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EA Sports UFC: The Problem with MMA Games

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9 years ago

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Now this may comes as a surprise to you, but I’m a huge fight fan. I watch nearly every UFC event, I keep relatively up to date with boxing and I have a huge love of Muay Thai and kickboxing. I even train myself and have had a few gym bouts.

However unlike a lot of people that are into combat sports I’m a pretty big gamer. I wouldn’t go as far as to call myself hardcore because I have no clue what defines a hardcore gamer. However I am definitely more into video games than my gym mates who are more inclined to play FIFA on the weekends than delve into The Elder Scrolls.

So when I say that combat sports games aren’t doing well, I say this from the perspective of someone that really wants to see them do well. The issue with a lot of combat sports games is that they try very hard to be a simulation, but still seem to fall short.

I’m going to talk about MMA first, because this is the sport that is currently the most popular in video games with the recent release of EA Sports UFC. There have been MMA games for quite a long time. The earliest one that I can think of is Pride FC: Fighting Championship, whose title technically should be read as Pride Fighting Championship: Fighting Championship, given the ludicrous subtitle.

The game was decent for the time. It managed to handle the ground based fighting aspect of MMA decently well and, while it certainly wasn’t great, future MMA games improved upon it. The same however cannot be said for the striking. As and since that game, out of every MMA game I’ve played, only one has managed stand up fighting well, UFC Undisputed 3.

This game made striking work in a way that not even EA Sports UFC has. From the footwork, to the punches and kicks everything feels smooth and natural. When your fighter throws a punch he just throws it, he doesn’t pull his arm back to launch the single biggest punch he can throw each time. He’ll punch like an actual fighter will punch.

The footwork was, while not plodding, more grounded. When your fighter walks about he is actually walking about, as opposed to EA’s MMA games which, much like their boxing titles, feel as though you’re sliding around on ice the whole time.

If I’m playing an MMA game over a game like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat I’m probably doing a reason: I want to simulate the experience of an MMA fight. This is why, although developers have certainly tried, I only feel that the team behind Undisputed 3 have succeeded. The movement feels natural, it feels real.

They also put a lot more time into making every fighter in the game feel like their real life counterpart. A great example is their use of Rampage Jackson, because I know a lot of my audience are probably not as familiar with MMA as I am let me explain something important about Rampage.

First of all, he did this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyWXERqsfrg

 

Second of all, this man threw maybe five kicks his entire career. He always liked to rely on his hands and didn’t have much variety in his arsenal beside his boxing skills. So if you try to throw a low kick as Rampage Jackson… you’re going to have a hard time. His kick is slow and awkward.

Conversely when you play as Jose Also or Shogun Rua, two fighters known for their leg kicking prowess, their low kicks are very fast, chopping down on their opponents leg and are very reminiscent of the real life fighters.

 

However in EA Sports UFC this isn’t nearly as present. Sure there are some fighters that mimic their real life counterparts, but there is an over presence of flashy moves and cartwheel kicks that are actually easier to throw than a basic roundhouse kick. While this is fine for some, it definitely displeased a lot of fans who would have preferred those flashy kicks be something difficult to pull off or at least implement them in a way that this doesn’t happen:

 

After all, THIS is cool:

 

This however, is annoying:

 

In fairness this is their first attempt at an MMA game and hopefully they may fix some of these problems but with the sliding footwork and every shot seeming like its being thrown by an exhausted 40 year old, it’s leaving a lot of people disappointed.

Next time, I’m going to talk about kickboxing!

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I'm a writer based somewhere in the UK, I like fiction, dinosaurs, martial arts, holding hands and long walks on the beach.

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Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.46 introduces an exciting addition to the roster of exclusive cars available in the PS5 and PS4 racing game

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6 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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Gran Turismo 7 has just received an exciting update to version 1.46 on both PS5 and PS4. This latest update introduces a unique addition to the game: the Škoda Vision Gran Turismo, a car that you won’t come across in any other game. Škoda makes its debut in the franchise with a visionary study of a single-seater, all-electric racing concept car, designed exclusively for the Polyphony Digital racer.

Once you’ve downloaded update 1.46, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive not one but two additional cars: the AFEELA Prototype 2024 and the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe ’70. Get ready for an exhilarating ride! Watch as they take to the track in the video above.

Additionally, the update introduces a new menu for players to tackle in the GT Café. At Collector Level 38, players have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Ferrari 12-cylinder engines, gaining knowledge and expanding their collection. In World Circuits, players can look forward to exciting new events such as the Japanese Clubman Cup 550, the American FR Challenge 550, and the Vision Gran Turismo Trophy. For all the avid fans of Photo Mode, there’s an exciting opportunity to explore the captivating city of San Diego in a brand new Scape.

What are your thoughts on the latest update for Gran Turismo 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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ReFantazio Takes a Different Approach to Romance, Setting Itself Apart from the Persona Games

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8 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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Atlus’ highly anticipated RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, appears to incorporate familiar systems reminiscent of the developer’s acclaimed Persona series. The game features turn-based battles that heavily rely on exploiting enemy weaknesses. Additionally, players have the ability to summon warrior spirits during combat. However, the most significant aspect of this game, which will be discussed in this article, is the bonding system. Through this system, players can spend time with important characters and gain deeper insights into their personalities and stories.

In contrast to the Persona games, the bonding system ends at that point. Unfortunately, players will be unable to pursue romantic relationships with their beloved waifus, which may come as a disappointment to those who have developed strong feelings for Hulkenberg, the party’s charismatic red-haired elven knight.

According to Siliconera, the absence of romance came up during a recent question and answer session. Atlus emphasized the continued opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your allies while also introducing additional narratives through substories. In addition, familiarizing yourself with the supporting characters will grant you access to new archetypes, which serve as the game’s character classes.

In the Persona games, romance is not obligatory; rather, it serves as a means to customize your playthrough. However, it is quite unexpected that Metaphor has chosen not to pursue such a venture, considering the significant amount of discussion it typically generates!

Were you anticipating any romantic elements in Metaphor? If you’re not satisfied with your pre-order, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Shift Up unveils the intriguing details behind the physical packaging of Stellar Blade for the PS5

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1 day ago

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April 24, 2024

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It appears that many

are eagerly anticipating the launch of the highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, Stellar Blade. Shift Up, the developer, has shared a lengthy video showcasing the “secrets” found in the physical box of the game for PS5. From what we can gather, these secrets include a reversible cover/dust jacket and a download code for cosmetic items.

We must clarify that while we do appreciate the variant cover, it may be more appealing than the game’s standard art. However, it is not something we would typically classify as a “secret.”. However, what’s interesting is that Shift Up has confirmed through the comments section that this will be the case in all regions. Additionally, the visually striking action RPG will remain uncensored worldwide.

It’s refreshing to witness a developer going the extra mile for physical collectors, and it’s evident that the developer is determined to leave a favorable mark in the console realm. Stellar Blade is set to make its highly anticipated debut this Friday, April 26th, exclusively on the PS5.

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