Fight Night: Round 3 makes its PlayStation 3 debut with a graphics engine that allows players to gauge their rival’s health and energy simply by watching his dynamic facial expressions and body cues. The analog punch system from the 2005 version has returned with new punch types, each of which can shift a fight’s momentum if landed correctly. The haymaker punch is now harder to connect, but it is also more powerful. The new flash KO punch can overpower a boxer in one hit, putting him in the dangerous position of being knocked out, while the stun punch switches the default third-person view to a first-person perspective as players attempt to finish off their stunned opponent with a devastating blow. While these impact punches can change the course of a fight within a few seconds, they are considered high-risk swings that can leave a boxer vulnerable to counter moves.
The career mode from the series has undergone a few changes, to offer a more personal approach to a boxer’s legacy. Rivalries will now be created from key match-ups, flamboyant claims at press conferences, and clashes during weigh-ins, allowing players to square off against their heated rivals in multiple rematches for fame, money, and respect. Players are also free to re-create some of the sport’s greatest bouts with the included roster of legends from different eras and weight classes, whether it’s Ali versus Frasier, Leonard versus Hagler, or Gatti versus Ward. As an added bonus, the game features ESPN Classic footage of the real-life fights that helped shape the sport. All of the featured play modes from 2005’s game have made the transition to Round 3, although the create-a-boxer option now lets players choose from multiple styles in footwork, punching, and blocking for greater customization. Online support is also included, for head-to-head matches against players from around the world.
Controls
D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = camera relative movement
Right Analog Stick = total punch control
X Button = signature punch
Square Button = taunt
Circle Button = illegal blow
Triangle Button = clinch
R1 Button = parry, block
R2 Button = signature punch
L1 Button = lean, body punch
L2 Button = switch stance
Start Button = pause game ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide
