FaceBreaker (Xbox 360) PEGI 12+ Sport: Boxing Expertly Refurbished Product

Title: FaceBreaker Format: Xbox 360 / DVD No. of Players: 1-2 Publisher: Electronic Arts UK Release Date: 05 Sep 2008 Camera: First-person / Third-person Developer: EA Vancouver

From the same folks that brought us the much-admired Fight Night Round 3 comes a boxing game that takes itself a little less seriously in the (mis) shape of FaceBreaker. It's a ludicrously violent game, but it's all done in such a cartoon-ish way that surely no one could possibly be offended, could they? The spirit of the arcade boxing game lives on in this 'one-two' of a title from Electronic Arts' new Freestyle sub-label, surely with a view to lure in non-boxing fans. Brief exposure to FaceBreaker should do the trick. It looks like a lot of fun, and whaddya know? It is! As we mentioned, the game doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's reflected in the minimal number of options and modes. Win conditions consist of the three knockdowns rule, who suffers least damage after three rounds, Sudden Death and FaceBreaker, in which you get to keep the head of your opponent if you are victorious. Lovely! There are plenty of amusing characters to choose from with their own strengths, weaknesses, unusual behaviour and signature moves. All in all, FaceBreaker provides a lot of laughs while giving you something to get your teeth into AND that essential 'one more go' feeling. It's a knockout!