Rocky Legends

A sequel to the mildly popular Rocky that debuted back in November 2002 and followed the events of the movies, Rocky Legends looks like it followed Mick's advice and saved quite a bit for the sequel (although, don't count on Hulk Hogan showing up and wearing that sweet feathered capЕ damn, so cool... "I want you BalboaЕ").

Now being developed by Venom Games (no longer Rage Software who worked on the first game), Rocky Legends will build upon the decent foundation started by it's predecessor. One of the more interesting additions this time around will be to the career mode. Not only will you be able to play as Rocky in the game's story mode, but you will also be able to play as Ivan "I must break you" Drago, Clubber "I'm gonna give your manager a heart attack" Lang, and Apollo "C'mon suckaЕ" Creed. Each character will have a new story arc that serves as a prequel to the movies and then carries on right through them. Film clips and sound bytes will be edited in order to facilitate these new storylines and if you're a fan of these alternate characters or if you just want to see what happens if Ivan finished the job on Rocky, then this new element might intrigue you.

Another interesting aspect of the game is that every boxer you fight during the career mode has some relationship to the movies. The developers have stated that even if you hear a guy's name read in the movies or if you see a brief shot of him on TV, then you will see and fight him in the Rocky Legends career mode. To be ready for these challengers you can go through various training modes, much like in the first game. There will be the basic assortment of speed and strength training events, but each of the career boxers will have a special training routine as well. One example of this unique training would be Rocky chasing chickens around ala Rocky 2.

Rocky Legends will still control like a reasonably conventional boxing game. Some new punching functions will be mapped to some other face buttons, but the basic layout will remain the same from the original game. For the most part, this should be a good thing, as EA's use of the analog stick as a punching interface, while solid, is still in the embryonic stage. A good, old set-up on the buttons for different types of punches can be very effective, as games of the past have demonstrated. It also just seems to go with the feel of this game (and movies), as the action is a bit heavier and grittier, not quite as slick as today's boxing.

What will be slick is the game's graphics, seeing as the boxers and environments will get a huge upgrade. Not only will there be more venues and more boxers, but the boxers themselves will have twice the polygons of the original game and will now have blood and sweat fly off their faces as you land devastating punches.

Ah, but what else could you want from this gameЕ a free toaster, maybe? No, you want Xbox Live and Rocky Legends will deliver. Allowing for head-to-head bouts, leagues and scoreboards, you'll be feeling like Tommy "The Machine" Gunn in no time. Oh man, the comedic gold that will be battling someone on-line as Mr.TЕ yes, indeed. The only concern in this area could be latency issues, because much in the same way DOA: Ultimate will have a technical challenge, Rocky Legends will have to keep a steady connection in order to keep up with the constant punching, blocking, and taunting.