UFC 2010 UNDISPUTED PREVIEW EVENT (PG. 2/2)
By Paul Stuart
Several hours and a shower later, the Preview Event reached its culmination at the Hugh Hefner Suite in the Palms Hotel, a dramatic backdrop overlooking the entire outer Las Vegas Strip. With endless finger food and the UFC 2010 Undisputed development team at my disposal, I dove ring first into the game’s Career Mode.
Three hours into Career Mode – and having sufficiently grilled the development team for any/every question that emerged – I had a solid overall impression of THQ’s new title:
Perhaps not surprising for 2009 veterans, the Havok-powered engine is fantastic. THQ confirmed it upped this physics-based system to include better button-strike realism, updated grapple tendencies, three more fighting styles, also the ability to have glancing blow, counter-timing effects. I experienced this first hand through induced and received knockouts via mistimed strikes resulting in being left open for dramatic, simultaneous counter-attacks.
UFC fans will salivate over the juiced up crowd engine, audio-visual cut scenes, availability of on-screen individuals at once, and additional sponsors plus accompanying UFC authenticity elements. Ooohs and aaahs accompanied pre-match introductions.
Player models – having seen their real life counterparts front and center – are fantastic. Comparing it to the 2009 version (which I picked up upon return to native soil), 2010 is a notable improvement. Rosters reflect current UFC fighter stables.
Click Image for full gallery of in-game screen shots
The core of 2010 arguably lies in its Career Mode, a surprisingly addictive, almost RPG style approach to building fighter skills and tendencies. Mismanagement of training results in skills deterioration; careful camp-based, move development equates to a well-rounded fighter with knockout tendencies. Inspired by my Muay Thai session, my fighter – a mid-range leg striker – benefited well from a meticulous regiment featuring standing strike buildup plus camp dedication to distance leg striking. Playing at lower difficulty levels now corresponds to longer skill increase timelines.
One of the UFC 2010 Undisputed’s stated highlights include a collaborative, online camp mode (not yet active for the version I played) to enable skills training by your peers. Moreover, match victories by fellow camp members will increase both your camp and fighter abilities, a clever community approach aimed at replayability.
While floored – pun intended, I suppose – with the pros of UFC 2010 Undisputed, the learning curve remains high. Three hours in – and coached by THQ PR and development staff – I began to grasp the intermediate nuances of a very robust engine. I offer this statement to warn series n00bs (such as myself) to prepare for a fair amount of entry point frustration along the way. Akin to myself, a discounted copy of 2009 might be the best pre-requisite.
I also couldn’t help but notice the glaring absence of Australia from the game – the entire continent, mind you – from Career Mode. I was informed by several of my journalist colleagues this a peculiar oversight with a UFC reality show fighter based out of Oz. Apparently Oz-Gate was a known omission by the THQ development team, two of whom admitted a similar faux pas in ignoring Germany within earlier iterations. In the interests of our Australia-based readers, I lobbied for a patch.
The Preview Event closed with a 2010 middleweight class tournament – grand prize being a UFC mock championship belt - an endeavor of which I lasted a total of 90 seconds before submission at the hands of Anderson Silva. I felt slightly better when the man who beat me ousted UFC trainer Marc Laimon minutes later.
Significantly sore calves, multiple hours of gameplay time, and instant immersion into the UFC experience later, I can say with confidence that a terrific UFC 2010 Undisputed title appears around the corner. Demo codes are available at the UFC Community Site for those wishing to test the octagon waters.
Stay tuned for updated information on UFC 2010 Undisputed as we get closer to the May 25 launch date.
Related Links: UFC 2010: Undisputed, UFC Community Site, UFC.com, *UFC 2010: Undisputed Game Review*
UFC Undisputed 2010 is the only mixed martial arts (MMA) videogame that delivers the action, intensity and prestige of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Step into the Octagon to experience the most advanced and commanding virtual MMA action with more than 100 of the best UFC fighters in the world. Experience intelligent and intuitive combat, increased fighter customization, robust career progression, challenging new gameplay modes and explosive online offerings. UFC Undisputed 2010 embodies the ultimate essence and supremacy of a UFC fighter. |
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- UFC FIGHTERS AND PERSONALITIES – Navigate an unparalleled roster of more than 100 prolific UFC fighters, each fully rendered to convey a photorealistic appearance. Prominent UFC personalities, including the commentary team of Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg, veteran voice of the Octagon Bruce Buffer, Octagon Girls, referees, trainers and more return to showcase an authentic and memorable UFC videogame experience.
- ENHANCED COMBAT – Step into the Octagon with improved combat. A new Sway System with full upper body and head movement allows for the dodging of attacks, while on the ground, a new Posture System delivers strong, fight-ending strikes from every position. Manage Octagon control with new strikes, submissions, transitions and cage positions, as well as experience added realism with the introduction of Southpaw stance.
- FIGHTER CUSTOMIZATION – Enjoy customizable freedom with created fighters by combining move sets from numerous MMA disciplines. Choose from an array of moves from all available disciplines, including newly added Sambo, Karate and Greco-Roman Wrestling, to become a true mixed martial artist.
- EXPANSIVE ONLINE PLAY – Encourage camaraderie by forming fight camps and leagues to participate in ranking and champion tracking systems. Join forces, train like real-life UFC fighters and go online to compete against other camps in the virtual UFC world.
- CAREER MODE – An intuitive “Game Is Watching You” system tracks every action and uses this information to dictate in-game commentary, opponent intelligence and overall career progression. On the quest to reach the UFC Hall of Fame, enhance the Career Mode experience through online co-op sparring sessions with respective fight camps and form unique personalities for created fighters to increase their cred, popularity and sponsorships based on interactions during weigh-ins and interviews.
- TITLE AND TITLE DEFENSE MODES – Fight through one of UFC’s five official weight classes to earn and defend a championship belt in Title Mode. In Title Defense Mode, a fighter’s condition remains persistent, with milestone challenges built in along the way.
- TOURNAMENT MODE – Explore up to 16-player individual and team tournaments within one system. Utilize UFC fighters or created fighters and select from arcade-style play with repeated fighter appearances or experience simulation play with fighter representation limited to one appearance.
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