The event EA Showcase 2009, held recently in London was an opportunity for us to redeem the first straight on Fight Night Round 4. The series, a reference in terms of boxing simulation, thus goes back into the ring with new ambitions, richer content and a brand new physics engine. Here are our first impressions.
In 2006, Fight Night Round 3 we had managed to tickle the retina with its dazzling visual quality. We remember having to bave the first drops of sweat that shone on the bodies of muscled boxers ...! If at the time, the series was developed under the leadership of the late EA Chicago (studio closed in 2007), the fourth edition has also been entrusted to Vancouver developers.
The eye of the tiger?
Fight Night Round 4 strike a blow by offering graphics made for the less spectacular. Much work has been done on the cutting motion animations more realistic. We can now see the muscles of the boxers taking shape in real time at least travel on the ring. Already impressive in 2006, facial modeling has also made a quantum leap with new visual elements at the level of facial expression.
If Fight Night Round 4 is expected to be a real showcase for fans of boxing, the developers did not simply improve the visual coating. Fight Night Round 4 is in fact a number of improvements, starting with gameplay much more nervous. Unlike the previous section, the fourth album runs 60 frames per second. If we could blame Fight Night Round 3 slow when executing moves, Fight Night Round 4 Round should eliminate this shortcoming by proposing a more dynamic game.
But if the physics engine provides more fluidity and flexibility in the decomposition of movement, Fight Night Round 4 is still a pure simulation, which requires a long apprenticeship. It is indeed difficult to access, with a complex tutorial that uses all the buttons of the joystick. Moreover, developers have made some welcome touches: parry system more realistic, simplified protection, small guys EA Vancouver seemingly listened to requests from fans.
Always to go further in the register of the simulation, Fight Night Round 4 juggled a novel system of three gauges visible on the screen: health, fatigue and physical damage. This should consequently increase the strategic dimension of the fighting: Electronic Arts promises further clashes less stereotyped than previously. Similarly, developers would announce authentically recreate the style, proportions and statistics for each of these boxers. The other novelty of an interface to seek healthcare at the end of a round. The player must now apportion the capital of points in these 3 categories (health, fatigue and physical damage). Simple and effective.
Conclusion
By improving the main weaknesses of the last component and increasing the speed of execution of moves, Fight Night Round 4 will succeed to replace older ground already conquered. In addition, fans will be able to embody the greatest legends of the discipline as Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson, on fighting ahead more realistic than ever. Now have to feel the new Career mode and hope that the delicate grip does not put off the uninitiated. Beginning of the first round next July on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
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