The sport of boxing is riddled with controversy, but that doesn’t stop it from being an absolutely HUGE spectator sport a few times per year. Hmmm, I’m wondering if the controversy is why people really tune in? The popularity of reality TV makes me wonder…
Although less controversial, but just as exciting, EA’s Fight Night Round 3 literally blew the gaming world away just a short bit ago. Their free Xbox 360 demo of Bernard Hopkins versus Roy Jones Jr. was photorealism at its finest that left most of us begging for more. Now we have the more.
Let’s see if the Fight Night Round 3 can live up to the pre-fight hype that was the downloadable demo.
Gameplay
Fight Night Round 3 is structured quite similarly than last year’s Fight Night Round 2, but there are some changes that are immediately apparent. The interface has been overhauled, but there’s that same grittiness that was demonstrated in Round 2. You’ll also notice an improved soundtrack, and the obvious graphical enhancements, but I’ll get into those in a bit.
Although the basic analog punch throwing system is the same, Fight Night Round 3 feels like a much different game due to some key changes in overall structure. First of all, there’s much more emphasis on technique, whether it’s figuring out how to best use your character’s style, or how to fight against a particular style. Tactics and strategies are more advanced, and the Self Determinant A.I. adapts before your eyes to create bouts that are much more like real boxing and less like slugfests. Yes, you can still knock guys out with wild punches and no tactics, but it’s much more difficult in Fight Night Round 3 as opposed to last year’s game.
The big-risk-big-reward punch from Fight Night Round 2 was the Haymaker, and it makes its triumphant return in Fight Night Round 3. The effects of missing a Haymaker seem a bit more devastating this year, as your boxer really seems to be clueless for a stint when one of these big punches is perfectly parried.
You’ll have two more opportunities to be champ or chump in Fight Night Round 3, as Flash K.O. and Stun Impact punches are now possible. Executing these Impact Punches is like pulling off a combo in King of Fighters, as antagonistic half-moon inputs are the only route to one-punch glory. Just imagine the Haymaker move (uppercut motion then a reverse ¼ moon) but with longer, more sweeping inputs - yeah, not the easiest maneuver to pull off. But the rewards are great. The Flash K.O., if timed properly, will end a fight with your opponent dazed, but still standing. The Stun Punch will change the camera angle so that you are acting as the eyes of your opponent. If you beat his defense, you’ll be rewarded with an instant knockdown. These two Impact Punches help make Fight Night Round 3 more exciting than its predecessor without making the game a free-throwing embarrassment of the sport. With added boxer technique, the Impact Punches are merely added weapons in an arsenal that should include jabs, body shots, and an occasional illegal punch (just don’t get caught using one).
Going online in Fight Night Round 3 is entirely possible, and should be a popular venue for clashing of ring titans. Quick ranked and unranked matches are your ticket to speedy match-ups with other pugilists, or you can customize a contest by changing parameters such as skill level, venue, and game type (ESPN Classic, Hard Hits, or standard match).
Career mode is the perfect training ground for the stiff online competition that you will face. Fight Night Round 3 is just like Tiger Woods PGA Tour: if you bring a chump online, you’ll get stomped, so make sure your boxer is perfectly pumped before messing with the big dogs.
