Fight Night Round 3 - Review
Added March 14th, 2006 by Kisan Parikh
Introduction:
For the last few months, Fight Night Round 3, the latest game from the Fight Night franchise, has been highly anticipated by gaming fans. Everyone has set their eyes on the jaw-dropping screenshots and videos of the next-gen version, but the current-gen version of the game has not received much attention at all. While the Xbox version doesn’t feature the spectacular visuals of its Xbox 360 counterpart, it remains a solid pick.
Gameplay:
The core boxing experience of Fight Night Round 2 has been untouched. Last year’s version featured some great boxing, but the Haymaker proved to be too powerful. This time around, the Haymaker punch has become much more risky. Opponents can easily block and counter your looping, energy draining Haymakers. This tweak improves the gameplay, because there is now a much better balance between offense and defense.
For the last few months, Fight Night Round 3, the latest game from the Fight Night franchise, has been highly anticipated by gaming fans. Everyone has set their eyes on the jaw-dropping screenshots and videos of the next-gen version, but the current-gen version of the game has not received much attention at all. While the Xbox version doesn’t feature the spectacular visuals of its Xbox 360 counterpart, it remains a solid pick.
Gameplay:
The core boxing experience of Fight Night Round 2 has been untouched. Last year’s version featured some great boxing, but the Haymaker proved to be too powerful. This time around, the Haymaker punch has become much more risky. Opponents can easily block and counter your looping, energy draining Haymakers. This tweak improves the gameplay, because there is now a much better balance between offense and defense.
This year’s Haymaker is the safest of three Impact Punches. The Flash KO, even more avoidable than the Haymaker, allows you to change the momentum of the bout in your favor. If perfectly timed, this punch can knock the other fighter down on contact. The Stun Punch, requiring a longer follow through than the Flash KO, can have your opponent on the brink of hitting the mat. You are able to view yourself through the opponent’s eyes after connecting this punch, and you then attempt to beat his defense for an instant knockdown. Each of the Impact Punches can swing the momentum of a fight in your favor, but they are very risky. Your opponent could parry your long, telegraphed punch and respond with their own heavy punches.
Fights now involve much more strategy and defense than last year’s game, and the new boxing styles only add to this. Fight Night Round 3 allows gamers to completely customize their boxer’s fighting style. You are able to choose how your fighter will punch, block, and move. You can even change the stance of your boxer. These styles are more than just cosmetic, because they will really affect how your boxer fights. By tinkering with the different combinations, you can ensure that your boxer will respond to your playing style.
The Career Mode in Fight Night Round 3 remains generally the same. You start off as an amateur boxer. After you win the Amateur title, which is required this year, you can move on to your professional career. Your progress in Career Mode is now monitored through your Popularity Meter. By filling up the meter, you progress through ranks such as Up and Comer and Well Known until you finally reach the status of Champion.
Each ‘stage’ of your boxer’s popularity is sponsored by a brand. You will be able to see the logos of Under Armour, Burger King, and more. One Dodge-Sponsored fight even has a car in the arena, with the winner taking home the car. There’s tons of in-game advertising in this title, but then again, there’s tons of advertising in real-life fights.
The opponents you will face along the way will fight in their individual style. Although the easier difficulty modes are a bit too simple, Hard Mode forces you to adapt to your opponent’s style. If they are quick and avoiding all of your shots, you need to pick your punches carefully. If they are powerful, you are forced to move around and throw quick punches.
The Career Mode in Round 3 is about the same as what we saw last year. It is fun in its own right, but it is not, by any means, spectacular. Most gamers will enjoy Career Mode, because the fights are incredibly fun and are good preparation for Xbox Live.
Graphics:
Round 3 has seen a slight boost in visuals from last year’s game, but, as you would expect, these upgrades are nowhere near the graphics of the Xbox 360 version. The Xbox version features an increased level of detail when compared to Round 2. Faces more closely resemble real-life boxers and show more emotion as well. Everything about the boxers seems more lifelike. I would have loved to see the HUD-less display featured on the 360, but I’m guessing it wouldn’t have worked without the next-gen facial expressions.
Fights now involve much more strategy and defense than last year’s game, and the new boxing styles only add to this. Fight Night Round 3 allows gamers to completely customize their boxer’s fighting style. You are able to choose how your fighter will punch, block, and move. You can even change the stance of your boxer. These styles are more than just cosmetic, because they will really affect how your boxer fights. By tinkering with the different combinations, you can ensure that your boxer will respond to your playing style.
The Career Mode in Fight Night Round 3 remains generally the same. You start off as an amateur boxer. After you win the Amateur title, which is required this year, you can move on to your professional career. Your progress in Career Mode is now monitored through your Popularity Meter. By filling up the meter, you progress through ranks such as Up and Comer and Well Known until you finally reach the status of Champion.
Each ‘stage’ of your boxer’s popularity is sponsored by a brand. You will be able to see the logos of Under Armour, Burger King, and more. One Dodge-Sponsored fight even has a car in the arena, with the winner taking home the car. There’s tons of in-game advertising in this title, but then again, there’s tons of advertising in real-life fights.
The opponents you will face along the way will fight in their individual style. Although the easier difficulty modes are a bit too simple, Hard Mode forces you to adapt to your opponent’s style. If they are quick and avoiding all of your shots, you need to pick your punches carefully. If they are powerful, you are forced to move around and throw quick punches.
The Career Mode in Round 3 is about the same as what we saw last year. It is fun in its own right, but it is not, by any means, spectacular. Most gamers will enjoy Career Mode, because the fights are incredibly fun and are good preparation for Xbox Live.
Graphics:
Round 3 has seen a slight boost in visuals from last year’s game, but, as you would expect, these upgrades are nowhere near the graphics of the Xbox 360 version. The Xbox version features an increased level of detail when compared to Round 2. Faces more closely resemble real-life boxers and show more emotion as well. Everything about the boxers seems more lifelike. I would have loved to see the HUD-less display featured on the 360, but I’m guessing it wouldn’t have worked without the next-gen facial expressions.
Animations are about the same as in Round 3, except there are more of them. Each style of blocking and punching is given its own set of animations. These animations sell the boxing style and add to the emphasis on style. Also, there are a variety of nice visual touches. After getting smacked on the head with a powerful punch, boxers display a nice dazed appearance. When a boxer gets cracked in the ribs, he doubles over a bit. Both of these effects make the big punches all the more satisfying. Overall, the game looks decent, but those who have the Xbox 360 will definitely enjoy better graphics.
Audio:
Round 3 doesn’t necessarily have the most realistic-sounding punches, but the exaggerated sounds add to the action. The explosive sound of the glove smashing into the face, coupled with the nice visual effects, prove to make the boxing experience more entertaining. Round 3 also features a nicely done soundtrack. Each of the hip-hop tracks are great for boxer introductions and work well in the menus as well. Still, gamers with different tastes would have enjoyed custom soundtracks.
Controls:
Fight Night Round 3 controls just like last year’s game. Total Punch Control is as great as ever and puts you in command of the boxer. You hardly need to take your hands off the joystick, because only signature punch, taunt, clinch, and illegal blow are located on the face buttons. The new impact punches are just as intuitive as the Haymaker. KO Flash requires a longer windup than the Haymaker and the Stun Punch requires a longer windup and follow-through. Everything still works in terms of controls for the Fight Night series. Never before has a boxing game felt so natural and easy to control.
Replay:
Fight Night Round 3’s major replay value comes from Xbox Live play and ESPN Classic Mode. Fight Night Round 3 is a great game to take online, especially once you have mastered the mechanics. Round 3 features the EA Nation server system like most other EA games. You are able to modify match options, as well as choose from ranked or unranked matches. The game suffers from a bit of lag, but the majority of gameplay is great.
ESPN Classic mode is another great mode featured within Fight Night Round 3. Here you are able to fight in some of the most heated rivalries in the history of boxing. You can take part in Ali vs. Frasier or even the cover fight of Ward vs. Gatti. Each fighter’s style is introduced before the match, and the AI really imitates this style. For instance, Frasier will always go for a big left hook if possible. These touches were great and you really get a sense of the actual fight. Some of the matches are even in black and white, which is a nice visual touch.
Audio:
Round 3 doesn’t necessarily have the most realistic-sounding punches, but the exaggerated sounds add to the action. The explosive sound of the glove smashing into the face, coupled with the nice visual effects, prove to make the boxing experience more entertaining. Round 3 also features a nicely done soundtrack. Each of the hip-hop tracks are great for boxer introductions and work well in the menus as well. Still, gamers with different tastes would have enjoyed custom soundtracks.
Controls:
Fight Night Round 3 controls just like last year’s game. Total Punch Control is as great as ever and puts you in command of the boxer. You hardly need to take your hands off the joystick, because only signature punch, taunt, clinch, and illegal blow are located on the face buttons. The new impact punches are just as intuitive as the Haymaker. KO Flash requires a longer windup than the Haymaker and the Stun Punch requires a longer windup and follow-through. Everything still works in terms of controls for the Fight Night series. Never before has a boxing game felt so natural and easy to control.
Replay:
Fight Night Round 3’s major replay value comes from Xbox Live play and ESPN Classic Mode. Fight Night Round 3 is a great game to take online, especially once you have mastered the mechanics. Round 3 features the EA Nation server system like most other EA games. You are able to modify match options, as well as choose from ranked or unranked matches. The game suffers from a bit of lag, but the majority of gameplay is great.
ESPN Classic mode is another great mode featured within Fight Night Round 3. Here you are able to fight in some of the most heated rivalries in the history of boxing. You can take part in Ali vs. Frasier or even the cover fight of Ward vs. Gatti. Each fighter’s style is introduced before the match, and the AI really imitates this style. For instance, Frasier will always go for a big left hook if possible. These touches were great and you really get a sense of the actual fight. Some of the matches are even in black and white, which is a nice visual touch.
Summary:
Fight Night Round 3 for the Xbox is a great choice for those without an Xbox 360. Despite the less-impressive graphics, the game holds its own with its balanced fights, new punches, and replayability. The title is a great pick for anyone interested in a boxing game, and fans of Round 2 will definitely love Fight Night Round 3.
Fight Night Round 3 for the Xbox is a great choice for those without an Xbox 360. Despite the less-impressive graphics, the game holds its own with its balanced fights, new punches, and replayability. The title is a great pick for anyone interested in a boxing game, and fans of Round 2 will definitely love Fight Night Round 3.
