XboxGameZone.co.uk

After taking the decision to abandon the concept of yearly releases, THQ and Yuke’s have taken a step back, tweaked their posture and launched a devastating counter attack on the MMA fighting genre. With a huge collection of fighters, a raft of new changes and simplified controls for the newcomer to the series, this new title attempts to satisfy the demands of the UFC veterans whilst easing in new players that were previously frustrated by the steep learning curve.

While the initial lengthy tutorial may be fantastically informative and quite in-depth, it will leave those new to the series still a little daunted about the prospect of remembering a huge list of moves and counter-moves. None are more technically challenging than the transitions and ground moves. However, this can now be simplified with the new amateur controls for grappling. Instead of having to perform circular motions on the right thumb-stick, with the simplified controls, a simple up or down will perform either a minor or major transition. This method is far more forgiving and a welcome boost for new players. Pro control is still there as the default option and will still be widely used during training exercises.

Another feature that has had a major overhaul is the submission system. Once you are locked on with your submission move an octagon appears on-screen. Each player has a bar representing their corners colour. Using the right thumb-stick the attacker must cover the defenders bar to wear them down and force a tap out, whilst the defender must avoid it at all costs. Think of it as a small mini game of cat and mouse. The size of the bars will vary depending on both players’ stamina levels, submission skills and damage to each particular limb. Submissions therefore require a tactical element and the need to work on a particular part of your opponent’s body. Submissions are a lethal part of any UFC fighter’s arsenal and can quickly end a fight, even if your fighting style does not lead towards submission moves, a basic knowledge and skill of defending against them is vital.

With over 150 fighters and weight divisions right through from Bantamweight, Featherweight and the hard hitting Heavyweight division, there is a wealth of fighters, each with their own unique play styles and varied stats. Many big names in the world of UFC have been recreated to a very high standard, with more to come in future DLC; it really is an impressively huge roster of fighters.

Integration of the PRIDE fighting championship this time around not only brings with it a rich offering of fighters, the rules and venue also make its way across. The now extinct PRIDE FC features a smaller boxing style ring and gruelling 10-minute first rounds, making for a different game plan than regular UFC octagon fighting. While UFC may appear brutal at times, there is actually a wide range of rules in place compared to the PRIDE FC. Fighting in a 10-minute first round may be punishing enough; the ability to mount your opponent from the side and deal a swift knee to the head makes for an even more demanding fight. Safety cannot be found on the mat either, as head stomps and football style kicks to the skull are all perfectly legal in the PRIDE FC. The whole presentation and commentating style is a vast difference to the UFC that players of the previous game will be familiar with. It really is an excellent decision to include the PRIDE FC and enjoyably brutal to participate in.

With all those fighters and venues to use, exhibition mode has a large amount of options to keep you coming back for more. With a wide range of customisable options such as the ability to remove flash knockouts, equalise stats, or ramp the difficulty up with simulation mode on your energy gauge; gamers of all levels will feel that they are well catered for.

The AI on the lower skill levels is still difficult for newcomers to the series. Button mashing and poor defence will leave you dropped in your own pool of blood rather quickly, even with the AI set on beginner. While the AI will stick to a rigid game plan on the lower difficulty levels, the more technical fighters will still surprise you with swift counters and the occasional submission. Ramp up the difficulty and the matches become brutally hard. Winning will only be achieved with the ability to dodge and utilize counter attacks, while a good ground game is vital. If you struggle to counter transitions on the floor, or sway and duck to avoid blows then it’s back to the excellent tutorials to hone your skills. You will get hurt, often. Veterans of the series will love the new moves and vast improvements on the combat mechanics. Victory is extremely satisfying and generally well deserved.

Title match and Title Defence mode are all present and correct. Choose your fighter, win matches to climb the ladder and successfully win your division’s title belt. Defend this belt to win shop points and unlocks in the game. Ultimate Fights sees you recreate classic fights while fulfilling criteria throughout. Rather than criteria such as, come back from a knockdown to win, or win by submission, you have a bar along the bottom of your screen with changing tasks to complete. Land ‘X’ amount of blows, or get your opponent into a certain position, all seems like a good idea, but the game mode never flows as it should. With the criteria changing every thirty seconds it becomes very stop start affair. However, the ability to create your own tournaments both in UFC and PRIDE fighting mode adds yet more options.

Career mode however, is where you will spend the vast majority of your single player time. Either use an existing fighter, or create your own, you can take your fighter through the World Fighting Alliance and onto the dizzy heights of the UFC. Stripped back to basics, this mode does away with complex calendars and promotions away from the ring and concentrates on the training and fighting. The presentation is excellent throughout, with a TV series style approach; fighters will give interviews and highlights from various stages in their career. From talking about their first fight, discussing the feeling after that first defeat and right through to winning that elusive title; it’s all presented to a very high standard. Stepping away from a story driven approach is welcome and satisfying.

Those familiar with early Fight Night games will feel instantly at home. Schedule your fight and spend either 1 or 2 actions before the fight comes around to improve your fighter. Training drills are all playable, ranging from heavy bag work and workouts with the trainer and pads, through to straight-up sparring. Each training regime will increase certain stats, while slightly decreasing others. Careful thought about your chosen fighting style must be well considered before simply choosing a training regime.

Another option to spend your time on before a fight is to pack up your kit and visit one of the fighting gyms around the world. These camps allow you to learn new moves, or improve on the moves you already have at your disposal. Affiliation with these camps will reap further rewards the more times you visit and there is certainly no harm in having some killer moves at your disposal. Your final option is to work on a game plan prior to your match-up. A chosen game plan will require you to achieve certain targets in your fight while you are rewarded with a temporary stat boost. This excellent idea allows you to study your opponent, find his weakness and tailor your game plan to take him down.

Management of your fighter is reduced to shopping for new clothes and outfits to managing your sponsors to earn you more cred; your in game currency. Cred earned in matches is used to attend gyms, complete training sessions and buy the ability to unlock higher stat increases and abilities. With a much more stripped back approach to your career you are left to concentrate on the most important thing, which is of course the fighting.

Working your way from the lower leagues through to the razzmatazz of the UFC arena is a long and arduous affair, but never repetitive or frustrating. While your early fights may be little more than an extended tutorial, once you reach the higher ranked fighters, each fight becomes increasingly difficult. Adapting to your opponents fighting style and mastering your own skills is extremely vital. Swapping weight class to make your name as the best pound for pound fighter is achieved after a successful run of results.

The more success you have in your career will result in magazine covers, perform well in events and earn recognition for fighter of the year, earning even more cred. PRIDE FC is integrated into the career mode with the PRIDE Grand Prix, an excellent addition to the career mode but sadly only playing a very small part. It would have been nice to have more integration of this league throughout the career though. With no story mode and no incentive to pay attention to any other match ups, simply skipping ahead to your own match is all that is needed in career mode. Extremely long loading times however, will disappoint you throughout the career, to the point where it becomes annoying.

Another sticking point is that matches still tend to only last one round. Whilst playing through two careers at different weights classes, none of my 60+ matches ever went the distance. The vast majority were done and dusted in the opening round. Even matches between two technical ground fighters were over a little quicker than expected.

Putting these problems aside, you are still left with an excellent fighting game. Combat is fluid and swift, a faithful representation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Attacks are responsive and satisfying, counters and feints are pulled off with ease. Ground technicians will excel with the intuitive approach to the genre. Those taking the time to learn and master the enormous variety of moves will feel extremely rewarded. Flash knockouts require much more precision, the overhaul of the submission system and wealth of fighting styles of offer go great lengths to improve this game from previous incarnations.

Online fighting clubs and the ability to create and share fighters, logos and events will help create a community online. While I was unable to try the online features in this review version, standard public and ranked matches make an appearance. Plug in a second controller and you have a very solid multiplayer fighting experience.

UFC Undisputed 3 is much more than a natural progression of the series. Taking the time out to improve almost every aspect of the game while removing or cutting back unpopular ideas has paid dividends. The fighting is both challenging and enjoyable. A host of new moves enable you to use the entire ring to gain the upper hand.  A wealth of fighters and a fantastic range of fighting styles create a fantastic mix of styles, while the presentation and graphical display is of a very high calibre. MMA is fast becoming more main-stream and with UFC Undisputed 3 providing an excellent recreation of the sport it can only please long-term fans as well as newcomers to the sport. Maybe more franchises should step away from yearly releases and concentrate on the game if improvements are as satisfying as this.