I know that “epic” is an overused term. Usually if anyone on YouTube posts something that’s supposed to be “epic,” you can expect some over-the-top kind of whatever. If you see any other “epic” EA Sports UFC 3 fight, you’ll probably watch a mindless slugfest. This is why I think the video above is so special. It’s an exciting battle with some back and forth, capped off by a nice dramatic finish. But I’m not talking about Rocky Balboa action. This is a high-tension MMA match that’s not lacking in realism (well except for Anthony Pettis’ 7 or 8 or circus, cartwheel kicks). I’m controlling Justin Gaethje, against the CPU set on hard. Note how cautious Pettis is, usually keeping his distance, picking his shots and exploiting my mistakes. The A.I. behaves like a real fighter (except for the circus kicks) and fights extremely smart, never resorting to cheapness.
I’m still loving EA Sports UFC 3, by the way. And yes, it’s official; EA Sports UFC 3 is the best MMA game to date, even better than UFC Undisputed 3. So I finally started the career mode, which is a testament to how good the game is. No career mode of past MMA and boxing games were compelling enough for me to get really invested in. As I’ve said before, it’s all about the action inside the Octagon that matters. The presentation is only icing on the cake. One thing I truly appreciate about UFC 3’s career mode is how streamlined the training sessions are. You don’t have to play stupid mini games to boost your stamina and strength or other attributes. You do have to partake in small challenges to gain perks or learn new moves. For example, to learn a particular submission move, you have to earn it by maintaining side control for 25 seconds (something I haven’t been able to complete yet, in part due to my top game rating not being high enough). Some challenges are easier than others, but all in all, the stat boosting nonsense has mostly been relegated to quick and painless clicking of the X button.
At any rate, meet Ricardo Martin. He’s a heavyweight. So far he’s 8 and 0. He’s a grappler at heart but he likes to stand and bang. Doesn’t have dynamite in his fists (yet) but fully capable of putting your lights out if he hits you at the right time.
Ever since it came out 6 years ago, THQ’s UFC Undisputed 3 has been the gold standard of MMA games. It’s full of content and the gameplay captures the essence of just about every facet of MMA. It’s solid all around with hardly any kinks in its armor. EA Sports finally got its shot at the UFC license around three and a half years ago and shipped the passable but flaw-filled EA Sports UFC. Most of its issues were addressed and fixed in the sequel, EA Sports UFC 2, which was undoubtedly a step in the right direction. Nearly two years have gone by and we now have EA Sports UFC 3. If UFC 2 was a step in the right direction, UFC 3 represents an epic leap towards perfection. It’s not perfect, don’t get me wrong. I can list at least a dozen things I’d like to see improved, removed from and added to EA Sports UFC 3, but I’m not going to, at least not at this time. It’s easy to find flaws but the fact of the matter is that not every feature is possible. Concessions have to be made. There are limitations in technology and resources. A great developer recognizes the essentials and implements them, adds bells and whistles as needed while making sacrifices that may not prove too popular with the fans. This, in a nutshell, describes the masterpiece known as EA Sports UFC 3. I’ve said this about other MMA games but it’s never been more fitting than it is with this one. The action inside the Octagon is authentic, nuanced, strategic and dynamic. The matches flow like a real MMA fight, with all the intensity, drama and unpredictability we love so much about the sport. The A.I., if you’re a single player-oriented type of gamer like I am, is the most human-like I’ve ever seen, with believable tendencies and tactics. In fact they present a more authentic MMA experience than most players you’ll face online. UFC 3’s gameplay is highly customizable thanks to the introduction of sliders, which allow you to adjust various aspects like health, stamina and transition speeds, to name a few things. Once you find that sweet spot that’s just right for you, you’ll find yourself in MMA heaven, engaged in some of the most spectacularly realistic MMA sim fights you’ve ever seen, period, flaws and all. I hope to come around to writing a more detailed review one of these days, but if a picture is worth a thousand words, surely, a video is worth a million. Be sure to check out the video below, a fight between Yoel Romero (controlled by yours truly) and Luke Rockhold, in anticipation of their upcoming bout this weekend. Note the dynamic events and Rockhold’s calculated approach. It’s just one example of how sophisticated this game truly is. It’s the game MMA fans have dreamed of for the past decade.
With UFC 208 happening tomorrow, I figured I’d simulate the match I’m most interested in: Anderson Silva vs. Derek Brunson. Well it’s not really a “simulation” in the sense that I’m controlling one of the fighters rather than staging a CPU vs. CPU match, but it’s still pretty realistic and probably more so because of it.
What did you think? This is not an official prediction on my part, I just always like to play as the guy that’s more interesting to fight as. Anything is possible in MMA especially when you have an aging fighter like Silva, whose legacy was built around his once amazing reflexes and ability to bewilder opponents with his unorthodox and unpredictable offense. Most agree that Silva is several years removed from his prime, but you can never count out a legend.
Last year I wrote about how UFC Undisputed 3 is still the undisputed king of MMA games. After a solid start, the original EA Sports UFC ended up being a game I truly hated. It started as a barebones game that was at least playable and had some strong elements despite being short on features. The unfortunate reality was that EA Sports UFC was a $60 beta, and EA Sports treated it as such, patching it maybe 10 times, with each patch significantly altering the game’s feel and balance. By the final patch, EA Sports UFC barely resembled the game I played on day one.
Last March, EA Sports UFC 2 came out with a vengeance. It has very little in common with its predecessor. I’m almost inclined to call it the best MMA game ever, but a few things hold it back (the ever annoying parries are still there among other things, and the clinch game is WEAK). Still, it’s up there with UFC Undisputed 3. The highest compliment I feel I can give an MMA game is that it FEELS and FLOWS like a real MMA match. The game’s been out for around 9 months and there are dozens of reviews out there so I won’t write one here. Instead I’ll be posting a series of matches that show how realistic EA Sports UFC 2 can be at the hands of a true sim player (ME!). Here’s one to get you started!
EA Sports have not said a word about a sequel to the joke of an MMA game they released last year. Sooner or later it will come, but don’t hold your breath. I will post a series of UFC Undisputed 3 matches to show just how great it is (or how horrible EA Sports UFC is).
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