ROCKY
VIDEO
GAME REVIEW
GC, 2003
In
a game which needs you to drink 5 raw egg yolks before playing, Rocky
enters the squared cube as a solid heavyweight contender. Using the same
storyline and action that made everyone's heart jump, the game makes your
fingers pump into action. Using the “Italian Stallion,” Rocky
Balboa, you are able to fight in exhibition mode, movie mode, or sparring.
Before
you are even able to play the game, you are shown a cinematic montage
sequence, using clips from all five Rocky movies. Once this ends you are
motivated to create Rocky XVII. Once you get into the squared circle,
with your own entrance music, you’ll find the fluid motions of the
game and easy controls that are almost as simple as playing Ring King
with the 2 button nintendo controllers. Every button punches with the
exception of L, which blocks; and R, which is used as an uppercut when
you punch. In every round, you are able to see the damage that you have
accumulated and that you have dished out by seeing the blood fly off of
you. In between rounds, you are able to see the great detail put into
the beatings as your eyes puff up, blood is soaked into your skin, and
bruises appear on you face and torso. The only bad thing about this is
that your vision is not affected, even though your eye is swollen shut,
because you have a side view. In movie mode you have to fight your way
to the top, fighting actual characters from Rocky I to Rocky V.
These
characters include Rocky’s arch enemies Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang,
Ivan Drago, and Tommy Gunn. You are guided through every fight by Rocky’s
classic trainer Mickey, then Apollo Creed, and finally Apollo’s
trainer. With every fighter that you beat you unlock him and are able
to use him in exhibition mode. After every fight you are able to increase
your attributes with training that test your button pushing reflexes.
In training, you are able to increase your power with the punch mitt drills.
You can increase your punch speed with the speed bag, your stamina with
the jump rope, your determination with sit-ups, and your mobility with
punching the heavy bag or cowhide (Rocky I).
Throughout
the game, the appearance of Rocky changes to fit what he looks like in
the different movies (All of the five Rocky’s are unlocked in exhibition
mode as you use them). What gets your blood pumping in this mode are the
cinematic sequences that are animated, yet show an almost exact replica
of the movie series. Classic lines used through all the movies are used.
For example, Clubber Lang can be heard saying “You got your shot,
now give me mine.” Before you fight Clubber Lang, Mickey dies of
a heart attack and Apollo becomes your trainer. Before you fight Ivan
Drago, he kills Apollo in a match and Apollo’s trainer becomes yours.
You
are able to practice your skills and combos by going to sparring mode.
You can choose whether your sparring mate will take your blows, deliver blows to work on your blocking,
or fight altogether. This is good to do if you’re bored from exploring
the options menu of the game, meaning learn as you fight. Practice makes
perfect right? This is a video game, you don’t need to practice.
If
you’re going to make a motivational movie into a video game, Rocky
is the one. Could you imagine making Rudy into a game? Alright you must
play three years on the practice squad and convince your teammates to
let you play in the final two plays of the game. Sounds like a keeper.
The
outstanding montage sequences along with the good gameplay give Rocky
the victory, not by a first round knockout, but a unanimous decision.
In other words, this game gets an 8 out of 10.
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