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For a person who grew up with "Mike Tyson's Punch Out!!" I was ecstatic when I heard that EA Freestyle was releasing an 'over-the-top' boxing game entitled "FaceBreaker". Using the same premise of creating a boxing game with outlandish characters, each with their own personalities and styles, EA hopes to capture the interest of many whom enjoyed being bullied by Soda Popinski or Mr.Sandman. While FaceBreaker connects with some of it's creative punches, it whiffs or falls flat with others. Utilizing a very stylized cartoon graphic set, each opponent has a unique look that will have you reminiscing of Ready 2 Rumble. Not only that, but each venue is both visually and audibly appealing. The Trailer Park for instance, features the melodious sounds of baby's crying while you're pummeling or being pummeled in the squared circle. Another area FaceBreaker excels in is the boxer creation mode. Using either the Playstation Eye, Xbox Vision camera or even uploading personal photos to EASportsWorld.com, you can create boxers that resemble yourself, friends or even celebrities - which can all be shared online. Unfortunately, once you get past the wonderful visuals and creation tools, FaceBreaker's simplistic gameplay may leave you wanting more. While the game is advertised under the guise of a boxing game, it's more accurate to describe it as a fighting game. Against the CPU, the game degrades into a button mashing free-for-all, with the CPU usually coming out on top, depending on which difficulty level you chose. Two buttons control head or body shots, and holding one of them down executes a hook. You have zero control over which hand you want to throw. While there is a small degree of strategy in blocking and parrying, the gameplay is so manic your best strategy is to simply let the buttons fly. If you manage to string together a series of punches a meter will fill allowing you to execute a haymaker. If you land one of these overpowering punches, your opponent will be sent to the canvas at which point the game gives you the option to break his or her face. As the title advertised, you will be rewarded with watching your opponents face being demolished in cartoonish fashion. Speaking of breaking faces, damage is real time so you'll see busted lips, eyes and brows over the course of a bout. Where frustration might set in for anyone who picks this title up is how, at times, the CPU seems to transform into an indestructible force. No matter what amount of punches, parry's or blocks you throw, as Ivan Drago once said, 'You will lose'. That's why this game is probably more appealing as a multiplayer game where you and a friend can throw down in an attempt to break each others face. It's still going to degrade into a button-mashing brawl, but using the parry and block features you can salvage some semblance of ebb-and-flow from the game. There are different modes to keep your interest for a short time such as Brawl for it All, Quick Fight and Couch Royale. Brawl for it All has you work up the ladder defeating one opponent after another in hopes of collecting five championship belts. Couch Royale is a tournament style mode where Quick Fight explains itself. In conclusion, while the developers who were behind the creation of each of the colorful characters in the game deserve applause, one wishes the gameplay was just as deep. Those looking for an engaging exaggerated look at the sweet science will be disappointed. The frustrating CPU AI will have make you feel cheated and the overly simplistic controls and gameplay might have you wanting more. Where I see this game shining is in college dorm rooms where buddies can create themselves and then revel in smashing each others faces into hilarious contortions. Otherwise, it would be in your best interest to rent or wait for Fight Night Round 4 if you're thirst for boxing needs to be quenched. Overall: 6/10.
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