Fight Night: Round 3
(PS3. EA Sports)
Reviewed by Gareth Jones
I very rarely say this about a game, but fight night is close to perfect
for its genre. Great sports games get you involved and make you feel like
you are the one in the ring, on the pitch, etc. They then have a quirk,
something that isn�t your everyday play, something you do on special
occasions. A football game say lets you pick one man to control on the
pitch, and you become engrossed in what that individual does. Fight night
puts you in the ring, and you are the boxer. When you get hit, you see the
punch hit you. It�s as if Muhammad Ali is coming out of the TV and landing a
haymaker right on your choppers, you cant help but squirm.
And that is maybe one of the games best qualities, when returning to your
standard fighting position, watching the two guys in the ring slog it out,
you can�t stop yourself saying �ouch� as a mixture of blood, saliva and
sweat spews out of your opponents face.
Graphics
As mentioned previously the graphics are awesome. When you�re watching
boxing on TV, the most enjoyable part is after the fight is over. You watch
the knockout punch over and over again until the big wig in the TV truck
decides to put on the slow-mo shot. The skin flails around on the now
unconscious sportsman�s face, it ripples as his jaw breaks. All of this is
captured in the game. After every knockdown, the slow motion replay is
employed, and you relive that precious moment in all its gory glory.
Sound
The crowd is more involved in this game than any other. They chant for your
created boxer, using his pre selected knockdown, they grown when your man
gets slapped to the canvas, and they demand you to �down him� when you take
control.
A key part of the match is he shuddering punch that causes your opponent to
go weak at the knees. The setup for the knockdown, and when this occurs you
know about it, the crowd noise is phased out, only the explosive cry as you
lean in for the straight right to the temple, and the thudding heartbeat of
both boxers, yet again drawing you into the game.
Features
Career mode is the mainstay of the game, where your created star fights
through the ranks from windy city gym to the awe inspiring MSG and Staples
Centre, rendered perfectly for the game. You go from being a simple amateur
to the heavyweight champion, taking on tougher and tougher competitors while
creating rivalries along the way. You can purchase new gear in the shop with
the money one from previous bouts, and between each match you are able to
train, increasing your stats while taking much needed advise from a
selection of coaches.
The game also features a number of well known names from the sport, both
past and present, from a number of weight classes. However, there appears to
be too much waiting to past boxers, leaving out stars such as Klitchko and
Calzaghe.
Controls
The controls are another very unique game feature. The right analogue stick
is assigned to ultimate punch control, and your movements with this dictates
how your boxer swings. Move the stick the diagonally right up and you throw
a right jab. Move the stick down left and then up and you hits a left
uppercut. This allows for much more freedom than in previous games. Holding
L1 enables all these punches to become body shots, while X and R2 throw
massive haymakers, handy if your taking a pummeling.
Verdict
As previously stated this game is possibly as close to perfect as boxing
will ever get. Eventually yes we will be able to put on a pair of gloves
ourselves and throw punches, but until then this is the next best thing.
Strong game play, both challenging and intense will keep you fighting for
hours, and is a strong contender for sports title of the year.
9/10
Any comments? Please contact me on [email protected]
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