Reviews

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  VRManiac

  Jan 25, 2017

  Just fired it up for some training and a few rounds. First impression: Already the most polished and fun boxing experience in VR. Just as much exercise and immersion as Thrill of the Fight, but it feels like a full-on game with training area, some character customization, fleshed-out environments, etc. Also: be ready for a workout like with Thrill of the Fight. You'll be ducking, dodging and dancing even on the first fight.
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  bshuf

  Jan 25, 2017

  [h1]Updated review with latest content update[/h1] Below the line is my initial review, here my new thoughts after having fought all enemies and tested the new 'Fitness' update: All 4 enemies are great and since the re-balancing feel a lot more fair and at the same time some attacks have become more challenging. Some fights can be difficult, but still feel fair at all times. The difficulty ramp is still here, but it got nerfed a bit, while the last enemy has gotten harder (which I appreciate as in the initial release he was too easy/weak). The developers have now implemented an alternate grip for the gloves which make them more similar to the default grip for Vive controllers in Thrill of the Fight. This allows a much more natural grip to punch the enemy. This change came after some community feedback, so they definitely do listen to the things posted here on the Steam forums. The latest content update has brought 2 mini-games to Knockout League: Focus Mitts and Speed Bag. Focus Mitts: my favorite new mini game where you have to land jabs, hooks, uppercuts in certain sequences as well as dodge attacks in the harder difficulties. There is easy, medium, hard and a stamina mode available right now. In the stamina mode you're only allowed to do 3 mistakes before losing. This mini game is exhausting in a good way. Great addition to the game! Speed bag: this one hasn't excited me that much. You have to punch a speed bag with a certain speed, either with your left, right or alternating both hands to score points. Again, there are 3 difficulty settings and one free punching mode. Not that exciting after one go. I wish they'd gamify that mode more. [b]Conclusion[/b]: I can still recommend this game to anyone looking for a Punch-Out like boxing game. If you want a more realistic boxing game, I still recommend Thrill of the Fight like in my initial review. Both games have their places and I enjoy both. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you played Punch-Out in the past? This game is Punch-Out in VR! My first impression after having played through the tutorial, beat the 1st and 2nd enemy, and failed against the third enemy twice: fantastic game, achieves what it wants to do (Punch-Out in VR), highly polished visuals, very active combat. If you expect to get a realistic boxing game, then this isn't for you (there is an octopus as an enemy...an octopus!). But if you enjoy a pattern-recognition based arcade boxing game that requires you to pay attention, be quick on your feet/block reactively, then this game is for you! If you want a semi-realistic boxing game, then Thrill of The Fight may be a better game for you (can't recommend Kunlun Fighting, is significantly worse than Thrill of the Fight). This game and Thrill of the Fight stand in two separate game genre's even if they superficially seem to belong to the "boxing" genre. Knockout League allows you to dodge, however, you also have to counter quickly to get a hit in. The game doesn't require much space as it wants you to dodge sideways rather than backwards. You can also block enemies' attacks by timing it. If you block too early, you won't be allowed to counter back. This makes the game a lot more exciting! Currently the game's difficulty level is ramping up quickly and it is unlikely that you will be able to beat all enemies in one go. This is actually a good thing and you'll notice that with repeated matches that you simply get better and better to read the enemies' actions beforehand and overcoming such a challenge is always satisfying. There are still a few minor bugs I've encountered that are already mentioned in the early access page above. I can recommend this game to anyone that liked Punch-Out, likes more active VR games and people enjoying challenging fights. (This review will be edited after playing more of the game and if content patches change up the game significantly in the future)
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  goyoelburro2

  Jan 25, 2017

  Tried it for a few minutes. Went through the training, then got knocked out after a minute or so with the first fighter. Very good graphics, feels like a VR first person version of Street Fighter or something. I really wish it was possible to set the starting position in each fight, the default one fits my playspace very poorly and makes the game hard to play.
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  heyboova

  Jan 27, 2017

  I was pretty excited for this game but it was a big letdown. The game does not deliever what it promises. First, it is not room scale. You can not move around-- only duck. So why would it need room scale? Next, they promise 1:1 punching movements. Yes, it tracks your gloves nicely, but you aren't able to freely attack. You have to wait for pre-determined moves which repeat over and over then punch. The game would be more fun and has better replayability if it was more random and fluid. Pass.
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  LoveAlotBear

  Jan 28, 2017

  This game is in beta, but damn if the graphics feel polished! Excellent job, and I hope this game gets 10 fighters. Oh, and it is 100% like punch out in VR.. which is a lot harder when dodging involves actually ducking and weaving! This might be the best boxing game on HTC, and I really like "Thrill of the Fight". Review! Worth FULL PRICE! **gasp**
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  Dralks

  Mar 4, 2017

  I had a lot of fun with the 2 first fights, the blocking system of this game is excellent, the problem is that when you know how to beat an oponnent you will never lose as they always do the same attacks so after follow the sequence correctly you win, I guess that it will not be a problem when the game is complete with enough fighters, so I'm not giving a bad review for that. My review is due to the awfull dodge system, to dodge you have to go to a determinate direction, each enemy can attack from 5 directions and you can dodge to 5 directions, the game track your movement not your position so if you go to the correct side it will count as a dodge even if you get hit in game, but if you go to the wrong side it counts as a hit even if you are miles away fro the enemie punch. You cannot block the 3rd fighter and for me is almost impossible know how to dodge him, sometimes I get hit and sometimes I don't, I try to go to the logic side when I see him coming but I still get hit, I tried to beat him for 1 hour and end up frustrated because there is no way to use the logic when someone is spaming hits and you cannot dodge any of them, you don't know if it is because you are going to the wrong side or you are doing a bad timing. I just give up and will return the game.
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  generalnotsew

  Apr 2, 2017

  I just noticed a fair amount of negative reviews which I find very shocking. This is one of the best made games on the Vive. Granted I can't get past the second fighter but it is so much fun! I don't know what people expected. If you loved Punch Out on the NES then you will love this game! If you are looking for a boxing sim then look elsewhere. But the gameplay is exactly as intended. This is Punch Out in VR. That is all you have to know.
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  Nanashi

  Jun 20, 2017

  I bought this game at full price. No regrets. It's exhausting to play, but really fun. It is very much like Punch Out for the Nintendo Wii which is obviously heavily takes inspiration from. Don't go into this expecting straight up boxing. Much like Punch Out, it's pattern recognition. You recognize what's happening based on the enemy movement and react accordingly, whether that's dodge in a certain direction, block or attack. You can only attack successfully at the appropriate times. The opponents are varied. The difficulty level is to the point where most will need a good amount of attempts to beat any enemy after the first, learning and getting better each time.
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  Xariann

  Jun 27, 2017

  I bought it as I read a few reviews saying it was a good workout. They were right! And it's a load of fun. Fighting opponents is a pattern recognition game, but you still need to do a good deal of punching, dodging and blocking. The training is actually the part I like most, probably because I bought this game with the idea that I would use it to make my workouts fun rather than fighting. It even keeps track of how many calories you burned, although I am not sure how accurate it is. I was surprised to see that the game would actually figure out from the speed of my punches whether I was putting any power behind them. So if you just want to casually place your hands in the right spot just to get the game to register that you "threw a punch" you are out of luck. You actually have to do the work. If you want to play it without causing yourself injury however, read a bit about shadowboxing, in particular how to pull punches, as if you don't try to stop your arm before you fully extend it you might hurt yourself. Anyway, I wholeheartedly recommend this game. EDIT 16 AUGUST 2017: Devs added new workouts, Reflex Alley being the one I find most fun. This has now become my favourite VR game from a fitness point of view. Aside from fighting against NPCs on the ring, here are the workouts you can do: 1. Speed bag (can do it with weighted gloves if you want to up the game) 2. Dodge drills 3. Block drills 4. Focus mitts 5. Reflex Alley. The Reflex Alley will throw random objects at you, rather than in a pattern. It differs from some of the focus mitts drills since the workouts are never the same. You have a red glove and a blue glove and you need to hit water balloons. There are red and blue water balloons – ideally you want to punch them with the correct hand. You also get thrown a basket ball, which you are supposed to block and a weight which you want to dodge. The mode throws everything in the mix and there are 3 difficulties to choose from and an endurance mode. I own Box VR, and with the introduction of Reflex Alley in Knockout League I basically have no reason to play that other game as Knockout does the same thing and does it better (and does more things).
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  DevilsBane99

  Jul 4, 2017

  Screw you guys. Screw you guys for making me feel like a limp noodle pansy peddler who asks his mommy to soften the sugar cubes because the edges are to scary. I run, 5k twice a week, I do fast paced table tennis an hour straight 2 -3 times a week. I skate, and do a ton of things. After 15 bloody minutes with the 2nd boxer, my legs, arms, back; I'm dead! This game made me realize how weak I still am, and got dangit i'm not letting that fly! Oh, the game is great, nice difficulty. Love the pattern based attacks and dodges. Reminds me of a certain nintendo game! Can't wait for fighter 5 and more content! Keep up the good work!
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  JonJonJP

  Nov 3, 2017

  If Thrill of the Fight is Fight Night, Knockout League is Punch Out! And that's a good thing. The atmosphere is very well-done, especially for the first real VR generation of games. There are only a few opponents, so you're not going to play four circuits and Mike Tyson like Punch Out, but the training modes make up for it in spades. Reflex Alley by itself is worth every single penny this game costs and is a fantastic workout. The other training modes are also decent and have good replayability. I still haven't beaten more than two opponents, that's how much time I spend in Reflex Alley. It's definitely in my Favorites list.
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  ZabloN

  Feb 14, 2018

  This game is as close to Punch Out as you will probably ever get in VR. It is great fun and very exhausting!
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  MrBob

  Feb 14, 2018

  BIFF! KAPOW! THWACK! What a game. I've a few workout VR games but this one is by far the best, the only one that keeps me interested and sweating!
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  FastLawyer

  Feb 21, 2018

  I bought this game back in July 2017 for $11.99 and it turned out to be one of the best deals on VR. This game has only gotten better with time, with a lot more content added and polish. First of all, the tutorial has greatly improved. It is fun and easy to follow. And of course, Doug Johnson is voice acted very well. Second, training mode is awesome now. My favorite new training mode is called Reflex Alley. It feels like Fruit Ninja, with a punch, block and dodge twist. This little mini-game is fun as hell and will get you tired really quick. I just wish you could play your own music during this mini-game. Finally, in fight mode, there are a lot of new fighters that you have to progress past. Each fight feels different: great animations, interesting looking characters, each with their own style. You will feel like you are inside Mike Tyson's Punch Out. The only thing missing is Mike Tyson. Rating 8/10 This is a must have for your VR library, it's a nice arcade contrast to Thrill of the Fight (which is also a great boxing game .... I recommend you have both in your library!)
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  GeneralMalarkey

  Feb 22, 2018

  [h1]Punch-Out!! in VR. Get ready to burn calories[/h1] *Reviewed on the HTC Vive* Let me preface this by saying I've been taking MMA for 5 years, including boxing & muay thai. I still have to take breaks between sessions & fights to wipe off all the sweat. Knockout League is probably the most polished VR boxing game to come out, yet. The game looks gorgeous. I can max out the graphics options, even on a GTX 970. With 9 varied opponents & 3 tiered training modes, it has a lot to offer. Each opponent has a different strategy, so throwing 1-2-1-2's won't win the match; neither will a tricky offense, unfortunately. Being patterned after an arcade boxing game comes with its own pitfalls. Your offensive game exists primarily blocking/slipping/bob&weaving your opponent's attacks, then countering with a 6-10 hit combo. When you're sparring in real life, anything more than 2-3 strikes will only tire you out. A competent opponent would cover up, counter, or step out of pocket, by then. It also doesn't have the strategic depth that I was hoping for with feints, parries, set-ups, etc. Bob & weaves can be tricky, and VR tracking also can't effectively tell the difference between a light/probing punch and a power punch. That last point is a limitation of VR, in general. My criticisms belong to a niche - minor nitpicks that could make a great game even greater. I think this belongs in every VR gamer's collection.
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  Krisse

  Apr 21, 2018

  Be aware! Besides the nice feeling of nostalgia this game is getting me severe dyspnea and chest pain. My heart rate rises to 200 and I need to rest after each fight. I love it. :)
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  Tortillas

  Apr 22, 2018

  This is a fitness game. If you have a problem with high speed movements you probably won't like this. For the people who want a thrilling, intense VR experience, they're going to get it. I honestly just bought this game because it looked like something that would get me exercise as well as entertain me with some challenges. I saw the Iron Maiden was added recently, meaning we can expect more fighters and challenges. The first thing I tried was the fitness trainer. This mode itself can be its own game. You have a red ballon (right hand), a blue ballon (Left hand), a Soccer ball (block), and a dumbbell (dodge). Easy mode is not easy, and it's amazing. The ballons and fire rate isn't exactly random as it is a series of rapid combos that increase in speed. You'll often have series of three balloons that'll come in arcs which end up being a hook punch, straight punch, uppercut, etc. They get mixed in with quick jabs, dodges, and blocks. My first time around was a blast once I got the hang of what hand was what color. After that it was a just trying to beat the score. Each round you get better and better and the adrenalin starts going. Then you're exhausted. There's also a calorie counter in the game as well.
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  Chris

  Apr 30, 2018

  This is one of my favorite VR games! Knockout League is entertaining, a good workout, has excellent narration (trainer cues and comments), good graphics, and is a lot of fun. Please add DLC with more "normal" caracters in regular sports clothing without armor, supernatural powers, and weapons, like Barrage and Tri Tip.
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  bpereira

  Sep 10, 2018

  Wasn't for me. It's just reacting to timed events in exactly the right way. Very immersion breaking to dodge a punch but because you didn't dodge the way the game wants you get hit anyway. Same with throwing a random punch. It's like it didn't even happen unless the game says now is your time to throw a punch. It's escentially a timed button mash without the buttons. Never was my cup of tea and swapping timed button pushing for timed physical movement doesn't help. I was looking for something more freeform. But it seems to be a pretty polished title and if you like that type of game play then you may like it. From the reviews many do.
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  fantomchoder

  Sep 28, 2018

  Not what I was expecting. The game looks amazing but the fighting mechanics weren't fun at all since it focuses on reacting to the enemy in a way that is perfectly timed in order to block/punch. During the initial tutorial, it took me forever to realize how finicky the blocking can be since you have to put your gloves up within the half second of seeing the opponent preparing to swing or you'll get hit which results in having to try again; if you put them up too early, it's considered a weak block so same result in this case. It didn't feel intuitive at all to me and then I quickly got destroyed on a real match since I couldn't figure out when I could land a punch since dodging seemed to selectively work.