This game is better than the first Fight Night in most aspects, although some parts would be in dire need of balancing.
First off, before I get into anything else, the main problem everyone's
talking about are the haymakers. Haymakers are powerful punches that
you do by pulling your arm back and then unleashing the blow. The
problem with those is that the CPU AND many online players abuse the
move, they basically do only that.
Now, it's not very difficult to deal with them, just learn some good
defense, but it can be annoying depending on how you like your boxing.
I have a feeling that boxing fans who like sluggers (ala Tyson) will
love the system, but finesse boxers will hate it. It's a love it hate
it thing and you'll have to decide for yourselves. One thing is clear,
the system is unbalanced and people abuse it.
I will say it right out, I don't like TPC (Total Precision Control). It
is very awkward to use the analog stick to land your punches. Now, I
always say that people of my generation (22 years old) were not born
with the analog stick, we are digital pad people, and although that's
not true for everyone, it certainly is for me. For example, although my
thumb is very nimble to push the right stick to the left, pulling it to
the right is slightly muddy and in a game requiring as much precision
as FN2, that just doesn't cut it. And if you use the buttons, there are
some combos that you cannot do AND you have to go back to the stick to
do haymakers since you can't do them with the buttons. Kinda stupid to
force a control scheme on players if you ask me.
The graphics are great, especially for the boxers. They toned down the
crowd and arena graphics but they more than made up for the facial
animations and whatnot. A great looking game.
The music sucks though. Listen, I don't have anything against hip hop but could you
give us some variety? Or at least a custom playlist? Man does the music
get on your nerves. And there is a serious lack of announcers in this
game, where did he go? He announces your city and your name and that's
it. That's kinda low if you ask me, no effort whatsoever. Oh and when
you connect with haymakers, it sounds like an explosion. right.
Online play can be great depending on who you fight. I will say, do not
fight people who choose custom boxers, and you'll be fine. (Custom
boxers are always maxed out and when they start throwing haymakers at
the speed of light, it sucks).
All in all, a good try, but they certainly could have done a better job.
