**Fight Night: Round 3 - Impressions...**

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:14 pm

I did something last night I didn't think possible in this game, I had a 1 punch knockout. I think it was in my second or 3rd career match. the 1st round started I went in, blocked about 5 or 10 shots, dodged and uppercut and connected with a power punch (or whatever that special punch is). I was waiting for the guy to get up at 6 or 8. I honestly thought I read that it is not possible to do this in the game.

Anyway I played the s*** out of career mode last night for probably 4 hours, it got to the point where my thumb was tired and I lost a few fights. I think this game is terrific, but I've pretty much confirmed my intial fears, I grow tired of boxing games quick. I'm pretty sure I'll trade this in when GR comes out in a week or two, but I'd like to try it on Live before then to see if I would keep it for that. Anyone going to be on tonight?

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:54 pm

Anyone try playing their career mode on Hard difficulty yet? (I am just assuming that most here are using the default difficulty since I have not really read otherwise).

If so, can anyone explain if there is a big difference?

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:10 pm

I know you guys are all playing superior versions (Xbox and 360) of the game... but I am only playing the PS2 version and there is some nasty slowdowns. Not sure why either, since the first bout in my career mode was pretty smooth but the 2nd fight had slowdowns all over the place. I think I will just trade this in for the xbox rev.

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:21 pm

Leebo33 wrote:You bastards!

Ditto. I was planning on holding off on this one with GRAW out soon, but all of the positive reviews (especially concerning online play, where with Rd2 it was just a stupid haymaker fest) have me going to Best Buy with my 10% coupon.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:14 pm

I just spent a little more time with this one and my early impressions are that it's the best in the series. The gameplay is smooth and much more balanced this year. And I can't say how graphically impressive it is. You can see the boxers actually breathing heavy when they hit the mat. I don't think I've ever seen a videogame characters chest actually rise and fall mimicking breathing before. It sure is purty.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:47 pm

Did anyone figure how to do a flash KO yet?

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:18 am

I just spent a little more time with this one and my early impressions are that it's the best in the series. The gameplay is smooth and much more balanced this year. And I can't say how graphically impressive it is. You can see the boxers actually breathing heavy when they hit the mat. I don't think I've ever seen a videogame characters chest actually rise and fall mimicking breathing before. It sure is purty.

The game's graphics are just shocking... I honestly can't talk about the game without talking about them. I haven't been shocked like this since Toh Shin Den. I honestly think the graphics boost the game from good game to great game. It's a solid game underneath, but the way it looks makes it seem better than it is... I guess, again not unlike Toh Shin Den.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:18 am

jondiehl wrote:Ditto. I was planning on holding off on this one with GRAW out soon, but all of the positive reviews (especially concerning online play, where with Rd2 it was just a stupid haymaker fest) have me going to Best Buy with my 10% coupon.

LOL. I took my coupon and picked it up as well. My wife had seen me playing the demo a few weeks back and I told her I wasn't getting it. Of course, the first thing she said when I returned from Best Buy was "is that the game you weren't getting?" FWIW, she agreed the graphics are amazing and said they are the best she's seen on the 360.

I got to spend an hour playing last night and I was really impressed. I suck though losing to the CPU on medium difficulty in exhibition matches (at least I made it to the 10th round once with 3 minute rounds!). I did manage to knockout the first stiff in career mode in the 2nd.

PhiPsi1 · Post by **PhiPsi1** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:45 pm

the one gameplay flaw that seems to be somewhat alleviated from last year is the computer's use of the haymaker, especially on the hard level. i was roberto duran facing sugar ray robinson. and for 10 rounds, ray robinson only threw 8 haymakes and landed only 5. i only threw 5 haymakers, landing only 1. ray robinson dominated me with his speed and defense. it was SO difficult to target this guy and get in any sort of extended flurry. when i would get in a nice uppercut and think there was an opening, he would throw a quick jab and back up. then i would try to go head hunting, but then get knocked back by a three punch flurry. but that is the beauty of this game. i would try to adjust my strategy the entire fight. at first, i would try to just punch with him, but then find myself tiring out, hands to the side, and trying to clench for my life. then i would just try to play defense for a good while to start off the round, then attack...but this is the FIRST boxing game i ever played that required me to think out my next move each round or get laid out. UNFORTUNATELY, in the tenth round i got KO'ed! and then i found out that on the scorecards i had lost all previous 9 rounds by 10-9....but i didn't feel cheated, it only made me want to play more! awesome game, even though i have heard about some career mode mishaps (rankings, etc.). just my 2 cents.

TheTruth · Post by **TheTruth** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:14 pm

I picked up a 360 copy as well yesterday. I stuck to the default medium difficulty but turned on the 3 knockdown rule. I haven't lost a fight yet. I have played about 4 career fights and about 6 "play now" fights.

Funny thing is, my best fight so far was between joe frazier and a featherweight, Pacqo, or whatever his name is. I was wanting to see if I could just totally slaughter someone, but that is not how it worked out. Even when I connected on lots of counters and maybe one haymaker it didn't seem like it was a 230+ guy just waylaying a 130 pound guy. Seemed like there was no power in the punches. In real life wouldn't one or two punches like that send a small guy to the canvas? Maybe the game adjusted Frazier's ratings....I didn't look so I don't know.

Still had a blast, will have to see how the hard difficulty setting is. If anyone wants to play online just shoot me an invite.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:19 pm

I simply can't figure out how to throw a haymaker. I have yet to throw one in about 20 bouts. What is the button combo?

TheTruth · Post by **TheTruth** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:37 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:I simply can't figure out how to throw a haymaker. I have yet to throw one in about 20 bouts. What is the button combo?

It is confusing to me as well. I skipped FN2, so it has been awhile. I think it is the special punch button which, on config 1, is right shoulder button and also "X" button. But I will throw 4 of them during the game and the stats say I only threw 2. So maybe it is a combo of some sorts.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:43 pm

I wish I could just map it to a button. I know I throw TOO many with the sticks, still leftover instincts from last yaer. I throw 75% of the haymakers that I have in a fight by accident while trying to throw an uppercut or hook.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:32 pm

The stats will show that you have succesfully landed a haymaker if you actually landed one on your opponents thick skull. If you don't time it well, it goes into the air and you're prone to a counterattack that could actually hurt you instead. I only use that punch when I have the opponent grogy and almost out while I prefer to box most of the time or hit into the body.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:36 pm

I'm actually using Config 3 which maps the different punches to the buttons and when you press two at a time you throw uppercuts and the like. Not sure what the combo is to throw the haymaker in Config 3.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:48 am

TCrouch wrote:I wish I could just map it to a button. I know I throw TOO many with the sticks, still leftover instincts from last yaer. I throw 75% of the haymakers that I have in a fight by accident while trying to throw an uppercut or hook.

I have the same problem to some extent. I think I just instinctually roll the stick back sometimes when I am not even thinking about throwing a haymaker. I do that a lot when Ia m in panic mode and losing. Have to curb that!

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:53 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:I'm actually using Config 3 which maps the different punches to the buttons and when you press two at a time you throw uppercuts and the like. Not sure what the combo is to throw the haymaker in Config 3.

Say it ain't so!!! Using the buttons instead of the stick!?!?! That's sacrilegious in the Fight Night realm. What gives? Not comfortable with the analog punching?

I am giving you a hard time, BUT, I just feel that the gamer is missing out on the real genius behind this game if they are not using the analog punch system. EA should almost not give the gamer any other option. I'll assume that you have at least tried the analog system...right?

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:07 am

db,

I too use Config 3. But i'm a freak in that i use the buttons for my hooks, jabs, and crosses, but the stick for uppercuts and haymakers (oh, and the right shoulder button ONLY when my opponent is dazed). I think i subconciously feel that the stick is more difficult and thus to throw the power punches i should "challenge" myself a bit. I know, weird......but i have myself fooled so i stick with it.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:37 am

Spooky wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:I'm actually using Config 3 which maps the different punches to the buttons and when you press two at a time you throw uppercuts and the like. Not sure what the combo is to throw the haymaker in Config 3.
Say it ain't so!!! Using the buttons instead of the stick!?!?! That's sacrilegious in the Fight Night realm. What gives? Not comfortable with the analog punching?

I am giving you a hard time, BUT, I just feel that the gamer is missing out on the real genius behind this game if they are not using the analog punch system. EA should almost not give the gamer any other option. I'll assume that you have at least tried the analog system...right?

Funny you mention that, but that's the very reason I passed on buying this game. I tried the demo and I just couldn't get the hang of using the sticks. Never got the hang of it with the last version either. If it was just up and right or up and left, I could probably handle it, but in order to throw some of the best punches, you have to make these funny motions like down to the side and up in a half circular motion. It started to feel like I had to do a Mortal Kombat combo in order to throw a haymaker.

I guess I'm just old school and believe the sticks are made for movement and the buttons do everything else. The problem with Fight NIght is you can't be very effective just using the buttons. I love the feel of the game, but I just can't play it.

This is a disappointing trend for me as it seems that a lot of the games are starting to utilize the sticks for the most basic controls. Now they have you hitting and throwing with the stick in baseball games and shooting with the stick in basketball. I guess next year we'll be throwing with the sticks in Madden or they will create the all new TOTAL CONTROL DEFENSIVE BACKS where you have to use the stick to defend a pass.

I don't have a problem with new control schemes as long as the old standard ones are there for those that want to use them, but it seems that if you don't learn the new-fangled controls, then you are at a disadvantage in online games.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 11:40 am

RallyMonkey wrote:db,

I too use Config 3. But i'm a freak in that i use the buttons for my hooks, jabs, and crosses, but the stick for uppercuts and haymakers (oh, and the right shoulder button ONLY when my opponent is dazed).

That's the way I play, but now that I've had the game for a few days I find myself just using the stick.

I really like the game, but I think they could have done a whole lot more with the career mode. Why do I have to keep lifting the same weights over and over again. I'm early in the game. Are these the only three mini-games? I think GTA: San Andreas had better workout options! And why do I have to kick the crap out of a "glass" Joe Frazier in an amatuer fight? Can't they create hundreds of different boxers using the CAB that I could beat up on?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:36 pm

Spooky wrote:Say it ain't so!!! Using the buttons instead of the stick!?!?! That's sacrilegious in the Fight Night realm. What gives? Not comfortable with the analog punching?

I still use the sticks occasionally, but I just can't get the hang of it. And saying that you can't be good with the buttons, like mentioned down below, is just dumb. I can do everything that a guy using the stick can do, sans the haymaker of course, but that's just because I haven't figured out how to do it yet. You just have to use two buttons at a time for various punches and I find that a hellova lot more fluid than using the stick. That's just me (and a few others I guess).

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:23 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:db,

I too use Config 3. But i'm a freak in that i use the buttons for my hooks, jabs, and crosses, but the stick for uppercuts and haymakers (oh, and the right shoulder button ONLY when my opponent is dazed). I think i subconciously feel that the stick is more difficult and thus to throw the power punches i should "challenge" myself a bit. I know, weird......but i have myself fooled so i stick with it.

That's what I do as well. I find it easier to throw jab and hooks with the buttons though I don't find it too difficult to throw haymakers and stuns with the analog stick.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:41 pm

Guys,

How do you challenge someone on your friend's list in this game? For the life of me, I can't figure it out!

Thanks!

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:43 am

Did you figure it out Dan? Feel free to send me an invite if you see me online sometime. I've only played online once, but it was fun.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:53 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:I'm actually using Config 3 which maps the different punches to the buttons and when you press two at a time you throw uppercuts and the like. Not sure what the combo is to throw the haymaker in Config 3.

I also play on Config 3 because it's the closest button layout to what the demo was using.

When I first fired up the full version, I was like WTF!?! Why can't I throw a punch? LOL

Anyway, in Config 3, I believe the haymaker is the right shoulder button.