The Thrill of the Fight - VR Boxing
- October 24, 2019
- Sealost Interactive LLC
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"The Thrill of the Fight - VR Boxing" is a room-scale VR game that focuses on authentic boxing experiences. Players can enter a virtual gym and fight against unique challengers with different styles and techniques. Mobility and physical movements are essential in this game, as joystick navigation is not supported. Please note that the game does not support Oculus Quest and may not function properly with Oculus Link.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Quest
Reviews
- gameplay207 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this boxing simulator is praised for its mechanical depth and realistic fighting mechanics, providing an intense workout experience that feels immersive and engaging. While the game excels in replicating boxing techniques and offers a solid core gameplay loop, it faces criticism for inconsistent hit detection, limited defensive options, and a lack of diverse content. Overall, players appreciate the focus on skill and fitness, though some desire improvements in mechanics and additional game modes.
“The mechanics feel spot-on, and you can seriously dish out some damage if you know your stuff.”
“The gameplay is fun, challenging, and exhausting.”
“The physics, movement, and gameplay are shockingly accurate.”
“The gameplay loop is honestly pretty basic, a series of boxing matches with a lineup of generic fighters from across the world, with you as the main contender.”
“There are many more things I can negatively comment on, how inconsistent the game's hit detection can be, how it keeps reading my jabs as crosses, inflating my power-punch count, the fact the game doesn't detect your forearms and shoulders, greatly limiting your defensive options, and a completely undercooked clinch mechanic.”
“Some of the things I enjoyed the least are the horrible 'hand endurance' mechanic which basically means you can only throw 2 effective punches in a combo and then you have to rely on 'defense' for 10 seconds while your hands recover stamina, and while I say defense I say it very lightly as the only forms of defense are holding your hands in front of your face (which the AI at least can still just punch right through) and weave away from punches which, to put simply, doesn't work.”
- graphics115 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as decent but not groundbreaking, often compared to older titles or lower-end visuals. While some players find the graphics acceptable for a VR boxing simulator, others express a desire for more modern and detailed visuals to enhance immersion. Overall, the focus on gameplay mechanics and realistic physics tends to overshadow the graphical limitations, making it a solid experience despite its visual shortcomings.
“The graphics may not be breathtaking, but it's a technically sound, engaging, and robust VR boxing game with a decent lineup of different boxers to fight, and adjustable difficulty for opponents.”
“The graphics are quite good to the point where they are not super realistic but don't break immersion with bright sparkly colors and flashy images.”
“The graphics, though not flashy, look great in-game through my Oculus CV1.”
“You can't move your corner; the dev puts excuses to avoid adding this function. What a shame, it looks like a 2000's video game graphic-wise.”
“This game is fun to play, even if the presentation, graphically speaking, is a bit lacking by modern standards for VR games.”
“I wish the graphics were a bit more current... as graphically it's like a PS3 game.”
- story84 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional story mode, with many users expressing a desire for a narrative element to enhance engagement and motivation. While some appreciate the straightforward progression of fights, others feel that the absence of a campaign or character development detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that while the game excels in providing a solid workout, it would benefit from a more structured story to deepen player immersion.
“Creed features a good story, and it is generally meant to give you a fair workout while providing a story to play so that the game doesn't get boring.”
“I love this game, especially when I can't go to the gym in real life; it helps me get my fix, although I wish there was a campaign belt system where you had to follow a set story to get to that champion's spot.”
“There is no story mode; I wish it had it, but it's still fun to play even without it as you'll face a steady number of opponents of increasing difficulty as you unlock new challengers after every victory in the ring.”
“I do wish there was more content, maybe an actual storyline with character development.”
“It's not as fun as some other stuff out there; there's no storyline, it's not multiplayer, and these things are unlikely to change.”
- music29 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of engaging and atmospheric tracks that could enhance the overall experience. While some users have resorted to using external music players to create a more motivating environment, others feel that the game's silence detracts from the action, making it feel awkward and stale. Overall, there is a strong desire for improved in-game music options to elevate the gameplay.
“Play some epic music in the background, and don't forget to work on your uppercut.”
“1) Turn on some motivating workout music - sometimes the music will crescendo and sync to your fight, making it a great experience.”
“I highly recommend this game, put on some Spotify music and you're set!”
“The lack of music makes the game feel awkward and stale.”
“I got sick of boxing in rhythm games with bad music.”
“The music is pretty basic and only plays in the menu, but is still fun to listen to.”
- replayability19 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, offering an engaging and intense workout experience that keeps players coming back. Users appreciate the ability to adjust difficulty and punch force, enhancing the game's longevity and enjoyment. Despite some minor bugs, the overall consensus is that it remains one of the most replayable VR experiences available, often compared favorably to other boxing sims.
“Best boxing sim, tons of replayability, most intense workout you can get in VR, and the dev is on the ball!”
“With the ability to increase difficulty, or even manually adjust punch force, anyone focusing on fitness and boxing technique will find this infinitely replayable.”
“If you're looking for a VR game that will give you an intense workout while still being enjoyable, look no further than 'The Thrill of the Fight.' Despite being released in 2016, this game still holds up as one of the most replayable and fun VR experiences.”
“Creed has great presentation, but mechanics-wise and replay value, it is no contender.”
“While I haven't tried any of the other VR boxing sims on Steam, this one seems solid for the price, and has a lot of replay value working through the higher difficulties.”
“Hey, can we have the old video with that dope song? This game gets the sweats going. I wish the dev could add achievements that will add to the replayability.”
- stability14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant issues such as freezing, lag, and glitches, particularly during gameplay. However, others report improvements over time, noting that the game runs well on lower hardware specifications and has become less buggy since its initial release. Overall, while some users find the game frustratingly unstable, others appreciate its progress and enjoy the gameplay experience.
“Note, my hardware specifications are pretty low and the game runs great.”
“Graphics are also amazing and run great when supersampled to 1.8 on a GTX 1080, giving a strong immersion feeling.”
“Waste of money and an hour of my life troubleshooting.”
“It gets hitching, it's laggy, it freezes constantly, barely works.”
“My hands get stuck, my VR freezes and I can't even play a whole round.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the quirky characters, such as the amusing Italian coach, and the absurdity of the gameplay—like the lack of a stamina meter—hilariously entertaining. Many reviews highlight the comedic aspects of the boxing experience, including the ridiculousness of trying to clinch and the visual humor of mixed reality elements. Overall, while the game offers a funny and chaotic boxing experience, it may not satisfy those seeking a more serious fighting simulation.
“Cool boxing game with a funny-looking Italian coach guy.”
“Had a funny thought about how there's no stamina meter or anything before I realized, 'Oh, it's me, I am the stamina meter.'”
“It just looks funny in mixed reality having the boxing shorts on screen overlapping my body.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game varies significantly among users; while some report flawless performance on high-end setups like the Valve Index and Rift S, others experience tracking issues and performance lag, particularly with the Quest 2 on Steam. These performance problems can negatively impact gameplay, affecting speed and accuracy. Overall, while many players enjoy smooth experiences, there are notable concerns that need addressing for a more consistent performance across all platforms.
“10/10 on optimization: 144Hz on Valve Index, 200 super sampling with a 3080 Ti, ran beautifully smooth.”
“I run this on a Rift S and have had no issues with performance or graphics.”
“[b]+ the game runs flawlessly - no performance problems at all[/b]”
“Fix performance lag/stutter - if there are any performance issues, it seems to affect how the game perceives your speed and how hard you hit, so you won't be hitting as hard or accurately as you should be.”
“Haven't played the game a bunch, but when I first purchased it I had some issues with performance and some other random problems. I posted to the discussion board and the dev was remarkably quick to reply.”
“It's crazy cheap too, and from a recent update I learned of live support and also using a Kinect v2 to record yourself in the game (if you don't have a big green-screen setup), which I'm working on so maybe I can learn to manage energy use better from analyzing my performance.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience while engaging with the game, feeling a strong connection to the boxing environment and a sense of personal growth as they navigate challenges. The immersive elements, such as the presence of a referee and crowd, enhance the feeling of being a fighter, leading to moments of triumph and vulnerability that resonate with players. However, some desire more customization and narrative depth to further enrich their emotional journey.
“I've only played one match, but no game has made me feel this way. I think the one match was worth the 10 bucks.”
“But this game made me feel like a boxer.”
“I fought a VR guy and it was very grueling. I sweat a lot, but then I knocked him down and everyone said I was the winner, and that made me feel good about my life and about this game.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for enhanced atmospheric elements, particularly through interactive music that could elevate tension and immersion. While the game successfully simulates real boxing, many feel that additional focus on pre-fight rituals and a more engaging career mode would significantly enrich the overall experience.
“The atmosphere, the fight mechanics, everything feels very much like real boxing.”
“Only wish it had more atmosphere like walking to the ring or warming up in the locker room.”
“If this game would focus a little bit more on the atmosphere and has a career mode, it would round up the whole experience a lot.”
“I know the game focuses on being a simulation, but come on, give me some rocky flair! That would add a lot to the atmosphere.”
“If this game focused a little bit more on the atmosphere and had a career mode, it would greatly enhance the overall experience.”
“Only wish it had more atmosphere, like walking to the ring or warming up in the locker room.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be demanding, often requiring significant time and effort to improve skills and stats. While it can lead to intense and engaging matches, some users feel it may inadvertently penalize certain playstyles and can become tedious, especially for those not in peak physical condition. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as both a challenge and a potential barrier to enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's not meant to be an hours-on-end grinding game, but can be if you are totally fit (unlike me).”
“The matches really get your heart rate up; I find exercising like that usually tedious.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization model is praised for its lack of intrusive upgrades and in-game purchases, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend extra money.
“There aren't any unnecessary upgrades or in-game purchases; it isn't like 'Oh, you knocked out this pro boxer!'”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure you to spend money to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the game offers a balanced experience without forcing players to make purchases.”
“The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to progress at a reasonable pace.”
“It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
“The constant prompts to buy in-game currency disrupt the gameplay experience and make it feel more like a cash grab.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for deeper character development, indicating that the current content lacks a substantial storyline to enhance the growth and complexity of the characters.
“The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
“The depth of character development really enhances the overall experience, as you get to see how choices impact their growth.”
“I do wish there was more content, maybe an actual storyline with character development.”
