EA Sports UFC 5 Review

Waiting three years to release a new UFC game might have been a gamble, but EA Sports UFC 5 delivers a satisfying take on the sport of mixed martial arts. With its next-gen presentation and refreshed mechanics, it embodies the gritty reality that draws fans to the Octagon.

The new Frostbite engine has given fighters a more life-like look. From the craggy granite mug of Islam Makhachev to the mean girl scowl of Jon Jones, faces and expressions are strikingly realistic.

Gameplay

It’s clear EA Sports took to heart feedback after the disappointment that was UFC 4. With gameplay that is both intuitive and rewarding, it’s a solid entry in the series.

Its natural impact system provides a more realistic experience in the Octagon as fighter attributes progress more realistically throughout a fight. In addition, the new ground fighting controls make it easier to transition into submission or bed-and-pound moves.

The Frostbite engine also helps provide a visually stunning and engaging fight experience. The realism is further enhanced by the authentic damage system, which allows for 64,000 possible facial combinations and fluid physics that elevate blood and sweat to represent the sport’s brutality. It all adds up to a game that feels as close as a video game can get to the ring.

Graphics

Mixed martial arts games are a difficult genre to adapt to video game platforms, and UFC 5 does an impressive job bringing the sport into the current console generation. Its visual overhaul is a welcome change, with slicker graphics that make the action more natural.

Using the Frostbite engine, a new Real Impact System adds a more realistic look to fighter fidelity and gameplay animations. This, along with improved physics and fluid effects like blood and sweat, makes the fights feel authentic and immersive.

Another new addition is a cinematic KO replay feature showcasing every finish’s brutality. It’s a welcome improvement and something that could have been overlooked in previous UFC titles. This is all part of the attention to detail that EA Sports has added to this year’s game.

Audio

EA Sports UFC 5 is a solid title for those looking to live out their MMA rags-to-riches fantasies or enjoy the sport. It’s also an excellent game to play with friends, thanks to its many game modes and an excellent tutorial that doesn’t overwhelm players.

UFC 5 takes the series to new heights by combining elements from sports simulation and fighting games to create its best overall game. Its next-generation graphics upgrades breathe life into gameplay animations and add to the spectacle of a real fight, while its damage system brings both the brutality and strategy of the sport to the foreground. Even little touches like swelling to a fighter’s eyes are brought to life, adding to the realism of the experience.

Career Mode

Three years after the head-turning UFC 4, EA Sports Vancouver has delivered a worthy successor. The MMA game still revels in the grizzly realism that draws fans to the Octagon, and matches are filled with stylish reversals and frenzied knockouts.

The career mode has been slightly tweaked. Training can now be simulated to cut down on repetition, and the roster has been updated to include some fan favorites like Rampage Jackson.

The next-gen Frostbite engine does a remarkable job of delivering stunning graphics, realistic damage, and detailed strand hair animations. However, the striking feels generic, and it’s hard to distinguish one fighter from another once they enter the ring. This is especially noticeable with the added fighters like Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali, who are eerily similar in their fighting styles.

Online

Three years and a new console generation later, EA Sports UFC 5 finally delivers the current-gen game that mixed martial arts fans have been waiting for. While the gameplay could use a little more work in some areas (specific bugs and flailing limbs still don’t look realistic), it’s a fantastic step forward for the franchise and a must-have for any sports fan.

Adding to the experience is online modes, allowing players to play ranked fights in one of four divisions with their created fighter. In addition, EA Sports has promised an Evolution Mode to see players rise the rankings and try to win a championship similar to previous MMA games.

With a solid solo career mode, flashy presentation improvements, and loads of extras, UFC 5 is the best iteration of the franchise yet.