Facebreaker
Graphics 7
Sound 6
Gameplay 1

This game is really not worth it if you plan on playing the single player mode. Fights boil down to luck and button mashing more often than not. Multi-player is its sole redeeming feature, but even then it becomes boring quite fast. Definitely one to avoid.

Gameplay: Fast paced, but unfortunately not a lot of fun.

Graphics: The best part of the game.

Sound: Typical EA Trax

Summary 4.7 Average
Graphics 0
Sound 0
Gameplay 0
Summary rating from user's marks. You can set own marks for this article - just click on stars above and press "Accept".
Accept
Summary 0.0 Terrible

Facebreaker

Developer: EA Freestyle | Publisher: EA Sports BIG | Release Date: 2008 | Genre: Beat ‘Em Up / Arcade / Sport | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Amazon

Facebreaker is one of those games that taught me not to judge a book by its cover. I thought that it would offer the same goofy gameplay found in titles like Ready To Rumble Boxing but unfortunately it turned out to be nothing more than a glorified game of rock, paper, scissors. This game definitely had a lot of potential, but sadly it all falls flat tanks to the tedious gameplay.

While Facebreaker is a fast paced game with good visuals and a wacky assortment of characters it has very little to do with boxing. This is surprising as it was created by the same people responsible for the rather good Fight Night series. The idea is to pick your favourite character or create one from the rather comprehensive character creator before taking to the ring. Your goal is to score three knockouts to win the match or one facebreaker, which will end it in style.

The problem is that in order to execute a facebreaker you need to land ten consecutive punches without one being blocked or dodged. This might sound very easy on paper, but in reality, it borders on the impossible. In fact, without exploiting the enemy A.I it is almost impossible to land any blows. Everything you throw at them is blocked or countered while they effortlessly lay into you. This is very frustrating to say the least and I doubt if most players will have the patience to persist against such unfair odds. Simply put, this game is no fun to play on your own. With practice, you will be able to pull off all kinds of bonebreakers, groundbreakers, skybreakers and of course facebreakers but more than likely the only thing that players will break is their gamepads.

With only two punch buttons as well as one to throw, gameplay mostly consists of button mashing. You can charge your punches by holding down the button, which also doubles as a counter, but most fights are still more about luck and exploiting enemy patters than any real skill. While I really cannot recommend this game, if you must own it stick to the multi-player to save yourself a lot of grief.

It is really a pity that this game falls so short of expectations as it could have been really good. The visuals are great, although the flesh flashing ring girl is rather cringe worthy. There is a good assortment of characters and arenas, but the game modes are rather lacking. The “Brawl for it All” mode is the closest thing to a campaign, but boneheaded choices like sending you back to a previous opponent if you lose three times in a row sucks all the fun out of it. You know a game is bad if you see some Arcade machines in the background of a level and wish you could play with them instead!

*Review originally published 2008.

Related posts

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

While the game can be quite frustrating at times and there is still an over-abundance of cut-scenes, it also packs a great story and some gripping gameplay. It can also be very cheesy but that is to be expected for a Metal Gear Solid game. It requires patience but it is definitely worth it. Gameplay: It takes a while to get used to all the changes but it is worth it. Graphics: Very impressive. Sound: Quality voice acting and fitting music.

Arcana Heart

Arcana Heart

A 2D fighter with an all female cast places Arcana Heart in a somewhat niche genre but don't let that deter you. Beneath the cute visuals lies a good fighting game that should appeal to anime and fighting fans. The mixing and matching of Arcana and characters also set the game apart. Gameplay: Nothing groundbreaking, but still fun. Graphics: An interesting cast of characters. Sound: Better than I expected.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch

Ni no Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch

Ni No Kuni is one of those Japanese Role Playing Games that can make you fall in love with the genre all over again. A beautiful gameworld filled with imaginative creatures and the stellar animation of Studio Ghibli makes this a PS3 exclusive worth having. If you are not a fan of the genre this might just be the game that can draw you in. Gameplay: Japanese role playing at its finest. Graphics: Thoroughly great. Sound: A beautiful soundtrack and very good voice acting.

Leave a comment

three × two =