Much improved graphic quality doesn't make up for this games inherent frustrations.
User Rating: 5 | Fight Night Champion X360
While Fight Night Champion gives us a compelling storyline, EA dropped the ball when it comes to gameplay. The story mode has you square off against several boxers with unique abilities, requiring you to adjust your strategy accordingly to win, just like real competitive boxing. The downside: tasks in these fights are too specific, killing realism. For example, one opponent is said to be good up close with tremendous hooks to the body. Naturally you should stay on the outside or at least avoid/block body shots. The game enforces the specific strategy you must use by making it so if the opponent clinches YOUR STAMINA IS IMMEDIATELY AND PERMANENTLY DRAINED. WHAT?! This makes no sense whatsoever, standing there getting hugged should in no way take away your precious stamina and ruin your chances in the fight. I half expected it was a match I was intended to lose (yes, that happens too) because he somehow poisoned me in the clinch. Just as frustrating is the Championship fight against Isaac Frost in which you must dance around and only avoid punches for two rounds, followed by three rounds in which you must land 75 body punches, then more rounds of avoiding and so on. Oh, and ANY PUNCHES YOU LAND OUTSIDE THE GIVEN TASK HAVE NO EFFECT while any single punch from Frost can put you on the canvas. To sum it up, I rented this game and for the first time ever, I'll be returning a game early.
