KNOCKOUT ROW
Slip, block, punch, knock out or TKO enemies. Knockout Row is a boxing game mostly about timing. There are seven enemy boxers and to win the game is to knock out all of them. Each boxer has a special ability starting with the haymaker. The special moves get progressively harder and enemies become stronger. The final boss, Chaos, has a one-punch knockout special that puts this game's difficulty into the hard category.
How to play
Slip with A/D or left/right. W to punch. S to block. Mobile has buttons slip-block-punch. This is all about timing — punch the enemy while he is not blocking. If you get knocked down spam space or punch to get back up. You can hit the enemy a few times before he starts blocking your punches. There is a meter that will display on top and you do not have unlimited blocking. The difference between blocking and slipping is that you will still take damage blocking but it will be less than getting hit wide open. Get a TKO by knocking down 1 enemy 3 times within a single round. This count resets between rounds. You will lose the match also if you get knocked down 3 times in 1 round. You can also knock out an enemy by 10 count but this is not possible until later rounds when the boxer runs out of breath.
Behind the game
This is one of the first in-depth games with multiple rounds and varying mechanics. This is a developer favorite because it is a fun game that resembles classic boxing games. The game had to be redone and harder enemies added. Deacon Hollis and Big Bull weren't hard enough so I upped the health and added Chaos — the final boss. This character made the game significantly more difficult. It requires precise timing and is completely unforgiving.
Hints
Pay close attention to the on-screen prompts as each opponent has a unique special ability. There are also hints at the beginning loading page for each boxer. I can say that for Sandman Cole and Big Bull it matters on which direction you slip. This is for the special move. You will have a split second to decide to slip left or right. If the punch is coming from the left like in the below photo, you will need to slip right to avoid it. Blocking will not be possible for Big Bull and Chaos. You will need to slip the special move or get punished.
