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true While EA's Madden franchise may have suffered from being the only NFL game around, the same can not be said for the Fight Night series. The 3rd iteration of the successful boxing series may not do a whole lot new, but what it does, it does very well. The control scheme is largely unchanged from the previous games: The left stick moves your boxer and, through the use of the left trigger, can also be used to bob, duck and weave, while the right stick controls your punches and blocking. The scheme works very well and does a great job of simulating the sweet science. New to Round 3 is the impact punch, which is basically a more powerful version of the haymaker. These momentum-shifting impact punches can instantly change the course of a fight, but are very difficult to pull off due to their long wind-up time. Overall, the innovation is somewhat pointless, as any remotely skilled boxer will be able to counter it with ease. <img src="/contributed/1177645902kOIONwHeOl.jpg"> Body blows are just as important as head shots. In addition to the obligatory career and quick play modes, players can duke it out online through Xbox Live. The online mode is where this game really shines, as the career mode is overly simple and does a poor job of creating the illusion of a long, storied boxing career. Head to head play online is solid and responsive and lets you see just how good you really are. There is also an ESPN Classic mode that allows you to relive memorable matches through history. While this mode allows you to unlock certain items, such as trunks and gloves, the concept is poorly executed. These classic fights feature the same hip-hop entrance music and stadium presentation as regular fights. It's jarring to try to recreate Ali / Frazier 3 in the Staples Center under multi-colored laser lights in the official "Dodge Trucks" ring. The character models in the 360 version of Fight Night Round 3 are some of the best around. Skin textures are especially impressive, reflecting ambient light in an uncannily convincing way. Individual beads of sweat are visible on the boxers and the facial animations are so realistic that the boxers' energy bars are turned off by default, relying instead on facial swelling, movement speed and breathing to gauge your energy and power. During replays of knockout punches, you will see the damaged boxer's face contort realistically in reaction to the blow, and blood and spit fly from his mouth. The effect is awesome and provides motivation to keep from being on the receiving end of these facial reconstructions. Boxing venues are well rendered as well, though only two real-world venues are represented. Character animations can be jerky at times, especially in transitions between blocking and punching. Some clipping issues and minor frame-rate issues also mar the otherwise stellar presentation. <img src="/contributed/1177645914XexGbV6VEh.jpg"> Facial contortions are extremely convincing and look really, really painful. The major problem with Fight Night Round 3 is the obscene amount of product placement found in just about every frame of this game. There are very few moments where you are not subjected to ads for Burger King, Under Armor and Dodge Trucks. The game even goes so far as to include Burger King's creepy mascot as a trainer, shattering any illusion of authenticity. For a game that costs $60 at retail, these insidious in-game commercials are a bit of an insult, and are bad enough to actually affect some gamers' experience. As stated before, the career mode is flimsy, presenting you with a series of loosely connected fights against imaginary and real boxers that all fight pretty much the same way. There are some additional features, such as the poorly implemented occasional pre-fight weigh-in scuffle, but these feel tacked on and unnecessary. It's the only option for boxing fans in the states, and, fortunately, it's a very good option. Graphically impressive and technically sound, Fight Night Round 3 is a fun but familiar boxing experience that is worth the price as long as you don?t mind being aggressively advertised to. <img src="/contributed/1179941567uPH4QkIKnO.jpg"> </img>  <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2481309-10416249"> <img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/image-2481309-10416249" alt="Video Game Rentals Delivered" width="300" height="250"></img></a></img></img> review

2007-04-26T23:40:00-04:00

173

2007-04-26T23:40:00-04:00

8.0

fight_night_round_3_xbox_360 published Powerful Punches and Product Placement -