The not-so-sweet science.
by K. Michael Alexander
I wrote a post a few months ago lauding EA Sports for the default no-HUD direction in Fight Night Round 3. It was a prefect system, feedback was communicated by the animations and camera effects. I loved it and encouraged all games to do their best and follow this approach. It seemed like a real world example of one of my favorite quotes by French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint Exupéry. He said, “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Fight Night Round 3 had taken this to heart, the lack of HUD added more to the gameplay than the inclusion of a HUD ever could.
When I downloaded the demo for Fight Night Round 4 I was excited too see what else was added to the game, what else EA Sports had found to communicate as brilliantly as it’s predecessor. I have to say after trying the demo out I am left a little disappointed, the HUD is now defaulted to on. This new HUD is distracting. Instead of feeling like I am controlling a live fight, I am now left with meters describing a character’s Health, Stamina and Block. Reintroducing the HUD as a default option into a game that already communicates the information in other ways is adding unnecessary noise.
Boxing is just as much of a head game as it is game about speed, accuracy, timing, and power. Not knowing exactly where the other fighter stands or how much time is on the clock is as equally important as a fighters endurance. It no longer feels a true to boxing as Round 3 did, the head game is lost.
EA Sports did say that the HUD could be turned off, I am unsure if that turns off the HUD for both players in online matchups or if that switch is turning the HUD off for just yourself. Either way, it’s unfortunate to see extra noise reintroduced into such a ground breaking franchise.
Hit the jump if you want to see a video of the HUD in action.
Comments
I agree completely. Even aside from the graphical changes that annoy me (counter sparklies, etc.) the HUD is really annoying. You really do think less about which punches you are throwing and more about whether you should throw them or let your little bar fill up.
UFC: Undisputed 2009 actually has the meter (stamina only) turned off by default which is great. However, just like FNR4, the very fact that it CAN be turned on at all throws everything out of whack when it comes to online play.
Although you may have a more enjoyable experience playing without it, you will be at a disadvantage compared to someone who has their bar(s) turned on, because they have a constantly updating chart of YOUR characters status. Totally counterproductive to immersion in the game.