News Post

Fight Night Round 4: What's Hot and What's Not

03:29 PM - May 29, 2009 by ChaseB

The demo for Fight Night Round 4 is available now for Xbox Live Gold members. It features Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton in a three-round bout in a rematch of their May 2 fight. The demo also includes a tutorial mode to get you up to speed on some of the new gameplay mechanics. While it’s hard to judge a game that isn’t released until the end of June, the developers did get at least one thing right: Manny Pacquiao still has a mean left hook.

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Game: Fight Night Round 4Reader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 38 - View All

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Member Comments

# 1 Stroehms @ 05/29/09 03:47 PM

Stupid Demo freezes everytime I try to play it

I loved FNR3, I just want to play! Ah!

# 2 TreyIM2 @ 05/29/09 04:01 PM

stroehmerbasebal - Dunno why yours does that or what system u have it on but try uninstalling then reinstalling it. I have it on my PS3 and there are no issues with freezing...

# 3 SuperKyle @ 05/29/09 04:34 PM

What's not: Buttons
I have a very difficult time having any success using the right stick to throw punches consistently. I have used buttons in FN1-3, and am disappointed to learn that this alternate control scheme isn't being included in FN4. I never play online, either, so I'm not a cheeser.
I'm just disappointed that I can't hit A+X to throw an uppercut this year

# 4 ProudMarineDad @ 05/29/09 04:52 PM

I agree with SuperKyle above about the right stick. Has anyone heard anything about the rumored patch to put the button mashing back in the game after the release of the game? Probably will be a deal breaker if they don't.

# 5 Ijeswannaknow @ 05/29/09 04:54 PM

FNR4 sucks this time around....NO BUTTON PUNCHING!!!!! I played the demo like 20 times in a row...I wanna throw a jab I end up throwing body shots...getting pounded by the CPU on easy,... imagine on harder difficulty...I wont last the first round....Never really used the right for all puches on for Haymkers in the past....EA lost that $60...so that will go 2 Maaden 10...

I jes wanna know...singin out!!!

# 6 Sundropjunkie @ 05/29/09 05:24 PM

I am glad that the buttons are going to be out this time around! I have fnr 3 and all people do online is either "haymaker the crap outta you" or just hook you to death. me personally i cant wait for the game. i don't have a hard drive so i cant dl the demo otherwise i would and i would be playing that demo until the release gets here...lol but i guess i'll just have to settle for fnr 3 for now

Xbox gamertag = sundropjunkie

# 7 Sundropjunkie @ 05/29/09 06:02 PM

Well whatever the xbox arcade came with. some little tid bit of memory heck i bought for 199 lol but yea i have a little if that helps surely not enough to dl fnr 4 thats for dang sure!!! hope that helps man

# 8 nickelplaydit @ 05/29/09 06:13 PM

eh..this game will be one of the top sports game year...purely challenging and way more realistic.....it time for dudes to lift their game up...

# 9 cepwin @ 05/29/09 06:27 PM

I enjoyed the demo a lot. As a comparison I picked up a copy of FN3. My impression is the TPC is *much* more responsive in 4 compared with 3. I'm also glad they got rid of the parry system from 3 which seemed clumsy to me. I plan to play both FN4 and UFC undisputed. They're both excellect games with different characteristics.

# 10 DubTrey1 @ 05/29/09 07:49 PM

I wish the button config was still in - Me personally did not play the last FN online but perhaps 3 or 4 times.... And this one, I know for sure I would not and would like to have at least had the option of playing with the button config offline. I thought maybe EA could allow certain play rooms to be config type rooms to where you got rooms with stick skills and others that are "arcade" button mashers only. At least it would allow a preference to be made by the hardcore guys who play this online...

# 11 TreyIM2 @ 05/29/09 08:18 PM

Well, I've always used the right joystick since it was introduced even if it can be a bit daunting at times. I would never go back to buttons, personally. I never bought FN3 for my PS3 cuz I had the PS2 version since release and I have not played that game in an extremely long time so when I got the FN4 demo earlier this month, it took me a minute to get my right stick discipline's back. Honestly, in the 30-40 or so times of playing the demo using Pac-Man, only, I've only lost once and that was because Hatton actually caught me in the first round with a good one that floored me and I was still getting used to the game, again. Sooner or later, I'm gunna switch to Hatton and see if I can beat Pac-Man down like I do to Hatton.

# 12 Sausage @ 05/29/09 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperKyle


	What's not: Buttons I have a very difficult time having any success using the right stick to throw punches consistently. I have used buttons in FN1-3, and am disappointed to learn that this alternate control scheme isn't being included in FN4. I never play online, either, so I'm not a cheeser. I'm just disappointed that I can't hit A+X to throw an uppercut this year

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProudMarineDad


	I agree with SuperKyle above about the right stick. Has anyone heard anything about the rumored patch to put the button mashing back in the game after the release of the game? Probably will be a deal breaker if they don't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ijeswannaknow


	FNR4 sucks this time around....NO BUTTON PUNCHING!!!!! I played the demo like 20 times in a row...I wanna throw a jab I end up throwing body shots...getting pounded by the CPU on easy,... imagine on harder difficulty...I wont last the first round....Never really used the right for all puches on for Haymkers in the past....EA lost that $60...so that will go 2 Maaden 10... I jes wanna know...singin out!!!

Guys take the first step and accept the fact we can't use the buttons. Do the tutorial several times and take your time. During your first few matches just working on throwing 1 to 2 punch combos, and most importantly don't go nuts on the sticks.

Right now you all are probably trying to go punch for punch, instead take your time. I guarantee you will find that it works just fine. I was in your camp and thought I would never get a hang of it, but it is possible. Trust me.

Good luck and accept the change

# 13 statum71 @ 05/29/09 09:57 PM

I understand guys complaining about button use online. And thats fair. But some of us like to play offline and would like to have the option of button use.

I think its dumb for ANY game to go to analog only.

# 14 boritter @ 05/29/09 10:06 PM

I really enjoy the demo. The more I play with TPC the more intuitive it seems.

My biggest concern thus far is it seems like when you stun your opponent it gives them a second to back away from you. It seems like the person who is dazed and confused gets a break due to this.

# 15 dannydufflebags @ 05/29/09 10:35 PM

I think it takes much more skill to use the analog punch control. It is more of a challenge, and makes the game much more exciting. FN3 was one of my favorite 360 games to date, but I never touched it online because it is very hard to beat someone and have a good match when you are using TPC and they are using button mashing.
EA could have easily left it as is, but they had the vision to see this, and took it out. Double thumbs up from me, and I will have this at release.

# 16 tutking @ 05/30/09 12:26 AM

stop complaining about the buttons option ya your used to it but its jus a new feature that makes the game more challenging. Thats why we play games right? for the challenge? All this talk about the TPC not being responsive is only by people that are used to the buttons doesnt that tell you something? the people that are used to the joystick have no complaints in that department. Im used to it and can throw punches where I want when I want the only hard one for me to throw is the haymaker cuz it takes time to wind up. I only have time to to wind it up wen my opponent is dazed. Isnt that the way it should be?

Take some time to try it out then say somethin about TPC.

Ya it sucks that they took out an option but it makes the game more challenging and realistic and they did allow for a learning curve cuz im not sure about the first fight night but i know rounds 2 and 3 had both options so u guys have had wat? 5 years to try and learn the controls?

People just dont like change especialy when it challenges them

# 17 boritter @ 05/30/09 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2k9


	EA needs to make the punches have more power & snap to them. When playing the demo I landed multiple clean uppercuts & hooks with Pacquiao only for them to take very little health or stamina from Hatton. That's not realistic. There should be a consequence when someone stands there & just throws punches non stop. Stamina should be dramatically lowered when someone is having a slugfest.

Good news. This is from EA's forum where they explain tweaks that were implemented post-demo:

1. Stamina. Stamina loss is a little higher and stamina regeneration is a little slower.

2. Punch connections. Landed punch collisions are cleaner and hit reactions have more intensity.

3. Cuts and Swelling. The onset is very fast in the demo. In the final version, depending on your susceptibility to damage you find that you might have several fights without incurring any significant damage - but then when it does happen, it really affects the way your fight plays out between rounds.

4. Punch Animations. Tweaks on many punches occurred after the demo was out the door to address performance/technique issues.

5. Gameplay Audio. The mix in the demo is not great and we know that. Lots of audio work was done in the final 6-7 weeks and it sounds much better.

6. Counter Punch Window. The counter window is roughly the same length, maybe a little shorter in the final version. But we tuned how often you can open it up. They don't happen as often overall.

7. AI Difficulty & Exploits. The final weeks were spent heavily invested in finding AI exploits like the hook spamming, body punch spamming, haymaker spamming, etc. It's tightened up quite a bit. Difficulty on the demo is pretty low, but we did that on purpose so people wouldn't get annihilated their first few fights.

8. Foot Speed & Locomotion. Little bit faster overall, but also behaves much better changing directions and maintaining distance to opponent when moving laterally.

9. HUD & Settings. There is an option to turn off HUD in final game. Options to change camera too. Gameplay sliders to adjust power, damage, speed and CPU behaviors.

10. Miscellaneous Hatton has his new tattoos. Shane Mosley's name is spelled correctly. As mentioned previously, several of the boxers overall ratings have been updated/balanced.

# 18 MRBDX @ 05/30/09 09:30 AM

Good looking out boritter! Good to know they tightened some of that stuff up.

# 19 Sundropjunkie @ 05/30/09 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka520


	No being able to use buttons is definately not hot.

Give it up all ready! sheesh!

just deal with it there are no BUTTONS!

just get the game and PRACTICE!!!!! is that so hard give it a shot dang thats what i'm gonna do and i haven't used the sticks ever i'm looking at this game very positive i mean crap look there isn't that barrier that stops fighters from getting close there is even a replay in the game for pete's sake the game is a ton better and no matter what i'm def getting this game so if yall button mashers don't then yall have nothing to worry about go play ufc then...there i'm done

# 20 Sundropjunkie @ 05/30/09 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomant94


	I Used To Be A Button masher, But After I Played The Demo, I'm TPC User Now. All U need Is Practice, I Got the hang of after playing the demo 2 times

Preach on brother cheese preach on!!!

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