On January 1, 2019, the professional wrest?ling world was shaken up with the introduction of a new promotion: All Elite Wrestling. The company, spearheaded by Tony Khan, promised audiences an alternative to the longstanding WWE, with top-notch production, a stacked talent roster, engaging storylines, and, of course, world-class in-ring competition.

Of course, along with all of this, plans were in place for AEW to merchandise itself. First came a litany of t-??shirts, followed by a partnership with Jazwares to produce AEW action figures, and, at long last, a video game.

AEW: Fight Forever, from developer Yukes and publisher THQ Nordic, was announced in 2020, promising gamers an experience similar to beloved titles like 2000's WWF No Mercy. The game eventually made it to store shelves on June 29, 2023, but did it manage to? live up to such a high standard?

Upon release, Fight Forever proved a mixed bag. It earned praise for its fast-paced, fun-focused style, which was a welcomed contrast to WWE's slower, simulation-based 2K games. Fans also loved its strong roster and unique match types. Still, Fight Forever left a l?ot to be desired. Character customization is limited, and the story mode, Road to Elite, lacks depth. The graphics (chiefly wrestler likenesses) are hit-or-miss and, like seemingly every new game these days, there were some gameplay bugs in need of patches. Overall, though, it seem??ed a solid first outing for AEW in the gaming realm.

With the one-year anniversary of the release of Fight Forever right arou?nd the ??corner, one has to ask, is the game still worth playing all this time later? Here's the breakdown.

Fight Forever still has a lot to offer one year in

As a whole, there's still a lot to love about Fight Forever, especially if you're looking for a fun wrestling game to play with friends. Though the combat is simple, it's easy to pick up and makes for an enjoyable in-match experience. The match types present are all solid, with unique ones like ?the Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch making Fight Forever a must-play.

Thankfully, through the power of patches, most of the big issues plaguing the game around launch time have since been taken care of. Throughout its year in existence, Fight Forever has been greatly enhanced through post-launch content, too. First and foremost is the Stadium Stampede mode, where up to 30 players can wreak havoc in ??a massive arena in a battle royale-style experience. Other mini-games and the fighting game-esque Beat the Elite mode have also added replay value.

Then there are all of the roster additions that make the game feel a bit more current, as much of the base roster feels stuc??k in the 2020-2022 timeframe. Popular names like Samoa Joe, FTR, Swerve Strickland, Toni Storm, and Adam Copeland have joined the game, as have a host of others through paid DLC. New skins, arenas, customization options, and more have also come along.

Though it's unfortunate that it had to come through paid DLC, Fight Forever has become a more well-rounded, replayable package in its first year. There are more game modes and wrestlers to try out than at launch, assuming you want to pay for them, and patches have enhanced the overall quality of each playthrough. A year in, Fight Forever is mor??e than worth picking up and playing, but it stil?l has room to improve.

How Fight Forever can improve in year two and beyond

Despite all this, Fight Forever isn't perfect. The Road to Elite story mode is still a short, shallow affair, and the online player base has dropped significantly, especially on Steam, so online play is a challenge for most players. This makes it particularly difficult to enjoy Stadium Stampede, as without players around to fill out those lobbies, wait times s??kyr??ocket, assuming you can find a game at all.

Of course, with AEW constantly making new talent acquisitions there are some major names still missing from the roster, including Will Ospreay and Mercedes Moné. Preexisting Fight Forever characters like Toni Storm and the Young Bucks could also use new looks to match their cur??rent on-screen gimmicks.

So, with all of that said, what should the folks behind Fight Forever focus on in the game's second year and beyond? Adding?? onto Road to Elite ??in some way, or adding another story mode through DLC, would be a major plus. The same could be said for keeping up with the roster additions to keep the game feeling as fresh and current as possible.

Sadly, the developer cannot do much about the diminished online player counts aside from trying to entice players to pick up the game again. However, adding bots to Stadium Stampede to fill out lobbies could be smart, if for no other re??ason than to keep the mode playable for those who want it.

At the end of the day, Fight Forever still has a lot to offer gamers a year after its release. It has improved in more ways than one, amounting to one of the most fun modern wrestling games on the market. If you haven't played it in a while or haven't yet given it a shot, if you're a wrestling fan, you owe it to yourself to get in on it. At the same time, there's still plenty the minds behind it can improve upon. Should they do so, Fight Forever can and will go from great to truly elite.

The post ??One year later, is AEW: Fight Forever still worth playing? appeared first on Destructoid.

A new wrestling game enters the ring very soon

The All Elite Wrestling fighting game AEW: Fight Forever has set a date for its debut in t??he ring. The new wrestling competitor will arrive on June 29, 2023.

In a video today featuring AEW wrestler and video game fan Kenny Omega, the release date in June is locked in for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. THQ Nordic is partnering with All Elite Wrestling for publishing, while former WWE 2K developer Yuke's is developing the new title.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JEyDX8vvlw

The release and readiness of AEW: Fight Forever has been up in the air for some time. Since it was first revealed, the project has gone through some bumps. We've seen some hints of it and its minigames over the years, but now it looks to be arriving, and prett?y soon at that.

As for features, AEW: Fight Forever is boasting a fair number of modes, as well as the customization options you usually like to see in a wrestling game. Attire, appearance, move sets, entrances, teams, and arenas are all part of the customization. Add in the AEW roster and o??nline play, and it's looking like it coul??d put up some competiton.

A new fighter enters the ring

Competition is what wrestling fans are hoping for, I think. The WWE 2K series has had some serious ups-and-downs lately, and even when it's somewhat stabilized out, I still see some reminiscing about the old days of No Mercy.

There seems to be a hope for rekindlin??g some of that older-school arcade magic here, a??nd for those who want that, I hope they get it. Either way, I'm interested to see how a new wrestling entry is received, and if it can shake up the wrestling genre.

AEW: Fight Forever heads to PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Sw?itch on June 29, 2023.

The post AEW: Fight Forever sets a release date for June appeared first on Destructoid.

Troubled title remains in Gorilla

THQ Nordic's senior community manager has rebuked reports that the long-in-development wrestling title AEW: Fight Forever is finished and ready to launch, following such comments presented by overly-excitable AEW ?president Tony Khan.

"I can’t say the exact release date," said Khan during a press confer??ence held to promote the AEW Revolution pay-per-view. "There’s a lot of things that go into that, and I don’t want to step on anybody with that. It is coming very so?on. The game is finished."

But, as noted by Wrestling Inc., THQ community manager Per Hollenbo had a different opinion. Having been shown a tweet stating that AEW: Fight Forever was ready and just waiting on a release date, Hollenbo stated "I mean if?? you want an unfinished game s??ure we could release now. The game is doing re??ally well and is getting there, but not 100% yet, so yea, just another rumour on Twitter I fear"

//twi??tter.com/Zyddies/status/1644539101700411392?s=20

The crossed wires represent part of the troubled development Fight Forever has had since its first reveal back in November 2020. Since then, whispers have frequently done the rounds of creative differences between developer Yukes and the wrestlers involved with the making of the game. Further problems arrived with the initial leaking of the game's title, the departure of cover star C.M. Punk, frequent pushback on the release window, and �most recently �legal disputes over AEW's ability to use the "Fight Forever" moniker. All of the above lends credence to the longstanding rumor that the entire project has gone way over budget??.

Of course, wrestling fans absolutely want a new wrestling game franchise, and AEW looked set to be the best option to present an alternative to 2K Games' WWE 2K franchise. But AEW: Fight Forever seems to be really crawling through barbed wire and iffy pyrotechnics in order to reach fruition. The market needs another wrestling franchise �Steel Sharpens Steel and all that jive �so here's hoping that AEW: Fight Forever is able to deliver when, if, it ever makes its way to the ring.

THQ Nordic Rep Disputes Report That AEW Fight Forever Is Ready To Relea??se [Wrestling Inc]

The post Conflicting reports leave AE?W: Fight Forever release date in limbo appeared first on Destructoid.

2023 is heating up!

The 2023 fighting games lineup is heating up as we enter a new generation for the genre. The big guns like Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat 12, and Tekken 8 are all on the horizon.

There ar??e also some anime adaptations and indie titles to keep an eye on, as well. Her?e are all the upcoming 2023 fighting games, and a peek into what's after that.

[caption id="attachment_368318" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

Street Fighter 6

Let's start with the king of fighting games, Capcom. The Japanese developer/publisher is launching Street Fighter 6 on June 2. Capcom has promised "the next evolution of Street Fighter" and from the trailers so far, it's hard to deny that. It has stunning graphics, a rollback netcode system, a big story mode to explore, and new commentators based on the FGC personalities we know around the world. The new characters like Kimberly and Jamie also look unique and add a new twist to the formula. After a disappointing Street Fighter 5, Capcom seems to have learned its lesson as SF6 seems jam-packed with content availabl??e to play from day one.

[caption id="attachment_368339" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via AEW and THQ Nordic[/caption]

AEW Fight Forever

WWE 2K23 is already out (or about to be, by the time you may read this), but AEW Fight Forever hopes it can carve its own niche in the market. Rather than going for a simulation-like focus, AEW Fight Forever is going all in on the arcade-style gameplay we know from the Nintendo 64/PlayStation era.  It will have all sorts of modes as well, including Single, Tag Team, 3-way, 4-way, Ladder, Casino Battle Royale, Falls Count Anywhere, Unsanctioned Lights Out, and Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch. There's also a "deep career mode," according to the Steam page. This game is also developed by Yuke's, the studio behind the WWE video game series for decades before Visual Concepts took over. No release date has been set, but it will likely come out in 2023.

[caption id="attachment_367086" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bandai Namco[/caption]

Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi

The long-awaited sequel to the Budokai Tenkaichi series is coming almost two decades later. There is a small teaser for the game that was released, and the graphics look true to the anime. Not much more can be said, other than that Bandai Namco is working on it. You just need to know the new Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi will likely be a 3D arena battler, dissimilar to the 2D Dragon Ball FighterZ. No release date is out yet, but it would be great on the list of 2023 fig??hting games.

[caption id="attachment_368336" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Kwalee[/caption]

Die by the Blade

Seemingly taking inspiration from Bushido Blade and the Deadliest Warrior fighting games, Die by the Blade has no health bars. Instead, you need to place a critical strike to finish off an enemy. Just one hit can finish off a fight. That rush of every hit mattering will likely make fighting game players excited. There will also be parrying and dodging in the game, elevating the stakes. The game is set in a unique environment, blending the traditional samurai era and cyberpunk together. Die by the Blade is set to release sometime this year. This fighting game will be out in 2023.

Garou: Mark of the Wolves sequel / New Fatal Fury

[caption id="attachment_368343" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot? via SNK OFFICIA??L's YouTube Channel[/caption]

A new game in the Fatal Fury franchise was announced back in August 2022, but no news has arisen since. We do know Rock Howard will be featured in the game, but no other details have been announced other than it being a new Fatal Fury or a sequel to cult-classic Garou: Mark of the Wolves. No release date has been provided as of the time of writing, but SNK's recent offerings like The King of Fighters XV and Samurai Shodown show promise.

Mortal Kombat 12

Like Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi, few details are known at the time of writing about Mortal Kombat 12. However, during an investor call, it was revealed that Mortal Kombat 12 will be released in 2023. "And there's lots more to come, including the highly-anticipated Mortal Kombat 12 and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, games also set for release this year with ambitious launch projections," said Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. It's possible we could hear more news for MK12 at E3 or during Summer Games Fest.

[caption id="attachment_368347" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bandai Namco[/caption]

Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections

Bandai Namco will be remastering all of the Ultimate Ninja Storm games into one package when Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections releases sometime this year. There will be a massive character roster when it releases with over 124 fighters, letting you match Naruto with the likes of his son Boruto, Sasuke, Kiba, Konan, and many others. The c?ollection will have the highlights of the entire story of the series in game form, so you can follow through with the campaign in one complete set.

[caption id="attachment_368341" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via PQube[/caption]

Pocket Bravery

Pocket Bravery might be one of the biggest fighting game surprises of this year. The sprite-based graphics are animated in an impressively fluid way, and the gameplay itself requires some training to master. It has exciting special moves and a surprising amount of depth for an indie title such as this. Each stage starts off with an engaging cinematic and then as each round passes, the scenery changes. For example, you're on top of the Empire State Building on the New York stage, and the time of day passes from day to night. It's a neat touch, and you'll be left analyzing every piece of the stage to see what's changed. Pocket Bravery is slated for 2023, and there's a Steam demo for those intrigued. If the demo is anything to go by, you don't want to skip Pocket Bravery.

[caption id="attachment_368333" align="alignnone" width="1200"] S?creenshot via Riot Games' YouTube Channel[/caption]

Project L

A League of Legends tag-style fighting game is in the works. It will bring the beloved characters over to the 2D fighting realm, and so far, Project L looks slick. "Gameplay with quick, fluid movement is important to us," said game director Shaun Rivera. The developer also wants you to enjoy the game "right away" but it also wants you to spend time mastering the systems on offer. Characters like Ecco look promising because they're dashing all over the map, using their quickness to their advantage. Meanwhile, Darius seems to be a slower, heavier character that wields a massive axe with massive reach. No release date has been given for Project L yet, but we do know it will be free-to-play like Riot Games' other titles League of Legends and Valorant. Hopefully, it's going to be on the list for upcoming 2023 fight?in??g games.

[caption id="attachment_368335" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Resistance 204X

If you ever wondered what would happen if you blend Nidhogg with fighting game mechanics, you get Resistance 204X. This game by Julio Quiroz is oozing with potential. The combat feels clean with plenty of flashing on-screen references to fighting game mechanics like cross-ups, smooth animation, and a standout Jet Set Radio-esque art style. Each character has their own moveset to offer as you try to get to the other side of the arena. Don't get too greedy with your distance, however, as your opponent can land on top of you in an instant. This is one of the most promising indie fighting games to come on the near horizon. Like many other games on this list, there isn't a definitive release date, but at the time of writing, there is a playtest you can take part in through Steam.

[caption id="attachment_368320" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bandai Namco[/caption]

Tekken 8

What we do know is that Tekken 8 will be launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Yes, it's ditching prior-generation hardware, so you know this fighting game will be packing some gorgeous visuals. The graphics have been elevated, and the story seems to have also. Heihachi is seemingly no more, and the series is now set on the rivalry between Kazuya and Jin. Maybe Kazuya will throw Jin into a raging river instead of a volcano; who knows? Unfortunately, no official release date has been given, but it's possible we could see Tekken 8 in late 2023 or early 2024.

[caption id="attachment_368342" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Steel City Interactive[/caption]

Undisputed

Those missing the Fight Night series may want to get their gloves ready, because Undisputed is due this year. The game is currently in Early Access and currently holds a Mostly Positive rating on Steam. The game seems to be the ultimate boxing simulator. It touts "revolutionary footwork mechanics" so you can float like a butterfly, and throw over 60 different punches from "multiple angles and directions." You can also fake a punch to trap your opponent. Talking about "stinging like a bee," you can play as the legendary Muhammad Ali, in addition to Sugar Ray Robinson, Tyson Fury, and over 50 licensed boxers. Female boxers like Katie Taylor and Natasha Jonas are also featured in Undisputed. You can check out the Early Access v?ersion of the game now, but publisher Steel C?ity Interactive says it will release the full game "when [it feels] it's ready."

[caption id="attachment_368600" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Team Fray / McLeodGaming[/caption]

Fraymakers

No one has cracked the code when it comes to a Smash Bros-like crossover game for indie characters. (Indie Pogo excluded as it's not a traditional platform fighter.) However, Fraymakers may be the one to finally break the curse. The developer of Super Smash Flash 2 is on the project alongside Team Fray. So far, the roster has varied movesets that pay great tribute to the characters of their original games. For example, Octodad has long-reaching attacks with his tentacles, while Welltaro from Downwell uses his rocket boots for traversal. It's currently in Steam Early Access and is s??l?ated to release in approximately two years.

The post 13 fighting games to look forward to in 2023 & beyond appeared first on Destructoid.

The (other) Game Awards

And so the sun sets on another Gamescom �and it seems that this year's event was something of a successful comeback. Making a grand return to Germany's Koelnmesse complex, the first physical Gamescom in over two years saw players, press, and publishers gather together to show off and/or experience some of the to??p titles currently working their way toward an eager gaming public.

While some, this author included, found the Opening Night Live stream a tad underwhelming, there was a large selection of interesting games and projects showcased both online and on the show floor over the course of the week-long event. As is tradition, a jury of Gamescom's peers and employees has put together an awards list, shini??ng the spotlight on a selection of titles showcased during the event that stood out to the panel as being particularly promising, impressive releases.

Now, of course, we don't need to put too much weight on this list. It is, after all, an honors list of Gamescom games as decided by Gamescom. But it's still interesting to see which of the 100+ games in attendance this week have been selected as featuring some special promise, and it may help them find their way onto your own personal radar. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing more of Lies of P.

Here are the Gamescom 2022 award winners:

Best Action Adventure Game: Lies of P
Best Action Game: Metal: Hellsinger
Best Family Game: Paper Trail
Best Indie Game: Inkulinati
Best Multiplayer Game: Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Best Ongoing Game: Sea of Thieves
Best Role Playing Game: Lies of P
Best Sports Game: AEW: Fight Forever
Best Strategy/Simulation Game: IXION
Most Original Game: Inkulinati
Most Wanted Microsoft Xbox Game: The Last Case of Benedict Fox
Most Wanted Nintendo Switch Game: Tin Hearts
Most Wanted PC Game: Metal: Hellsinger
Most Wanted Sony PlayStation Game: Lies of P
Best Trailer/Announcement: Hogwarts Legacy
Best Booth: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Best Lineup: Plaion
Heart of Gaming Award �The game industry’s solidarity with Ukraine
Gamescom Goes Green Award: Ukie

The post Here are the winners of this year’s Gamescom 2022 awards appeared first on Destructoid.

The Greatest Trailer in The History of Our Sport

During its THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2022 presentation, the publisher dropped a new trailer for its upcoming pro-wrestling title AEW: Fight Forever, which is curr??ently in ??development at studio Yuke's.

The trailer, which contains far more "skit" than it does "gameplay" sees veteran announcer Tony Schiavone settle on the couch with the inimitable Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D, (I hope y'all did the little hand gesture), as the duo (pretend to) battle it out in All Elite Wrestling's console debut. We don't really get to see much of the?? game in action, frankly, but we do see Baker apply the lockjaw to her beau Adam Cole before laying in a beating with a selection of weapons, including bins and fire extinguishers. Spirit of '99.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rdrmi13XI0

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the trailer, however, is the reveal of a selection of AEW-themed "mini-games" which see a bevy of AEW wrestlers bagging a torrent of casino chips, partaking in some kind of bizarre human batting? cage, and indulging in what appears to be some rhythm-action calisthenics. Schiavone, everyone's favorite earring dad, looks almost as bewildered by the chaotic action as he did that one time in 1995 when The Yet-ay and The Giant pulled a train on Hogan.

While I won't deny that the reveal of a selection of Mario Party-style mini-games is most definitely a fun and surprising addition to AEW: Fight Forever, I'm only really left with one question for the development team: Can you deliver a rock-solid wrestling game? That's all anyone honestly wants at this point. That's what the market has been craving, and that's what AEW fans are hoping will be delivered in Fight Forever. And with rum?ors that the project is alrea??dy way over budget, these added extras are welcome, but in-ring is hopefully key focus here, as it is absolutely where the game will live or die.

AEW: Fight Forever is currently scheduled to release on Pla??yStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. There is still no word of an ?official launch date outside of its tentative release window of 2022.

The post AEW: Fight Forever trailer showcases mini-games and Tony Schiavone’s deck shoes appeared first on Destructoid.