UFC Undisputed 2010

Review from Cav - Monday, 12 July 2010 @ 10:25am

I am willing put my next paycheque from Australian Gamer on the fact that I believe that I am not the only person who, when they first played UFC Undisputed 2010, said “Hang on, where’s the improvement?” Now that can be attributed to one of two things: Firstly it could be lack of attention to detail on my behalf or secondly, the amazing standard of the graphics in THQ’s first Mixed Martial Arts offering of 2009. With the option to play both on and offline, there is quite a bit to sink your teeth into… or your fists.

Some improvements have been implemented to the fighting mechanism to make Undisputed 2010 that much better than last years. The sway system, if you can get a fair handle on how to use it, is a priceless tool. The ability to dodge that haymaker and return with a clinch and takedown or an uppercut that nails that button can turn a match around for you in an instant. The cage walls are now also a tool at your disposal. I don’t care if you played UFC 09 or not, as I thoroughly recommend you go through as many tutorial sessions as possible, so you can learn as much as you can. If you can master both the standing and ground games, you should be able to fulfill a successful career.

Let's see if I can make that ear any uglier

Damage done to your opponent is just as brutal as it was last year. Bodies will be bruised, skin will be gashed and blood will be spilled…. On the mat, on you and your opponents. I don’t recall it happening in UFC 09, but at one stage of a match, the referee called a doctor into the octagon to check me out to see if a cut I had sustained was bad enough to end the fight. The match was allowed to continue, but the moment of indecision, where my flawless record was teetering on the brink of becoming tainted, had me worried. I may sound a bit sadistic, but watching the claret fly from your grounded opponents face while you smash him repeatedly with hammer fists, just waiting for the Ref to stop the fight...well there’s just something about that that makes a gamer grin.

The rosters are bigger than ever and include fighters from the latest UFC ‘Reality TV’ series, The Ultimate Fighter. Now that I think of it, an Ultimate Fighter Element to the game would be a great idea and really change up the 2011 instalment. Imagine having to go through an almost ‘Sims-esque’ element of surviving in a house full of other hopefuls. You could really change things up in this game, instead of just training and fighting. Your popularity could enhance ratings, your housemates could annoy the crap out of you and rivalries could be formed in the house.... you could even screw up big time and get kicked out! I really, really wanna see this.

Double KO anyone?

One thing I urge you to do is watch an entire Ultimate Fighting Championship Pay Per View Event. Not a real one on Foxtel or Austar (not that I discourage that at all) but watch a whole event in the career mode, in game. The spectacle is fantastic, as it’s truly like the real thing: Zuffa promo advert at the start, promo skits for the title fights, the tale of the tape, replays from all sorts of angles, big calls from ring announcer Bruce Buffer and if you are competing in the PPV, you even get your after match interview with Joe Rogan, where you can set yourself up as a fan favourite by praising the crowd or a real bad guy, by bagging out your opponent.

As with almost every game, it’s always best to, pardon the pun on the genre, learn the ropes before venturing out into the big wide world of online gaming. UFC2010 is very online/multiplayer focused, but I am finding that nearly 85% of games that I come across these days are and I am not sure how I feel about that... but that’s another article all together. Online tournies and training camps are available, but once again the quality all depends on your connection. I had moments of brilliance online and utter failures. It’s an awesome concept that needs to be complimented by an awesome connection and awesome skill.

Left Hand Yellow... Right Foot Blue... Left Foot Red

Here’s where I become stuck. I am not going to be able to tell you much more than what I did in my review of Undisputed 09. Create a Fighter is still there and just as good, Classic Fights are back and the challenge is just as hard. The game really is the same with the obvious improvements that I have mentioned. But this is true with most sporting titles, is it not? NBA XX, NHL XX, FIFA XX, it’s the same thing with improvements, but yet we continue you purchase the next in the series, year after year. This is truly one of the unexplained mysteries of the worlds that keeps developers pockets lined.

Pros

Sway System - Online Camps - Cleaner images - better lip sync than last year

Cons

Still some lengthy loading times - Depleting stats annoying - still slightly grindy