Game - Rocky Legends (XBox)
 Rufus  rates it:    Community rates it:
   154 of 300 readers found this review helpful.

No matter how manly and tough a guy is he has cried at the end of a Rocky movie. Just admit it! I once saw an ex-Hell’s Angel break down like a little girl getting a stain on her new summer dress. Okay, so maybe I did not see it personally, but I’ve heard stories. If the movie has that effect on all men, then this game will have that same effect on some. Rocky lovers this is the game for you. Rocky Legends is about as close as one would want to fighting Mr. T in a ring.

Game modes- There are many game modes in Rocky Legends. The main one is career mode. Here you can choose from Rocky Balboa starting his career in the back alleys of Philly, or Apollo Creed fighting his first fight against an ex-champ, Clubber Lane starting out in the prison boxing league, or even Ivan Drago. Fighting through the career mode of Rocky Balboa takes you up the ranks to Apollo Creed from Rocky I, all the way to Tommy Gunn in the back of the bar from Rocky V. This all ties into the movie footage ending that will make anyone want to rush out and buy the DVD collection. There is also Survival Mode, Training Mode, and of course two player mode.

Gameplay/Graphics- This is not a sim like Fight Night 2004, nor a straight arcade game like Ready to Rumble. This is a nice mix of both. There is strategy in this game, and not just button mashing. Your fighter has a stamina meter. The more you swing, the lower your meter will go. This means that when out of stamina your punches are slower, weaker and you can be easily knocked out. This is a great touch, forcing the player to debate whether to go in for the kill, or fall back and stick and move till the meter refills. The controls are easy to use and to get the hang of each punch. The one aspect of the controls that I still have trouble with is the super punch. I have read the booklet over, and over and dammit, I still only get it accidentally.

The graphics in this game are not anything special. This does not mean they are poor, but just average. Does this deter the player from enjoying the game; absolutely not. Each character is a cartoony version of the actor’s movie-selves, and do resemble them accurately. The arenas are nicely done, with little things scattered in the background. At some lower ranked matches, when Rocky Balboa was pummeling an opponent glass beer bottles would be thrown into the arena as people booed the fight. The crowd will in fact turn on you, if the match is no good. Another great added bonus is the knockout replay. With the score of “Flying High Now”, swelling in the background, you see your opponent from different angles taking your final hits. This is a very nice touch, seeing in slow motion the saliva fly from the beaten face of your opponent as your right hook connects.

Unlockables- Now this is where this game would be worth $50.00. Do you like the Rocky movies? How bout unlocking all five original theatrical movie trailer? You can here. Want more fighters to unlock? Is 40 enough? How bout venues? There’s 13. I liked what Rocky looked like in Rocky IV, over Rocky I. No worries there are different Rockys to unlock. All of these things are here to get, and much more. They just cost money. In career mode you get paid after each fight. The purse depends on how high the opponent is ranked, and also how well you do in the fight. Take your saved money, and unlock whatever you like. One thing that I have always loved about the movies was the music. Every time I hear the Rocky theme I feel like shaving my head, working out, and beating the hell out of the closest person to me. (Sorry honey, it was the song, I swear.) This game even has a Rocky Jukebox. Flip through the jukebox and play your favorite song from the films, and this game, in its entirety. (No Eye of the Tiger though. Why!!!!!!!!!!)

Overall this game is a fan’s dream come true, and here is the topper…. You ready……. Here it comes….. It’s all only $20.00. This is considered a budget game, so brand new costs only $20.00. Sure there is no X-Box Live option, but it is only $20.00. If all the unlockables, game modes, and bells and whistles that this game has to offer, is what I can expect from future budget games, than we are all in for a treat. I’m living in America, Flying High Now, and I got the Eye of the Tiger when I play this game. Move your mouse over to the link, and buy this game. (Honey, put an ice pack on that. Again it was the game. Love you. It’s hardly noticeable)

4.5 out of 5 cans

Added:  Saturday, April 09, 2005

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