EA Sports UFC (PlayStation 4)

EA Sports is turning its attention to mixed martial arts following the success of its Fight Night franchise. Its latest game, Ultimate Fighting Championship, is the first mixed martial arts game designed for the next generation of consoles.

The new face of fighting

What immediately stands out about EA Sports UFC is how impressive the game looks. The game has been developed with the PlayStation 4 in mind, which means the graphics stand out in how sharp and detailed they are.

Character models and animations are a significant leap over those featured in the last generation of fighting games, particularly during close-ups and in-action. Like all EA Sports titles, the game comes with a stylish presentation that replicates the look and feel of a UFC event on TV.

The game features numerous famous UFC fighters that have been rendered accurately. Each fighter also comes with detailed stats and a stamina quotient that defines their strengths and weaknesses during a fight.

The various attack styles in UFC translates into complex battles, particularly if the fighters end up grappling on the mat. It’s not uncommon to be holding and pressing multiple buttons simultaneously at this juncture, so a bit of dexterity on behalf of the player is required.

Four on the floor

UFC is a multifaceted sport that has a dedicated fan base, though it still lacks the universal appeal of boxing. While EA has gone to great lengths to instil a stylish presentation, the game itself is not as accessible as titles such as Street Fighter or Tekken.

MMA battles have a tendency to start off as uprights fights that somehow end up as grappling struggles on the mat. This means the importance of face-to-face fights in the game is somewhat diminished, as the match may be decided in the outcome of a submission attempt.

The game’s career mode shows promise at first, but ultimately fails to capture the excitement and tension of being an MMA fighter. The experience becomes a bit repetitive over time, and the videos shown between fights are often as forgettable as those in EA’s own Need for Speed games.

EA Sports UFC does a good job of representing the sport and its fighters, and fans will appreciate all the little details. Everyone else, though, will need to take into account the more complex mechanics of the sport before deciding to step into the ring.