Fight Night Round 4 is the latest game in the critically acclaimed ES Sports boxing series, and the highly anticipated sequel to (no surprises here) Fight Night Round 3. Expectations are high, because Round 3 was said by many to contain the greatest graphics ever seen in a video game at that time. But three years later - things have moved on and expectations are that much higher.
Fight Night is not only a boxing career simulator that enables you to start out as a rookie, and brawl your way through several weight classes as a contender before making your mark as a champion. The gameplay engine has been enhanced to give the closest simulation of the sport yet seen. The action is faster and more accurate. Every punch that lands creates a facial deformation animation that is modelled in real time - meaning each one is unique.
Speed, power, timing and accuracy are all carefully modelled, and you'll have to master each to turn your fighter into a winner. Depending on your fighter's characteristics (weight, height, reach etc) you'll need to find and perfect a fighting style that plays to your strengths. This is easier than it may sound, since the control method has been tweaked too, making combos much easier to execute. And for the first time in the series - inside fighting is now possible in Round 4. Instead of being kept artificially separated from your opponent, you can get in close and work them like a punchbag. Between rounds, you can spend credit you've earned in the ring to heal and replenish your stamina.
The game also has 40 licensed likenesses of boxing greats both current and past. So you can take to the ring against Jake LaMotta, Lennox Lewis, Joe Frazier, Joe Calzaghe, Sugar Ray Robinson, the UK's own Ricky Hatton, Mike Tyson or even the all-time Greatest - Muhammed Ali. So as well as competing in career mode, you'll be able to set up and partake in great fights that never happened - including the one everyone wants to see, Tyson vs Ali.