It is often natural to compare a sequel to the previous entry in the series in order to discuss its merits and shortcomings. In the case of Fight Night Round 4, the best comparison to be made is not towards its predecessor. Instead, the title with the most striking similarities seems to be another game of EA's, Skate. Skate introduced a new control scheme that completely revolutionized the skateboarding genre, resulting in an extremely fun and realistic skating sim. However, like Skate, the game around Fight Night Round 4's boxing mechanic is a bit weak, as the modes are skimpy and the methods of challenging the player still need tuning. The new Total Control system for punching that creates an excellent and intuitive boxing experience is coupled with a breathtaking presentation to make every moment spent in the ring a worthwhile one. Once you step out of the squared circle though, you'll notice a significant lack of refinement. Ultimately, the action in the ring is so well-accomplished that everything else fades so far into the background that it hardly seems to matter.

The attention to detail in every aspect of the visuals is staggering.

From the moment you step into the ring to the final bell you will experience some of the best boxing gameplay out there. The new Total Control punch system maps each punch type intuitively to the right analog stick, allowing you to easily unleash a bevy of combinations upon your opponents. The AI responds well to your strategies, and will try to get around your defense and work to its strengths as well. The only real flaw that exists in all of this is that the Total Control punch system is a little too sensitive. Occasionally this sensitivity will cause you to throw punches that you never really intended to unleash. For the most part, this is not that frustrating unless you are hit by a counter punch after an accidental attack. When you are finally brought down by your opponent, you will engage in one of the best models for reaching your feet in boxing games to date. The camera switches to a first person view, and, using the right stick to balance and the left to rise, your character will try to stand. This system just feels right, and it works flawlessly. The actual boxing in Fight Night Round 4 is a triumph that overcomes the shortcomings in other aspects of the game.

The problems with Fight Night Round 4's gameplay really come to fruition once you start doing almost anything that isn't boxing. While your time in the ring is a memorable experience, most of what the game has to offer outside of it is not particularly elaborate. Case in point is Legacy Mode, which is where you are likely to spend most of your time. Your boxer's legacy begins when you either choose a fighter from the game's very large cast of professionals, or instead create your own. Not only does the game give you a plethora of design options, but you also can upload a picture of yourself through the Electronic Arts website and have the game generate a likeness of you. This has led to users creating unique fighters that you can download in order to expand the game's default roster. The sad part is that creating your fighter is the high point of legacy mode.

The rest of your time building a career centers on your calendar, where you will set up fights and work to train your fighter. Overall, the training mini-games are very disappointing: most are overly difficult, and none of them do anything to expand or diversify the gameplay. Instead of being able to do something different every now and then, you are simply performing the exact same boxing actions, this time against a bag instead of an opponent. The six training modes all get dull fast, and their monotony is heightened when you realize that your character is progressing at a snail's pace due to the challenging modes. When the entirety of the strategy in Legacy Mode comes down to scheduling a fight and training in a balanced way, it becomes clear that the mode is lacking in depth and polish. The very concept of legacy, however, is still intact, and the idea of taking on a nobody and turning him into a champion is fulfilling. The mode is not a total loss.

You start your legacy as a lowly amateur fighting with headgear in a dilapidated gym, but the ambition to rise is hurt by frustrating training mini-games.

While the single player modes are a bit disappointing, the multiplayer stands out as a solid aspect of the game. You can fight a single bout against an opponent, or you can enter the online world championship where Fight Night players are ranked and sorted into weight classes to compete against each other for the top ranking. Both online modes are fun, and provide very good reasons to enter the ring, but they are not perfect. All too often fights will become affairs of button mashing, as human fighters have the ability to throw a great number of punches without becoming overly fatigued. And, while there is also a low penalty for individuals who exit fights early, they do not overcome the simple thrill offered by the game's excellent fight engine.

This thrill is then enhanced greatly by some amazing presentation values. The models of fighters are absolutely stunning: muscles ripple, sweat beads, and movement is seamless and physically realistic. The audio is similarly well done. The commentary is accomplished, and only falls behind on rare occasions. There will also be moments when a comment will be made that makes little sense based on the time of the fight, but for the most part, the punch by punch commentary is right on. The overall package of Fight Night's presentation is stellar, and sets this game apart as one of the best visual offerings in the genre to date.

Fight Night Round 4 is obviously a game that was developed with a focus on the action between the ropes. The boxing is excellent, and provides an adrenaline rush that can be appreciated even by those who have almost no interest in the sport. It is disappointing that the legacy mode is shallow, because single player enthusiasts will likely spend most of their time there. That said, the superficial nature of Fight Night's single player game modes is overshadowed by excellent presentation values, great multiplayer, and absolutely stellar boxing.