http://www.frontpagemilwaukee.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=1223&mname=ArticleGroup Videogame reviews en-us 60 For a variety of reasons, creating an authentic and high quality boxing game has proved to be a tall task for gaming developers over the years. Fighting games in general have been disastrous of late, with sloppy and shallow games like Rocky, Fight Club, and various UFC licensed titles plaguing the genre. Fortunately for fight fans, one title delivers entertaining boxing action Fight Night Round 3 is the third installment of the Electronic Arts fight night franchise. EA is responsible for the best-selling NBA Live and Madden franchises as well, displaying a knack for capturing the game from a presentation standpoint while delivering precise and realistic gameplay. It is that very realism that catapults Fight Night to another level this year. The fighting system displayed in Fight Night is top notch, and is the reason why it is so fun to play. Flicking the right knob in various punching motions will make your boxer throw jabs, crosses, and haymakers. All the while you bob and weave with the left knob, giving the game a realistic feel. Gamers get a feel for the synchronization and setup of combinations and defensive techniques that mashing buttons simply cannot duplicate. While the fighting controls remain relatively in tact from Round 2, the actual fights come off as far more realistic in this installment. In previous editions, players could just look for the big haymaker and ignore trying to actually box an opponent, eventually landing a big blow and winning by knockout. This year if you go to the proverbial well too many times and try to swing away wildly, you will be punished. Errant haymakers open your boxer up to power punches and counters from opponents, meaning that you’ll actually have to box and time your big shots. When you do land a bomb however, it is one of the more rewarding gaming experiences you can find. Your opponent goes into slow motion as a fist crashes into the face or body of your opponent, sending sweat and blood flying at the point of impact. Graphically, the game is about as good as it gets for PS2, with a solid frame-rate and smooth, recognizable character images. There is no mistaking the mug of Muhammad Ali or Roy Jones Jr. in this game, the characters are dead ringers for their real-life counterparts. Whether you enjoy pummeling the computer or want to hammer on a friend in two-player mode, the knockouts alone are worth at least a rental. The career mode adds great depth and replay value to the game, with plenty for gamers to accomplish after they win the world title. Games begin by either creating an original fighter, or attempting to resurrect the career of a boxing legend. Both routes begin by fighting relative bums in warehouses and sweaty gyms until you can work your way to the top. Each win brings in cash to purchase new equipment (boosting boxing skills) and to hire a trainer to take your fighter to the next level. The most challenging aspect of career mode is to see how long your fighter can hold onto his title, as he ages and deteriorates physically. Fighting physically superior fighters adds to the difficulty of the game. One characteristic missing from the newest installment is a rankings system. In the past, you worked your way up the contender’s list until you earned a title shot. In Round 3, you get options for two or three fights and are never really sure when you will get your shot. While not perfect, Fight Night Round 3 provides deepest, most enjoyable boxing title to date. Whether you play it on PS2 or are lucky enough to enjoy its beauty on next-generation systems such as Xbox 360, boxing and true fight fans will duke it out on screen for many weekends to come. Rating: 8 out of 10 By Ryan Cardarella Rated T for Teen Electronic Arts Release Date – 2/20/2006 Price: $39.99 Available on PS2, GameCube, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, PS3 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 01:30:00 CST http://www.frontpagemilwaukee.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=17155&mname=Article http://www.frontpagemilwaukee.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=17155&mname=Article