Fight Night Round 4

By Christian Donlan Published 7 May, 2009

Float like a floatbot...

If you're feeling a slight queasiness at the inclusion of Mike Tyson in the line-up for Fight Night Round 4 - and that would be entirely reasonable - perhaps you should just focus on the fact that at least now you can beat him up. Actually, it's better than that: now you can beat him up in what looks to be one of the most detailed and convincing boxing titles ever made.

Building on the success of a game pretty much everyone enjoyed can be difficult, and most people agreed Fight Night Round 3 was a bit of a winner, with astonishing - and only slightly creepy - character models, solid controls, and the subsequent release of turkeys like Facebreaker merely sweetening the memory. At first, then, it's hard to see exactly what EA can do to make Round 4 anything more than a prettier retread.

Luckily, however, it seems that the only people who had any real problems with the previous instalment also happen to be the same people who made it, and they've got fairly strong opinions on exactly what needs fixing. So while the forthcoming Fight Night has the enlarged rosters, gentle presentational tweaks and incremental control refinements you might expect from any sports sequel (headline improvements include the fact that the game now runs at a steady 60fps, and punching is controlled with the sticks alone this time, body jabs now activated via a simple flick system) the main changes are surprisingly fundamental in their nature.

'Fight Night Round 4' Screenshot 1

It doesn't look like the Burger King will be making a return. But there's always Ricky Hatton.

And, in a roundabout way, Tyson's at the centre of them, his inclusion opening a can of worms for the developers as well as, I'm guessing, a can of whup-ass. In the words of Dean Richards, Round 4's producer, "Including Mike meant we had to face something we couldn't with the previous game, and that's that there are two crucial things everybody always says about boxing: height and reach matter, and styles make fights." (The third and fourth things everybody always says are, "Ha, my mum could've seen that punch coming," and "Isn't Midsomer Murders on the other channel right now?")

The reason Iron Mike's so problematic, it transpires, is that he's fairly short for a boxer: Muhammad Ali, for example, is four inches taller than him, and that creates endless headaches for developers trying to match up canned animations and make sure punches land in the right place whenever the two face off against each other. In order to ensure that the illusion of contact never broke down in Round 3, the team had to scale the proportions of all the game's fighters until the entire roster was more or less the same height. In other words, if Tyson and Ali had stepped into the ring together, there'd be no real differences between them: height and reach wouldn't matter, and styles wouldn't really be an issue.

Luckily, EA's latest take on the sweet science has a handy ally: physics. By focusing on realistic modelling, Round 4 solves tricky collision detection problems by creating animations on the fly, and allowing punches to connect - or miss - exactly as they're thrown. In the process, that also opens up the roster for fighters of all shapes and sizes, and ushers in the different ring techniques they bring with them.

The new physics engine is probably at its most immediately noticeable in the new facial deformation system - Richards absolutely promised me that the team had filmed people being hit in the face just to make sure the game's flabby rippling effect was accurate enough - but it's sending bigger shockwaves through the game when it comes to the way the bouts turn out this time around. Even after a few minutes of playing, it's clear that Round 4's a lot more tactical than the previous game ever was. Ali towers above Tyson, and, in the hands of a skilled player, is more than capable of picking the shorter man off from afar.

Tyson's only hope, then, comes in working Ali into a corner and getting in close. For a fighter with a longer reach, most of the power of the blow comes in the final snap of the wrist (I'm not saying this from experience, however, and I doubt it's much of a picnic for the punchee whatever distance away you are), so a tactical shorty can take the force out of oncoming blows by stepping into them, where they'll also be able to fight back more effectively. In a single move, then, Round 4 now allows for both inside and outside fighting styles, and the result is that there's a lot more to the game than just pummelling away at your rival until he goes cross-eyed: placement is crucial, and making the most of the attributes of your boxer really will give you an advantage.

And if it's a more tactical game, it's also a faster one. Round 3 was essentially a digital boxing title: any single punch's animation had to finish completely before the next could be thrown, and the results of each impact were largely predictable. This time, faster combos are there for whoever can move quick enough, with a whole additional range of glancing blows and feints adding to your options, as the fighters move in and the game builds in claustrophobic intensity.

'Fight Night Round 4' Screenshot 2

Blood and sweat are now physics-based - tears are yet to be confirmed.

Beyond such basic changes, there's that traditional range of additional tweaks rounding things out. The corner game has been revised for the better, with your performance in each round winning you points you can invest in recovering either damage, stamina or health, while the knockdown challenge has been altered to mirror the experience of steadying yourself on your feet. It didn't look as much fun as Round 3's option in this case, to be honest, but Richards has a habit of demonstrating game changes by mock-swinging at you to illustrate every nuance, so it's possible I was a little flustered by the time we'd reached this level of granularity. Alongside a fleshed-out campaign mode, there's also forty-eight boxers to choose from on the disk, with additions planned for DLC after EA's had a chance to see what the community wants. Start asking for Henry Cooper now, in other words - and maybe Tommy Cooper while you're at it? You know, as a wild card.

So while a glance at comparison videos may initially leave you wondering if much has really changed, with a fundamental shift from digital to analogue boxing, Fight Night Round 4 has the potential to cover a lot more distance than most sports sequels. Even if it does have a deeply dubious character on the front cover come release day, this is shaping up to be a game where all the really important changes are going on inside.

Fight Night Round 4 is due out for PS3 and Xbox 360 on 26th June.

Picture of Christian.

About Christian Donlan

Chris Donlan writes about games for Eurogamer and some magazines. His heroes include Eugene Jarvis, Errol Morris, and Linus Van Pelt.

Read more articles from Christian by visiting the Christian Donlan archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (73) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • bad09 #1 3 years ago

    "punching is controlled with the sticks alone this time"

    Uh-oh.....

  • Harmonica #2 3 years ago

    Using analogue controls for the punching is what makes the game more nuanced, so it's no surprise they went this route.

    FNR 3 was one of the first games to truly herald the next-gen (alongside Condemned), and that was half of the enjoyment of playing it. It was a good game, not a great game, but flinching your way through the shuddering punches you were hardpressed to notice. I'm not completely convinced that such fanfare and gaping mouths will greet this one. Although it still looks stunning, it's not relatively as impressive. There's also the small matter of Wii boxing, and the experience of throwing punches in that still puts gamepad based control in the backseat.

  • Santino #3 3 years ago

    i havent read the rest of the article yet, just the first paragraph, but just wondering if anybody else feels eg are trying to make tysons inclusion in this game more controversial than it actually is?

    also, if this game has taken away punching with buttons entirely that is a risky but proper decision, and one i was hoping to be implemented since the first game.

  • Bloodloss #4 3 years ago

    "punching is controlled with the sticks alone this time"

    Fuck yes! :) Good riddance to people not buying it due to this.

    Looking great.

  • Wastelander #5 3 years ago

    How is the interface?
    Loved FN3 but the menus and stuff were just fucking terrible.

  • El_MUERkO #6 3 years ago

    no canned animation, hopefully no cutting too, needed improvements to bring the gameplay out of the last gen

  • b00n #7 3 years ago

    Was there another way to play FNR3 than with the thumbsticks? I loved that anyway. Would however like to see some more different mini-games to train, and a clearer feedback on that 'heal your eyebrows' thingie. Sounds promising overall!

  • smoothpete #8 3 years ago

    Yay! Sticks only! I might actually win an online match now, frigging button bastards

  • Zebula77 #9 3 years ago

    Also did not like the "only sticks" comment here. Tried it for a bit, then switched to buttons, which were way more responsive.

    This looks promising, but does anyone know whether one-punch KOs are possible. That was the best bit of the UFC demo.

  • midnight_walker #10 3 years ago

    What was the quote from Round 3? "Button Mashers need not apply" or some such.

    Glad that it's sticks only. That really made Round 3 for me, and to be honest I didn't even realise buttons were an option.

  • optimusprym8 #11 3 years ago

    yay for sticks. Hopefully no moer cheating in campaign at the higher levels either, nor the glitching and fists passing through torsos. Looking forward to this

  • layleeloo #12 3 years ago

    Hopefully, if they say the DLC will be what the customers want, maybe they should read this and note people want the button pushing OPTION.

    Admittedly, the stick fighting system was ok and a bit of a laugh, but control method 5 on FNR3 for me and all my friends is where it was at, and it made it a far more accessible game (and easier if bladdered after a session on a Fri and Sat night).

    Im not saying dont have stick controls, but im asking PLEASE leave in the option to use buttons if we want like FNR3, as im sure at least half the games players use this option and like some people are saying, they wont buy it unless they can use buttons, and im sad to say - I am one myself. Which is sad as this is my most anticipated game on any console ever, due to my love of R3.

  • SuperNashwan #13 3 years ago


    i feel i am going to be loving this, v pleased to hear that different styles will make more of a difference in 4. And if they get rid of that "philly cheescake" commentary i will be over the moon. What they need instead is someone in the crowd selling ice cream between rounds.

  • asphaltcowboy #14 3 years ago

    Great that it's sticks only! Can't wait for this, it looks aaaaawesome!

  • naked_naked_power #15 3 years ago

    Online multiplayer? :(

  • layleeloo #16 3 years ago

    naked_naked_power

    Considering Round 3 was online i seriously doubt it will be removed from this version

  • oreillymj #17 3 years ago

    Wants Ronnie Reagan & Gorbie ?? so I can recreate the Two Tribes video

    What about the ring card birds? Have their "physics" been upgraded?

  • oreillymj #18 3 years ago

    Oh yeah and Rockie Balboa Vs. Apollo Creed. Mr T. FTW

    Give'em nuts!!!!!

  • layleeloo #19 3 years ago

    A vs P? haha

  • dr_faulk #20 3 years ago

    Brilliant.

  • morriss #21 3 years ago

    Can't wait.

  • morriss #22 3 years ago

    Button fighting was for girls. Stick was always where it was at.

  • BillyBrush #23 3 years ago

    All good, apart from being able to recover damage et al in the corner...i hope they don't overdo this...cornermen are more tactics than being able to recharge stamina!...so lets hope EA don't fudge that part.

  • Placebo #24 3 years ago

    most people agreed Fight Night Round 3 was a bit of a winne

    it seems that the only people who had any real problems with the previous instalment

    Errrr, no.

    Many gamers, especially boxing fans hated FNR3, arcade gameplay, ridiculous parry system, putridly slow haymaker system, shallow linear career mode, poor commentary implementation......

    Eurogamer, try reading some of the many FightNight forums before making assumptions about what people thought of FNR3.......

  • fredsDad #25 3 years ago

    I thought the sticks were OK - but I'd never have got through the speed training without the jab buttons. Still, looking forward to this...

  • tinners #26 3 years ago

    This is utterly sold!

    first fight night on 360 was amazing and that was on Launch so give me this NOW plx! :D

  • StevilKnevil #27 3 years ago

    Want. Even if the previous game crippled my hands because I was holding the damn pad too tight .

  • Ryze #28 3 years ago

    /WANTS!

  • HMAN #29 3 years ago

    @Placebo - Maybe you should try reading FN3 forums because you'd realise the positives far out weighed the negatives and most thought it was an awesome game.
    Only thing I didn't like was the terrible presentation and the shocking choice of rap music for the soundtrack
    Also +1 to hooray for sticks only. There is no other way to play FN

  • superdelphinus #30 3 years ago

    how do you move around the ring if the sticks control the punches?

  • bad09 #31 3 years ago

    "Also +1 to hooray for sticks only. There is no other way to play FN "

    For people who enjoyed playing with the stick....

    I'm not really understanding why people are saying this TBH. Having the OPTION doesn't effect how you play so why all the "yay!"?

    Personally I hated using the stick in FN3 which, with no OPTION for buttons, means I'll probably hate FN4 - which is absolutely gutting considering I was REALLY eager for this :(


    Edit - @ superdelphinus - you move with the left and use the right for the punches
    Edited by 1 at 08/05/09 @ 13:46

  • Placebo #32 3 years ago

    @HMAN

    I did and do, I'm a long time poster on various FightNight forums as well as others such as the Prizefighter forums (when we were of the hope that the game wasn't going to be a flaming turd).

    Many boxing fans played through FNR3 despite the flaws and annoyances and arcade rubbish (yes plus the horrible hiphop atmosphere), it doesn't mean that we were happy with how the game was.

    Maybe the casual gamer was happy with FNR3 but personally I have no interest in the opinions of casual gamers, been a gamer for around 25 years and a boxing fan for 25 years and I take both very, very seriously ;)

  • Universal_Hamster #33 3 years ago

    I dont think they are saying that there will be no option to use the buttons to punch, the meaning I take from it is that if you are using the sticks option, you dont need to use any button modifiers to get a body-blow any more.

  • SniperZoz #34 3 years ago

    Why all this Tyson hate?? It's not like we're never liked controversial sportsmen! Best, Gascoine ... c'mon - this game is about fighting - and at that one has to admit Tyson was good!

  • Placebo #35 3 years ago

    @Universal Hamster- it was confirmed a long time ago, no face buttons for punching, face buttons are only for custom moves, all regular punching is done through the sticks, personally I'm happy with that as well :)

    @SniperZoz- difference is Gascoigne and Best never had rape convictions, never were suspended for failing drug tests, never were suspended and fined for repeatedly bringing the sport into disrepute, never made comments about wanting to kill people and hoping their opponent died.

  • oreillymj #36 3 years ago

    @Placebo - you left out... "Never bit someones ear off"


  • KreyAtiv #37 3 years ago

    Not going to buy it they don't give you the option to use the buttons. Not a big fan of that "total punch control" thing.

  • Lukus #38 3 years ago

    Harmonica: "There's also the small matter of Wii boxing, and the experience of throwing punches in that still puts gamepad based control in the backseat."


    Good joke you made there.

  • Placebo #39 3 years ago

    @oreillymj I covered it in the "fined for repeatedly bringing the sport into disrepute" part, was just a bit of gristle after all ;)

  • HMAN #40 3 years ago

    @ Placebo - At no point did I say I was casual or that i'm not a big boxing fan. Its ok to throw that card out there cos I disagree with your opinion that it was a terrible game?

    Anyone know if they are getting rid of "KO Moments" that really ruined the feel of it being an actual boxing match, felt more like a beat em up. I'd also like to see 1 punch knockdowns/knockouts.
    It would also be great if they actually presented it like a proper sports broadcast as EA do with all their other games. Proper ring announcements/entrances and judges decisions being read out would be a start

  • Vanmunt #41 3 years ago

    I'm not really understanding why people are saying this TBH. Having the OPTION doesn't effect how you play so why all the "yay!"?

    as the game is online and there is definately more skill in using the sticks, playing games against moron button bashers was pretty pointless.

    +1 no buttons, really looking forward to this.
    Edited by 1 at 08/05/09 @ 15:28

  • HMAN #42 3 years ago

    @Bad 09 - Well maybe its slightly harsh to be happy at no buttons. I wouldn't mind them letting people use buttons in single player but online its horrible. People just mashing haymakers and hooks makes it horribly inbalanced as well as making it look nothing like a boxing match

  • Placebo #43 3 years ago

    @HMAN - I meant casual gamer as a collective opinion, wasn't in any way meaning to imply that you yourself were a casual gamer ;) Nor did I think FNR3 was a terrible game, the point I was making was that on countless FN/PF forums there are people unhappy with many aspects of the game , which is contrary to the general utopian bliss EG seemed to be implying as to how people felt about FNR3 :)

    Regarding "maybe the causal gamers was happy with FNR3" as in the kind of gamer who isn't on EG forums discussing games, as obviously spending your life discussing gaming on internet forums really qualifies you for non-casual gamer status ;)

  • TRUTH #44 3 years ago

    Hope they put a referee in the ring! - why do all boxing games miss them out ?

  • The-Bodybuilder #45 3 years ago

    >"@SniperZoz- difference is Gascoigne and Best never had rape convictions, never were suspended for failing drug tests, never were suspended and fined for repeatedly bringing the sport into disrepute, never made comments about wanting to kill people and hoping their opponent died. "

    How many footballers have been in sick roasting sessions? Yet here they are, in FIFA 09/pro evo, and no one complained.
    Rio ferdinand was banned for missing a drugs test. EG never complains
    Disrepute? Drogba
    Kill people? How about chelsea supporters 2 nights ago?

  • septimus #46 3 years ago

    I wish the only problem with adding Mike Tyson was the height issue. I think the raping and ear biting mid round may fuck things up a bit to.

  • bad09 #47 3 years ago

    Button mashers? surely in a boxing game you do the same thing with them as with all beat 'em ups. Man up, adapt, beat their arses....

    Isn't that what a MAN would do.... ;)

    Anyway I'm geniunely sad and heartbroken about this I didn't know they were offing controls many preferred, and I really didn't get on with stick control so if that's all there is at release I won't be buying it.

    Another gaming dissapointment for bad09, I just get used to 'em now days. Should take up another hobby before I go postal, clearly gaming is moving away from what I want......

    (I don't like moaning all the time, honest, but they all give me so much to moan about!)

  • HMAN #48 3 years ago

    Its not a beat em up fighting game though. Ideally it will be a full on boxing sim ;)

  • bad09 #49 3 years ago

    MAN UP! :)

  • cyber_nicco #50 3 years ago

    >>"punching is controlled with the sticks alone this time"

    Not good, just gone from must buy to must try. I hated using the sticks in FNR3, but at least it was just an option. Please let this be just the way the article is worded and you can still use the buttons!

  • souljah #51 3 years ago

    I want more damage. I found it strangely satisfying to be laid into at the weigh-in, only to punch the shit out of the guy over 7 or 8 rounds, but not knocking him out.

    Just a pity the damage model was pretty unspectacular.

  • The-Bodybuilder #52 3 years ago

    I gotta admit, the lack of buttons is turning me off.
    I really, really REALLY tried to like the stick, but found it so unresponsive, along with my sweaty palms and fingers not helping.

  • syphon92 #53 3 years ago

    Love the analog punching, so much more controll over punches, ppl, just learn to play with the analogs and u'll see its much better

  • Harmonica #54 3 years ago

    Sorry but sticks might not be inherently realistic but they're far and away better than buttons.

    People who don't like sticks need to learn how to adapt or put up with it. We've had analog sticks for years, they're nothing new, there's no excuses really.

  • SAH1977 #55 3 years ago

    Reading and listening to a few more previews it sounds as if the stick controls are far better than FNR3 and improve the game measurably.

  • Laws #56 3 years ago

    wow at all the n00bs complaining about only sticks.

  • bad09 #57 3 years ago

    I got more gamerpoints on FN3 than you noob! ;)

  • dgamlin #58 3 years ago

    "You don't get the flowing jab-jab-hook combos with sticks, there is simply too much travel to make them viable "

    Totally agree. Having played FN3 regularly since its launch, our gaming group hates the sticks - we really cannot control the punch outcome. We tried a "stick" session recently, having read the "sticks only" review of FN4 and found our play had changed from "total control with buttons" to "random stick mashing" hoping for some kind of combo. No buttons is a real turn off and may prevent us from buying the game. Also the advantage of the button only approach is that you cannot accidentally throw those goddam awful 1 hit wonder "super punches". It's a real shame, because FN3 was one of the games that WASN'T a button masher - you were always in complete control of punches using buttons. Now it's gonna be a "stick masher".

  • Harmonica #59 3 years ago

    So you judged the sticks based on one session where you all went into it having been using buttons the entire lifetime of the game?

    Thanks for giving such a fair assessment.

  • bad09 #60 3 years ago

    Are you blind to what a ;) is?

  • bad09 #61 3 years ago

    They'll be calling us carebears next....

  • Twin_snakes #62 3 years ago

    Am I the only one who wants a ear biting mini-game?

  • Harmonica #63 3 years ago

    "We're not saying sticks are bad or they don't work, we're saying stick control is not for us and we probably won't be playing FN4 if it's stick only."

    Don't you think that's a bit like cutting off your nose t' spite your face? You're saying, 'we won't adapt, and we refuse to play your new game because you're doing something we don't like'. Entertain the fact that you're wrong about buttons, and they're right to go ahead with sticks because it might make a better game.

    Sticks are for real men, the type that eat the crusts on their bread, the ones with poppy seeds and everything. You're just crust phobic and I bet you've never had a poppy seed in your life.
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/09 @ 17:32

  • Sp33dking89 #64 3 years ago

    This isnt a button mashing game, this was actually meant to be used with the sticks

    Duh...

  • Harmonica #65 3 years ago

    Well I'm not making the game, I'm not the one making it sticks-only. I'm purely advocating that viewpoint because EA obviously have decided to go one way or the other. Unless they turn around and throw in buttons at the last moment, it seems like developing with one control system is going to benefit the game.

    I can appreciate favouring one control system over another even if I don't actually think buttons are any good. But what I can't understand is the viewpoint of seeing an approaching sequel to a game I enjoy, and then turning my nose up at it because of the control system. That's ridiculous. How many sequels completely change their control systems? Lots of them.

    I think that people who are going to not buy the game over the buttons/sticks thing are strictly in the minority, and EA will not be losing any sleep over it.

  • Harmonica #66 3 years ago

    Also I might add that I have switched to games that use completely different controls and part of playing games is adapting to weird control systems. The first time I played games it was with what essentially amounted to a dimmer switch and a few tiny buttons. Then it was a really ropey joystick and one big fat red button. Then two yellow buttons and a phallus which clicked when you moved it. A long time later we got keyboard and mouse control, but in between we had to suffer all sorts of indignities.

    After a while, you get used to it.

    That the gaming world has largely settled down to a standardised gamepad layout - with the exception of niche controllers - is something we should be pretty happy about.

  • bad09 #67 3 years ago

    "But what I can't understand is the viewpoint of seeing an approaching sequel to a game I enjoy, and then turning my nose up at it because of the control system. That's ridiculous. How many sequels completely change their control systems? Lots of them."

    See I don't understand this thinking (probably why gaming is becoming such a disappointment to this long time gamer), someone said this to me about the RE Reboot while discussing 5 and I just do not get it as a consumer.

    I'm a huge fan of RE but tuned out with the arcade reboot, Can't remember who it was but they said "So? It's Capcoms game they do what they want and we should just...accept the changes. Now you say the same about a game that has adopted a control method many don't want. I tried sticks in the last game and hated it, didn't enjoy it never went back. Are you really saying I should still buy it anyway purely because you like stick control? What purpose would this serve if I..you know...don't enjoy the control method myself?

    Why are we supposed to just take it? Why can't people choose to keep their cash if EA turn them off their game, it's not their fault it's EA's. Look around these and other comments quite a few sales lost purely by removing a simple option.

    Personally I find people "celebrating" the loss of a control method they themselves DO NOT use, or criticizing people unhappy with said change because they DID use that method a lot more ridiculous, but that's just me....

  • Harmonica #68 3 years ago

    I actually said that you're writing off a potentially class game purely on the controls, when for all you know they might have mastered the stick controls and put in a tutorial just for you people who used to use buttons. But if you don't play it, even the demo, you'll never know.

    I think the vast numbers of people playing Fight Night Round 3 used sticks, because that's how the game is clearly designed to be played and that's the default set up. I think you're in the minority. Regardless, it's not about 'celebrating' that they've dropped buttons, it's about saying they've decided that in order to make the game better that's what they're going to do, and it's completely up to them to make the best game possible. They're in the position to make those decisions.

    There are some times when we as gamers or commentators can make noise about things devs are doing, but short of them completely botching all the control in the game, this isn't really a situation that demands it. I could be someone who used the buttons like you and I would not care less that they were changing the controls in their new game.

    If you want to get uppity about something, like others have said earlier, get uppity about the Mike Tyson thing which *is* an issue.
    Edited by 1 at 13/05/09 @ 23:53

  • bad09 #69 3 years ago

    Harmonica it doesn't matter that it was the defaulf method in 3 or that the Devs intended you to play with sticks.

    Fact is in FN3 many preffered the buttons, I don't buy most played with sticks anyway. I never played a single person who used the sticks on FN, and a lot of people here said they use buttons, and you have the "carebears" here moaning about "button mashers" out there in online land.

    EA in their wisdom decided to ignore those people and choose sticks, good luck to 'em. Like I said if they turn people off don't blame people when they say "no thanks, I'll pass".

    You like the stick many don't. You still get a sequel to the game YOU enjoyed playing we don't.

    Anyway I'm gonna stop talking about this, it my biggest gaming disappointment of the year like I said in an earlier post this is heartbreaking because I was so looking forward to FN4 (and before you say it no I will not buy it anyway I didn't enjoy the stick control so won't waste my money). May pick up 3 again today to cheer me up though...

  • Harmonica #70 3 years ago

    Don't be a fool, play the demo, keep an open mind. I'll spare no tears for anyone who won't play a game just because they changed the controls. If you like the game series enough, you'll adapt, if not, then there will still be plenty of people playing FNR 3.

  • minimong #71 3 years ago

    Ashen-Shugar
    stop sounding like a fucking cock flapper, if you don't like using the sticks then don't get the fucking game.I on the other hand love the stick control after playing the demo and unlike you, you whining tit head, will be investing in this game.

  • dgamlin #72 3 years ago

    I've now tried playing both FN3 and the demo of FN4 with sticks only and still find that I cannot throw the type of punch I need at the split second I need it. With the buttons it was easy: press the correct button(s) and you get the desired punch. The buttons took minutes to master and were simple and natural to use. With the sticks, if you don't get the movement just right, you throw the wrong type of punch. It's turned a boxing game into a wrestling (with controls) game ;) The reason people are so passionate about this matter is because we loved FN3 and were hoping for an improved FN4, but for us button punchers, we have been denied this. The new FN4 button controls, from memory, are only push, illegal move, signature punch and showboating - nothing that couldn't be put on the right stick or dpad. Couldn't they have kept the old button controls and given the option of these 2 control systems? Other forums complain that button mashers have advantages over stick players when playing online: all that needs is an option to play against "like" controls, if this truely is the case. Come on EA, read the complaints and add the option before release or in a post-release game update. It could increase sales...massively.
    Edited by 1 at 27/05/09 @ 23:47

  • EllenD #73 3 years ago

    I just ordered this game for 35 euros!.

    I can't wait to play it, as I've played FNR3 for months when it just came out, and I still pick it up sometimes when I'm bored :)