The Thrill of the Fight 2 review: VR’s best boxing game is ready for its rematch

My first competitive bout in The Thrill of the Fight 2 ends in round one after my opponent performs a drum solo on my head then does an obscene gesture from across the ring. Let’s call it a warmup. Halfbrick Studios’ sequel to the best boxing game on VR is currently in Early Access, which means only online multiplayer is available. With the main event of offline single-player planned for an undisclosed date in 2025, right now you have to face off against actual people rather than AI bots. The problem is, actual people don’t always fight fair. In my second contest I try a more cautious strategy, raising both fists in front of my face for an impenetrable high guard. It doesn’t matter. My opponent launches a sustained flurry that flashes my vision and prompts a high frequency ringing in my ears, like when the grenade explodes near the guy in Saving Private Ryan. Again, I’m on the floor. Your success in The Thrill of the Fight 2 depends on how good you are at actual boxing, which goes some way in explaining why