“That’s what champions do, they get back up!”
Format: PS3, Xbox 360 (version played) Dev: EA Canada Pub: EA Out: 04/03/11
Players: 1-2, 2 online
This third-person fighter utilises a new control system called ‘full-spectrum punch control’ whereby the right analog stick can be used to throw an array of killer punches. For those who’ve never had the pleasure of being a virtual fighter, or for those who’ve come through its predecessors unscathed, then the new control system can be a little fiddly and frustrating at times, but it seems EA have an answer with its almost unrivalled number of training programmes.
This may be the first ever EA Sports game to be labelled with an ‘M’ for mature but with practice, even a baby could operate the controls. It’s as simple as pushing the right analog stick to throw some punches and holding the shoulder button down for that killer knockout blow (obviously, with a bit of ducking and weaving in between).
The spine of the game, champion mode, allows players to witness Andre Bishop’s rise, fall and ultimate rise to boxing glory. It’s one thing losing your title as champion, but it’s another thing reclaiming it. The graphics are sublime with the lighting enhancing muscle tone and that tooth that you’ve just knocked out of an opponent that’s now flying through the air. With twisted match referees and managers, the game will no doubt get you pumped up. Whatever you do, don’t take your anger out on a real person – keep it in the ring.
The post fight interviews give you a boost and reinforce your growing ego, but the cutscenes can change all that in a heartbeat. Whether a referee has been targeted to be biased by an opposing manager or boxer, or whether an injury forces you to fight with only one fist, the story becomes more than just a plot. It becomes a journey. With every punch and knockout justifying your title hopes, you become fixated with winning. To do this, tactical matchmaking is as important as the ring you fight in. To win the fight, to be the champion, your stamina, movement and bout strategy must be carefully executed – mistakes will cost you.
With over 50 boxing names in its roster, the game offers a unique range of legends, champions and contenders. Mike Tyson forgets about his stolen tiger (apologies for The Hangover reference) and goes mano a mano to let his fists do the talking. Even the atmosphere has been upped. When you’re on the edge of having your lights punched out, the screen turns to a blur with a high pitch whistling noise enhancing the weary state of the fighter. Keep on top of things and you might recover from a knockout by bringing your fighter back to his feet with some frantic stick control.
Still, two guys fighting in a ring over and over again gets boring. After all, that’s what the cutscenes are there for – to break up the tedium. Unless you’ve got the ability to be immune to the boredom and annoyance of tedium, then your unlikely to physically manage to play Fight Night for hours on end.
Champion mode really does carry the rest of the game but after that, what’s left? Aside from online, not much. But the bread and butter of it is this, if you want a story with twists, upsets, glory and eye-awing graphics, you don’t need much else. It seals the deal. When you do the maths, there hasn’t been much upgrading from the previous Fight Night, but you soon forget about this when your landing punches left, right and centre. My advice, don’t treat this as a game, treat it as stress relief.
Aaron Stevens
Tags: boxing, ea, fight night, Sports
