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, Xbox One, and the Xbox Series X/S. It will be a spiritual sucessor to the Def Jam fighting game⁸ 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 Tournament 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, Created Battlers can pick one, two or three of the five fighting styles which will affect their 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. A majority of the main roster will already have a set combination of styles based on the attributes they have expressed on their most notable performances. For example, one of Loaded Lux's most notable performances was against Calicoe - so his main fighting style (to represent his Angling, Heavy Talking and Lyrical Style) would consist of Martial Arts, primarily involving kicks and some technical submissions. He would also have the Lyrical Miracle attribute. Someone like Shotgun Suge however would have a style that was more Wrestling based with a few kicks for good measure as well as the Bully attribute
 * 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 crowd 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.
 * Tournament Mode - Pick a battler and make your way through a series of 4 fights in the style of Ultimate Madness or 5 fights for KOTD Grand Prix. Win the finals 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
Road to Top Tier is the main story mode of Punch Line: Haymaker and will follow the main character - known as D-Fault - as they elevate through the world of battle rap and face off against multiple different battle rappers.

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. The average Legacy Mode selection will consist of 5 storylines - one of which being a tag team/battle rap crew and at least one amongst the group being a female battler. The current storylines in the bas game will be Aye Verb, Geechi Gotti, Math Hoffa, 40 B.A.R.R.S and The Bardashians (consisting of Jaz the Rapper, O'fficial and Casey Jay.)

Conditions
Punch Line: Haymaker will boast an extensive roster of a variety of Battle Rappers from various leagues and multiple eras. Because not every battler in the world will be featured in the game, in order for a battler to feature as a main playable character must have at least one opening slogan (i.e. Arsonal's "Once again I'm hear" or T. Rex's "Grown man bars"), a signature move/mid battle phrase (i.e. Nu Jerzey Twork's "I'M STRAPPED IN!" and Aye Verb's "Showtime"), and a closing slogan/phrase (i.e. Every battler from jersey's "JERSEY!" or Chess' "Body after body"). This is to ensure that every battle has an intro quote, Haymaker quote and victory quote,

Some battlers are exempt from this rule. Certain battle rappers who have more than one notable ending slogan may use it for their intro and victory quote also, For example, JC has two notable ending slogans ("My Condolences" and "There's body bags at every battle") so for his intro quote the My Condolences slogan could be used ("Every battle turns into a eulogy, my condolences").

For opening and closing slogans that are too long, a simple phrase from that slogan will be used in order to save time and allow the player to start their matches quicker. For example, instead of Jaz the Rapper saying her whole slogan, she will simply begin with "If y'all don't remember how I does this...Good I'mma remind you." An example of a closing slogan being shortened would be B Magic's slogan. Instead of the whole slogan, he'll simply say "Beat Me? Can you believe what this muhfucka' said? You must've slipped, fell, and bumped yo' muhfuckin' head!"

Costumes
Various pieces of clothing will be available for the player to buy at the in game store using cash that can be earned from completing objectives within the Road to Top Tier Campaign, completing Legacy Mode battles, and winning Tournament Mode. A wide variety of clothing is available to be worn such as hats, chains, T-shirts, pants, vests, jackets, shoes etc. Clothing comes in three tiers, Common, Iconic and Legendary. Iconic clothing are pieces of clothes that have significant value within the battle rap culture due to be attached to a moment (e.g. Tsu Surf's white t-shit, Loaded Lux's grey hoodie and 40 Barr's cheetah print body suit). Iconic clothing can be earned via boss fights, as rare drops in tournament mode - or as items that can be found during exploration segments in Road to Top Tier.

Iconic outfits as alternate costumes for the battlers can be unlocked in the store with cash. Every battler also has at least one Legendary outfit that can be unlocked by completing Tournament Mode on Top Tier Difficulty with the respective battler. These Legendary outfits are exaggerated characatures of different battlers. Examples of these include.


 * Robo-Lux - A legendary outfit that turns Loaded Lux into a robot
 * Verb Von Doom - A legendary outfit that puts Aye Verb in s metal mask and a red cape similar to Doctor Doom.
 * World Warrior Mike - A legendary outfit that puts Mike P in a white gi with a red bandana similar to Ryu from Street Fighter
 * Count Tay Roc - A legendary outfit that turns Tay Roc into a vampire - complete with pale skin, blue eyes and a suit,
 * Oni Daylyt - A legendary outfit for Daylyt that gives him beads for a necklace, glowing blue face tattooes and a purple gi similar to Akuma from Street Fighter
 * Kingpin Jones - A legendary outfit that puts Chilla Jones in an ice blue tuxedo.

Ultimate Rap League

 * Irving Plaza
 * Rooftop
 * Survivor Series
 * Traffic
 * Volume 6 Movie Set
 * Volume 7 White Room (Small Room)
 * NOME 9 Houston

Rare Breed Ent.

 * Parking Lot
 * The Blue Room (Small Room)
 * Rare Breeds
 * The Alley

King Of The Dot

 * The Bunker Pit
 * Battle of LA
 * Black Out Stage

Queen Of The Ring

 * Boxing Ring
 * Throne Room (Watch The Throne)

Miscellaneous

 * RYD Rooftop
 * Total Slaughter Stage
 * Snoop Dogg's 'Gladiator School Colosseum'
 * The Dressing Room
 * Black Ice Cartel's 'The Cage'
 * UDubb Stage

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.



Achievements

 * Battle Rap Legend: Obtain all the trophies
 * Born Legacy: Complete the five currently available Legacy Storylines
 * Before The Shot: Defeat K-Shine and DNA in a 2 on 2 Battle using Tsu Surf and Tay Roc
 * After The Shot: Defeat Tsu Surf and Tay Roc in a 2 on 2 Battle using K-Shine and DNA
 * Champion Of The Year: Win a Battle Rap Tournament on Top Tier difficulty
 * Revalations 6: Complete the Revelation 6 (Four Horseman Free For All) Side Mission in the Road to Top Tier Mode.
 * Do You Believe?: Unlock the Rare Breed Ending in Road to Top Tier.
 * Most Respected: Unlock the URL Ending in Road to Top Tier
 * To Be A King: Unlock the KOTD Ending.
 * Spawn Hunter: Find all 30 of Daylyt's Balaclavas
 * Pop Ya Cherry!: As O'fficial, win against Jaz The Rapper using her Haymaker to finish the fight.
 * Rebuttal Game Crazy: Use 50 counters
 * Energy Sold Seperately: Unlock Robo-Lux
 * Ball Game!: Defeat Hitman Holla in Road to Top Tier
 * EASY!: Defeat Murda Mook in Road to Top Tier
 * Harlem Hospital's Giving Beds Out: Defeat Loaded Lux in Road to Top Tier
 * Immortal: Defeat Daylyt in Road to Top Tier
 * Mirror Match: As John John Da Don, win against Hollow Da Don in a Mirror Match.
 * Fallout: Battle 10 times in The Bunker
 * Jersey...: Disconnect from a match you are losing 5 times in online match ups.
 * Props To You: Use 30 props in battles.
 * Target Neutralized: Complete the Double Impact Tournament while teamed up with either Tay Roc or Chess
 * Kill Somebody You Love: As K-Shine, win against DNA using his Haymaker to finish the fight.
 * Top Tier Before I Got Here: Skip the Tutorial.
 * Talk To Yo' Son: As Aye Verb, win against Hitman Holla using Big Gerald as a Hype Man to finish the fight,
 * Pulverized!: Use Showoff's Haymaker on any battler.
 * Proven: Become a PG, 1sk, Brick or Crucible Battler in Road to Top Tier.

Trivia

 * When playing a T. Rex, if you hold the block button - press up on the stick and press the grab button - Rex will take his cap off of his head and can use it as a weapon to attack. He can also throw it.