Real Boxing 2: Remastered Review

Real Boxing 2: Remastered is an improved version of a game that originally released on mobile phone (sigh) which was ported to current platforms. The game features a deep “story” mode and also allows players to customize their own fighters with a myriad of customization options. While using the “real” adjective, the game does go a bit off track with some opponents.

The game does have a unique control scheme. You can throw jabs with RT while using the joysticks for every other type of punches; hooks, uppercuts, straight punches. Holding the joystick in a specific direction or the RT button allows you to charge up a shot for stronger attack. While interesting, more often than not it won’t land because some opponents will just punch you non-stop.

Using the RB button in combination with the left joystick allows you to dodge incoming hits. And if you can time things right, pressing RT will allow you to counter-attack the opponent. And obviously you can block; something you’ll spend a lot of time doing. If you manage to dish out a decent amount of damage uninterrupted, you’ll be able to unleash a powerful combo by pressing Y.

Shortly before the round begins, you can “roll” coins for additional perks such as hooks dishing out an additional 20% damage or body punches doing 30% more damage. You have a few seconds to roll otherwise you’ll miss out. It would be great if it’d work. Every time I’d get an additional damage bonus and try to exploit it, the opponent received the same damage as a normal punch. And early on, they barely take any damage from your punches.

Obviously, in order to stand a chance against opponents, you can train your fighter either with jump rope, punching the heavy bag or punching the double end bag. Again, the controls are clunky. Also doesn’t help that some button prompts get lost in the background. As you progress through the “Story”, you’ll earn XP that can used to improve your fighter’s features: strength, stamina, speed and health.

For those looking for daily chores… I mean daily tasks to earn additional cosmetics, gold coins or diamonds, you can access a list of things to do. For example, changing your appearance or using a specific type of punch a set amount of times will earn you rewards.

Each area you’ll travel to as three different types of fights to clear before moving on to the next area. This is where the game gets a bit grindy as you have to earn a set amount of stars before being able to move on. Meaning if you lose, you’ll have to try again; or if you fall short, go at it for another round.

The game looks fine considering it’s a game that was ported from mobile devices. The arenas are fine, nothing special here. There’s definitely a decent amount of customization options for character creation and some goofy looking opponents. Nothing special on the audio side; generic soundtrack and decent soundbytes during fights.

The main problem is quite obvious: it’s the controls. For a game that calls itself real boxing, you can’t even move freely in the ring! The only way to “move” is holding the RB button and then using the left joystick. It’s incredibly clunky and counterintuitive. The problematic controls carry over into the mini-games as well.

This is just pure mobile shovelware ported onto consoles. Real Boxing 2: Remastered really isn’t a real boxing simulator. The controls are clunky and counterintuitive, lots of goofy characters that goes against the term “real”, the visuals are meh (considering it’s source of origin); sometimes just mashing the jab will be more efficient than actually trying. This isn’t worth £7.99 (or £16.74 for the complete edition). This is an easy pass.