Played the Fight Night Demo

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:42 am

Yuck...same old same old for EA boxing. Clunky controls, virtually no defense and just the same old punch till you can't punch no more interface.

Even with my boy RJJ, I can't see myself picking it up after what I saw tonight. Played for about a half hour against the AI and against a guy who was watching over my shoulder and neither of us were impressed.

The animations were good, but the controls suck...no footwork at all, sidestepping is pretty much non-existent and if the guy ducks, you can't hit him at all...

So that went from a highly anticipated title to MAYBE, just MAYBE I'll rent it. I've got no desire to buy something that will make my hands bleed after an hour of play.

Given...it's just a demo, but I can't imaging the control would improve 10 fold by release. It's possible though and it has happened before.

K_Mosley · Post by **K_Mosley** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:16 am

Blah! What *bad* news!! I was holding out high hopes for this title... It's sad to say, but the game with the best boxing model that I've played is Rocky!

Kevin

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:27 am

Hmmm, the impressions seem much better from this demo at OS. Yah, OS, but most of the people do seem to be looking for more of a sim than arcade game. The only review of the game is 8.9/10 in a print mag.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:01 pm

Someone's gotta buy the games...

It's obviously the same people that buy Fifa year after year after year.

It's not for me...that's all I'm trying to say.

I do recommend that everyone tries it...at least the demo, then maybe you'll save your 3-6 bucks on the rental if you feel like me about it.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:19 pm

The general consensus seems to be that it has moved away from being a strictly arcade game like Knockout Kings and FIFA, and is being compared to Victorious Boxers or at least Rocky, which had better gameplay.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:30 pm

So try it.

K_Mosley · Post by **K_Mosley** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:55 pm

Is the demo in this month's OXM, db? I haven't checked yet...

Thanks,

Kevin

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 3:03 pm

I don't know...I played it at EB Games in Westlake Village, CA last night. Don't know where they got it from, I didn't ask.

BTW, nice Fulham logo...those are my boys.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 3:11 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:So try it.

I probably will unless more people start to share your view on the game. I just don't want people here to think that the overall reaction to the demo has been negative, because it hasn't.

Lockdown · Post by **Lockdown** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 6:47 pm

Hey everyone. Well, I am brand new to the forums here, and I am extremely excited to have found this website. Sports are a pretty big part of my life (both real and video), so this site is much appreciated.

I wanted to offer some opposite views (of the original poster) if I may. I am a pretty big boxing fan, mostly old school to be honest, especially the Hagler/Hearns/Leonard/Duran days. These are my impressions (obviously), so “imo” is implied in everything you read.

I was actually enthralled with Fight Night almost from the minute I started playing it. This game seems to be so much different than the boxing games of the past. Using the analog sticks to control fighter movement, bobbing and weaving, punches thrown, and blocking incoming blows is just a brilliant idea. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes a joy to play and to watch. I am not used to EASports games doing innovative things that actually work well, so this came as a bit of a surprise. But man, does this system work well!

When trying the demo, there are a few things to keep in mind as I see it. The #1 thing is that both the fighters in the demo (RJJ and JT) are heavyweights. This means they lack the dominating foot speed that we will hopefully find with the lighter boxers. This is important to remember, as this will most likely be your biggest concern if you’re a boxing fan trying out the game: that is, the fighters seem to move kinda’ slow. However, I have watched some video of Leonard vs. Duran, and it appears at least, that foot speed will not be an issue with the fighters who were known to excel at it.

The way stamina appears to be handled is fantastic also. Each punch you throw seems to diminish the amount of stamina you have reserved. This seems to be represented by a long blue bar. As you throw punches, this bar will move down. A jab will use a little stamina, a hook/cross a bit more, and an uppercut even a bit more. As you begin to string punches together (which uses more and more stamina), your hand speed begins to slow, your ability to block oncoming punches (think reflexes) slows down, and you’re foot speed is hindered. It would also appear that the overall power behind your punches are less as your stamina bar heads toward empty, but this is hard to tell for sure. (The demo only lets you fight 2 rounds). This stamina bar is extremely dynamic. As you “rest” during a round, the bar will make it’s way back up. Resting consists basically of not throwing punches. What this system does, in effect, is make the blocker/counterpuncher a legitimate threat in this game. Once you get “good” at bobbing and weaving, ducking, blocking incoming blows, etc…you can literally make your opponent punch himself out, which in turn weakens him, and then you can go on the offensive yourself. The point is, defense and offense both seem to be equally well represented in this game.

Here is another interesting tidbit. Judges scoring is based on 3 criteria. Punches landed, Boxing efficiency (most likely your hit to miss ratio and stuff like that), and Damage inflicted to your opponent. I think this is a great thing, as it makes the “whoever lands more punches wins” mindset trickle away. At least, let’s hope so.

The graphics, sounds, etc… all seem to be done extremely well. Some of the backdrops are just gorgeous. (Again, I am basing this opinion on videos I have seen).

Are there negatives? Well, I can think of one right off the bat: The announcer, big tigga’ or whatever the hell his name is. As I understand it, EA was going for the younger, more urban type of atmosphere with the game. That’s fine, as I fully comprehend the necessity to sell your game. It’s just unfortunate (from my view) that they went this rout. I foresee this guy severely getting on my nerves as I listen to him, which sucks for one big reason. If I turn him off (which is optional), then I will lose all the cool introductions he does before fights, which actually IS pretty cool. Oh well.

I hope I could offer a different perspective to some of you who may not know too much about the game yet. I should say that I in no way, shape, or form posted this to prove the original poster wrong. I simply had a much different first impression than he, and thought you should get another view. I love the sport of boxing, and I have been extremely disappointed with it’s representation on the video game level for quite some time. I am hoping this game will pull this sub-genre out of the cellar.

LD

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 6:52 pm

The print mag reviews are saying that the announcer is one of the few negatives in the game. But FN 2004 allows for a far more realistic boxing experience than any previous EA game. I don't know if the gameplay will hold up to the standards of Victorious Boxers 2 though...we'll see.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:09 pm

Lockdown wrote:I hope I could offer a different perspective to some of you who may not know too much about the game yet. I should say that I in no way, shape, or form posted this to prove the original poster wrong. I simply had a much different first impression than he, and thought you should get another view.

Hey, first of all welcome to the forums. This is a great place that is kinda like a little community that's not too big, and not too small, and it keeps getting better. We value everyone's opinion here, no matter if it's for or against our arguement, so in the future you don't have to cover your ass when you disagree with someone. You're new, so it's definitely understandable, but you'll soon realize that we are an arguemenative bunch and we like having debates about this and that. Just state your opinion, backed up with facts and you'll get along fine here.

It was probably one of the first guys to play the demo and I was unimpressed...thats just me. Of course other people might find it different, but to me, Fight Night was much of the same from EA Sports.

BTW, how can you possibly say that RJJ is a slow heavyweight...he's probably faster than 90% of the middle/light/feathers out there. The guy is amazing...but we get your point. LOL.

Once again, welcome to the community...I'm the community appointed asshole here too...just a little FYI.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:56 pm

I just played the demo for the first time now. All I have time to say is I don't understand how you can compare it to any of the previous EA boxing games...it seems completely different to me.

Lockdown · Post by **Lockdown** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:02 pm

Hey, thanks for the welcome.

You guys will come to know I am NOT a big EASports supporter... consequently, when they do something even remotely close to right, I will praise them up and down for at least moving in the right direction. I am hoping they did so with this one.

I am a hopelessly devoted SegaSports fan. We characterize ourselves as liking games that are soooooo close to great, but always seem to lack just one or two things to get them there. Oh well, when I think back to how excited I used to get playing Intellivision Basketball, and then I look at it today compared to today's technology, everything gets put right back into perspective.

Anyway, this game MUST be good. It really has no choice as far as I see it. Boxing is DUE for a great game. It has been long enough. And VB2 still has a bit too much Japanese in it for me to fully understand it. And only God knows if that will ever be brought to the States.

LD

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:20 pm

Well for what it is worth, it runs on a PS2 kisok at our store 24/7 and I have yet to see anyone come away unimpressed. We play it after closing and I can't wait for the 6th to pick this one up.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:29 pm

Game looks great.
Might supplant NCAA 2004 as my favorite current EA game......NAHH I m still playn my dynasty.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:52 am

Had a chance to play the demo and thought it was pretty damn cool. The graphics were great and I had a fun time getting used to the control. The pacing seemed nice as well as I quickly learned that playing it like a button masher got me knocked on my ass quick and tired. Once I sat back and looked for the right opportunity to land a hit the game opened up much better than I had anticipated.

Digital Sportspage

Played the Fight Night Demo

Played the Fight Night Demo

Hello all.

Re: Hello all.