Fight Night Round 2 (Xbox)

In terms of gameplay, the total punch control using the analogue sticks is a brilliant way of making the boxing seem realistic. My only problem is that both myself and others who have played the game find it a lot easier to throw a right-hand punch than a left-hand. Still, it's a great innovation that really sets the game apart from other, lesser boxing games.

Career mode is good, but the problem is that once you have won the available belts with your fighter, there really isn't any desire to carry on with your career. The option to rebuild the career of a legend is great, it gives you more motivation to carry on fighting when you can play as your favourite fighter, although it was disappointing to find how many legends were missing from the game (Marving Hagler, Tommy Hearns, De la Hoya, George Foreman and Mike Tyson to name but a few). Anyway, if you set the skill level to its most difficult setting then you'll have a game with a lot of longevity.

So I come to my biggest gripe with the game. The EAsports Haymaker. It's a great idea but it just doesn't work. The basic problem is that you can wind up a haymaker and wait for your opponent to come and hit you and then, once his guard is down you can unleash a devatating punch. I mean seriously, in a real boxing match would you really be able to stand there with your fist drawn back, letting your opponent hit you 3-4 times before replying with one massive punch!? The big problem is that this makes the game biased towards power-punchers like Frazier rather than technicians like Ali. Essentially, some of the best boxers ever (Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ali) are rendered useless because of the haymaker.

Still, a great game and it looks like Fight Night Round 3 is going to correct these problems with the haymaker and the longevity issue. Also, it's a great 2 player game, although it can lead to arguments!


Totally awesome!!!   December 10, 2005
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I love this game!

The feel and look of it is second to non.

The only thing I don't like about it is the music, its really bad hip-hop. The option to include a custom soundtrack would have been ideal.

I don't know why the UK version features 'The Hitman' on the cover - he's not in the game at all!!!

Anyhoo - if you like boxing and have so far been playing the fun yet unrealistic Rocky games check this out, you'll be impressed!


The Perfect Balance of Arcade & Simulation?   May 18, 2005
Im not a huge fan of simulations, but was intrigued by friends comments and EA's innovative 'Total Control' system. What this lends itself to is an excellent combination of arcade reflex reading and simulation style combo chain and openings. The controls by way of one thumbstick being to duck and weave and the other used in arcs to swing at your oppenent with an array of attacks allows event he novice to pick up and play and be of some challenge: and the bob & weave techniques, coupled with the parrys really add some depth to the game. Multiple game modes, play with the champions or create your own (albeit ugly) boxer and huge wealth of unlockable features make this a firm one player title, and multiplayer, be ready to lose hours on this one. The satisfaction of swinging out of the way of a big hook, landing a swift jab and then a devastating Haymaker fromt he opposite side has never been so satifying. The power, the weight and the depth are all here, in an excellent boxing game. My only criticism is the music. Not everyone likes rap.


Round 2:Getting Better by the Round   March 29, 2005
 8 out of 11 found this review helpful

I've played all EA sports Boxing titles since there early inception on goold old PS1. I was pretty critical of Fight Night 1, so im glad to see that alot of what i critised has gone.

eg:

Pros:

No more Big Tigger

More Fluid and Responsive Control System

Cut-Man Sub Game

Better 'Create a Boxer'

Body Morphing

Can Move up and down weight Divisions

Boxer Training

Facial Damage

Ability to Clinch

Cons:

Meagre Number of 'known' Boxers

Still Hip Hop Element

No recognisable Referees

Risible Parry System

Inconsistent Haymaker System (eg: Yours arent Great, Your opponents are Lethal)

Occassional 'SuperHuman' Boxers (eg: for 9 rounds you bust em up, drop 100 times and yet they'll spring back to life, your boxer slows without warning and you get knocked out)

Career Mode is Large but options are limited

Inconsistent weight divisions (eg: Your middleweight opponent is 3 times the size build wise of you)

This is without a doubt the Best Boxing game on the Market, unfortunately EA still can't get it 100% right. Little things, like lack of freedom (the game tells you when you can/can't move up and down in weight etc), and general inconsistencies let it down. Another thing worth noting is that the roster's 'Name' fighters is dimishing in numbers. Gone are Lennox Lewis and Oscar De La Hoya now. Its a shame considering that the original KO Kings had a far superior roster of fighters to this one.

All in all if your a Boxing Fan buy it! its the best on Offer. Hopefully Round 3 will be even better.