Facebreaker

Rating: T

Score: 5.0/10

Many gamers may not know this but boxing games that used fictional characters and unique gameplay usually failed to have any entertainment value. Only the games that used real characters seemed to have good gameplay. Is this game an exception, or does it use the same routine gamers have been forced to follow in the past. This game is available on all the seventh generation gaming systems: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3.

The controls consist of high punch, low punch, throw, and “Breaker” for your face buttons -ABXY or square, circle, triangle, and X, depending on your system. Obviously, with the Wii, you shake the Wii Remote in different directions for the same controls. On all systems, the left stick is used to move your characters. Once you build up a combo, your Breaker becomes more powerful. If you fill up your Breaker Meter, you can break your opponent’s face, and get their head as a trophy (a fake head, you don’t actually rip their head off). This technique wins you the game automatically (it’s kind of hard to fight someone if they have broken your face). The only way to avoid combos is by blocking or parrying. Breakers can hit past blocks and parries, though. Any normal punch is faster than a Breaker, so before your opponent uses one, you can quickly punch him or her a few times. If you’re getting all this, you’ll notice it’s like a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Fast Punches beat Breakers, Breakers beat Blocks, Blocks beat Fast Punches.

Once you get the controls down, you’re going to want a character that suits your style to complement your new skills. If you like one of the default character’s controls, but you don’t like the look of that character, you’re in luck! You can simply customize a character off the other character’s design. You can also download new characters off EA if you’re not artistic enough to imagine one. Some of the characters downloadable via EA are very interesting. Highlights include The Joker, Jackie Chan, Borat, and Mr. T.

Once you have your character ready, you’ll quickly find there’s nothing to do with that character.” Brawl For All” and normal quick boxing matches make up the entire list of activities you can do with that character. Good luck with Brawl For All, though. Even on the easiest difficulty, the A.I. (artificial intelligence) decides when it’s time for you to lose. You know it’s that time when the A.I. knocks you in a corner and gives you a repetitive beating until your inevitable K.O. There seems to be no way to avoid it. The A.I. appears to be always in control, which is a feeling no gamer likes. The best way to win is to find a sly way to do some quick damage and spam it. No strategy is ever guaranteed, though.

No game should ever be this punishing. On easier difficulties, veterans will be outdone by A.I., and normal gamers looking for a fun, challenging game will be pounded until they decide they have had enough, and shut the game off. Anybody looking for a challenge should stay away, and avoid the humiliation.