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Fight Night Round 4 Review

02:11 PM - June 29, 2009 by RaychelSnr

After a three-year hiatus, the champ is back to defend its throne. But during the long layoff, we’ve witnessed the returns of Afro Thunder and Little Mac, the rise of Wii Sports boxing, an appearance by Don King and the next-gen debut of Dana White and his UFC crew.

Sporting a new development team and a world of hype, Fight Night Round 4 retains the title and does it every bit as good as its predecessor. Read on to find out how.

-Review Written by Richard Chavez

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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

# 21 DLaren @ 06/30/09 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince


	Have you guys seen the Cabs out there? Some are so sick, no need for DLC. .

Really...I've downloaded 39 boxers from the online interface. From old-school guys like Jack Johnson, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, and Jack Dempsey, to new-school guys like Andre Berto, David Haye, and Aamir Khan...and everyone inbetween.

# 22 swiftychampleone @ 06/30/09 10:53 AM

I think it's a solid game. Once EA puts the DLC out for button configuration and it drops to $35 online, then I'll will buy it. Sorry but that TPC is inaccurate. When I throw a jab, I want a jab, not a cross.

# 23 allBthere @ 06/30/09 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince


	Have you guys seen the Cabs out there? Some are so sick, no need for DLC. And yes, this game is amazing...Made me completely forget about UFC.

UFC is a much better playing game in the octagon/ring imo. I like FN4 (I own it btw), but i'd give it a 7.5-8/10. The jabs and crosses should be more like in the ufc game where they are sharp and have pop.

I like the career mode and gameface, and will do a lot of offline w/ fn4. All of my online time will be with UFC.

I think camparisons are fair between the two games. They are both combat simulations - and if you like both sports equally as i do, I think the UFC did a better job of capturing the sport.

# 24 CBMerling @ 06/30/09 12:44 PM

Alright. Most reviews from what I have seen, bashed Legacy mode. Some of them have not, though. Plus not penalty for people disconnecting during bouts online.

I personally enjoy it.

Now comparing UFC: Undisputed and Fight Night Round 4. Just because Fight Night Round 4, is more difficult, I enjoy it more.

But playing online, I would give it to UFC: Undisputed. But either way, I am not comparing to two. They are both different sports. IMO, Fight Night Round 4 is more polished than UFC: Undisputed.

Though I enjoy both of them.

I would give Fight Night Round 4, around 8/10. Forward step from it's past releases.

# 25 Fiddy @ 06/30/09 01:42 PM

solid review, im always tempted to buy games like this after i read reviews like this. bah, maybe i will rent it..

# 26 NC State-31 UNC-27 @ 06/30/09 01:44 PM

what can you do with downloaded boxers? How many of them can you have at once?

# 27 Holt82 @ 06/30/09 03:27 PM

I've downloaded 30 boxers. I think you can download a lot. Got both Klitschko's, Mayweather, Holyfield, Trinidad and many of the other top names.

Had my first online match yesterday against my friend, he picked Foreman and I picked Wlad. He was seeing the obvious reach advantage I had because I kept jabbing him in his face.

I used that jab to keep him back since I'm aware of Foremans power on the inside.

Was a tactical match, I wanted to stay on the outside and jab constantly then go into the body and then move out.

I ended up winning on a KO I believe in the 5th round, hit him with a iron fist right hook to the head.

My friend ended up gassing Foreman out by the 5th round. He kept trying to go for the knockout and didn't have much in the tank cause he was talking about his stamina was so low and I told him his punches were ever so slow that I had no problem dodging them, that's when I went in for the kill and ended him.

Anyone who thinks FN3 is better then FN4 doesn't know boxing nor have they stepped into the ring. Depending on what fighter you have whether it's Ali and sticking to the outside and winning or Tyson on the inside and winning, you must use the boxers style to your advantage, his head movement, foot speed, punching power in different arms.

FN3 died fast on me but FN4 with it's punches not always hitting the same spot and slipping, bob and weaving and the reach of boxers mattering along with DLC and downloading peoples made boxers will make FN4 stay in my system for a long time.

For those that don't know, in the settings menu I think you can go to the training area and do I believe 5 training options, double end bag, punching bag, free sparring etc. This will help improve your boxing when you step online, practice, practice, practice.

# 28 Holt82 @ 06/30/09 03:36 PM

Also about the jabs and crosses. They are right. I don't want to hear about how the jab needs anymore power. I'll say it again, step in the boxing ring before you comment on jabs.

Jabs are not meant and never were meant to knock anyone out. They are your foundation for your other punches. They don't need anymore "pop" all it needs to be is quick which is what jabs are meant to be and I think FN4 nails that down.

And then people talking about how crosses are not KOing anyone. Well I've Ko'd people with crosses in this game so I haven't seen an issue with it.

And if you have issues with the TPC and you are throwing crosses instead of jabs, then there is something wrong with you or your controller.

Using the stick is the new way down the road, it's called "change". It's innovative instead of just having to "press" buttons.

As for comparing UFC Undisputed 09 to FN4. They are two different sports obviously but I feel FN4 is more polished overall.

# 29 Rawdeal28 @ 06/30/09 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holt82


	I've downloaded 30 boxers. I think you can download a lot. Got both Klitschko's, Mayweather, Holyfield, Trinidad and many of the other top names. Had my first online match yesterday against my friend, he picked Foreman and I picked Wlad. He was seeing the obvious reach advantage I had because I kept jabbing him in his face. I used that jab to keep him back since I'm aware of Foremans power on the inside. Was a tactical match, I wanted to stay on the outside and jab constantly then go into the body and then move out. I ended up winning on a KO I believe in the 5th round, hit him with a iron fist right hook to the head. My friend ended up gassing Foreman out by the 5th round. He kept trying to go for the knockout and didn't have much in the tank cause he was talking about his stamina was so low and I told him his punches were ever so slow that I had no problem dodging them, that's when I went in for the kill and ended him. Anyone who thinks FN3 is better then FN4 doesn't know boxing nor have they stepped into the ring. Depending on what fighter you have whether it's Ali and sticking to the outside and winning or Tyson on the inside and winning, you must use the boxers style to your advantage, his head movement, foot speed, punching power in different arms. FN3 died fast on me but FN4 with it's punches not always hitting the same spot and slipping, bob and weaving and the reach of boxers mattering along with DLC and downloading peoples made boxers will make FN4 stay in my system for a long time. For those that don't know, in the settings menu I think you can go to the training area and do I believe 5 training options, double end bag, punching bag, free sparring etc. This will help improve your boxing when you step online, practice, practice, practice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holt82


	Also about the jabs and crosses. They are right. I don't want to hear about how the jab needs anymore power. I'll say it again, step in the boxing ring before you comment on jabs. Jabs are not meant and never were meant to knock anyone out. They are your foundation for your other punches. They don't need anymore "pop" all it needs to be is quick which is what jabs are meant to be and I think FN4 nails that down. And then people talking about how crosses are not KOing anyone. Well I've Ko'd people with crosses in this game so I haven't seen an issue with it. And if you have issues with the TPC and you are throwing crosses instead of jabs, then there is something wrong with you or your controller. Using the stick is the new way down the road, it's called "change". It's innovative instead of just having to "press" buttons. As for comparing UFC Undisputed 09 to FN4. They are two different sports obviously but I feel FN4 is more polished overall.

my thoughts exactly.

# 30 BlackRome @ 06/30/09 05:48 PM

jusmegamer: It's basically how this site reviews games. They gave MLB the show a great score and online didn't work at the time. They gave NBA2k10 a great score and it may have been the worst version of 2k I have ever played. You have to take there reviews with a grain of salt.

Unfortunately you have enough fan boys to ditto whatever they say.
While your stuck with a 59.00 coaster.

I would also never take there reviews very seriously when it comes to the online portion of the game. They rush there reviews out before you can really tell how well the online version works.

Do what I do from now on. I won't buy a game without renting it first.

# 31 swiftychampleone @ 06/30/09 06:52 PM

Sorry Holt82, but I know what occured when I used the stick in the demo. Straight and simple, the TPC is inaccurate. I want to see someone perform the motion on the analog 50 times of a specific punch and see how often the incorrect punch is thrown.

Let's get the button in so gamers can have a choice in how they play.

# 32 Holt82 @ 06/30/09 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftychampleone


	Sorry Holt82, but I know what occured when I used the stick in the demo. Straight and simple, the TPC is inaccurate. I want to see someone perform the motion on the analog 50 times of a specific punch and see how often the incorrect punch is thrown. Let's get the button in so gamers can have a choice in how they play.

I'm sorry but I don't know what to tell you. At first I did think something was wrong with the stick when I wanted to throw a hook to the face it was going to the body till I went back into the training area and kept practicing and now I have no issue throwing any punches I want.

I'm not a fanboy of the Fight Night series as FN3 was out of my system quickly because it was the same old thing over and over, no difference at all really with the boxers in there, no such thing as reach and so forth.

The reason why they only allow people in FN4 to use TPC is because that's the way it's intended to be. That's the direction in my guess is where they would like to get the direction to go towards and to make people use the stick and get used to it.

And who knows what else they could use the buttons for by just using TPC? Using only TPC leaves the buttons open for more possibilities in the future so maybe that's why they had only gave us the stick because they may have plans to use the buttons for some other type of features for when you are in the ring, who knows? I can only speculate on that.

FN4 is the game that people who enjoy the sport of boxing can really appreciate.

You can feel the blood rushing through your veins as you're trying to keep Tyson out of crowding you and unleashing combos on your head. Or the lighting quick speed of Ali making you eat his punches for breakfast as his reach becomes a problem to deal with.

I remember there was talks awhile ago about how the Fight Night series might have been dropped all together, I'm just happy with what that team did with this game and what we have in our laps.

# 33 Complex @ 06/30/09 07:27 PM

Good Review. A 9 in my book as well.

# 34 DLaren @ 06/30/09 07:58 PM

Now that I've had a full-week of playing this game (got it early

), the A.I. alone makes this game an 8 in my eyes; add in the presentation, the physics, and the ability to share created boxers and this game gets a solid 9 in my book.

If they use DLC/patches to add more sliders, the ability to throw punches with the buttons, and clean up some of the random anomalies in the gameplay...this might be my sports-game of the year.

# 35 Mo_Magic @ 06/30/09 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holt82


	Also about the jabs and crosses. They are right. I don't want to hear about how the jab needs anymore power. I'll say it again, step in the boxing ring before you comment on jabs. Jabs are not meant and never were meant to knock anyone out. They are your foundation for your other punches. They don't need anymore "pop" all it needs to be is quick which is what jabs are meant to be and I think FN4 nails that down. And then people talking about how crosses are not KOing anyone. Well I've Ko'd people with crosses in this game so I haven't seen an issue with it. And if you have issues with the TPC and you are throwing crosses instead of jabs, then there is something wrong with you or your controller. Using the stick is the new way down the road, it's called "change". It's innovative instead of just having to "press" buttons.

Agree on everything, except:

Have you ever gotten hit with a jab that has stopping power? I fought a few guys my weight that could literally stop other fighters in their tracks with a jab. It's not something to be taken lightly honestly. If you think there aren't some jabs that are more than flicks, then you're kidding yourself. In fact, when I was boxing, my instructor encouraged me to jab a lot, but to make sure my jab had some sting on it so I could catch the opponent with the 2, or another punch to branch a combo off of.

Obviously, those jabs only belong to a certain number of fighters, but I think it's VERY safe to say that EVERY punch needs to be amped up in terms of power if this is supposed to be a sim.

And if not, at least give us the option to for offline play.

I think the jabs power in proportion to other punches are perfect... but on default the punches lack any sorta oomph, whatsoever.

I wanna see you walk into twenty straight jobs in rapid succession like my last opponent. It won't knock you out, sure, but it'll **** the rest of your match up if the person is serious about the punch.

Oh, btw,

;]

Anything is possible.

# 36 Holt82 @ 06/30/09 10:02 PM

No and I'm in the heavyweight division where I box.

You're bringing up rare times to try and justify jabs are suppose to be punches with KO power, they are not. That's why I said in my previous post that jabs are not meant to knock out anyone. Only a rare type of boxer would have the power to knock someone out with a jab punch.

But when we are not talking about those rare times, that jab is to be quick, straight and precise, that's it and nothing more to it.

They don't need to amp up the jab or the cross, they are fine as they are.

And I'll walk into 20 straight jabs in succession why because I know how to block while I get on the inside and they get their crap beat in with an uppercut straight to the jaw like they just got kicked there.

Now I don't know if you're talking about 20 jabs in real life or what but anyone imo who throws 20 jabs in rapid succession is an idiot.

# 37 Mo_Magic @ 06/30/09 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holt82


	No and I'm in the heavyweight division where I box. You're bringing up rare times to try and justify jabs are suppose to be punches with KO power, they are not. That's why I said in my previous post that jabs are not meant to knock out anyone. Only a rare type of boxer would have the power to knock someone out with a jab punch. But when we are not talking about those rare times, that jab is to be quick, straight and precise, that's it and nothing more to it. They don't need to amp up the jab or the cross, they are fine as they are. And I'll walk into 20 straight jabs in succession why because I know how to block while I get on the inside and they get their crap beat in with an uppercut straight to the jaw like they just got kicked there. Now I don't know if you're talking about 20 jabs in real life or what but anyone imo who throws 20 jabs in rapid succession is an idiot.

Duh. But in the game, it's perfectly viable if people are going to walk into it.

I never said a jab was supposed to have KO power, I simply stated some guys can throw a jab with some oomph. And saying otherwise is really, really not a good answer, because there are guys in the pro ranks that can throw a jab that hurts.

No punch is fine as is in this game. You can literally flurry twenty shots into an opponent and he won't be stunned. And that could be one big chain combo of uppercuts, crosses, and hooks.

I've had 12 punch flurries that the opposing fighter just laughed off. How many times do you see a boxer get hit with 5, LET ALONE 12, consecutive punches and remain standing as if nothing is wrong?

I can already give you the answer to that.

Lennox Lewis and George Foreman had crosses with actual viable power that could daze an opponent if used at the right time.

EVERY punch needs to be treated as is... a punch. Jab is snappy and weak as an overall punch because that's it's most effective use. That doesn't mean that there aren't fighters out there that can throw a jab hard or a cross hard. That also doesn't mean that having it do 1/2000th of the health bar is viable, either.

# 38 Holt82 @ 06/30/09 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo_Magic


	Duh. But in the game, it's perfectly viable if people are going to walk into it. I never said a jab was supposed to have KO power, I simply stated some guys can throw a jab with some oomph. And saying otherwise is really, really not a good answer, because there are guys in the pro ranks that can throw a jab that hurts. No punch is fine as is in this game. You can literally flurry twenty shots into an opponent and he won't be stunned. And that could be one big chain combo of uppercuts, crosses, and hooks. I've had 12 punch flurries that the opposing fighter just laughed off. How many times do you see a boxer get hit with 5, LET ALONE 12, consecutive punches and remain standing as if nothing is wrong? I can already give you the answer to that. Lennox Lewis and George Foreman had crosses with actual viable power that could daze an opponent if used at the right time. EVERY punch needs to be treated as is... a punch. Jab is snappy and weak as an overall punch because that's it's most effective use. That doesn't mean that there aren't fighters out there that can throw a jab hard or a cross hard. That also doesn't mean that having it do 1/2000th of the health bar is viable, either.

Ok but I was simply talking about the jab and how it's not an KO punch, nothing more than that.

I also don't know where some of the things being said in this game are happening. Maybe I have the luck of the draw.

# 39 Mo_Magic @ 06/30/09 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holt82


	Ok but I was simply talking about the jab and how it's not an KO punch, nothing more than that. I also don't know where some of the things being said in this game are happening. Maybe I have the luck of the draw.

And I completely agree with you. That shot that Morrison hit that dude with in that vid I posted is truly one in a trillion.

Jabs shouldn't have KO power. I never said they should. But the overall damage for all punches should go up a by a fair amount. bit.

I encourage you to take this game, turn it to default Champion with another controller and see how many uppercuts it takes in a row to knock an opponent down... or how many shots from a combo.

It's ridiculous.

# 40 Holt82 @ 06/30/09 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo_Magic


	And I completely agree with you. That shot that Morrison hit that dude with in that vid I posted is truly one in a trillion. Jabs shouldn't have KO power. I never said they should. But the overall damage for all punches should go up a by a fair amount. bit. I encourage you to take this game, turn it to default Champion with another controller and see how many uppercuts it takes in a row to knock an opponent down... or how many shots from a combo. It's ridiculous.

The uppercut thing I know what you're talking about and combo. Maybe the developers don't want the matches to end too quick? lol

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