Fight Night Round 2 (xbx: 2005): Reviews

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Fight Night Round 2


9.2

based on 48 reviews
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based on 29 votes
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GAMES:

Cheat Code Central

Fight Night Round 2 continues to deliver innovative gameplay via the analog Total Punch Control mechanic, allowing gamers to throw multiple punches, block, bob and weave with complete precision and control. Packing in more fearsome punches, players can now dominate the ring with the all-new EA SPORTS Haymaker allowing gamers to knock down their opponents with one devastating blow by adding extra power to each punch. Every hit counts in the game with powerful punches inflicting dynamic injuries on opponents, and thus reducing a fighter's ability to defend himself. Players also manage the boxers inside and out of the ring. Utilizing the new EA SPORTS Cutman, gamers can minimize damage on their fighters by helping them heal critical wounds between rounds. The game includes a new and unique create-a-player option, deep training and career mode, as well as online play for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles. [Electronic Arts]

PUBLISHER:	Electronic Arts
DEVELOPER:	EA Chicago
GENRE(S):	Boxing, Sports
PLAYERS:	2
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	February 28, 2005

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

G4 TV

Round 2 has the substance to back it up its sense of style. The analog control has been refined to the point where it’s more responsive and more satisfying than mashing buttons and the new facial and body animations bring a level of authenticity to the ring that’s simply never been accomplished before.

100

Gaming Age

To say that this is the best career mode for a boxing game to date would be an understatement.

100

Computer Games Magazine

Remove every frill and dump the gorgeous 3D graphics for barely animated stick figures and Fight Night Round 2 would still be a classic. [June 2005, p.89]

Worth Playing

The new venues are astoundingly rendered, and the crowds are more than cardboard cut outs that react uniformly. To speak plainly, I have never seen a sports game look so realistic in my life.

Game Chronicles

While there are a few things I miss like the comedic, springy rope knockdowns, I have to say that this year’s version of the game is easily better.

My Gamer

An undisputed heavyweight champion in every sense of the word. The sound moves through the ring with quick feet, the controls are swift sharp jabs of intuitiveness, and the graphics never fail to deliver a knockout blow.

XGP Gaming

The graphics are amazing inside the ring. You can see cuts, gashes and welts form on the face as you are going along in the match.

Game Informer

Another nice addition is the "woozy" camera angles that appear when you or an opponent is nearly knocked down. It's a small touch, but a very dramatic one. [March 2005, p.115]

Kombo

Not only gorgeous, but is also one of the most realistic sports games to date.

Gamers' Temple

Another round, another knockout for Fight Night.

Pelit (Finland)

An excellent boxing simulator. A few more minigames would not have hurt, though. [Apr. 05]

Xbox Solution

The game has set a new bar for the genre and it plays so smoothly with some practice.

Team Xbox

Total Punch Control gets even better with the addition of Haymaker punches. The Career mode and mini cutman and Training games make for a fun, off-the-cuff experience. A bit more functionality online would be nice.

GamingTrend

Just the simple addition of being able to move while punching is enough to recommend this game hands down.

Game Over Online

The inclusion of the cutman mini-game between rounds is a great addition, and the Haymaker provides a phenomenal sense of drama with punches that can knock boxers out at any time. I personally can’t wait to see next year’s version.

PGNx Media

The gameplay is stellar, something that is only made better by the kick-ass graphics.

Play Magazine

EA Chicago should be proud. It doesn't get much better than this. [Apr 2005, p.77]

GameBiz

Knocks out the competition with realistic boxing and more in-depth game play features.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

The repetitive training mode and fiddly defence let it down a little but, if being the main protagonist in a civilised man's most uncivilised sport rocks your world, look no further: this is a supreme sequel. [Xbox World]

Xbox World Australia

The Total Punch Control is ‘THE’ best control system I’ve experienced in a boxing game and the changes made to the career mode are all for the better as well.

GameSpy

It's like watching a great fighter that's just starting his career. He's great now, he's surprising you with his progress, and you'll know he'll end up in the hall of fame. Fight Night Round 2 is another fantastic step in this hall-of-fame series.

Official Xbox Magazine

The boxers ripple with animated musculature and move with a lightning smoothness, while the brutal injuries and blood sprays make you sincerely regret every opening you leave for your opponent. [March 2005, p.76]

IGN

Imagine last year's innovative gameplay system multiplied by two. Sure the Haymakers need some work, but the clenching, enhanced AI, cutman mini-game, and other additions make up for it.

GamePro

The most striking change is in the innovative control scheme--where you use the right analog stick to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts--which has now been slightly altered to enable you to fight more like a professional pug in the ring.

Stuff

Another big change: You now have the ability to switch weight classes in mid-career, so you can go from heavyweight, to light heavy, and back to heavyweight again to beef up your bank account.

Yahoo! Games

With the introduction of clinching, the innovative punch system, the deep tournament and career options, the graphics and realism, the improved presentation, and most of all, the obvious love of boxing infused into the game, Fight Night Round 2 is the best representation of the "sweet science" that gaming has ever seen.

GameSpot

There's a lot to like about Fight Night Round 2, most obviously a deep and involving boxing mechanic that allows you to be creative in your approach to the fistic arts.

Talk Xbox

If you are any type of boxing fan, you will love the smooth gameplay, stunning graphics, and great control scheme that Fight Night 2 offers.

Loaded Inc

The graphics in the game are very good, but they are not yet to the level where you will be fooled and think you are watching actual humans box.

MS Xbox World

This is the best boxing game on any system ever. It is not perfect and has not got the options and scenarios of the "Tiger Woods" series has for golfing, but as a stand-alone game it is very good.

1UP

Significantly better than its predecessor, but like most EA Sports releases, sequels feel more like baby steps rather than giant leaps.

PALGN

Fight Night: Round 2 claims the title of best boxing game, but still has some distance to travel before being truly great.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Immediately approachable by anyone, and no boxing sim has ever made the sport more accessible in all its bloody glory than this year's Fight Night.

Next Level Gaming

Marginally better than the original game, but still needs work on that punching system.

Warcry

One hit knockdowns were cheesy initially, but now they’re a feature that renders multiplayer pointless.

TotalGames.net

The control system (using the right stick for punches) is an inspired idea and has been well balanced with the stamina meter. However, it only seems to work smoothly half of the time.

Gamer.tv

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

Times Online

Combinations become instinctive and defence second nature. Throw in an engrossing career mode, as well as the facility to create your own boxer, and you finally have a heavyweight boxing game.

games(TM)

The best realistic boxing title we’ve played, and few fight fans will be disappointed. [Apr 2005, p.114]

Sydney Morning Herald

Controls work beautifully and patience and timing are crucial.

Edge Magazine

With a superior control system and a raft of incisive upgrades, this year’s update is a connoisseur of the boxing arts. [Apr 2005, p.103]

GamerFeed

A much improved follow-up, with an appreciative career mode, thunderous and inventive gameplay, and the kind of presentation that will knock you on your ass.

Computer and Video Games

Things really rumble in two-player mode, where bouts evolve into ridiculously tense face-offs more like chess than a messy scrap outside the pub. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Operation Sports

The Haymaker, the ability to block and punch while moving and the EA Sports Cutman are all great additions to this year’s game. However, there's still a big issue with the AI regarding knockdowns that needs to be addressed.

AceGamez

A few technical glitches aside, it's a pretty great turn out from EA, and were Fight Night Round 3 to be a boxer itself, it wouldn't win by total knockout, but would definitely go the twelve rounds and come out on top.

netjak

The controls are truly perfect for a boxing game; the mental aspects of boxing are well represented, and the character models look very good.

AtomicGamer

I hate to say it, because this game is actually very fun, but Fight Night Round 2 is less of a boxing game than last year's attempt.

Total Video Games

The most authentic videogame adaptation that we've ever seen... [but t]he Career mode whilst engaging doesn’t sustain your interest for long enough, and like many boxing titles will have all but the most hardened fan switching off long before the belt is won.

The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 29 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Andrew S. gave it a10:
The game is crazy. It could have some improvements on career mode, but it is still awesome. Can't wait till round 3 comes out.

Adam G. gave it a10:
Not a big boxing fan but this game is great for any sports fan.

Blue Falcon gave it an8:
PROS: 1)Best sim boxing game ever. 2)Excellent graphics and lighting. 3)Well done knockout replays. 4)Controls are perfect. CONS: 1)Very short and sub par soundtrack. 2)The training mini games aren't balanced for difficulty 3)After a knockdown you see the same dirt shoveling animation over and over. 4)The game is a bit too knockout focused - I've never had a round where there wasn't at least 1 knockdown. 5) Haymakers are a great idea but they're not balanced right - too powerful. 6) Eventhough the mechanics feel right, it's still a long ways from being a realistic simulation.

Phil gave it an8:
Great Game, it is sooo fun multi player. BUT the only flaw in the game is: i became the heay-weight champion in career mode, but then i reached the age of 36, and the game killed my stats.......... now i cant defend my title, or beat the light-heavy division because my champion now sucks..... WOW that is a really stupid thing to add to the game.... it ruined my game career before i could beet the game...... therfore it is worthless.

Tim B. gave it a6:
It's a great game but the controlls suck....although its fun making your boxer and stuff but...the controls suck...if they were better id give this game a 100%.

MatMori 3/22/05 gave it a9:
MY SCORE 91/100. After purchasing Fight Night 2004 and playing it for over 27 hours, I was really anxious to see what Round 2 had to offer. Although I was hesitant to purchase it at first (for the fear that EA will become a monopoly soon) but I did buy it on the second day it came out.++++A few new changes have been made to better Fight Night, most of them are great but others aren't as good. First off they upgraded the total punch control, it's basically the same thing as 04, but they added the 'haymaker' ability. The haymaker allows you to literally pull back your punch to unleash it on your hopeless opponent. The feeling and impact of the punch is ear retching-It's like they launched Kim Possibles very own naked mole rat 'rufus' from a high powered air cannon into a concrete wall. The punch itself is controlled the same way but before you 'throw' the punch upwards you retract it pulling it back a little and then releasing it. If you imagine it like a analog clock it's easier, to throw a right haymaker, you would push to 3 o'clock then sweep down about 4:30 or 5 o'clock and then back up again all the way to 12 o'clock. It works the same way with uppercuts too. Although it took me a lot of practice with each hand to throw well placed haymakers. Another improvement are the realistic boxers. These guys supposedly have twice as many textures and polygons then the original. Muscle definition is really clear here, not to mention the lighting and facial features are spot on. The blood has also been fixed and so has the sweat. After multiple hits to the face blood drips realistically. Cuts on the eyes look ruthless (sometimes even having two streams of blood dripping from one eye), and now the corner of the mouth bleeds, I don't see to many nose bleeds for some reason though. Sweat doesn't constantly drip from the face anymore, every now and then (especially in the corners) you might see a bead of sweat roll down the face and it looks great. They also fixed the blood; it no longer looks like a Mortal Kombat ripoff. The best way to describe it would be like a sneeze. A bloody sneeze that is, and when combined with the spray of sweat it looks awesome. The mouthpieces fly out again, something that was in KOKings but left out in FN04. REPLAYS are mediocre, I love it most of the time but sometimes it can get old. Punches sound like screaming jetfighter missiles, while the impact sounds a lot deeper and more explosive. While your opponent is getting creamed it sounds like a slowmo recording of a dinosaur getting clubbed with an 80 ft. redwood tree. Or it sounds like AceVentura when he does his slow mo football impression. But once again, there are NO SAVABLE REPLAYS and no sound during ‘player controlled replays’. A brand new aspect of any boxing game debuted on Round 2. The idea of healing your own boxer by reducing the cuts and the swelling was an idea that popped into my mind during FN04. After a full round has been fought, boxers go to their corner and out come the tool kits. It's quite easy to use and it provides interaction during a scene that you would normally just watch. The setup is pretty nice, you have four 'edges' on your boxers face, these include; upper right eye, upper left eye, right cheekbone and so on. With each edge of your face you have a numerical number, which signifies the amount of swelling or cut damage. When you pick your tools you go to any edge and carve out the edges. Gently rocking your right analog stick to match with the shuffling of an orange pendulum-swinging block (the whole process feels like a windshield wiper sweeping away the rain). The create-a-character has changed a little bit, allowing you to make your boxer hella ripped or depressingly fat. You can change the shape of the face pretty well, but when I made my character it didn't look too much like me. You can purchase new items for you boxer a lot easier this time. After a couple of matches you unlock venues, trunks, gloves, shoes, and so on. The additions aren't just for eye candy anymore; they actually add stat points to your fighter. The career mode is beefier in that you start out as an amateur (complete with protective headgear) and you work your way up. In order to bulk up you have to go to training, these do help your stats and it also changes your boxers appearance. I loved how you could start out as a little guy and gradually see some muscle definition. The gameplay feels about the same, Round2 still revolves around countering and protecting yourself, but now you can do it on the move. In FN04 you would have to be stationary to block and counter, well now you can move around and block at the same time. It's perfect for escaping those close knockdowns. Speaking of close knockdowns, you can now clinch your opponent and grab onto him. You regain a little bit of life, just enough to stay alive and sometimes that’s all you need. A huge improvement comes from the audio department. No longer do we hear Big Tigger's ear bleeding announcing. EA managed to pick up ESPNs' Joe Tessitore, and he is so much better. They added a new mode called Hard Hits, but it’s a continuous fight until someone goes down, and then the round ends. It wasn’t that special to me. The last new addition to the game are the one hit Knockdowns; I’ve been playing for a while but I still can’t figure out why they happen or how they happen. In other words, they’re totally random and sporadic.++++ ----While there are a lot of major improvements, there are some things I still didn’t like. For one thing, it’s a little too easy. Masters of FN04 will find Round2 a fairly easy game. Even on the hard setting, you can go through the whole career without losing a lot. When you win belt titles, like heavyweight (etc.) and some other awards, they don’t do anything. Boxers’ don’t even wear them when they enter the arena. When you create-a-character you don’t get to fight pro’s, you fight guys like “Mr.Knockout, K.V.O” and other made up names. Problem is, sometimes you hear the same names for different people, they might even have the same name as your character. Also when you name your character the length of the last name can’t be more then 8 letters long. When you fight through career mode, you eventually get older. After you reach around age 36 boxing takes a huge toll on your body, after your 40, even if you ace every single training game, your stats will decrease. Another weird flaw about the training games are the stat distribution. You have three training games, but only one of those training games increases your agility. You tend to have all your other stats ridiculously high, but your agility seems to be left out. They should make a training game for each stat. Even on the Xbox, the load times tend to be a bit long, it’s not that bad but still. An average XBOX LIVE option has been enabled on the Xbox. It’s a nice addition but I have one huge problem, when you input your movements, it takes about a second to register. I can’t fight when I can’t throw punches (or worse haymakers), or get my guard up in time, it’s like playing DDR on hard but having the dance pad lag a second behind. The whole online setup is a bit awkward and it’s difficult to see how good your opponent is. Not to mention the online lobby feels like an old online chat room, cause you have to use a digital keyboard to type things even though a majority of the online players have a microphone. I’ve played like 12 games online but without the ease and smoothness of the single player, I don’t think I like it too much. Especially when opponents seem to just jab and straight you in face turning the whole match into a “who could punch more times”. Oddly enough they manage to do a tremendous amount of damage when you throw them constantly. Even though the graphics are realistic, the audience and other characters look weak. They also took out the EA CORNER, which tracks your total hours played. ====Overall I like Round2 for it’s new ideas and updated graphics. There are a couple of things I would change though. The blood effects are cool but I wish they would splatter on bodies and on the attackers face (too violent?). Maybe they could tweak the recover rate after you get knocked down too. When a round is pretty close and you get knocked down and get up in less then two seconds, your opponent magically has all his life back. I highly doubt in two seconds he can gain that much life. Plus if your going to make a character age, you might as well show it, I want to see ‘Fable’ style gray hair, and baggy eyes. I know it’s pushing it, but what about “Foxy Boxing?” where are all the ladies? Still, I like the game, but have a bad feeling I won’t play it as much as I did FN04. Also why is that when I hit a nearly KO’d guy in the stomach with a low uppercut haymaker his body straightens up and falls backwards. I wish he would hunch over and fall ‘football to the groin’ style. ====

PSYCHOPOMPUS gave it an8:
EA lied about XBOX LIVE SUPPORT, it is not available in this game. XBOX LIVE was my main reason to buy this game, without it it's pretty much the same as Fight Night 2004. Shame on you EA !!!