Inject some sweet science into your opponent's skull in Electronic Arts' Fight Night Round 4, the world's most realistic boxing game. Unlike so many pretenders, the latest edition of the popular series features 48 pros past and present, an impressive list that includes Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao and a very mean looking Iron Mike Tyson, with each boxer possessing unique fighting styles and abilities. From the opening bell, we marveled at the lifelike visuals, a graphical tour de force that features detailed skin and muscles that stretch and flex depending on a boxer's position.
It's the fighting mechanics, however, that keep us playing into the tenth round. Improved character interaction allows for an unprecedented level of depth as a boxer's arms and fists realistically interact with the chump on the other side of the ring, increasing the number of opportunities for attack. What ensues is a vicious cat and mouse game, where players back away, duck, bob and weave before unleashing a pulverizing counterattack that'll hopefully lead to a teeth-rattling knockout, complete with slow motion replays of blood/spit flying from mouths and skin rippling from the powerful blow. And thanks to a new Stamina meter and a minigame between rounds (you spend points acquired during rounds to recover health, stamina and/or damage), there's a cool risk/reward aspect to playing conservatively or going full force on someone's head.
Fight Night's Legacy Mode lets you build a fighter from the ground up (you can even import your face) or select from an existing boxer, then take him through a full career that includes training mini games and fights against all comers. There's also online play against other gamers, as you attempt to rise up the leaderboard by crushing friends and enemies with your padded fists of fury.
On the negative side, the game (despite a speed increase over previous installments) still runs a bit on the slow side, and most of the punches feel like love taps. We also suggest you crack the knuckles before playing, since maneuvering the left stick to move and the right stick to throw punches (in combination with the triggers) cramps the hands. Otherwise, Fight Night Round 4 is a beautiful and bloodthirsty representation of boxing, as well as a superb visual showpiece for either console.
Chris Buffa is GameDaily's senior editor. He enjoys easy achievement points, first person shooters and starting trouble.
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