EA Sports UFC immediately throws players into a tutorial, and it's definitely something that is needed for this complex fighting game. The tutorial gives an introduction from Light Heavyweight Jon Jones before switching to the training in the ring. The transition loses very little, as EA Sports UFC is one of the best examples of a video game looking like its real life counterpart. EA Sports UFC is far more complicated than the EA Sports Fight Night series, as players will not only need to learn how to throw punches, block and dodge, but it's also important to master kicks, takedowns, transitions, submissions and clinches. Gameplay in EA Sports UFC ultimately boils down to holding triggers and bumper buttons while pressing face buttons on the controller or rolling the right analog stick, but the best players will know the exact moments to use which button commands to come out on top in a match.
The striking game in EA Sports UFC is done pretty well in the new release. There are buttons for throwing left and right punches and kicks, and players can use the left stick, left trigger or bumpers to change how much power is behind each attack and where it will land. The first few matches will have players flailing wildly and whiffing on a whole lot of strike attempts, and it looks pretty silly considering how realistic the game looks overall. Experienced players will learn when to go for attacks, when to block and when to back off to regain stamina after a combination attack. Striking becomes a real chess match between two fighters that is almost as good as the best Fight Night releases on its own, if only there was any real risk of losing matches early on while still standing and striking.
The ground game in EA Sports UFC has a few more issues. The main problem is that even after a successful takedown, it's very difficult to keep an opposing fighter from standing right back up. There are counters and transition blocks for both fighters, but executing the right move at the right time is the only way to keep the fighter on bottom from slipping out of a hold and standing right back up. This is terribly frustrating when fighting as a submission expert or a wrestler that doesn't have as good of a stand up game, and it makes fighting for mount position nearly meaningless. The submission system is a bit better but far from perfect as well. Holding a submission means hitting the same direction as an opponent to continue the hold, while using the left stick to quickly tighten a hold and keep an opponent from escaping. It's all a bit strange, and the massive meters that pop up on-screen during submissions definitely makes matches less immersive, but it is an improvement over older UFC games that were simply all about who could mash random buttons faster.
EA Sports UFC features a Tutorial mode, Fight Now mode, Ultimate Fighter Career mode and a couple of online modes. The Career mode is pretty interesting and allows players to create their own fighter and work their way up the ladder towards championship gold, or players can choose to use an already established fighter in nearly the same way. There are some cutscenes and a few things to do between matches such as grabbing a new sponsor or training. There are two ways to play online in Championship mode that features tournaments and bragging rights and a Rivalry mode where friends can meet up for online sessions. EA Sports UFC also includes a Challenge mode, though it is barely more than a glorified version of the game's Tutorial. The lack of any really interesting game modes makes EA Sports UFC a bit disappointing, but there is enough included in the game that fans that enjoy fighting online shouldn't have a problem spending hundreds of hours in the new title.
EA Sports UFC features an impressive roster of 97 different fighters including 7 women fighters for the first time in any UFC video game. The massive roster includes Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight and Flyweight in addition to the women fighters, and each weight class includes the most popular fighters and even some all-time greats such as Chuck Liddell in Light Heavyweight. EA Sports UFC also supports DLC fighters, and players can currently download Bruce Lee as a playable character in the game to really create some interesting matches in the game.
The presentation of matches in EA Sports UFC is topnotch. The game includes entrances and some fighters' actual theme songs such as Anderson Silva's DMX Ain't No Sunshine. Create a fighter also gets ring entrances that can be customized with a great soundtrack that also includes bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park, Imagine Dragons and Rick Ross. Before matches, players can check out the Tale of the Tape to learn more about each fighter and set up custom options for venues, referees and more. It also wouldn't be a true UFC experience without some ring girls between rounds, and EA Sports UFC manages to capture the likenesses of those ladies just as well as the game does with the UFC fighters.
EA Sports UFC is no doubt a good looking game, but it's the control scheme that can make or break this type of fighting game. EA Sports UFC is a very complex title that will take hours of matches and visiting and revisiting the tutorials to master, but the game rewards players by making each of their improved skills matter in the octagon. If there is one area where the game could be improved, it's in the ground game, as fighters seem to be too slippery to keep down for long, but it all seems to fit in with the game's theme of having matches last longer than usual in favor of seeing one misstep causing a player to lose a match.
EA Sports UFC is a fun game and an authentic experience to the UFC. The game masterfully captures the likeness of each fighter in the game and includes a perfect presentation complete with fighter tendencies and theme songs. Career, Create-a-Fighter and Online offer enough modes to keep most players satisfied, but we would've liked to seen a bit more ways to play such as different tournament formats or gauntlet matches. Fans of the UFC shouldn't hesitate to pick up a copy of EA Sports UFC, and fighting game fans will likely enjoy the game too. Players looking for a casual game to jump in and enjoy right away may need to look elsewhere though. EA Sports UFC is in stores now for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
EA Sports UFC is now available from all major retailers and can be purchased for the MSRP of $59.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. EA Sports UFC is rated T by the ESRB for Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes & Violence. For more information on the game, check out the official EA Sports UFC website.
Game Features:
- Online Multiplayer 1-2
- Online Seasons
- Ultimate Fighter Career Mode
- Bruce Lee DLC Fighter
- Trophy/Achievement Support
Game Information:
Developer & Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: PlayStation 4 & Xbox One (reviewed)
Release Date: June 17, 2014
