Overhyped? Let's Look at AEW: Fight Forever!

[@TheNaturalPatHarris]

The true Spirtual successor to No mercy was the Day of reckoning series for GameCube. But in 2024, Ultra Pro Wrestling looks to be the same game engine as No Mercy but with Original Wrestlers

[@EliteEasyE]

Well the true successors to No Mercy are the Def Jam and Ultimate Muscle gsmes. Same development team same engine and same assets. DOR (and by extension the Wrestle Kingdom series) was a spiritual successor purposely molded in AKI's image with former AKI people on lead design by Yuke's Osaka team. FF is also a spiritual successor with Geta and a couple guys from AKI including at least one of the lead designers from DOR on a team of mostly Yuke's main series Yokohama team. UPW has no one from AKI but it has a hell of a brain trust of community members and modders like MelonBread1978 and with research they're sticking to the AKI formula and are trying to reverse engineer AKI's approach to designing modern mechanics. I think they'll kill it.

[@fastvalkary725]

As usual people don't mention wrestlemania 19, which did it before day of reckoning

[@EliteEasyE]

@@fastvalkary725 And Wrestlemania X8 before that :p

[@Timeforceletsgo]

DOR2, and Smackdown Vs Raw 2011 are my go to classic wrestling games, I love No mercy but I feel it’s a bit too dated now, DOR2 felt like a very big improvement.

[@fastvalkary725]

@@EliteEasyE X8 was a bit mediocre gameplay wise. XIX improved on it massively.

[@TheKizly]

He's back! One more before Sting's last match.

[@timbartschwolfman]

Which is Tonight

[@marleensrain]

HE HAS RETURNED !

[@qbcomicaddict2590]

It’s wild that no mercy is still twice the game

[@eeeeewewew]

Every time i see an upload from this channel i get so pumped. Been watching so long but never get sick of the topics covered or the way it's presented. You do great work man. Just checked. I been watching your channel for 11 years jeez.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks for the continued support! I truly do appreciate it. 🤘

[@vagamer522]

To say I was dissapointed is an understatement. The game was barley advertised and had a random release date lining up with Street Fighter 6.

[@InfectedElite]

SF6 was June 2nd, AEW was June 29. doesnt line up at all.

[@phabiorules]

I mean, coming out in the same month isn’t the best idea.

[@TheJta20]

I just wish the CAW mode was better. The black hairstyles were severely lacking (especially for a company that prides itself on their diversity) And the fact that they had the nerve to count the shirts and shorts with different flags and camo patterns as "unique options" to add the illusion of choice was insulating.

[@dazitmane8905]

My all time favourite KZbinr has returned. Going to go back home and watch this with dinner.

[@NikateeN]

😃

[@moogibeans9822]

Oh, and worse thing about the CAWs in this game is having to play through the story with _each wrestler_ in order to raise their stats Really makes it hard to be motivated to make more wrestlers for me. Was a bad choice imo

[@tango9601]

That's taking things all the way back to SmackDown! 1 lol

[@Benster96]

Aew fight forever was so disappointing. When you immediately hate the gameplay and controls it’s a rough experience.

[@Mxyz]

I pre-ordered it, played like 3 matches and haven't touched it since. I still have the rest of season 1 dlc I need to download lol

[@kidz919]

The gameplay isn't the problem lol

[@Benster96]

@@kidz919 the whole game is the problem for sure haha.

[@wolfwang8464]

@@kidz919some of that is for me. I don’t like only running in straight lines. Reason I won’t get it unless it’s free

[@AztecUnshaven]

@@wolfwang8464 Running in straight lines is exactly how it worked in all AKI Games and Fire Pro games.

[@thisisnotachannel]

Welcome back, Nik. Good to hear from ya again... and with the PERFECT "come back" video! Good shit, man. Take as long as you want between videos... most of us aren't going anywhere! Edit: "Dixon Sighed"? Nice... VERY nice. You got a laugh out of me. I still cant believe Owen Hart is part of the official roster... I need to buy this game now... so I an take him all the way to the Heavyweight championship!

[@I_dont_like_anime]

Babe wake up, NikateeN just posted a new video!!!

[@MineplexVLOfficial]

Was waiting for you to review this game! Hopefully you make a video on 2K24 when it comes out!

[@evangelus3289]

Personally, I really enjoyed this game. I like the more arcade style of play. I give it some slack for being the first game and was built from zero. But the next one, having the benefit of the base infrastructure built, I would expect would bring on what it really could be. Like WCW/nWo World tour to Revenge, to mania2000, to no mercy. Each hugely improved on the previous but the leap between world tour and revenge was the real leap

[@stuckintheinbetween]

I love the gameplay and the groundwork is laid if TK decides to fund a hopefully much more fleshed out successor.

[@alec2000]

I’m glad to see you’re back, bro. Your videos always bring a smile to me😌. AEW Fight Forever had SO MUCH potential, but due to the constant delays, and then eventually, its big lack of content at release, the way DLC is handled when in reality it should ALL be free, it definitely is a mess and it sucks. Yes the core gameplay is undeniably the best part of the game, as it definitely plays like No Mercy, and I have to give credit where it is due. I wanted a newer game to have that same gameplay and I’m happy we got it here. Just a shame the rest of the game is lacking the spirit that made No Mercy legendary, from the creation suite and vast amounts of content such as match types, backstage areas, and even a much better executed story mode. To sum it up, the core gameplay is just amazing, but everything else is bad. If the DLC was all free, I bet this game wouldn’t have gotten much frag as it does now. Oh well, it is what it is🤷‍♂️. Very good review homie, and once more, I’m happy you’re back. Hope you have a very good one today.😊❤️

[@fastvalkary725]

I agree, the gameplay is great but the lack of not just match types but match varariations is horrible. The lack of alt attires and the horrible CAW mode kills it. Plus the fact that there is no community creations is trash too.

[@plague3478]

I was really hoping to see more legends in the game. Guys like Glacier and Mortis would have been so cool to see included - especially as Glacier was actually on the first AEW PPV!

[@milk_bath]

Those characters are owned by WWE as WWE owns WCW’s intellectual property. Basic stuff man, come on.

[@Highly3666]

Legends and glacier or mortis does not belong in the same sentence

[@laguitarradealvaro]

So glad you are back! I'll be waiting reviews for the WWE games not covered yet. Great vídeo!

[@NikateeN]

Thanks! 🙏

[@zal455]

I need a wrestling game to relive the days of WWF no mercy so i guess this will have to do for now. Keep up the good work.

[@fu102]

nice. glad youre making vids again!

[@frizzyrascal1493]

I was so hyped after the first gameplay, because it looked and played heavy, something I miss about the 2k series, where almost every move feels weightless. A good rule of thumb I implemented years ago was to not pre-order anything unless it’s Rockstar Games. The immediate wave of reviews were disappointing.

[@sulimanzahbar]

He finally remembered his password 😂😂😂

[@NikateeN]

Barely!

[@Timeforceletsgo]

Please keep the videos coming! Missed your opinions. Love this channel.

[@luxferre5546]

I can still remember picking up a demo of WWE Smackdown as a kid and I played it for weeks even you could only have 1 on 1 matches with 4 characters.

[@Mxyz]

HOLY SHIT HES BAAAAACK!!!!!

[@louthegiantcookie]

Something games from that era did was include a bunch of talent from other promotions under pseudonyms - like how WCW vs. The World did. AEW's game not doing that, along with the terrible CAW system, means I'll probably never buy this. It was the first wrestling game in decades I had been excited for, and they fumbled all the things about those games that I actually wanted to see return.

[@DasNordlicht91]

I will say that I like that almost all the wrestlers have unique grunt sounds and even audio when you lock in submissions, something that the WWE 2K games don't really have.

[@Throbingkcoc]

While not quite as good as No Mercy it is good to have an alternative to the 2k games from WWE. I actually really like the career mode in this game.

[@laguitarradealvaro]

I hear Donkey Kong Country 2 and F-Zero X ost at background 👌

[@nopemcgee2831]

Can't believe I'm this early for a Nikateen video

[@stuckintheinbetween]

I vastly prefer the gameplay in Fight Forever to the 2K games. It needed more match types, DLC to be more affordable, and a better creation suite. Personally, I also prefer the stylized look over the boring realism of 2K. They should've focused on more match types people expect and better creation tools, as well as a better campaign, over mini-games, the cool but unnecessary Stadium Stampede match, etc. Get the essentials in there before adding stuff that didn't need to be added. No cage match is a massive WTF.

[@stuckintheinbetween]

@jabrone.destoroyahFFNY isn't a wrestling game, it's a fighting game. Vendetta is a wrestling game. Anyways, I didn't like either of those games as much as other people since I absolutely loathe rap music. I'll stick with WCW/NWO Revenge, WM 2000, No Mercy, SYM, HCTP, SVR 06 and 07, WM XIX, DoR 1 and 2, etc., if I want to play old wrestling games. I have a modded PS2 and Gamecube, as well as an N64 with an Everdrive cart, with all of those games installed.

[@anhaconda]

Omfg my mans has uploaded!! I feel gipped that KZbin did not notify me wtf! I cannot wait to watch this when I get home. I want my whole undivided attention for this bad boy!

[@NikateeN]

Thanks a lot!

[@kokotheclown2588]

Glad to see u back dude and yeah hopefully if they do a sequel they fix the issues and improve what the first one lack similar to Wrestlemania X8 to the more improved Wrestlemania 19 on GameCube

[@PUNKEYE1]

I just wish there was crowd fighting and backstage fighting. I also wish the alternative attires were different but it's a fun pick up and play

[@HyperTensionJohnny]

Good to see you back, homie. You're the authority on wrestling games, so I was looking forward to this one. 🤘🏻

[@NikateeN]

Thanks a lot!! Much appreciated. 😎

[@gasolinekiss]

Man I wanted so bad for this game to be good. They had all the resources to make something great

[@paynexkiller]

So good to see you still making content!

[@paynexkiller]

Were you at the hall of fame in Philly? Swear I saw you on TV!

[@NikateeN]

I wish!

[@carlhicks9327]

I'm still debating whether to buy AEW Fight Forever on Nintendo Switch

[@moogibeans9822]

Get it on sale. The gameplay is amazing but the lack of content makes the full price hard to justify

[@bigglou]

The price has dropped to $30, but I would still wait since you have to include the season passes. The game runs at 30 while other versions run at 60. 120fps on PC.@@moogibeans9822

[@ssean1290]

It's $30 at Wal-Mart these days. I got it for $40 and then like a week later they lowered the price LOL. It will probably be $20 soon.

[@BUPMY1]

​@@ssean1290 It'll be free on PS+ in June.

[@Adamtendo_player_1]

I will skip the switch version as it’s glitchy as hell and then there’s the frame rate issues with the Nintendo Switch version.

[@iconicfreezegaming3989]

So glad to see your videos again! I think this game is a good representation of AEW as a whole. There is a lot to like but, still some things they can improve on

[@MBM1117727]

I'm surprised that when you talked about the arenas you didn't mention that the crowd has 3 like 3 rows.

[@iamsupercool12345]

If it just had a more customization I'd forgive all sins. Had fun with it but no crossplay and limited CAW really put a timer on my enjoyment. Had a blast the first few weeks after it came out though.,

[@NotAGarage]

The original wrestling video game reviews is back! I appreciate the F-Zero X music!!!😊 I was just saying I'll buy Fight Forever when NikateeN does a review

[@britneyspearsvillarosa]

There's also reminds me of the time when WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 came out and RVD was a unlockable Superstar and he had been in TNA for some months up until this point when WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 when it was released on October 26th 2010❤

[@juniorsanchez7441]

Great to see you back man! Hope you are in good health and enjoying life. Great video bro thank you

[@pippin3430]

22:43 it reminds me of the PSP SVR 2006 minigames

[@MikeHickey]

Finally Nikateen has come back to KZbin I’ve been waiting for u to review AEW Fight Forever since the game first came out I hope more content will be released for 2024 and will u do a review of WWE 2K23 and 2K24 and I hope u could do a game room tour I’ve been watching your content since 2020

[@genos_vacuum]

I’m a huge aew MARK. The game def has its flaws but every company has their first game. I enjoyed it. Thanks for your awesome in depth video.

[@redpanda603]

Your character creation is still on fleek 😂

[@ProWrestlingFan1995]

I pre ordered and was so excited for this game only to be disappointed by it. To this day I’ve only put in 17 hrs of it and I’ve given 2 tries since release, the gameplay is really good but there’s so little to do. I won’t be playing this again sticking to WWE 2K (as far as new wrestling games are concerned), great review NikaTeeN.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks! It’s a shame that the wait wasn’t worth it!

[@whohuhyesyouare5277]

Flawless review tbh, as an aew and huge wrestling game fan from world tour on, gameplay is fun af, they promised alot more and in the year 2023 it shouldn't have been hard to deliver. Thumbtacks in a wrestling game hits differently

[@AsianSignGuyCena]

I have so been waiting for you to review this game! For me personally, I like the game because i grew up playing the AKI games and yes it's presence is definately felt. I know this game won't appeal to everyone and I think they really should work on a sequel ASAP. After unlocking everything and buying everything i could in the shop I stopped playing as it only took me about a month or so to get everything and all this additional DLC doesn't make me want to touch the game. I want this game to succeed as I do watch AEW weekly and I hope in time they can continue to grow.

[@xJC2x]

I was left with mixed opinions with fight forever. It reminds me of the aki n64 & day of reckoning games. My issue is it just felt lacking when it came to match types & the creation suite. I was expecting more from this game given the hype & delay. I know the N64 games were limited due to the console they were on but there is no excuse for fight forever to be as limited as it is. I would've loved to have seen a blood & guts match especially with the amount of blood that is in the game & the tooth & nail match.

[@Dj_Rancho6448]

Mane I was feeling like I lost until I seen this upload i stg I was watching yo wrestling game reviews since high school plus I seen a kings banner one time it’s sactown shit 😂 glad you’re still uploading

[@NikateeN]

👑 😎

[@playstationskate345]

damn ive been straight binging your shit the past week. THE CHAMP IS BACK🔥

[@KYOTYouTube]

Dig diggity, dig diggity Dog!

[@spencercole23]

Gameplay can be fun especially with friends but the games desperately lacks modes and the career mode if u can call it that is a joke i hoping for a sequel there is a lot potential and tbh it was nice playing a wrestling game that isnt a wwe game

[@Tony_Iscariot]

Well, welcome the fuck back! I’ve been looking at some of your reviews of classic wrestling games while waiting on WWE 2K24 to come out the past month and lo and behold a brand new video. Keep em coming, dude. Your reviews are always detailed, and very entertaining. 🤘🏼

[@jameshawkeye8430]

Nikateen, You know how to hit it out of the park with another awesome game review. Speaking of games I did buy the new 2k24 for the Xbox Series S which im having fun with. But I still enjoy goin on my Xbox 360 to play some WWE 2k14 because i still enjoy the gameplay of 2k14 to this day and its a game i will never stop playing.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks so much! I look forward to getting my hands on 2K24 one of these days.

[@jameshawkeye8430]

@@NikateeN I think you will enjoy it in my opinion. Speaking of which I think you should do 2k14 definitive review kinda like you did with Here Comes the Pain

[@MR.__G]

Great to see you back !! Always enjoy your content.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks!

[@EliteEasyE]

The writer of Road to Wrestlemania/Elite had no idea JR was reading the lines he wrote for him when he finished up. If he did he would have directed him to a more spirited reading, I'm sure. Not sure who directed the commentary for post match, but I'm sure the RTE guy would have gotten more out of Ross.

[@allhell138]

I wanna like it, as No Mercy is still my favorite wrestling game ever…but running to the corner usually results in running the ropes. Trying to switch opponents in multiple person matches or stay on target is ridiculously frustrating. Lack of depth to the roster, when you see WWE2K releasing HUNDREDS of wrestlers on theirs…and perhaps the most frustrating, is the utter lack of online anything, literally missing out on half the game, you can’t access Stampede cuz no one’s ever online… I routinely beat the computer on “Elite’’ in under three minutes…there’s little to no challenge. Ugh, the creator mode is ridiculously lacking…yeah, this game was such a let down.

[@Hiphiphistorian]

Nice to see you back on KZbin

[@SCSAsJorts]

Hopefully it doesn’t derail another game, give fans more options and also more variety helps sports titles in the long run

[@boxhead444]

I haven't played the game, but i believe they have the actual wrestlers do the grunts and taunts.

[@TheAerykBaconShow]

im sticking to 24 once it comes out it will also have cm punk and jade so no point in getting this game but also cool too see wrestlers appear in two different games

[@thebipolarbear1]

This looks good. Can you still get weapons from the crowd? And is there a Bell sound if you low blow someone?

[@NikateeN]

You can get weapons from the crowd. I don’t remember on the bell though.

[@thebipolarbear1]

@@NikateeN ok cool. I liked the bell sound in revenge idk lol

[@michaelvandoran1377]

@@thebipolarbear1yeah the bell sound happens when you low blow lol

[@thebipolarbear1]

@@michaelvandoran1377 it was awesome. And the giant stop sign was sweet too lol

[@Tufferwear]

The opening of AEW Fight Forever used the script from the opening of TNA Impact the Video Game.

[@jamesytez6639]

I don't think this game is really that bad. I mean, it's an ok wrestling game, but this not focused in that. The point is it could be a pretty decent family friendly game. Not so hardcore gaming, not so nintendo party like game. The problem is the license in that based on. Aew is far from being a pg wrestling company

[@Highly3666]

The problem is this game is ass

[@Django286]

It wasn't bad, the gameplay wasn't bad and isn't bad but there wasn't enough content

[@NikateeN]

Exactly how I feel. It’s lacking so many features/options, but gameplay to me felt pretty good.

[@MrOhydro]

I LOVE THIS GAME SOOO EXCITED FOR TOMORROW NEW DLC

[@itsX2024]

The gameplay is fun but it's dated. It's also lacking way too many simple features like a backstage area.

[@andrewglidewell2699]

They made a perfectly serviceable 25 dollar game and then tried to charge 60 bucks for it.

[@NikateeN]

Totally.

[@davidguerrero4474]

This was probably the review I was most waiting for and you did not disappoint. Appreciate the honesty.

[@NikateeN]

Thanks!

[@davidguerrero4474]

@@NikateeN anytime! As a gamer and wrestling fan like a lot of others here I love the retrospectives on the games from my childhood up to current releases.

[@JJUniverseChannel]

Awesome video and welcome back man 😎!

[@NikateeN]

Thanks!

[@JustBrxnsxn]

Yeah let’s fucking go not even guna watch this yet, saving it for later and savour every second

[@jonbourgoin182]

FF was developed by Yukes in name only, I would bet if you compared the credits from the PS2 Smackdown series to the names on FF, that a lot of those original developers are long gone. Either that or they just forgot how to make legendary wrestling games. Same director or not.

[@NikateeN]

Definitely a different Yukes than we once knew. Not only that, but it can also be argued that the 2K series wasn’t quite as good as the prime of the SmackDown games. Both made by Yukes.

[@jerrodallen1351]

Welcome back!! We need more reviews

[@anhacondaghost]

Man idk what’s going on but I think my comments are coming up as spam on my other account. I hope they fix that because I have premium on my other account lmao. Anyways man just wanted to leave a comment and another like. Thanks for making this. I waited since the day aew fight forever was announced for your review on it

[@NikateeN]

Thanks!

[@PcPFilmsDayton]

I played this game for all of 15 minutes, and still feel robbed of my time.

[@0svvan0]

this happened because of all the trolls calling it "wait forever" and David Zaslav.

[@isabadpassword]

Someone said it best “they tried to copy no mercy so much they forgot it’s 20 years old”

[@IMEEntertainment]

I hope you get to make reviews for 2K18 to 2K23 soon!

[@PhantomPain7778]

I really wished they added more modes and matches. Look at the stadium stampede mode. Why not give us a backstage brawl or even a one on one or 2v2 stadium stampede match. Hope year 2 dlc add those

[@JayHilfiger90]

I wanna hear your thoughts on the 2K22,23 and the upcoming 24

[@kcadventures1454]

Im laying here in bed anf thinking: "huh, i wonder what nikateen is up to!?" Bam! New video!

[@q.h.s5051]

More like AEW Fight alittle and then get bored. I had fun playing it but the lack of modern feature implementation that even the slowest and imo most boring 2k games have. When a twenty two-three year old game duo in SYM and HCTP have most modern games beat out in the fun, features, action, near endless options of play then there is a problem. There is so much I really enjoyed about this game and many that you mentioned like the move animations and general feel of that classic style. The classic style is fun but as Matt Mcmuscles basically said; they we’re so worried about making the N64 games again that they forgot it’s not 2000 anymore. There is so much evolution in even the SVR days that like you I genuinely expected within how long it took them to make this that we we’re getting a modern full experience of No Mercy, HCTP, SVR, 13-14, and even some of the 2k games but bigger and better. Sadly after finishing the road to elite mode I packed it away and sold it off. Nothing here to stay for for me

[@allhell138]

Wish all the work that went into the mini games, should’ve gone into the CAW and arenas…watching this video is making me angry 😂

[@NikateeN]

Exactly! How can they skimp on one of the most important aspects of a wrestling game?

[@a.mirandahsr]

New Nikateen! And yes the game has it's flaws but seems to be fun most of the time, totally worth buying IN A SALE, not the full price

[@NikateeN]

It should definitely be a $30 game at the very most.

[@AB_223]

Only thing good about this game was the controller layout. Definitely captured the simplicity and muscle memory of the N64 AKI games. My theory is that this game faced a lot of development setbacks and they needed to release it in its barebones state to make some money back. Here’s hoping the sequel is actually a good game.

[@jefferyjones8399]

The game is pretty fun overall. I think with a little more polish, more a better single player campaign, and more match types, the game would be fantastic. I would give up the silly mini games for more polish. I like the idea of using workouts, food, etc. but I'd like to have seen a bit less repetition of what you can do.

[@NikateeN]

I agree!

[@moogibeans9822]

Ff is a beautiful game that looks great, has super fun and addictive gameplay, and its super fun to have a good aew video game. But sadly the lack of content is a massive bummer. Theres so little to this game. Its an amazing game, but no match types, small roster, few arenas, no entrances. This game would be incredible if only it had more content They keep adding a minimal amount while charging half the price of the game for each addition. I really want the handful of wrestlers theyve added since release, but I cant afford the price they're asking for it all

[@jonathanturbide2232]

No disrespect but it can't be called an "Amazing game" with all the flaws you listed. Plus you forgot to mention the incredibly weak create-a-wrestler and lack of customization of any kind, no backstage areas, laughable career mode, and it goes on and on. Definitely not the definition of an amazing game.

[@AztecUnshaven]

​@@jonathanturbide2232The gameplay is outstanding though, that's why the OP mentioned the game being "amazing". Because the gameplay engine is one of the best wrestling engines we've had in YEARS. The 2K games have notoriously clunky gameplay and weak, slow paced intensity that lacks impact. Fight Forever is superior in the core gameplay standpoint. 2K24 actually took notice of Fight Forever BIG TIME. That's why it ripped off a bunch of features that exist in Fight Forever, believe it or not.

[@moogibeans9822]

@@jonathanturbide2232 every game has flaws. Theres no perfect game. Thats a dumb standard to have Game is amazing, but needs more. Nothing contradictory in what I stated. Its an incredible foundation that aew is sadly neglecting atm

[@mikeb620]

Just when I thought I was out, Nikateen pulls me back in

[@michaelburke7978]

When the world needed him the most, he returned :)

[@NikateeN]

😁

[@gazb2740]

The wrestling company "for the fans" releases a bare bones game with anti consumer practices. It was doomed from the start.

[@moondough6010]

“That arsenal wasn’t exactly created overnight” no just YEARS of old wrestling games with the exact same animation

[@acidwreck]

It was overhyped to no end and was given many excuses for its shortcomings. Basically like the wrestling product itself. Hopefully they get the chance to go at it again.

[@NikateeN]

I’d love to see a sequel, with all of the things this game was missing.

[@Tirgo69]

The OG wrestling game reviewer is ALL ELITE

[@Tirgo69]

Totally forgot that Cody Rhodes was in both WWE and AEW games in 2023

[@Nargaroth]

Pleasant surprise! Whats up Nikateen!?

[@NikateeN]

😎

[@asthewormturns9564]

Who’s ready for AEW Revolution!!!!

[@BOBBIE-KEN]

21:25 dumps orange juice on your wrestler lol