Punch Line: Haymaker

"Respect is never given, it must be earned or taken. Do you believe?"

- Game's Tagline

Punch Line: Haymaker is an upcoming hip-hop influenced 3D-action game which will be published by EA Sports. It will be released on Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Windows, and the Xbox One Series X/S. It will be a spiritual sucessor to the Def Jam fighting game series. Unlike the Def Jam Fighting series which mainly features various Hip-Hop artists from the Def Jam record label, Punch Line: Haymaker features a variety of Battle Rappers from multiple leagues and also a few notable Hip-Hop artists with a background in battle rap. Rather than copying the mechanics from the most recent entry in the Def Jam series, Def Jam Icon, Punch Line: Haymaker uses a variety of mechanics from Def Jam Vendetta and Def Jam Fight for NY as well as new features such as an Arcade Mode, Online Mode and a 'Hype Man' system. It will also feature online multiplayer (which is cross platform) as well as rollback netcode.

Gameplay
The gameplay of Haymaker takes various elements from some Def Jam games. The fighting system is very similar to that of Def Jam: Fight For NY, with more grappling/wrestling elements just like Vendetta. The fighting styles from Fight For NY are back, but they have more unique elements added to them compared to before. Characters can strike, grapple, throw their opponents, and also interact with the stage by being able to use weapons and the environment.

Styles
Similar to its spiritual predecessor, Battlers can pick one, two or three of the five fighting styles which will affect your overall fighting style.

As well as a fighting style, Battlers can also be equipped with various attributes in order to add extra bonuses to their stats.
 * Street Fighting (Puncher)
 * Kickboxing (Heavy Talker)
 * Martial Arts (Penman)
 * Wrestling (Performer)
 * Submissions (Angler)
 * Schemer: Increased damage to limbs during submissions
 * Rebuttaler: Increased stun time upon a successful counter
 * Comedian: Increased defence
 * Wack: Decreased defence, Increased Haymaker damage
 * Disrespectful: Bonus momentum for taunts
 * Mixtape Legend: Decreased strike damage, Bonus Momentum for throws
 * Bully: Increased throw distance
 * Prop User: Increased environmental/weapon damage
 * Lyrical Miracle: Increased strike speed, decreased strike damage.
 * Reach God: Increased grapple damage
 * Christian: Unable to pick up weapons, Increased overall damage

Features
Across the multiple stages in Punch Line: Haymaker, battlers can use various environmental hazards such as gates, pool tables, cars, and ring ropes in order to inflict damage. Battlers can be thrown or slammed headfirst into environmental hazards, as well as other brutal interactions.

A crow interaction system similar to Fight For NY is also present. When a battler gets too close to the surrounding crowd, the crowd will push the battler back into the ring. Some crowd members will also carry various weapons that can be picked up by battlers - or used on said battlers by the crowd if pushed into them. If a battler has a 'Hype Man' equipped, the Hype Man will help them out by passing them weapons or holding their opponent for longer than a regular crowd member.

The Momentum feature returns in this installment. Momentum is gained by successfully performing moves, countering, and taunting the opponent. The rate at which momentum is gained is affected by the battler's Charisma stat, which like other stats varies between battlers. The amount of Momentum gained by a taunt is doubled when performing a Crowd Taunt (a taunt is that initiated near any sized crowd) in a 'Main Stage/Big Stage' setting - the same applies when taunting next to a Hype Man.

When the Momentum meter is filled, a battler can perform their 'Slogan', a special taunt which allows them to enter 'Haymaker Mode' and can pull off a Haymaker. Haymakers are personalised, powerful and brutal moves which can be used for massive damage. Every character has a unique 'Haymaker' move which is usually named after their real life Slogan (i.e. Hitman Holla's 'Remix' and Rum Nitty's 'Get Off The Ropes').

Created Characters can use any of the Haymakers that are in the game - however, only 4 can be equipped at one time.

Created battlers can set their own charisma with a combination of clothes, tattoos, and jewellery; the more expensive, the better. A battler with a good set of clothes, extensive tattoos, or laden with jewellery can often fill their momentum meter in just a few moves.

Additionally, each fighting style has a unique way to knock out opponents in danger: streetfighters can attack with a strong punch; wrestlers can perform a strong grapple; kickboxers can complete a kick-combo; submission experts can force the enemy to submit with grapples; and martial artists can perform flying attacks.

Modes
There are various modes that will be featured within the game, many that are returning along with a few new modes too.


 * Road to Top Tier - The main story mode of Punch Line: Haymaker. Create your own battler and make your way up the ranks. From Tryouts to the Big Stage.
 * Arcade Mode - Pick a battler and make your way through a series of 7 fights. Beat the final boss for bonus rewards!
 * Legacy Mode - Pick a battler and experience 5 of their classic battles and breakout performances!
 * Battle Mode
 * One on One - A singles match between two fighters
 * Two on Two - A two on two brawl that doesn't end until both members are either KO'd or submitted
 * Free for All - A match with three or four opponents. There are no friends here - every person for themselves.
 * Tournament Mode - Setup a tournament bracket in the style of Ultimate Madness or KOTD's Grand Prix
 * Small Room Battle (features Cage Match Option) - Up close and personal battle with crowd interference! Or, an enclosed battle within the confines of a Steel Cage. Main Venues: The Cage (Black Ice), Divide and Conquer (RBE), SMACK Volume (URL)
 * Rooftop Match - First battler to throw their opponent off the roof wins! If no one is thrown off within the set time period, the person with the least amount of health loses. The loser has to jump! Main Venue: Rooftop
 * Inferno Match - A returning classic from the Def Jam series. Face off against your opponent in a burning building!
 * Mirror Match - A remix of the classic Window Match from Def Jam Fight for NY. Three mirrors line the sides of the enclosed arena space. The loser is the first to get slammed through with the glass shattering. Main Venue: Backstage Dressing Room

Each sub-mode allows the players to choose between 3 rule sets:


 * Standard Rules - No holds barred. All moves are usable, and the goal is to defeat the opponents. This is the rule set used for most story matches.
 * Judged - Through a reward-point system that awards points for specific moves in each match, and awards bonuses for achievements at the end of the match, the winners are decided by the highest point value (and consequently, the largest pay), and not necessarily by who gets knocked out. This means the winner could have been knocked out in the match.
 * Submissions - This match prevents the use of any submission holds. Submissions moves are replaced by other moves decided by a player's alternate fighting styles.

Road to Top Tier
TBA

Legacy Mode
Legacy Mode will be similar to WWE's 2K Showcase Mode. Legacy Mode will allow players to experience breakout battles, classic moments and even a few reinterpreted versions of events for multiple battle rappers. Each Legacy series will feature interviews and monologues voiced by the respective battlers, capturing their thoughts, feelings and providing context on the surrounding storyline. There are currently five battlers with storylines - however, every two months there will be a rotation for the battlers.

Roster
TBA

Venues

 * TBA

Soundtrack
The soundtrack was curated by Eagle E and features hip-hop, drill, and reggaeton tracks performed by battle rappers from coast to coast. A few commercial rappers are also featured such as Remy Ma, Papoose, 3D Na'Tee and Montana of 300.



Trivia

 * TBA