Rocky Preview - VGLN.com PS2 Previews

Check out our preview of "Rocky", Ubi Soft's take on the most famous of pugilist.

More than a huge box office success (at least the first four films), Rocky represented an american ideal. It represented our inner yearning to see the underdog succeed against the most adverse of circumstances. One might say that perhaps there is a sense of irony to be had in the release of a "Rocky" game. Most boxing games released on the console systems have been utter failures in terms of sales excluding the Knockout Kings series from EA and Mike Tyson's Punchout from the original NES. Perhaps, the underdog can succeed not only at the box office but perhaps on the gaming consoles as well, where so many have failed.

Although not much is known about the game, the sparse press release of the game sent to us including more than a dozen high resolution screenshots. It's obvious that Rocky will probably rely heavily on some sort of career mode where you build Rocky up from a common toughman entrant into a pugilistic expert who challenges for the title. From the screens, it seems that the training will include mini-games, much like the Knockout Kings series, where you perform certain task which in turn, build up your fighters stats. One of the cameo moments included in the training part of the game is a mini-game that has you practicing combos on the side of a dead cow (Rocky 1). Bloody hand wraps not included.

Much of the big draw to this title is going to be the use of the "Rocky" license. In that arena, Rage Software has not failed. Expect to see many of your favorite fighters and villains from the movie including Rocky himself, Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago, Tommy Gunn, and Rocky's inspirational trainer, Mickey.

Ouch, Apollo takes one flush on the chin. Guess he didn't learn his lesson from Rocky 4.

Not much is known about the game's gameplay and its mechanics and fluidity, however here are some of the features that were listed in the press release sent to us.

-Fight your way through 20 different opponents to become the undisputed heavy weight champ

-Variety of single and multi-player game modes, including: Movie Mode, Knockout Tournament and Exhibition Bout.

-Real-life damage simulation includes bruises, blood, swelling and boxers’ sweat glistening in the lights as the action heats up.

-Training modes to enhance your boxer’s skill and stamina.

-Superb free-flowing motion captured animation using real-life boxers.

-Wide range of punches available from attacking hooks, jabs and uppercuts to defensive blocks, ducks and weaves.

-Varied fight locations from rundown gyms to the world’s best-known arenas.

On the whole, there isn't much more a Rocky fan could ask for; characters from the movie, a variety of gameplay options, and a seemingly solid graphics engine. It's looking to be a sure hit if Rage can put all the pieces together. However not much will be known until Ubi Soft throws us more than a bone, and this dog will be patiently waiting.

--- Jolex Del Pilar, #1 Contender

Screenshots