Reviews// Fight Night Champion

A sense of progression is still evident though and that's what sets Fight Night apart from its rivals. Each scheduled match feels like the next step on the ladder, one that you'll want to take. Losing an important fight can be crushing but the goal never falls away enough for you to quit. So, it's back to the gym to train your fighter up in the hope that next time, you'll knock the other fucker out.

Never mind the Blocking
The major improvements are saved for the in-game mechanics. Most notably, the blocking system has had a complete overhaul. It's a lot ‘more automatic’ than in previous games, which at first is a worry, but the payoff comes in the form of having the ability to punch straight out of a blocking stance. This makes for faster paced, more intense fighting.

The added speed is good but at first I was concerned that the series was starting to turn away from the simulation feel of old - and to some extent it has. However, it never feels like it has strayed too far.

As much as I enjoyed Round 4 for its more technical approach, later rounds did drag. This isn't the case with Champion and although you still have to concentrate on keeping your stamina high, it never slows the game down to a point of boredom or tedium.

Cuts and Swelling look Grotesque
There are also plenty of visual improvements made over the previously good looking games, mainly in the damage the boxers suffer. Cuts and swelling look grotesquely amazing and, when blood drips down and sinks into the material of the boxer’s shorts, it creates more of a feel of damage.

When your boxer is injured you fear stopped fights but when it's your opponent dripping blood you know your tactics are working. Making someone hurt is satisfying and when it's reflected in such a realistic way it adds to the grim reality of such a violent sport.

Clipping also seems to be a phrase of the past - you are very rarely removed you from the intensity of a fight. When arms collide with other boxers or the ropes, they react in an incredibly natural way. Fists can get caught on the inside of a body, leaving chins exposed for a spanking. This doesn't sound like much of an achievement but when you consider how close two characters are and the length of time involved, it's an important thing to get right.

Online Multiplayer
The depth of gameplay is further highlighted in the online multiplayer matches. Each human opponent seems to have their own style of boxing. From the heavy, fast punchers to the more tactical ring dancers. Part of the challenge is in understanding the style your foe has adopted and adapting your game to fit.

At times it will feel as tactical as any other beat-‘em-up you've played, but with this being a game based on real-life athletes some boxers are far superior to the rest. This therefore limits which boxers are predominantly picked for online battle.

This reflects the online FIFA community in which many choose the likes of Chelsea over the less capable Huddersfield Town. Although balance would address this, it's understandable why the game has a Top Trumps element of stat set-up.

One thing EA seems to have mastered, though, is data flow. Games rarely lag, leaving play-time smooth and enjoyable, even when you're flat out on the floor while your opponent struts around the ring with his hands held high. I've been beaten to a bloody pulp, I've been king of the ring and I've even been involved in some 10 round epics that have had the judges split.

Conclusion
Fight Night Champion updates the series where it needed to be updated. It's progressed the boxing genre even further than its previous titles and takes a bold step forward with its introduction of the Championship mode, one that will be hard to move away from in future titles.

It's a shame that Legacy mode isn't as improved as the rest of the game as it's where you'll spend the bulk of your playing time. But with the fighting mechanics improved so much it's not as big of an issue as maybe it should be. What's important though is that Fight Night is still one of the greatest fighting games on the market and deserves your money and attention.

SPOnG Score: 87%