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Final Blow |
Copyright/Publisher: STORM/The Sales Curve, Coding By: "Krusha Kev"
Mcintosh,
Graphics by; Shaun McClure, Music/Sound FX: Martin Walker,
Release Year: 1990, Genre: Boxing, Number Of Players: 1 or 2
Oh no, not again! Another beat-'em-up fiasco you can complete on your first
attempt. A better title for the game would be 'Single Blow' because that's all
you need to defeat all the other boxers.
Just wdege your joystick in the 'UP' position and hold down the fire
button: you'll see your opponent drive you onto the ropes, then consistently
walk into your right jab! This process is repeated until he's 'knocked
down' - a stricken fighter never actually falls but crouches in agony
while taking a standing count.
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Ringisde seat |
The acion is viewed from the side, and it very two-dimensional - you can't walk
past your opponent, nor can you move in any direction other then left and right.
The huge fighters are well drawn with nice shading and great attention to detail.
It's strange how they look identical when in the ring, though - even if his
mugshot's white, by the time he reaches his corner he's developed a very deep
suntan!
The animation of the upper body is excellent for the various punches, but the
legs are hardly animated at all. The fighters seem to be sliding around
on an ice rink rather than walking!
Various game options are on offer, such as length and number of rounds, fighting a
human opponent and a practice mode where you fight one opponent at a time instead
of running through the entire league of boxers - but when the game's this
easy, you don't need it!
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Low Blow |
Intelligent boxing? Don't make me laugh! There are several punches and defensive
moves on offer, but you never need them. After your opponent is hit, he slides
back faster than you can walk, so following up your attack is impossible.
Also, shifting from movement to attack is so sluggish, it's best not to move
at all - just stand still and fight off the ropes, Joe Bugner-style. This
completely ruins the two-player option, as neither player wants to risk coming
forward, so you end up hardly fighting at all.
Final Blow and the Commodore 64 is a mismatch even worse than the Frank Bruno/
John Emmen fiasco. It could have been a contender, it's certainly well presented,
features impressive, well-animted sprites and a detailed ring backdrop with crowd.
The incidental tune is also fairly impressive, and thudding sound FX add a lot
to the atmosphere.
What a shame it wasn't better playtested, as that old beat-'em-up killer, the
'repetitive move syndrome' results in a first-round knockout, and for once even
the two-player mode is dull. Seconds out...look elsewhere!
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I'm none too hot when it comes to boxing games, basically because I'n not rough
and tough enough! Too nice for my own good, that's me! However, Final Blow is
incredibly easy. What was the point of including a practice mode? Even I didn't
need it! Sometimes, I just left my joystick in one position, kept pressing fire
and won! Well, I think I won, my opponent didn't fall on the canvas when I knocked
him out!
Graphically, the top half of the sprites are well animted, but someone didn't
bother to pay attention from the waist down, and why is it that both fighters look
almost identical? The overall look of the playing screen is dark but atmospheric
with a real smoky look. Sound is nothing outstanding though: an average title tune
and puny thwack effects! If only it was more difficult this could have given WWF
a run for its money. As it is, gameplay doesn't match graphics!
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