Graphics and Sound
The graphics throughout Fight Night Round 3 are exemplary. Compared to the Xbox 360 version, the PS2 version obviously lacks some of the graphical gloss but, it was a good 30 seconds before I realised that the match had begun; I thought I was still watching the intro. This is the high-end of PS2 graphics.
The character models are extremely well detailed. The beads of sweat drip down your boxer’s face and muscles visibly tense with every punch.
Click for larger imageHit your opponent a few times and you can visibly see the anger and pain on his face. The damage is spookily accurate, keep dishing out those right hooks and watch his left eye swell and bleed. Hit him square in the jaw and you can hear the bones crunch. There's something quite satisfying about seeing your character inflict pain and damage. The first time I knocked someone out, I found myself standing up and cheering at the replay, this feeling stays with you throughout. The replays are stunning. When you knock your opponent out it shows you the punch that caused the damage in slow motion. You'll see their face screw up, the glove hit the jaw with frightening force, you hear a thunderous boom as contact is made, the boxer spurts blood out of his mouth and then falls to the floor like a rag doll.
Click for larger imageIt’s one of those moments that more and more games are now managing to achieve, the moment when you’ll be looking around for anyone within eye-shot to share the experience with you.
