EA have come out punching again for Round 2 with a game that improves on the fighting in the ring, as well as filling out the main single-player mode with more comprehensive options. Luckily these options serve only to keep the focus on the fighting instead of revamping the sport, which is rather odd for a game based on a sport that revels in overstatement.

Barring the ring entrances, Fight Night: Round 2 is almost devoid of the bling that factors into many of EA's recent games. Instead the combat in the ring takes centre-stage, and the developers have appropriately left this to stand for itself without the need for zany characters or changes to the core gameplay.

Part of the reason for this has to be that the fighting is so violent in its realism that tarting it up too much would lose the raw animalism present in the ring. Strong punches connect with force, staggering oppenents and leaving them showing the visual effects of a barrage of hits. The boxer's faces, both in the fight and during the time in the corner, display the punishment they are taking to a fantastic degree. Players can see, for instance, an eye closing up or starting to bleed during the round and can focus their efforts on inflicting more damage in that area.

It's not just the punching and the visuals that work exceedingly well; it's also the movement of the boxer's whole body. A lot of what wins boxing fights is countering and blocking the opponent's offense, and Fight Night: Round 2 does an excellent job in portraying this. Improvements in the blocking mechanism now allow the freedom in movement that we desired from last year's game.

Punching power has also been upgraded with the addition of the haymaker, a stronger hook or upper-cut that is harder to land but worth the effort, especially in a counter-punching situation. Control of these is done with the same analogue stick used to control the other punches, and the usefulness of this extra power is immeasurable after some practice.

The other major addition to the bouts is the cutman, a corner man facility that allows players to reduce swelling and the effects of cuts between bouts. Letting either of these get out of hand can sometimes cause the fight to be stopped. The cutman also allows players an opportunity to listen to the advice of the cornerman, which is worth listening to. Also worth listening to and much improved from last year's shout attack is the commentator. While still a little repetitive he is much more entertaining, and can provide pointers towards sloppy play.

The overall effect of the changes in the game is a more free flowing, competitive game. Players have more control over their fighter, and anything good or bad that happens in the ring is the result of the player's actions. At the higher ranks Fight Night is still quite a challenging game, but not cheaply so, and this only serves to increase the enjoyment and sense of achievement players will get from the game.

As well as the lift in the gameplay, the career mode that makes up the core single-player experience has also been enhanced. Most significant is the focus on a boxer's entire career so that time factors, shifting weight classes and the ravages of age come into play. Players are able to take their boxer from a young amateur through the ranks to the title fights.

The execution of this will make players think about how to handle their boxer. Shifting weight classes affects a fighter's stats; so too does old age as a boxer moves towards the end of his career. Adding to the strategy is the wider range of opponents offered at any one time, instead of the relatively small number to choose from in the original game, and the differing amount of time between each fight. Fights can occur as little as three weeks apart or as many as 24 weeks, and this factors into the overall fighter's career. It's a system that creates a lot of choice for players, who are rewarded with increased replayability.

Curiously for the improved career mode, the training sessions have taken a backward step, having been simplified into a few rather basic training mini-games that make improving stats quite easy as compared to the relatively tough and more realistic training of the original. The effects of training are well done though, with before and after shots clearly showing an improving fighter. A flabby fighter can quickly develop a six-pack within a few short months.

The drop in training standards is not the only area that could be improved for the inevitable sequel. As mentioned before, the career mode could offer a little more depth, going deeper into the strategy between fights or managing a promotion. While the focus should definitely still be on the fighting, this would still be a valuable addition given what we have seen from EA in its other sports games. The meagre soundtrack could also be boosted quite a bit, as could the range of unlockables which seem limited to mostly extra trunks and shoes. And while the multiplayer mode remains eminently enjoyable, the lack of an online mode is disappointing for the second year in a row.