Fight Night Round 3

Fight Night Round 3 delivers another knockout punch.

The Fight Night series has certainly revived boxing in the virtual arena. But the latest installment is making the most influential jump, proving just how well gameplay and graphics can complement each other in the next-generation.

Taking Advantage of Technology
With Fight Night Round 3, EA Sports has again built its focus around the knockout punch. But instead or relying on power and stamina meters to guide players to the final blow, Round 3 introduces the concept of HUD-less gameplay. Without HUD icons and health bars, players must rely on boxer facial expressions and body language to gauge health and fatigue. Where action game HUDs are becoming more complex, boxing provides a near-perfect medium to lose the heads-up display, where personal physical reactions are an important part of the sport.

For example, obvious physical cuts and bruises let you know what and where to punch; you'll want to continue jabbing a swollen left eye, as the referee may use it as evidence to end the bout early. And, you'll need to keep an eye other body language, too. Lazy hands, dropping arms, and bushed facial expressions are all red flags for fatigue. The Xbox 360 version, in particular, has the exponential advantage of using its raw processing power to churn out one of the best looking new games. Facial expressions are crystal clear, slow motion punch impacts are bone-breakingly devastating, and the option to pause in-game replays is simply drool-worthy.

More Hard Hits
Fight Night Round 3 utilizes the same analog stick punch system from the previous games, along with a few new Haymakers (aptly timed power punches) that can knock down an opponent in a single blow. Throwing punches revolves around circular motions on the right analog stick to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. Impact Punches (assigned to a trigger or face button) are high-risk, but if landed, offer high rewards.

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