The Fight Night franchise has been the main (and really the only) franchise in videogame boxing for years now. The game has had its ups and downs but recreated itself with it’s last iteration Fight Night Round 3 for the PS3 and XBOX360.  That game was a major step up for EA with this franchise and they’ve stepped it up again with Fight Night Round 4. After a 3 year hiatus Fight Night makes its glorious return.

First off, to say anything other than that Fight Night Round 4 looks amazing would be an understatement. The graphics are amazing – the environments look extremely detailed, the lighting flashes off the players so accurately utilizing a new self shadowing technology. Meanwhile the facial animations are done so precisely that it shows the skin bruise up before the actual cut appears even during game-play. The muscle definition looks just plain incredible with the impact of every punch being felt, through out the fight added sweat effects are replicated  for every moment spent in the ring simulating a real boxing experience. From ring introductions to in game fighting. The game shows off a new physics system that makes every movement, punch, dodge and counter look ultra realistic.

Fight Night Round 4 play is smooth but does have a learning curve for those not used to playing with the analog sticks (and it does take some getting used to). The game features a few different game modes. Legacy Mode is the new name for career mode – you can go into this by either creating a new boxer, importing a boxer from fight night round 3 or using one of the 48 superstars included in the game. While in Legacy mode all your stats are tracked and you are awarded for your performance. The only drawback here was the training mode that was more tedious than fun. The game is a deep and rich game with intuitive controls. EA took three years to make this game and for the most part it shows.

The graphics looks totally amazing from the sweat to the body and muscle movement, it is all an amazing sight. Easily one of the best looking sports games ever. The game plays quite well – the new analog controls take a little getting used to but after you get the hang of it. The controls are very responsive and after getting to know them, you’ll enjoy knocking someone out that much more… trust me! My brief experience with online gameplay works extremely well with little to no lag.

Fight Night Round 4 has a very slick and simple to understand main menu. The in game fights are announced by the staff over at ESPN from their Friday nigh fight series. There is a decent musical selection but not rich enough for my taste (but to each his own). I personally would’ve liked more big name variety. That is probably my only complaint. Although I have my dejection’s about the lack of musical star power (and where’s the custom soundtrack support?), the game never the less sounds as authentic as can be you’ll feel like you’re in Madison Square Garden or Vegas. From the boxer intros to the in fight announcing the game sounds great.

Fight Night Round 4 is a fantastic game and easily the best “real” boxing game out there. I personally was not that big of fan of previous Fight Night games but this newest iteration is well worth its price tag. This game is a must buy.

Score: 86