There are also new dodge moves performed by rotating in semi-circles (down and to the right or left or up and to the right or left) that let you get in close to the other fighter while dodging their punches.

Hooks, uppercuts, jabs and straights are the same, but body punches can now be pulled off by simply flicking either right or left on the right stick. Everything else is comparable to what you remember. It's not quite as immersive as emulating your boxer's arm motion on the controller, but it does achieve the goal of de-emphasizing the importance of the massive power punch. Instead you'll now simply hold down on one of the right shoulder buttons and throw a standard hook. You no longer pull back on the right stick and throw it forward. For starters, everyone's favorite move - the haymaker - has seen the biggest change from FNR3. The real question is if these mechanics are as fun as what we remember from Round 3. I'm not sure if inaccessible is the right word, but there could be a lengthier introduction to the intricacies – things like the counter system and how to utilize your fighter's style.

FNR4 begins with a helpful tutorial that gets you acquainted with the new moves, but things will still be a little rough in the early goings if you've never picked up Fight Night before. When you first hop in the ring to trade blows with an opponent you'll notice that there are new controls governing the action. There are a few moments when punches that don't appear to make contact still register as a hit, but these moments are few and far between and don't overly hurt the experience. Everything in the ring is driven by the new physics engine and it's very nearly flawless. Punches land with thunderous sound effects and cuts and bruising are soon to follow. Punches fly at an alarming rate, boxers move around the ring while cascading light from flash bulbs streaks across their bodies. Once you're in the ring it's an experience that no other game can provide and it is, in a word, fantastic. I'll first provide a short-and-sweet answer to the question above: Fight Night Round 4 delivers the best pure boxing ever seen in a videogame. So does Fight Night Round 4 live up to expectations or does it take one on the chin and fall face-first to the mat? Read on for the answer. They've made changes to the career mode, they've changed the control mechanics, and they've reshaped every move in the game by doubling its speed and adding an all-new physics system. Now EA Canada is taking the reins from the defunct EA Chicago and they're taking plenty of chances with the already-established formula. Fight Night Round 3 was many people's first look at refined HD graphics and what that can bring to a living room gaming experience. Sequels are always under a considerable amount of pressure to live up to the accolades of their predecessor, but Fight Night Round 4 has the unenviable task of improving on a title that helped shape this generation of gaming.

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