Where did the time go?

Granted I’ve only played about 10 matches so far I don’t care that the roster is outdated. I don’t mind the short intros (we all skip 90% of em anyway after a while)

RTE is laughable so far, Intense workout Go out and do the media tour option (TV Show, signing etc) Light workout Eat Go to Dynamite/PPV

Doing that gets you 2 work outs it raises your motivation and you will be at full or near full energy at the end of that “week”. There’s no real strategy to it, just do those 4 things in that order and you won’t get injured and you have solid skill gains with no downsides that I can tell. This was supposed to be some big deal mode and it really feels like a slog. Do the same 4 things in the same order go to match win match repeat. None of the things you can do before wrestling are interactive. If you hit the gym you decide on one of three intensities you get a % as to your likelyhood of injury and then you watch the same cut scene. Heavy work out you bench, light work out you squat, occasionally someone will show up and interact with you at the gym usually because you are wrestling them next.

Every location is the same restaurant regardless of what you eat. I’m eating avocado toast or Philly cheese steaks with a bottle of red wine on the table, at a nicer looking restaurant.

The customization is really disappointing, trying to make Mr. Perfect from the 80s is rough. We have a handful of faces, how could we not have more than the selection we have. I’m not expecting a lot but can I have another curly hair that isn’t Kenny’s? How do we only have these hair options? Hair in a pony tail? Nope! I could go on but unless it’s an unlockable (which it shouldn’t be it’s a pretty common look) it’s not in there. That’s how low you should be setting the bar for where this game is with character creation.

Graphics are fine but the lack of voice acting is surprising. How many of these people were injured where they couldn’t work in the ring but you could have had them go to a recording booth and get some lines into the game. The lack of commentary kills me, and really makes me feel like I’m playing an old game. Especially considering Taz and his antics would be so great for this game.

I was expecting the No Mercy of 2023

What I got was WCW vs NWO World tour of 2003.

I’m really hoping they start adding more to the game soon, the upcoming Stadium Stampede looked really cool until I found out cross play wasn’t a thing anymore. I tried to get a game online last night at 9pm and couldn’t find a match, which is concerning for a game that released last night (playing on steam).

I would have returned it if I wasn’t have so much fun in the ring. The gameplay is able to prop the rest of the game up but it makes all it’s shortcomings stand out like HBK selling to Hogan. I’m really hoping for a No Mans Sky level of patching and support. I have no problems supporting this game for years, if they build on this bare bones framework.

Also for any linux gamers it runs perfect on Linux/Steam Deck using Proton 8.0-2

Absolutely love the game. I’m not a “creator” though. I’m someone who is very happy to just do a bunch of exhibition matches like in the old days. I hope they add more for the people who want it, and of course, I’d be happy to have my options expanded, but all I wanted was an N64 like experience, and they delivered that to me in spades.

My girlfriend and I, are really enjoying playing co op together. The arcadey feel made it so easy and fun. There are some bugs and missing quality of life features but it definitely captures the old school arcade feeling that has missing in pro wrestling games.

Removed by mod

I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I really dislike the road to elite though and I can’t see myself finishing that but that’s fine, I bought this for an arcadey wrestling sim and that’s what I got. I played with my family and we had a blast playing against each other. Exploding barb wire matches are so fun and I love how violent the hardcore matches are. The kids especially loved that the thumb tacks stick to the wrestlers.

I have faith they will improve things over the life of the game where they can, and if they don’t, I’m happy with what I have.

Loving it so far!
I don’t think the CAW is as bad as some seem to claim. Certainly better than I expected.
Road to Elite is fun

Eurogamer did a super fab review on it today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRaZDGQkWZs

Honestly I love it. It doesn’t take itself seriously and it’s just plan fun.

The best quote I saw in a review is that it’s terrible for people who like to create, fun enough for people who like to get to the gameplay, which is pretty much what I expected.

Personally, I’m the type who likes to create. I play wrestling games for the CAWs, creating shows, giving everyone cool entrances, etc. and barely spend any time actually in matches. So I knew early on this one wasn’t gonna be for me as I can get a better AEW experience for what I’m looking for within WWE 2K23.

It is a shame though to see that despite the core gameplay loop being fun, it is so barebones outside of that for the people who were looking forward to it.