Fight Night Round 4: review (by special guest reviewer DEV)
FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4
Hey guys it's Dev (Mon-Fri 6-8am fame!) and I've been given the honor, nay the privilege of reviewing Fight Night Round 4. 'I want a good clean review, keep the comments snappy and above the belt and come out swinging'!!!
OMG! This is the illest boxing game ever made, it makes other sports simulators look out dated and weak. You can actually see beads of sweat gathering on the oppositional players brow then trickle down his face as you connect with a well timed jab. In the slow motion replays, you witness that killer knockout punch administered by your chosen boxer in all it's glory; shockwaves rippling across your unfortunate opponents face as his eyes roll back confirming his lights are officially out. The shorts move realistically, the crowd sways and rises convincingly, and every character has been crafted as close to the real person as possible, without freaking you out!
The line up of fighters is jaw dropping; from welter to super heavyweight, oldschool legends to new school icons you can live out all your favourite boxing fantasies. Recreate the 'Thriler in Manilla' Ali vs Frazier or get your Don King on and create your own fantasy fights. I particularly had fun beating up Lennox Lewis with a super strong George Foreman (before the 'grill' franchise!!). And for the first time since 2002, Mike 'Iron' Tyson makes an appearance in a boxing game! I feel I have to mention that Mike brought out his own boxing game on the PS2 in 2002 but to be honest, it was so rubbish it doesnt deserve a name drop on this prestigious blog!
Past boxing games have felt like there was too much of a 'button bashing' element to them in that it didnt require much skill to play,you just had to out punch your opponent. Well my friends, in FNR 4 that strategy will earn you a one way ticket to Canvas Town population you bro! EA seem to have concentrated more on making the 'counter punch' a vital element to this game with one single well placed counter completely changing the momentum of a fight. You have to save your stamina throughout the fight or your punches in the 8th round won't be able to do damage to anything. Fighters with a long reach will have to fight on the outside to be effective, sluggers with a short reach have to get on the inside to gain advantage but worry not, you have an arsenal of dodges, weaves and parries at your disposal.
After you have gone through the fighters on offer, you can create your own champ and take him through 'legacy mode' where you literly take your character from a 'bum' to Legendary status. Then when your player is ready, take him online to fight against players from around the world! There is an option to 'download a fighter' so I am looking forward to the custom boxers they'll no doubt release in the near future (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Butterbean!).
The soundtrack is dope (B.O.B, RZA and Block Party can all be chosen as your entrance music or just to train to). Although I wanted more classic tracks to acompany some of the nostalgic boxers like Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. (Okay I' m nit picking), this aside this is the best boxing game ever made. It will please the avid followers of this franchise and new gamers alike. Easy to learn but mastering your counters and parries will take some time. This game will settle arguments in your household, bring friends together and I think, make the world a better place!
Rated: 16+
Available on: PS3 and X360
Now stop reading this and go and cop FNR 4!
Dev :)
Comment number 1.
At 1st Jul 2009, LegendSolanki wrote:I downloaded the demo on the PSN, i got to say your spot on with the fact button bashers won't get far in this game, its all about weaving, blocking & parrying. Definately want to buy this game now !
cool
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Comment number 2.
At 30th Dec 2009, Marc McDermott wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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