Fight Night Round 3 Xbox 360 review

[Olly89]

Next gen graphics, for sure, but is there anything behind the pretty outer shell?

A boxing game… very fitting that it was the first game in quite some time to give me actual physical injuries. Certainly the blisters on my fingers are less impressive than the bone crunching knock downs present in the game, but during the course of playing I think I’ve figured out the whole video games causing violence issue once and for all. (Activists will have to wait a few paragraphs for my definitive explanation though I’m afraid.) So here we are… a couple of years after the first Fight Night (an outstanding piece of gameplay in my opinion) and probably my most anticipated game for the 360, if only from last year’s E3 hype.

Fight Night Round 3 is essentially just a boxing game, quite unrivalled by any other game series, understandably because of its definitive gameplay and now the outstanding graphics. This game contains the most realistic computer generated skin I have ever seen (yes, that includes the Final Fantasy movie), and all generated in real time with sweat beading off it, realistically represented with the lighting. If there was ever a game to sell the Xbox 360 on its graphical prowess, this is it.

The replays alone make it worth the entry fee. While the demo released over Xbox Live Marketplace showed off some of its wonder, the end of round replays were a little bit shoddy compared to knockouts. In the retail game, while knockouts do rule the roost, there is now no need to lay an egg over replays showing cameras swooping through solid flesh as per the demo. Now they seem a lot more sensible, and while the rippling skin of the knockdowns (which has to be seen to be believed) is not present in end of round replays, at least they don’t seem buggy.
















But beauty doesn’t maketh the game. Ignoring the superb backdrops and unbelievably fantastic knockout replays, which is very difficult considering how re-watchable they are, the sound has an equally strong role. While the graphics could sell anyone a High Definition display, the sound should inspire gamers everywhere to pick up a home theatre kit; true surround sound bass boosting excellence. Plug one of those bad boys in and you can literally feel the sound of a painful counter punch hitting home, not to mention the rather decent range (even to my tastes) of music.

Commentary is much more useful in this version of the game, mainly because the HUD showing your health and stamina (i.e. how fast and hard you can hit) bars are by default not present. While you can turn them on, I have found my preference to be removing them, leaving my performance and statistics to be displayed (believe it or not) by the fighters’ facial expressions, poise and general movements and the comments of the commentator.

Unfortunately, all aspects of the sound suffer from a similar fate; that of being repetitive. While the musical tracks are all great choices for the game, there are too few, and it seems like the commentator can’t help but spout some of the more distinctive lines far too often. I certainly wouldn’t balk at being told that I my superb counter left hook has just hit home, hearing the advantage of a certain stance every time any boxer decides to use it seems like a bit of overkill.


Graphics Aren’t Everything

[fr0zentw]

eh this makes me wish i had a xbox 360. although a lot of the games on 360 is on or coming to PC, there are a few games that i want to play.
nice first and third screenshots! are they actually in game or just cut scenes? the third picture looks like that guy is startled by the fist

[Cloak Raider]

Profound, when I saw the review they praised it. That has changed my opinion on the game, good thread!

[beef flaps]

Originally Posted by Cloak Raiders

Profound, when I saw the review they praised it. That has changed my opinion on the game, good thread!

The game is great. I have it and love it.
Wish there were better names involved because I could care less about fighting Ali but overall a great time with friends.

[Nick1989]

Yeah Beef Im going to have to knock you out one day on Xbox Live

[Olly89]

Top Game i rate it high as well Take a look at it's Ratings >

Graphics:
So realistic you’ll wonder just how your virtual representation of Elijah Wood just took out Roy Jones Jr.

Sound:
Bone crunchingly believable. Superb soundtrack with great commentary. If only it didn’t repeat so much.

Durability:
If I’m not playing this well into next year I’ll be gobsmacked (or playing Halo 3).

Gameplay:
Fantastic to play, with an almost perfect feel to the fighting. The career does get rather tough though.