PREVIEW
UFC Undisputed 2010
Developer: Yukes Entertainment
Publisher: THQ
ESRB: Teen
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release Date: 5/25/2010
Subhead: We brutalize a near-final build of THQ’s latest UFC brawler, and come away with a satisfying win (and bruised thumbs).
In a matter of weeks now, THQ will be pummeling store shelves with its latest iteration of the Ultimate Fighting Championship series, UFC Undisputed 2010. To ready the hungry media for its forthcoming release, the company invited a select few (including us!) down to Las Vegas to check out a near-final build of the game. Needless to say, we weren’t disappointed – even when we lost.
One of the biggest changes in this year’s edition of UFC Undisputed is the career mode. Rather than just walk your customized fighter through the empty, lifeless ranks of a fighter organization, you micro-manage basically everything about them. How they train (open or focused training), what areas they need work on (stamina, speed, etc.), where they learn new moves (basically through camp invites, in which there are dozens to choose from) and, eventually, the “big” fights where they make or break their career (mostly through UFC events or smaller affiliates) are all on the agenda. It’s important to keep an eye on your energy levels, though, because you don’t want to overwork yourself on fatigue and risk injury. Sometimes it’s important to take a rest day, just to balance out your levels in-between training sessions. Even batteries need a recharge.
Every aspect of career mode is looking sharp thus far, and it works with a menu interface that’s easy to navigate through. Choices are easy to make, and some of the smaller decisions, such as the answers you give co-announcer Joe Rogan during a post-match interview (should you be arrogant or nice?), can really help define which way your career goes. Also, don’t forget to train, and don’t be afraid to try some new techniques with the other camps. You might be surprised how helpful they are in the later match-ups.
If you prefer to just get down and dirty with the current UFC roster, you’re in luck. The game features over 80 fighters in numerous weight classes, including Welterweight and Heavyweight. Most of your favorites are present and accounted for, including Undisputed cover star (and current champion) Brock Lesnar, the stylish Anderson Silva (his winning pose is sweet) and Quentin “Rampage” Jackson, among others. It was great fun recreating some dream match-ups that have taken place, and even setting up a few that are yet to come. (Who says Kimbo Slice doesn’t stand a chance against Lesnar?)
With gameplay, UFC Undisputed feels just as good as last year’s game – and in some ways, even better. Along with the thunderous punches and kicks that can make or break a match (depending where you hit your opponent), the ground game is much more refined. You can put your enemy on the ground with a tackle, or perhaps even a reversal (if they’re trying to get a lower advantage on you). From there, if you’re the victim (of sorts), you can try and escape with some twists of the analog stick, or even reverse the move. If you started the submission, you can finish it by clicking the right analog stick at the right time, then proceeding to turn the analog stick a quarter-circle to a half-circle to go for the tap-out. This works better than we expected, although there are times that our armbar wasn’t as effective as, say, someone else’s. (It’s really a matter of strength and, in some cases, luck.)
UFC Undisputed 2010 also shows signs of improvement in its presentation. First and foremost, it’s great to see Bruce Buffer get some love from the developers. (“It’s TIME!”) Almost every other aspect of the UFC circuit is covered in great detail, from the highlighted sponsors on the mat (hey, Xyience is good stuff) to the beautiful ring girls to the enthusiastic crowds. But the thing that’ll really grab your attention is the detail given to the fighters. Every one of them looks like the real deal, save for occasionally odd staring moments. We also like the small stuff, such as Kimbo Slice’s hairy-beyond-belief beard (seriously, you could hide car keys in there) and Brock Lesnar’s post-match taunt (is he asking for a Coors?).
This is one game we’re truly looking forward to…and we’ve only reached the tip of the iceberg so far. Over the following month, Gameplaybook will have more coverage on UFC Undisputed 2010, including a visit to The Ultimate Fighter facility (look for news and pictures on that later this week), some truly warped fighter creations and, of course, our final review. Be sure to check back for all the coverage, or we’ll send “Rampage” Jackson over to your house to get some answers. No, really. He’s sitting here in the office. (Well, okay, he COULD be…)
Check out these screens:
