Okay, so I finally decided to dive deep into the “Road to Elite” mode in AEW Fight Forever. I’d messed around with it a bit before, but this time I was determined to see it through. Here’s how it went down, bumps and all.
Getting Started
First thing I did was pick my wrestler. You can use a created wrestler or a real AEW star. I went with creating my own, because, why not? Customization is half the fun, right? Spent a good chunk of time tweaking the look and moveset. I wanted a high-flyer with some strong striking, you know, a bit of a hybrid style.
The Grind Begins
Once I was set, the “Road to Elite” story kicked off. It’s basically a year in the life of an AEW wrestler. You start on Dynamite and have to work your way up the ranks. The basic loop is:
- Wrestle Matches: Obviously, you gotta fight. Win matches, earn points.
- Train: Between shows, you can hit the gym to boost your stats. I focused on agility and strength first.
- Eat: Gotta keep your energy up! Different restaurants give you different stat boosts, so you need to choose wisely.
- Mini-Games: These pop up sometimes and are kinda random, like answering trivia or doing press-ups. A fun distraction.
- Side Stories: Occasionally, you run into other wrestlers and have little side stories. Adds some flavor.
My Strategy (and Struggles)
My initial plan was to win every match, no matter what. That… didn’t exactly work out. I got my butt kicked a few times, especially early on. I realized I needed to be more strategic. I started paying more attention to my energy levels and making sure I was well-fed before big matches. Also, I started picking my training sessions more carefully to complement my wrestler’s style.
The mini-games were a mixed bag. Some were easy, some were surprisingly tough. I definitely failed the trivia a couple of times – my AEW history isn’t as good as I thought! The side stories were cool, though. It felt like I was actually interacting with the AEW world.
Roadblocks and Rivalries
One thing I didn’t expect was the rivalries. As you progress, you start to develop feuds with other wrestlers. These can lead to special matches and cutscenes. I ended up in a pretty intense rivalry with one of the bigger guys, and it made for some really challenging fights. I had to really think about my moveset and how to counter his power.
The Payoff
After weeks of playing (in real-time, not in-game time, obviously!), I finally made it to the end of the “Road to Elite” year. I won’t spoil the ending, but let’s just say it was pretty satisfying. I’d built up my wrestler, learned the ropes, and earned my spot. It was a grind, for sure, but a fun one.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’d say “Road to Elite” is a solid mode. It’s got that old-school career mode feel, with a modern AEW twist. It’s not perfect – the mini-games can be a bit repetitive, and the difficulty can spike unexpectedly – but it’s definitely worth playing if you’re a fan of wrestling games, especially AEW. I’m already thinking about starting another run with a different wrestler build. Maybe a powerhouse this time…
