AEW Fight Forever brings a fresh take on wrestling games, blending nostalgic arcade-style gameplay with modern features. Whether you’re a seasoned wrestling gamer or new to the genre, mastering the basics is crucial for dominating the ring. Here’s your comprehensive guide to getting started.
Customize Your Controls
The default button layout takes time to master, but Fight Forever lets you personalize every action. Dive into the control settings to remap strikes, grapples, and reversals to buttons that feel natural.
Many players find it helpful to switch reversal controls from triggers to face buttons. Take time experimenting with different configurations until you find your perfect setup. This early investment in control customization will significantly improve your gameplay experience and reaction time.
Master the Blocking System
Blocking is your first line of defense and uses a two-button system. The left shoulder button blocks grapples, while the right blocks strike. Perfect timing transforms blocks into reversals, giving you a momentum advantage.
Watch your opponent’s patterns carefully – if they’re strike-heavy, focus on strike blocks, and vice versa for grapples. The system feels intuitive once mastered and becomes crucial for surviving tough matches and maintaining control.
Understand the Momentum System
Unlike traditional health bars, Fight Forever uses dynamic momentum mechanics. Chain varied moves together to build momentum and unlock signature and special moves. Even when you’re down, a well-timed reversal can instantly shift momentum in your favor.
Keep attacking with different moves to maintain momentum, but be careful – your opponent can turn the tables just as quickly. Smart momentum management often determines match outcomes.
Perfect Your Reversals
Reversals can instantly change a match’s direction. Each wrestler has unique move animations, so practice timing your reversals in training mode. The game offers an “Easy Countering” option that moves reversals to face buttons if trigger controls feel awkward. Focus on learning the visual cues for both strike and grapple attempts. A successful reversal not only stops your opponent’s offense but gives you a momentum boost.
Blood and Intensity Management
The blood system adds dramatic flair to matches and affects gameplay intensity. While not easily triggered, certain moves can cause bleeding that persists throughout the match. Blood can impact visibility and creates memorable moments, but can be turned off for younger players. Use this mechanic strategically – a bloodied opponent often signals a match reaching its climax and can influence crowd reaction.
Submission Strategy
Submissions offer an alternative victory path requiring careful setup. Target specific body parts that correspond to your submission moves. Pay attention to wrestler skills – some have special submission-related abilities that provide advantages.
Build damage to the targeted area before attempting submissions, and remember that position matters. A well-executed submission strategy can end matches quickly, even against stronger opponents.
Rope Break Awareness
Avoid wasting finishers by always checking your pin position relative to the ropes. Use the right shoulder button to drag opponents away before attempting pins or submissions. This simple awareness prevents frustrating rope break interruptions and maintains your momentum advantage. Smart positioning often makes the difference between victory and defeat, especially in close matches.
Creation Suite Features
While not as extensive as some wrestling games, the creation tools offer solid customization. Create unique wrestlers using available options and design custom arenas. Unlock additional items through in-game currency earned from matches.
Focus on making the most of available features rather than lamenting limitations. Creative players can still craft distinctive content despite the streamlined system.
Character Skill Knowledge
Every wrestler comes with unique skills and passive abilities that affect gameplay. Study these in the Wrestler Info menu before matches. Some wrestlers excel at kickouts, while others have submission advantages or quick pin abilities.
This knowledge helps form effective strategies and choose the right character for your playstyle. Understanding these skills can give you a crucial edge in competitive matches.
Offensive Variety
Maintain unpredictable offense by mixing strikes, grapples, and aerial moves. Varied attacks build momentum faster than spamming the same moves. Explore each character’s full move-set to keep opponents guessing.
This approach not only scores better match ratings but also makes matches more engaging. Strategic variety in offense often leads to more opportunities for momentum-building and finish setups.
Strategic Taunting
Taunts build momentum efficiently and can be canceled quickly if needed. Unlike other wrestling games, taunting doesn’t leave you completely vulnerable. Use taunts strategically between offensive sequences to build momentum for special moves.
Remember that interrupted taunts don’t provide benefits, so time them carefully. Smart taunting can accelerate your path to signature and finishing moves.
Match Type Experimentation
From standard matches to the unique Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch, each match type offers distinct strategies. The Casino Battle Royale provides chaotic multi-wrestler action, while specialty matches add extreme elements.
Explore different match types to find your preferred style and master their unique mechanics. Each type requires different approaches and can help develop your overall wrestling game.
Bonus Tips for Beginners
- Enable “Easy Countering” in the options menu when first starting out
- Practice in lower difficulty settings to learn move timings
- Don’t spam the same moves – AI adapts to repetitive attacks
- Keep an eye on your momentum meter at all times
- Roll out of the ring when opponents have their Special move ready
- Play couch co-op with friends to learn different playstyles
- Check wrestler stats and abilities before selecting them
- Experiment with the ‘Road to Elite’ mode with different characters
- Focus on learning basic strikes and grapples before complex moves
- Save your special moves for crucial moments, don’t waste them early
Following these tips will significantly flatten your learning curve in AEW Fight Forever. While the game offers arcade-style fun, mastering these fundamentals will help you dominate matches and enjoy the full depth of gameplay mechanics.
Remember, practice and patience are key to becoming an elite wrestler. Bring your A-game to the table with these tips and shock your opponents. Become a pro wrestler quickly and enjoy the real essence of this masterpiece.
