dperceful
04-14-2004, 11:49 AM
Rented Fight Night 2004 and really have to say the best boxing game I have ever played. A real treat to boxing fans (I am a big one) and gamers who might be interested in a deep fighter.
Controls:
The control get away from the usual button mashing and put it into the hands of the analog sticks. movement is controlled with the left stick, punches are handled with the right analog stick. Wanna throw a jab, quickly press the stick to the upper left (if your boxer is southpaw it would be upper right). Straight....upper right, left hook....1/4 circle, uppercut....half circle. I've been playing this for about a week now and it's a joy to feel like your really throwing the punches.....put together combos, bobbing and weaving a punch and rising up to throw a left hook to the jaw. I would bet that boxing games of the future take on a similar control scheme of some type.
Graphics:
I have the PS2 version and the graphics are good. Boxers like Roy Jones, Arturro Gatti, Sugar Shane, are easily recognizable. Gyms and stadiums are rendered very well and offer diversity in your fighting experience. Also as your progress in a match your boxer will start showing damage...and it looks great...you feel the pain.
Gameplay:
Well it's boxing. You can jump right into it with existing boxers like Muhhamed Ali, Joe Frazier, Mickey Ward, etc and duke it out. Boxers behave like their real life counterparts and will put up a good challenge (I re-enacted the Arturro Gatti v. Mickey Ward fight and it was a blood bath). You have 2 meters a life bar and a punch bar. Obviously when the life meter is low....your prone to being knocked down. THe punch bar is a nice touch....you can't go out there and throw 100 punches a round and not expect the power of your punches to diminish. This puts some strategy into the game....you need to reserve your strength in order to take a guy down. Also defense is key....if you dodge a punch and counter with a punch you do more damage. Why? Well your opponent just threw a punch and it takes energy to do so, he missed, you countered and caught him on an exhale, catching him off guard and causing a stumble. Rope a dope is totally possible in this game, you can block and evade punches all round and then in later rounds your opponent has lost the power on his punches while your still fresh. I'm not too deep into the Career Mode, but it seems fun. Basically you create your own boxer and rise thru the ranks. You can unlock new stuff like trunks, gloves, entrance music, etc. as you progress. The game is online for the PS2 and that will add to the length of the game.
Things I would change on the gameplay. I would make it possible to clinch, this could really help you out....but I do understand EA leaving it out...it can slow a game. I would make it where you can buy a new cutman or trainer....this way you really spend your money on things that really matter to a boxers career, rather than clothing. Announcers, real announcers. The current guy is Big Tigger (i think he is from MTV), but I think he would be best served as an announcer on an EA Big title, I would love to have Roy Jones, Larry Merchant, Jim Lampley or those guys do the announcing...it would help with the overall feel.
My favorite thing about the game is the knockdowns. Whenever you or your opponent get knocked down you are treated to a slo-mo replay and it really is cool.
I would highly recommend the game to anyone. A rental is in order to see if it's your kinda thing....but this is a fun game to play with friends and makes for a fun night.
dan
Controls:
The control get away from the usual button mashing and put it into the hands of the analog sticks. movement is controlled with the left stick, punches are handled with the right analog stick. Wanna throw a jab, quickly press the stick to the upper left (if your boxer is southpaw it would be upper right). Straight....upper right, left hook....1/4 circle, uppercut....half circle. I've been playing this for about a week now and it's a joy to feel like your really throwing the punches.....put together combos, bobbing and weaving a punch and rising up to throw a left hook to the jaw. I would bet that boxing games of the future take on a similar control scheme of some type.
Graphics:
I have the PS2 version and the graphics are good. Boxers like Roy Jones, Arturro Gatti, Sugar Shane, are easily recognizable. Gyms and stadiums are rendered very well and offer diversity in your fighting experience. Also as your progress in a match your boxer will start showing damage...and it looks great...you feel the pain.
Gameplay:
Well it's boxing. You can jump right into it with existing boxers like Muhhamed Ali, Joe Frazier, Mickey Ward, etc and duke it out. Boxers behave like their real life counterparts and will put up a good challenge (I re-enacted the Arturro Gatti v. Mickey Ward fight and it was a blood bath). You have 2 meters a life bar and a punch bar. Obviously when the life meter is low....your prone to being knocked down. THe punch bar is a nice touch....you can't go out there and throw 100 punches a round and not expect the power of your punches to diminish. This puts some strategy into the game....you need to reserve your strength in order to take a guy down. Also defense is key....if you dodge a punch and counter with a punch you do more damage. Why? Well your opponent just threw a punch and it takes energy to do so, he missed, you countered and caught him on an exhale, catching him off guard and causing a stumble. Rope a dope is totally possible in this game, you can block and evade punches all round and then in later rounds your opponent has lost the power on his punches while your still fresh. I'm not too deep into the Career Mode, but it seems fun. Basically you create your own boxer and rise thru the ranks. You can unlock new stuff like trunks, gloves, entrance music, etc. as you progress. The game is online for the PS2 and that will add to the length of the game.
Things I would change on the gameplay. I would make it possible to clinch, this could really help you out....but I do understand EA leaving it out...it can slow a game. I would make it where you can buy a new cutman or trainer....this way you really spend your money on things that really matter to a boxers career, rather than clothing. Announcers, real announcers. The current guy is Big Tigger (i think he is from MTV), but I think he would be best served as an announcer on an EA Big title, I would love to have Roy Jones, Larry Merchant, Jim Lampley or those guys do the announcing...it would help with the overall feel.
My favorite thing about the game is the knockdowns. Whenever you or your opponent get knocked down you are treated to a slo-mo replay and it really is cool.
I would highly recommend the game to anyone. A rental is in order to see if it's your kinda thing....but this is a fun game to play with friends and makes for a fun night.
dan