of humour, Green considered the mode to be poorly and under written, whilst also lacking direction to its branching paths, concluding that there was "a bunch of potential in this mode, but it goes unrealized".<ref name="IGN Review"/> Marcus Stewart of ''[[Game Informer]]'' criticized the mode, particularly the side activities and cutscenes between matches as being repetitive, while also finding many options were redundant when playing as non-custom player created wrestlers. Stewart was also disappointed by only one women wrestler focused story in the mode.<ref name="GI Review"/> Conversely, Ben Wilson of ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' praised the humour, structure, and pacing, while enjoying the use of archive footage of AEW's history into the story.<ref name="GR Review"/>

The customization options drew criticism from many reviewers for lacking in depth and choice, with Joe Draper of ''[[Digital Spy]]'' finding the feature underwhelming when compared to past wrestling games,<ref>{{Cite magazinecite web|last=Draper |first=Joe|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a44264917/aew-fight-forever-review/|title=AEW: Fight Forever is a successful modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown|website=[[DigitalSpy]]|date=June 28, 2023|accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref> while Steward of ''Game Informer'' called it the "biggest let down" of the game, taking issue with the limited choices for players and the inability to share creations online.<ref name="GI Review"/> Jason Fanelli of ''[[GameSpot]]'' and Hector Diaz of ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' were both disappointed the absence of some major AEW wrestlers in the base roster, including [[Toni Storm]] and [[Jamie Hayter]] (both later released as DLC) and the lack of 3 versus 3 tag matches as a mode with corresponding [[AEW World Trios Championship]].<ref name="GSreview"/><ref name="POLYreview"/>

The Nintendo Switch version of the game was reported to have performance issues, including pauses and crashes during gameplay, with its visuals reaching 30 frames per second compared to 60 frames on other platforms.<ref name="NLreview" /> The PlayStation 4 version was also reported to have numerous glitches and error codes at launch.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Robinson|first=Andy|date=2023-07-03July 3, 2023|title=THQ Nordic says it's 'aware' of AEW PS4 crash complaints |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/thq-nordic-says-its-aware-of-ps4-crash-complaints/ |website=VGC|access-date=August 15, 2023|archive-08url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925211022/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/thq-15 nordic-says-its-aware-of-ps4-crash-complaints/|websitearchive-date=VGCSeptember 25, 2023|language=enurl-GBstatus=live}}</ref> Responding to a fan on [[Twitter]], Kenny Omega acknowledged criticisms of the game, stating there would be continued future support, encouraging fixes and rebalancing.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=Cary |first=Ian |date=July 3, 2023 |title=AEW notes: Roster update, Fight Forever, ticket sales, Mexican streaming deal |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-notes-roster-update-fight-forever-ticket-sales-mexican-streaming-deal|website=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]|accessdateaccess-date=July 3, 2023 |websitearchive-url=[[Wrestlinghttps://web.archive.org/web/20230703212736/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-notes-roster-update-fight-forever-ticket-sales-mexican-streaming-deal|archive-date=July Observer]]3, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Fight Forever'' was the third best-selling game in the United Kingdom upon release behind ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy XVI]]''.<ref>{{Citecite web |last=B2B Dring|first=Christopher Dring Head of Games |date=2023-07-03July 3, 2023|title=Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom returns to No.1, while new wrestler AEW debuts at No.3 {{!}} UK Boxed Charts |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-returns-to-no1-while-new-wrestler-aew-debuts-at-no3-uk-boxed-charts |website=[[Gamesindustry.biz]]|access-date=2023-08-August 23, 2023|websitearchive-url=GamesIndustryhttps://web.archive.org/web/20230708182552/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-returns-to-no1-while-new-wrestler-aew-debuts-at-no3-uk-boxed-charts|archive-date=July 8, 2023|languageurl-status=enlive}}</ref>

[[Category:ProfessionalMultiplayer wrestlingand single-player video games]]

[[Category:VideoNintendo Switch games developed in Japan]]

[[Category:XboxProfessional Onewrestling games]]

[[Category:NintendoUnreal SwitchEngine 4 games]]