Fight Night Round 3 Review

30 Jul 2008 at 01:52:57 by Jim Diaz
Systems used to review this title: (PSP)

The brutal sport of boxing is a natural for video games but while past iterations were decent, they still came up short in capturing the nuances of the sport.  EA Sports’ revamped Fight Night series definitely changed the landscape with its innovative control stick punching controls and improved boxing action.  Even with these changes, the game still had some deficiencies (players being a bit too slow on their feet and boxers with glass jaws, just to name few).  This brings us to Fight Night Round 3, which is EA Sports’ multi-platform release.  With a release on so many different platforms, some would be a bit skeptical on the quality of the PSP version since this is a port of its console brethren.  The console versions have been getting a lot of good press but opinions on the PSP have been somewhat mixed.  Well, I’m here to sucker punch those criticisms since Fight Night 3 is one of the best PSP titles that I’ve played since the release of the Sony’s handheld system.

The boxing action can be explained in one word – exceptional.  The crew at EA has gotten everything right in bringing the nuances of boxing to the PSP.  The vast array of punches is as inclusive as possible to the real world of boxing as well as the tactics that go into using them.  The big question is whether the limited PSP control scheme has taken anything away from the boxing action itself.  Since the PSP has only one analog control stick, the primary punching is controlled with the right face buttons.  The limited number of buttons forced the developers to utilize a two button (pressed simultaneously) punch for uppercuts as well as two sequence button presses for specialty punches.   I’ve read a fair number of reviews complaining about the control scheme and I have to completely disagree with them.  Yes, pressing buttons is not as elegant as an analog stick for throwing punches but it in no way lessens the gameplay experience nor makes it any more difficult.  Even the two simultaneous button hits are not difficult to pull off since the face buttons are so close together.  Unless you have a thumb of a 5-year old, you shouldn’t have a problem so I’m a bit perplexed about these complaints.  It might be a bit of a challenge to a casual gamer but if you game on a regular basis, then you’ll have no problem mastering the controls in short order.

The more you play Fight Night Round 3, the more the controls become second nature and then you can enjoy the fun stuff – mastering boxing tactics.  As you get into the action, you’ll learn to read the movements of your opponent and making the necessary adjustments to counter these moves.  The game has a heavy focus on counter-punching, combinations, and body punching – all of the tactics necessary to bring down your opponent through attrition.  The really cool part is the deteriorating condition of the boxers as a bout wears on.  For example, your opponent might start off a bout using speed to avoid your punches.  As the match progresses and you’re able to get some heavy punches in (especially body blows), your opponent will start to wilt and you’ll see it in his slower movements and the dropping of his hands.  This is the time to bring down the hammer.  On the flipside, your boxer can fall prey to the same problem especially if you forego defending yourself and try to out-punch your opponent.  Ask any boxing fan and he or she will tell you that this is what true boxing is all about – attacks and counterattacks.

The graphics are decent on the PSP but obviously you can’t expect the same quality as what you see on the home-based systems.  The boxers’ faces show the results of the beating they’re taking during the match but honestly, it looks a lot better from a distance.  The close-ups can look downright scary and not in a good way, since their facial features are a bit too blocky and the use of color looks more like war paint than actual bruising.  On the other hand, the distance shots (such as when you’re boxing in the rink) look great and are detailed enough so you can see which side of the face you need to focus your poundings on.

The sound is also very good with the smack from the punches being the main highlight.  The heavy breathing from your hurt boxer is also a nice touch.  The quality of the trainers’ voices is a mixed bag but the information they give you such as whether you won or lost a round, as well as strategies to use is essential.  The ring side announcer does an adequate job of calling the bout.  Some of his comments do get a bit repetitive and there is a slight delay at times when you hear a comment on a punch that you threw two punches ago.  It is not a huge deal but you do notice it at times.  One benefit of the announcer is that he does a good job of bringing an air of excitement to the way he calls the bout, especially when a knockout is imminent.  He actually gets you pumped up as you go for the kill.  The music is acceptable even for non-rap fans but it would have been nice to have music based on the era that your chosen boxer fights in.

The knockout sequences are very cool as the background gets dark and the tempo slows down a bit.  Once the knockout happens, you get slow-motion instant replays from multiple camera angles so you can see your handiwork in all of its bloody (and sweaty) glory.  Too bad you can’t save replays of your knockouts since some of them are true classics and would be fun to show your buddies.  The knockouts are entertaining to see over and over again.  I know this sounds sick but the crew at EA Sports has done a fantastic job of making pummeling as much fun to watch as it is to give.

Fight Night Round 3 offers a comprehensive career mode that has your boxer moving from amateur status to the professional ranks.  You get to select your entrance music and visual effects as well as your female entourage.  Better yet is the trip to the fight store, where you can purchase boxing trunks, shoes, gear (gloves, mouthguards, foul protectors), signature moves (punches and taunts) and even tattoos.  The training mode is separated into two camps.  One is a standard training mode with a sparring partner that doesn’t count toward your overall attributes and the other is auto-training, which does affect your boxer’s attributes.  There are only three types of training to choose from - normal, confident & aggressive.  You can beef up for the big bout by choosing a more intense workout but the downside is that your boxer is more susceptible to injury, which reduces some of his attributes.  It’s hard to tell if it makes all that much of a difference but again, that’s all you get. 

Career mode features contracts for bouts, trainers and cutmen.  The trainer contracts give you certain benefits such as increased power and speed.  Also in your corner is the cutman, who is important since he gives you added skill in treating your bruises and cuts between rounds.  Yep, you’re responsible for treating your boxer between rounds.  The treatment involves holding down a trigger button based on what you’re treating (cut or bruise) and then holding down one of the right surface buttons for the location of the face of your boxer (right or left eye or chin).  From there, you move the analog nub in conjunction with a slow-moving meter.  It is really nothing special and in fact, it does feel a bit mundane at times.  Fortunately, you can hit the auto button if you don’t feel like playing cutman but the downside is the treatment comes in at a reduced level.  Another fun gameplay mode is Rival Challenges, which gives you the opportunity to step in the ring at certain stages of some of the greatest boxing matches ever.  The challenge is to either repeat or change history. 

Fight Night Round 3 contains a decent selection of boxing greats such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya, and Roberto Duran.  Thank God, they left out Eric “Butterbean” Esch but Mike “Cannibal” Tyson (maybe add an ear-biting cheat move?) or George “Burger Cooker” Foreman are nowhere to be found.  More classic boxers would have also been cool - Jake Lamotto and Floyd Patterson are present but it would be sweet to control a Joe Louis or Rocky Marciano.  There is “create a boxer” mode for those who want to go with their own man in the ring but personally I preferred to go with a proven talent.

The online multiplayer component is a great addition and makes for some great, competitive boxing.  I ran into a bit of lag at times but nothing that soured the experience.  The biggest challenge is to fight an opponent who doesn’t bail on you in the middle of a bout.  The other downer is that EA’s online service allows different weight classes to be selected when choosing boxers.  I picked a welterweight boxer and unfortunately, my opponent didn’t have the courtesy to pick the same class so I was at distinct disadvantage in going up against his heavyweight boxer.  Yes, I could have bailed out but I already wasted too much time just trying to find someone to fight.  The stat system for infrastructure is virtually non-existent since you cannot see what your online record is until you get onto the leaderboard, which has a limited number of slots.  This definitely needs a patch since you should be able to see your online boxing stats.    

With that said, EA Sports has done a great job with Fight Night Round 3 and once you master the control scheme (which shouldn’t take any capable gamer too long), this will be one of your most played PSP discs.  EA pulls no punches in showing the brutal aspects of boxing in all its bloody glory.  Add this on top of the wide variety of punches that are available as well as the integration of realistic boxing tactics and you have a champ for the PSP.  Don’t let any of that bad-mouthing of the control scheme deter you from buying one of the best PSP sports games available today.

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