If it's true that the styles of the individual boxers are what make certain fights better than others, Round 3 has obviously aimed to make each fight as memorable as possible. Each of the licensed fighters (over 30 are in the game) has his own distinct style, from the way they punch to the manner in which they throw blocks. This, of course, dictates their plusses or minuses accordingly, much more so than in the previous games in the series. One of the coolest new mechanics is the ability to change up your style to throw off your opponent's timing. You can switch over to southpaw for a few moments, batter your foe with a quick hook or two, then change back to finish him off.
No matter how well you switch up your styles, however, it's still easy to get caught by a well-timed hook or a haymaker. Many people were dismayed by the fact that a player could essentially throw haymakers all day, as getting hit by just one or two could quickly knock down your fighter. Well, you'll still be able to throw those powerful punches, although the developers hinted at the fact that the game should be much more balanced this time out, especially when you're playing online.
We all know that one punch can change the course of a fight, but it's never been more evident than it is in Round 3. The developers at EA Chicago have added some new "Impact Punches" that are even more devastating than the feared haymaker, although they are much more difficult to pull off. The first, called the Flash KO, will knock your opponent silly, causing him to stumble around a bit in a daze, allowing you to follow up with a few well-placed strikes. The Stun Punch, on the other hand, will cause the game to go into a first-person view, with the hit player being forced into a first-person view. He'll have to block and parry his opponent's punches, unless he doesn't mind taking a nap on the canvas.
