Published by: THQ

Developed by: Yuke’s Media Creations

Release Date: May 19, 2009 

Genre: Fighting Simulation

Admittedly I am not a big UFC fan at all, but a great game is a great game and UFC: undisputed is shaping up to be just that. The way I see it, if a demo launch of a game can keep you playing over and over again, there is something good going on. I haven’t stopped playing the 2 character exhibition only demo of Undisputed since it dropped in the PSN store and I can’t wait for the May 19th release of the full game.

Career mode boasts a custom character creator that may scrimp a bit on look detail but is more than in depth with training and skill adaptation. You manage an email account and a calendar for all of your fight updates, opportunities and scheduling. You can pick and choose your fights as well as when you fight, which seems to be equally as important because you need rest before bouts to maintain stamina.

You are able to attend the occasional UFC camp, learning new techniques and increasing attribute points in order to obtain an optimal fighter for competition.

Click here for a flash listing of some of the top name fighters -

Controls:

When you first start into a round your initial instinct (if you’ve played any of the Fight Night series) is to use the right analog stick to jab, cross and hook. You’re going to have to completely do away with any prior boxing game knowledge in order to really enjoy Undisputed. You will just find yourself frustrated and lost trying to fit this game into some previous category. If you must relate the controls to anything, go with Mortal Kombat 2. Instead of high and low punch/kick, think left and right punch/kick. Now just use L1 and L2 to allocate high and low. A lack of high or low input is a head punch or body kick by default, it’s that simple. Sprint is the same as Call of Duty and shifting around grapple holds is best thought of as a kick-flip in Skate or Skate 2. Over all the controls are very responsive.

There is a universal control scheme felt in each aspect of the game’s stages. Undisputed is best approached with the mind set that this is one big game made up of many smaller games. The stand up punch and kick Muay Thai boxing game, the wrestling ground and pound grappling game and the submission hold and escape game. Each is a matter of attacking and being able to counter the attack with enough skill and proper timing to either out right end the fight or move onto the next phase or mini game. If you treat each match as a series of games with separate controls and strategies, you will be less likely to become overwhelmed with all of the moves and how they could possibly fit into just one stage of the over all match.

There are many big names in Undisputed to choose from or fight against, with just as many styles of combat. JuJitsu, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Muay Thai, Judo, Wrestling, etc…there is something here for everyone.

The graphics are solid with realistic character models and arenas, nothing too note worthy however. The visuals are present, you won’t find yourself thinking that the game is ugly. On the downside, the crowd is a bit robotic and the fighters themselves are a bit too scripted in their movements and knockout sequences. Fight Night 4 is sure to reestablish the standard for unscripted random movements and human-like reaction, unfortunately Undisputed will be coming out before Fight Night 4 will be able to set that bar. For now the knockout scenes and movements are good enough to get by due to the fact that actual gaming dynamic of Undisputed is so solid.

Quick Fight Sample Video:

There is an online multi-player addition to the game, but no one will really know how well that will perform until launch of course.

Game Features:

• Authentic UFC Personalities: Explore a deep roster of more than 80 top names in UFC competition across all weight divisions and enter the Octagon surrounded by the sport’s popular commentators, announcers, referees, trainers, Octagon girls and more.
• Photo realistic Models and Effects: Absorb the world of UFC as it appears on television with photo realistic fighters who breathe, sweat and move like their real-life counterparts. Players will also experience ripple effects across the faces and bodies of their fighters from the impact of devastating punches and kicks.
• Revolutionary Ultimate Fighting™ Control: Gain the upper hand in match-ups with a brand new fighting game engine designed specifically for next generation systems. Emphasis on innovative, responsive and easy-to-play controls will give players unparalleled command of their fighters in the Octagon.
• Fighting Disciplines: Take down opponents and get the submission with a variety of mixed martial arts disciplines, including Judo, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Kickboxing, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
• Create-A-Fighter: Jump start the career of a future champion by customizing his physical appearance and attributes, learning new fighting techniques to use in the Octagon and managing his training process through attributes such as strength and cardiovascular health.
• Career Mode: Develop attributes, perfect moves and fight for entry into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Key:

• LH: Fighter can switch to Light Heavyweight
• MW: Fighter can switch to Middleweight
• WW: Fighter can switch to Welterweight
• LW: Fighter can switch to Lightweight

Heavyweights:

• Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
• Brock Lesnar
• Frank Mir
• Brandon Vera (LH)
• Gabriel Gonzaga
• Cain Velasquez
• Cheick Kongo
• Eddie Sanchez
• Heath Herring
• Andrei Arlovski
• Mirko Crocop
• Fabricio Werdum
• Tim Sylvia
• Mark Coleman
• Antoni Hardonk
• Justin McCully

Light Heavyweights:

• Chuck Lidell
• Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
• Forrest Griffin
• Tito Ortiz
• Keith Jardine
• Wanderlei Silva
• Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
• Lyoto Machida
• Rashad Evans
• Stephan Bonnar
• James Irvin
• Wilson Gouveia (MW)
• Houston Alexander
• Kazuhiro Nakamura
• Thiago Silva
• im Boetsch
• Ryan Bader (DLC)

Middleweights:

• Anderson Silva (LH)
• Rich Franklin (LH)
• Dan Henderson (LH)
• Michael Bisping (LH)
• Kendall Grove
• Chris Leben
• Jason MacDonald
• Nate Marquardt
• Drew McFedries
• Ricardo Almeida
• Evan Tanner
• Yushin Okami
• Demian Maia
• Martin Kampmann (WW)
• Amir Sadollah (WW)
• Thales Leites

Welterweights:

• Georges St-Pierre
• Matt Hughes
• Matt Sera (LW)
• Jon Fitch
• Karo Parisyan
• Josh Koscheck
• Diego Sanchez
• Mike Swick (MW)
• Marcus Davis
• Thiago Alves
• Chris Lytle
• Ben Saunders
• Josh Burkman
• Kyle Bradley
• Matt Arroyo
• Anthony Johnson

Lightweights:

• BJ Penn (WW)
• Sean Sherk (WW)
• Kenny Florian
• Roger Huerta
• Joe Stevenson
• Mac Danzig
• Nathan Diaz
• Spencer Fisher
• Tyson Griffin
• Gray Maynard
• Thiago Tavares
• Joe Lauzon
• Rich Clementi
• Mark Bocek
• Hermes Franca
• Frank Edgar
• Efrain Escudero (DLC)