Here is a brief review for those that are on the edge about spending their precious $59.99 on a boxing game. This is the first boxing game I’ve played since Ring King and Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out back in the 80’s and apparently a lot has changed. And change is good.
If you are a fan of boxing or a casual viewer then this game might immediately spark your interest. If you respect the sport of boxing or just like to beat the crap out of people then this might be worth your sixty dollars. If you like Mortal Combat or Dead or Alive and want to mash people into the mat then you might want to consider renting this game or moving onto something more violent.
Fight Night: Round Three (FN 3) is not a fast pace fighter like DOA4, Virtua Fighter, or your standardized Mortal Combat series. This is a technical fighting game which uses skill and practice as a way to progress through the matches. You may attempt to mash the controller into the carpet but it will get you very few actual victories. As the game gets more difficult it will call upon skills and timing to win a match.
The Controls: A
Apparently the controlling of your boxer and his ability to throw punches uses the same system as FN 2: the joystick. You can configure the game to use buttons to fit those Mike Tyson Punch-Out fans but I highly suggest you stick with the default controller setup because it is truly amazing. You use the right analog stick to throw punches and the left analog stick to move. You use your left trigger to duck and lean and your right trigger to setup for blocks. As a first time player it took me two matches to grasp the controls and begin my assent to legendary status (ok, well I won a few matches).
The controls are surprisingly smooth and you can truly get “into” your character with jabs, right hooks, haymakers and throw up a block or lean with ease. As a first time Fight Night gamer I was excited with how much control I received over my boxer. I am still new at this so many of the high power moves (haymakers and such) are difficult for me to perform at the precise moment when an opening appears but I’m getting better at it each match.
The boxer’s controls are based highly on their style of fighting. You may use or create a boxer that is fast and maneuverable but has very little strength. You can also select a base style set for your boxer (maybe they’re a wild swinger, a balanced fighter, a south paw, or stand like a mummy). You’ll find that fast boxers can can put up a block fast and toss three jabs and a right hook and drill down your opponent, but waiting them out for one big hit won’t work for you. You’ll also find that if you choose a bigger boxer that throwing a large series of punches slows you down incredibly and putting up a block just is not as easy when you’re tired. All boxing styles require patience and waiting for an opening before you will be able to put the opponent on the ground.
The Sound: B
I understand boxing has a lot of hip hop rap in it but I’m really tired of buying a sports game and being subjected to mindless jabber. Upon turning this on I was able to hear Mr. DJ 2 cent music license and the all his friends. Unlike PGR3 which combines music of all genres together (Seether, Bach, Rap, Techno, etc.) FN 3 allows you to listen to rap rap and more rap. Not a big fan of that.
The game sounds are not really what you would hear in a boxing match on TV or at an arena but they add a nice “power hit” arcade feel to the system. A powerful body shot issues a cracking “SNAP!” and the barreling “BOOM” sound of a right hook connecting full force (with a nice motion slow down effect). Although the bell and the ten minute warning sound just like a real match the fighting effects are dead on inspiring if not so realistic.
The Graphics: A+++
Besides a few jerky animations in replays and character expressions this game is almost photo realistic. If you look quickly you’d swear your watching ESPN on TV it is just that good (I’m using an HDTV so that might contribute to its coolness).
Contrary to some people’s opinion these boxers do move fluidly when you ask them to do stuff such as block, punch, and run away. People that tell you the game runs “slow” or is not responsive simply do not realize that this is not a Mortal Combat game. If you throw huge flurries of punches especially with a power-house boxer then you will develop some sluggish feelings and probably take more then your fair share of facial mashing. This is by design and mimics real life boxing. Heavyweight boxers do not “stick and move” like the lower weight classes.
The blood that spills from the boxer’s mouth upon slow motion replays could use a little boost in graphic quality. It looks very animated and doesn’t exactly fit the look and feel of the game but it’s easily overlooked compared to the overall master piece that has been created.
If good graphics is your number one decision then you should pickup your keys and head to the store because this is a must have.
Game Play: A+
The designers of FN 3 realized that boxing fans want a good boxing game but they do not really want to be a boxer or be a boxing trainer. Unlike “Franchise” mode in Madden NFL 03 where I have to deal with salary caps, trading, firing/hiring, and all that fluff most of all I simply want to play the game as a game. This is a boxing game and not a boxing trainer for you to get into the industry or live life as Ali.
FN 3 gives you enough detail to make you want to continue playing and to perfect your custom boxers; make them look bad ass and train them in areas that you want to work on. You’re style is speed and stamina or perhaps you want to be a hard hitting powerhouse with almost no chance of bruising and bleeding? Fine! You can tailor your boxer during creation time to be a spitting image of yourself or leave it up to your wild imagination. Once your boxer is created and spec’ed out its all about the fight.
FN 3 obviously put a major amount of time into areas where you will spend most of your gaming experience: the ring. Against other sports games I’d put this on the arcade style of a great boxing game with a mix of ‘reality’ with career mode, but just enough of ‘reality’ to make you want to customize your fighter to the best of their ability.
Activities such as healing your boxer as the medic in the corner after each round can be done manual (for hard core players) or automatically. This goes for training as well (although automatic mode gives you 50% of what you could obtain if you learn and perfect manual training modes). No worries about dragging game play down with yet more reality because you can avoid that and get back into boxing right quick!
There is also a method of upgrading your boxer which increases some of their statistics and/or just makes them look bad ass. The money you make from matches can be put into new gloves, trunks, tattoo’s, learning new special moves (or illegal ones), etc. Many are cosmetic and many are statistic/popularity boosters. This adds a good dimension to the game play and makes you want to sign more contracts to make more money to become a better fighter.
Lastly, the Xbox 360 achievement list is not easy to get. Unlike Madden NFL 06 where I can get 200 gamer points by pretty much winning a single game FN 3 makes you work for them. All achievements are based on milestones in the game requiring you to win pay-per-views and different venues/sponsorships. There are also arena’s to unlock, more upgrade items, and other locked features that do not have 360 achievements associated with them.
Game Features: B
I have not gone through all the different features of the game, but you can run a “play now” mode to just box immediately, you can run a classic match pitting a legend against their real life rival. And of course your online play which I’ve yet to touch.
If you want to learn this game and perfect it before playing against other humans I suggest career mode. This allows you to ramp up your skills from your total n00b status to a star. That means your first boxing experience will be against a numbed up newbie artificial intelligence boxer so that you can get the hang of the game. You can also do training in career mode to learn all the boxing moves, defense moves, and combinations. As you progress from contract to contract the boxers will become more challenging and the rewards will be better. So if you are new to the game you will not be forced into situations you are not yet ready to handle.
There are a select number of ring style features as well. One which I love is “survival mode” which is a 12 round boxing event where a round ends when someone hits the canvas. You can end it before the 12 rounds by having the referee call it off due to unusually high beatings or by badly cut up opponents. Very cool.
I am not sure how many features will draw me in besides Career mode and XBL Live (which I hear isn’t as good as DOA4’s lobby system).
Overall: A
I’ve only put three hours or so into this game and I already want to leave work to go play some more. It’s that addictive to me. The feel of stunning your opponent and searching for an opening to get in a powerful upper cut or a body cracking shot to the stomach is just too good. The knowledge that the better boxer is the winner and not the guy that throws the most punches makes this game more of a challenge. The graphics are top notch and make you feel like you’re in control the real thing (without the management aspects that make any job a job).
The only thing that could have made this game more attractive to me is if the price was set a little lower. Take a look at the some of the 360 achievements: “Burger King Achievement”, “Dodge Achievement”, “Everlast Achievement”, and “Under Amour Achievement.” Seems like with all those sponsorships they could have cut down the cost of the game a bit since they’re blasting logo’s and company names in my face while I play. Oh well, such is life. The game is well worth my $59.99 anyway.
--CodeMonkey
Fight Night: Round Three (FN 3) is not a fast pace fighter like DOA4, Virtua Fighter, or your standardized Mortal Combat series. This is a technical fighting game which uses skill and practice as a way to progress through the matches. You may attempt to mash the controller into the carpet but it will get you very few actual victories. As the game gets more difficult it will call upon skills and timing to win a match.
The Controls: A
Apparently the controlling of your boxer and his ability to throw punches uses the same system as FN 2: the joystick. You can configure the game to use buttons to fit those Mike Tyson Punch-Out fans but I highly suggest you stick with the default controller setup because it is truly amazing. You use the right analog stick to throw punches and the left analog stick to move. You use your left trigger to duck and lean and your right trigger to setup for blocks. As a first time player it took me two matches to grasp the controls and begin my assent to legendary status (ok, well I won a few matches).
The controls are surprisingly smooth and you can truly get “into” your character with jabs, right hooks, haymakers and throw up a block or lean with ease. As a first time Fight Night gamer I was excited with how much control I received over my boxer. I am still new at this so many of the high power moves (haymakers and such) are difficult for me to perform at the precise moment when an opening appears but I’m getting better at it each match.
The boxer’s controls are based highly on their style of fighting. You may use or create a boxer that is fast and maneuverable but has very little strength. You can also select a base style set for your boxer (maybe they’re a wild swinger, a balanced fighter, a south paw, or stand like a mummy). You’ll find that fast boxers can can put up a block fast and toss three jabs and a right hook and drill down your opponent, but waiting them out for one big hit won’t work for you. You’ll also find that if you choose a bigger boxer that throwing a large series of punches slows you down incredibly and putting up a block just is not as easy when you’re tired. All boxing styles require patience and waiting for an opening before you will be able to put the opponent on the ground.
The Sound: B
I understand boxing has a lot of hip hop rap in it but I’m really tired of buying a sports game and being subjected to mindless jabber. Upon turning this on I was able to hear Mr. DJ 2 cent music license and the all his friends. Unlike PGR3 which combines music of all genres together (Seether, Bach, Rap, Techno, etc.) FN 3 allows you to listen to rap rap and more rap. Not a big fan of that.
The game sounds are not really what you would hear in a boxing match on TV or at an arena but they add a nice “power hit” arcade feel to the system. A powerful body shot issues a cracking “SNAP!” and the barreling “BOOM” sound of a right hook connecting full force (with a nice motion slow down effect). Although the bell and the ten minute warning sound just like a real match the fighting effects are dead on inspiring if not so realistic.
The Graphics: A+++
Besides a few jerky animations in replays and character expressions this game is almost photo realistic. If you look quickly you’d swear your watching ESPN on TV it is just that good (I’m using an HDTV so that might contribute to its coolness).
Contrary to some people’s opinion these boxers do move fluidly when you ask them to do stuff such as block, punch, and run away. People that tell you the game runs “slow” or is not responsive simply do not realize that this is not a Mortal Combat game. If you throw huge flurries of punches especially with a power-house boxer then you will develop some sluggish feelings and probably take more then your fair share of facial mashing. This is by design and mimics real life boxing. Heavyweight boxers do not “stick and move” like the lower weight classes.
The blood that spills from the boxer’s mouth upon slow motion replays could use a little boost in graphic quality. It looks very animated and doesn’t exactly fit the look and feel of the game but it’s easily overlooked compared to the overall master piece that has been created.
If good graphics is your number one decision then you should pickup your keys and head to the store because this is a must have.
Game Play: A+
The designers of FN 3 realized that boxing fans want a good boxing game but they do not really want to be a boxer or be a boxing trainer. Unlike “Franchise” mode in Madden NFL 03 where I have to deal with salary caps, trading, firing/hiring, and all that fluff most of all I simply want to play the game as a game. This is a boxing game and not a boxing trainer for you to get into the industry or live life as Ali.
FN 3 gives you enough detail to make you want to continue playing and to perfect your custom boxers; make them look bad ass and train them in areas that you want to work on. You’re style is speed and stamina or perhaps you want to be a hard hitting powerhouse with almost no chance of bruising and bleeding? Fine! You can tailor your boxer during creation time to be a spitting image of yourself or leave it up to your wild imagination. Once your boxer is created and spec’ed out its all about the fight.
FN 3 obviously put a major amount of time into areas where you will spend most of your gaming experience: the ring. Against other sports games I’d put this on the arcade style of a great boxing game with a mix of ‘reality’ with career mode, but just enough of ‘reality’ to make you want to customize your fighter to the best of their ability.
Activities such as healing your boxer as the medic in the corner after each round can be done manual (for hard core players) or automatically. This goes for training as well (although automatic mode gives you 50% of what you could obtain if you learn and perfect manual training modes). No worries about dragging game play down with yet more reality because you can avoid that and get back into boxing right quick!
There is also a method of upgrading your boxer which increases some of their statistics and/or just makes them look bad ass. The money you make from matches can be put into new gloves, trunks, tattoo’s, learning new special moves (or illegal ones), etc. Many are cosmetic and many are statistic/popularity boosters. This adds a good dimension to the game play and makes you want to sign more contracts to make more money to become a better fighter.
Lastly, the Xbox 360 achievement list is not easy to get. Unlike Madden NFL 06 where I can get 200 gamer points by pretty much winning a single game FN 3 makes you work for them. All achievements are based on milestones in the game requiring you to win pay-per-views and different venues/sponsorships. There are also arena’s to unlock, more upgrade items, and other locked features that do not have 360 achievements associated with them.
Game Features: B
I have not gone through all the different features of the game, but you can run a “play now” mode to just box immediately, you can run a classic match pitting a legend against their real life rival. And of course your online play which I’ve yet to touch.
If you want to learn this game and perfect it before playing against other humans I suggest career mode. This allows you to ramp up your skills from your total n00b status to a star. That means your first boxing experience will be against a numbed up newbie artificial intelligence boxer so that you can get the hang of the game. You can also do training in career mode to learn all the boxing moves, defense moves, and combinations. As you progress from contract to contract the boxers will become more challenging and the rewards will be better. So if you are new to the game you will not be forced into situations you are not yet ready to handle.
There are a select number of ring style features as well. One which I love is “survival mode” which is a 12 round boxing event where a round ends when someone hits the canvas. You can end it before the 12 rounds by having the referee call it off due to unusually high beatings or by badly cut up opponents. Very cool.
I am not sure how many features will draw me in besides Career mode and XBL Live (which I hear isn’t as good as DOA4’s lobby system).
Overall: A
I’ve only put three hours or so into this game and I already want to leave work to go play some more. It’s that addictive to me. The feel of stunning your opponent and searching for an opening to get in a powerful upper cut or a body cracking shot to the stomach is just too good. The knowledge that the better boxer is the winner and not the guy that throws the most punches makes this game more of a challenge. The graphics are top notch and make you feel like you’re in control the real thing (without the management aspects that make any job a job).
The only thing that could have made this game more attractive to me is if the price was set a little lower. Take a look at the some of the 360 achievements: “Burger King Achievement”, “Dodge Achievement”, “Everlast Achievement”, and “Under Amour Achievement.” Seems like with all those sponsorships they could have cut down the cost of the game a bit since they’re blasting logo’s and company names in my face while I play. Oh well, such is life. The game is well worth my $59.99 anyway.
--CodeMonkey
