Should I buy the game now?

[RetractedMonkey]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

@Lars and @tomi

Is that really the case? I've seen complaints, but I was left with the impression people have rather resigned to what the game is, ignored the deficiencies and kind of tried to like the game for whatever little it offers. If there have been rants and ****storms that I've missed — fair enough. It's just that the likes of Reddit also don't seem to be places that EA particularly care about. It is only when people like Romero and Pryoxis are speaking out the way they are that I get the "****'s finally truly gone south, huh" feeling.

This isn't aimed at you, but rather it's a good launch pad for my point: you notice when Pryoxis and Romero are lobbying complaints against the game they most often DON'T coalesce with the complaints you see on this board?

What you see on this board is the same tired **** we've seen every year about stamina and pressure. Those problems have been fixed. I'm sorry, they just have. If people aren't in a position to play at a high enough level to see these changes, that is no other problem than their own. Now, are the high level players saying that these mechanics are perfect? No, you can always improve, but largely the day is gone where pressure and stamina were something universally panned by low and high level players alike.

Rather, Pryoxis and Romero are taking issue with the complex details of the meta most of the time (details that can derail the game if playing the wrong player or if you get unlucky, to be fair) and overarching issues (the kind of issues pressure and stamina used to be) some of the time. We've accepted that this is a good game mechanically, or rather it COULD be if it was the best version of itself.

The people on this board and Reddit take issue with the fundamental design of the game which is not how Pryoxis and Romero see it. They are more focused on things that AREN'T in the game rather than things that are and don't work. The biggest overarching issue I can think of is tracking of punches and kicks, but you don't often hear low skill players talk about that because they're caught up in the miasma of terrible play in quick fight and low level ranked. They scale up their problems to such a high degree because of that.

Like, this guy thinks 200 fights is a lot. You know how many fights in UFC 3 and 4 I had to play to get to this level? I don't think I'd be off if I said it was over six thousand. Granted, it would take significantly less play time to simply gain competency in all aspects of the game, but 200 fights ain't even close.

[Kingslayer04]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

This isn't aimed at you, but rather it's a good launch pad for my point: you notice when Pryoxis and Romero are lobbying complaints against the game they most often DON'T coalesce with the complaints you see on this board?

What you see on this board is the same tired **** we've seen every year about stamina and pressure. Those problems have been fixed. I'm sorry, they just have. If people aren't in a position to play at a high enough level to see these changes, that is no other problem than their own. Now, are the high level players saying that these mechanics are perfect? No, you can always improve, but largely the day is gone where pressure and stamina were something universally panned by low and high level players alike.

Rather, Pryoxis and Romero are taking issue with the complex details of the meta most of the time (details that can derail the game if playing the wrong player or if you get unlucky, to be fair) and overarching issues (the kind of issues pressure and stamina used to be) some of the time. We've accepted that this is a good game mechanically, or rather it COULD be if it was the best version of itself.

The people on this board and Reddit take issue with the fundamental design of the game which is not how Pryoxis and Romero see it. They are more focused on things that AREN'T in the game rather than things that are and don't work. The biggest overarching issue I can think of is tracking of punches and kicks, but you don't often hear low skill players talk about that because they're caught up in the miasma of terrible play in quick fight and low level ranked. They scale up their problems to such a high degree because of that.

Like, this guy thinks 200 fights is a lot. You know how many fights in UFC 3 and 4 I had to play to get to this level? I don't think I'd be off if I said it was over six thousand. Granted, it would take significantly less play time to simply gain competency in all aspects of the game, but 200 fights ain't even close.

I actually made that initial post because I saw both Romero and Pryoxis address non-core gameplay issues as well. Right now, this isn't about stamina and damage to me, as EA have made about 50 steps back from UFC 3, so stamina and damage have somehow moved way back in my priorities.

And sure, the non-gameplay complaints by Romero and Pryoxis amount to maybe 15% of the entirety of their complaints, but they do make them. In fact, that 15% (this is a rather arbitrary number) is why I'm left with the impression a lot of people choose not to bat an eye to how horrid the game is OUTSIDE of the cage as well.

I also have my issues gameplay-wise and Romero does a terrific job discussing a lot of them in his video, but my focus right now is mostly outside of the cage. As I have said before, this game isn't good even by casual standards. The player is limited, limited, limited. Even more so than he was in UFC 3, it's like they went out of their way to remove features, be it small or big ones. Fighter selection, shorts, post-fight information, fighter creation, and so on and so forth — all of that is affected. The game looks not half-baked, it's like a quarter-baked. And I'm not seeing enough criticism when it comes to that.

Yeah, the Reddit brigade notice it, but was shocked how the established top players aren't on EA's case regarding those things as well. It's objectively horrible. But now they have addressed it a little bit, I hope to see more of it.

[TheUFCVeteran]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

I actually made that initial post because I saw both Romero and Pryoxis address non-core gameplay issues as well. Right now, this isn't about stamina and damage to me, as EA have made about 50 steps back from UFC 3, so stamina and damage have somehow moved way back in my priorities.

And sure, the non-gameplay complaints by Romero and Pryoxis amount to maybe 15% of the entirety of their complaints, but they do make them. In fact, that 15% (this is a rather arbitrary number) is why I'm left with the impression a lot of people choose not to bat an eye to how horrid the game is OUTSIDE of the cage as well.

I also have my issues gameplay-wise and Romero does a terrific job discussing a lot of them in his video, but my focus right now is mostly outside of the cage. As I have said before, this game isn't good even by casual standards. The player is limited, limited, limited. Even more so than he was in UFC 3, it's like they went out of their way to remove features, be it small or big ones. Fighter selection, shorts, post-fight information, fighter creation, and so on and so forth — all of that is affected. The game looks not half-baked, it's like a quarter-baked. And I'm not seeing enough criticism when it comes to that.

Yeah, the Reddit brigade notice it, but was shocked how the established top players aren't on EA's case regarding those things as well. It's objectively horrible. But now they have addressed it a little bit, I hope to see more of it.

I was thinking of putting together a post explaining how the presentation has taken a step back from UFC 3, which itself took a step back from UFC 2. Currently writing up a post about a submission system but I will get round to the presentation one soon. It's always bugged me, you can tell there's a lack of care there, especially since UFC 2 nailed what it did do. Gone backwards since then, presentation wise.

[Mister_No_Name]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

They have still totally ignored offline modes. It's just unacceptable.

[diogomn]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

What you see on this board is the same tired **** we've seen every year about stamina and pressure. Those problems have been fixed. I'm sorry, they just have. If people aren't in a position to play at a high enough level to see these changes, that is no other problem than their own.

Like, this guy thinks 200 fights is a lot. You know how many fights in UFC 3 and 4 I had to play to get to this level? I don't think I'd be off if I said it was over six thousand.

allright.. You do realize you take a considerable amount of time playing ufc 4 right? Not only do I think you play way more than the average player but also more than maybe the average gamer...


If you really need to play +6000 fights to only then be able to deal with the stamina bull**** dynamic that goes into play when facing pressure fighters, then that's a sign there's something wrong within the dynamic itself..


How the devs hope to reach a larger audience if you're telling me people need to spend countless hours and put so much effort in a videogame to not be completely demolished by a pressure fighter, when for them, it's a matter of grabbing the controller, marching foward smashing buttons and still are able to beat me easily.. Can you see how unbalanced this is?


And I'm sorry, but people have other games to play, and other things to do in life.

[LarsP]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

"If it's not a problem to me, it's not a problem"

[Irish0331]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

Nah, I'd say pass.

Of all the issues the game has, for all of the things that were already in the game and inexplicably removed, for the lack of attention to detail and for offliners being blown off....i can honestly say i got over it and a decent MMA gaming experience would be possible.

But, it is 150% inexcusable that clinch fighting is basically non-existent. Removing the ability to clinch up and battle/pummel/transition back and forth is ludicrous. Not being able to force someone up against the cage and grind on them and fight for position or fight to reverse position is insanity. That tactic is a staple in the vast majority of fights that we see. The only thing more absurd than the removal of this is the rationale for it: "people don't like getting pressed up against the cage and...." OK, maybe next year we can get rid of full mount.

[Phillyboi207]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

This isn't aimed at you, but rather it's a good launch pad for my point: you notice when Pryoxis and Romero are lobbying complaints against the game they most often DON'T coalesce with the complaints you see on this board?

What you see on this board is the same tired **** we've seen every year about stamina and pressure. Those problems have been fixed. I'm sorry, they just have. If people aren't in a position to play at a high enough level to see these changes, that is no other problem than their own. Now, are the high level players saying that these mechanics are perfect? No, you can always improve, but largely the day is gone where pressure and stamina were something universally panned by low and high level players alike.

Rather, Pryoxis and Romero are taking issue with the complex details of the meta most of the time (details that can derail the game if playing the wrong player or if you get unlucky, to be fair) and overarching issues (the kind of issues pressure and stamina used to be) some of the time. We've accepted that this is a good game mechanically, or rather it COULD be if it was the best version of itself.

The people on this board and Reddit take issue with the fundamental design of the game which is not how Pryoxis and Romero see it. They are more focused on things that AREN'T in the game rather than things that are and don't work. The biggest overarching issue I can think of is tracking of punches and kicks, but you don't often hear low skill players talk about that because they're caught up in the miasma of terrible play in quick fight and low level ranked. They scale up their problems to such a high degree because of that.

Like, this guy thinks 200 fights is a lot. You know how many fights in UFC 3 and 4 I had to play to get to this level? I don't think I'd be off if I said it was over six thousand. Granted, it would take significantly less play time to simply gain competency in all aspects of the game, but 200 fights ain't even close.

The standing guillotine stamina drain + camera wiggle is aids.

So is the ability to instantly take someone’s back when they’re on the cage.

[UFCBlackbelt]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

On a serious note, I think my issue is how much better it feels to be a pressure boxer throughout this iteration over other forms of fighting. I don't really "Gameplan" anymore unless I'm playing someone at a lower division, I think the issue is pacing personally. The extent of my gameplanning probably has more to do with what I pick up during the fight, rather than "Oh he's using Cody, let me use Cruz and see how I can use my tools effectively.." If you're a pressure boxer you can generally shut down most wrestlers by just staying in their face as much as possible while holding down block. The main grapplers I end up struggling with are guys who try every exploit in the book to get a submission win.

As for kickboxers, they certainly can be ok but I still feel its more of an advantage to box.

So if you enjoy an MMA game that leans in favor of pressure boxing, this can work for you. However, if you're watching an MMA fight and value how fighters set things up, etc...

well that can be done it just wont look the same, since there are only a few MMA fighters who can box effectively. I certainly feel sim playing Petr Yan.

[Zyaf]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

Yeah, the Reddit brigade notice it, but was shocked how the established top players aren't on EA's case regarding those things as well. It's objectively horrible. But now they have addressed it a little bit, I hope to see more of it.

Quite honestly, most of us are focused on getting gameplay stuff fixed. Personally, I couldn't give a damn whether or not I can change what shorts my fighter is wearing and would much rather focus my efforts on things that will effect my personal experience playing.

[BigSmoke]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

I actually made that initial post because I saw both Romero and Pryoxis address non-core gameplay issues as well. Right now, this isn't about stamina and damage to me, as EA have made about 50 steps back from UFC 3, so stamina and damage have somehow moved way back in my priorities.

And sure, the non-gameplay complaints by Romero and Pryoxis amount to maybe 15% of the entirety of their complaints, but they do make them. In fact, that 15% (this is a rather arbitrary number) is why I'm left with the impression a lot of people choose not to bat an eye to how horrid the game is OUTSIDE of the cage as well.

I also have my issues gameplay-wise and Romero does a terrific job discussing a lot of them in his video, but my focus right now is mostly outside of the cage. As I have said before, this game isn't good even by casual standards. The player is limited, limited, limited. Even more so than he was in UFC 3, it's like they went out of their way to remove features, be it small or big ones. Fighter selection, shorts, post-fight information, fighter creation, and so on and so forth — all of that is affected. The game looks not half-baked, it's like a quarter-baked. And I'm not seeing enough criticism when it comes to that.

Yeah, the Reddit brigade notice it, but was shocked how the established top players aren't on EA's case regarding those things as well. It's objectively horrible. But now they have addressed it a little bit, I hope to see more of it.

Nothing shocking about it - all a GCer is is a glorified spokesman who gets channel pumps from EA/YouTube if they tow the line. Of course they won’t speak out about any serious problems because EA will take there free game copies, early access to ufc 5 and YouTube channel pump away.

(Imagine selling out your integrity for essentially nothing)

[tomitomitomi]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

@Lars and @tomi

Is that really the case? I've seen complaints, but I was left with the impression people have rather resigned to what the game is, ignored the deficiencies and kind of tried to like the game for whatever little it offers. If there have been rants and ****storms that I've missed — fair enough. It's just that the likes of Reddit also don't seem to be places that EA particularly care about. It is only when people like Romero and Pryoxis are speaking out the way they are that I get the "****'s finally truly gone south, huh" feeling.

You could say that the critiques have slowed down in general because at this point people don't expect them to change for UFC 4. Regardless, when people do complain I definitely think they are among the most common complaints alongside the lack of GNP elbows and oppressive clinch mechanics (lack of deny). I believe the devs have taken note that people had problems with them.

Zyaf already beat me to it, but I was also gonna say that a lot of the competitive players are gonna focus on the gameplay because it's ultimately the important part. Changing short colors is not gonna make the competitive experience any different and if anything I have enjoyed not having to waste time waiting for people to decide what color their pants are. Yet, I'm all for it in other kinds of games because they can express personality whereas in an MMA game (especially in the Reebok era) they exist to differentiate the fighters. Funnily enough CAFs were meant to promote player expression but we all know how that turned out.

Nothing shocking about it - all a GCer is is a glorified spokesman who gets channel pumps from EA/YouTube if they tow the line. Of course they won’t speak out about any serious problems because EA will take there free game copies, early access to ufc 5 and YouTube channel pump away.

(Imagine selling out your integrity for essentially nothing)

Imagine reading a thread which has either included or referenced numerous GCers complaining about stuff yet still claiming it hasn't happened with such confidence.

[RetractedMonkey]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

allright.. You do realize you take a considerable amount of time playing ufc 4 right? Not only do I think you play way more than the average player but also more than maybe the average gamer...

Considering it's over the span of about 4 years, I don't think it's unreasonable to have that many fights in a game you like. I certainly do not have as much time to play video games as children do.

If you really need to play +6000 fights to only then be able to deal with the stamina bull**** dynamic that goes into play when facing pressure fighters, then that's a sign there's something wrong within the dynamic itself..

You obviously have the same issue most people on this board do with selective reading to fit your own narrative, but I clearly said it would take significantly less than 6000 fights to gain competency. But, if you're expecting to be good after 200 fights, stick to Call of Duty.


How the devs hope to reach a larger audience if you're telling me people need to spend countless hours and put so much effort in a videogame to not be completely demolished by a pressure fighter, when for them, it's a matter of grabbing the controller, marching foward smashing buttons and still are able to beat me easily.. Can you see how unbalanced this is?

Again, you don't have to spend countless hours. You just need enough to build muscle memory, but not only that, you need to build THE RIGHT muscle memory. You're probably playing completely incompetently against any player, let alone pressure fighters (which btw is NOT the dominant meta anymore). To be good at a fighting game you cannot simply pick up your controller and play the game. It is not true and will never be true. These games are complex and require outside forces to ensure you know what you're doing.

People think this is a "sports" game so they can pick it up and start doing well against people online. You might be able to do this in Madden, but this is a FIGHTING game. Fighting games have always taken the most time to learn, been the most complex, the most competitive, and have the highest skill differential between low and high tier players. It's the nature of the beast. Go on MK or DBZ online and you'll get smashed even worse than this game because they are infinitely more nuanced than this game which amounts to "baby's first game of footsies".

And I'm sorry, but people have other games to play, and other things to do in life.

Cool. So go do those things, but don't complain that you aren't good at something that you've invested no time into. I have a full time job and I'm married. I don't generally play other games so I invest my time in UFC. You don't see me ***** about how often I get killed and how it's unfair when elite players shoot me in Battlefield.

[diogomn]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

allright.. You do realize you take a considerable amount of time playing ufc 4 right? Not only do I think you play way more than the average player but also more than maybe the average gamer...

Considering it's over the span of about 4 years, I don't think it's unreasonable to have that many fights in a game you like. I certainly do not have as much time to play video games as children do.

If you really need to play +6000 fights to only then be able to deal with the stamina bull**** dynamic that goes into play when facing pressure fighters, then that's a sign there's something wrong within the dynamic itself..

You obviously have the same issue most people on this board do with selective reading to fit your own narrative, but I clearly said it would take significantly less than 6000 fights to gain competency. But, if you're expecting to be good after 200 fights, stick to Call of Duty.


How the devs hope to reach a larger audience if you're telling me people need to spend countless hours and put so much effort in a videogame to not be completely demolished by a pressure fighter, when for them, it's a matter of grabbing the controller, marching foward smashing buttons and still are able to beat me easily.. Can you see how unbalanced this is?

Again, you don't have to spend countless hours. You just need enough to build muscle memory, but not only that, you need to build THE RIGHT muscle memory. You're probably playing completely incompetently against any player, let alone pressure fighters (which btw is NOT the dominant meta anymore). To be good at a fighting game you cannot simply pick up your controller and play the game. It is not true and will never be true. These games are complex and require outside forces to ensure you know what you're doing.

People think this is a "sports" game so they can pick it up and start doing well against people online. You might be able to do this in Madden, but this is a FIGHTING game. Fighting games have always taken the most time to learn, been the most complex, the most competitive, and have the highest skill differential between low and high tier players. It's the nature of the beast. Go on MK or DBZ online and you'll get smashed even worse than this game because they are infinitely more nuanced than this game which amounts to "baby's first game of footsies".

And I'm sorry, but people have other games to play, and other things to do in life.

Cool. So go do those things, but don't complain that you aren't good at something that you've invested no time into. I have a full time job and I'm married. I don't generally play other games so I invest my time in UFC. You don't see me ***** about how often I get killed and how it's unfair when elite players shoot me in Battlefield.

I see where u coming from, but I didn't just Grabbed the controller, as I told u, I've been playing for a while and played 1 and 3


"You're probably playing completely incompetently against any player, let alone pressure fighters"

I'm not, believe me. I'm just saaying that doesnt make for a fair and fun game. Think that I'm giving u a new opportunity to look at those aspects since you've played the game so much that you just take some things for granted. I think the game could be better, but as the philosopher once said, it is what it is.

[TheDarkCityDevil]

Re: Should I buy the game now?

I picked it up start of Feb, haven't played for a couple weeks now. Gameplay is good, nice flow to the fights and career has been improved. Online is bad for how I like to play, I don't care about spamming or anything like that. I'm even over the ridiculous CAFs as I can just back out the fight.
The weight class restrictions and not been able to play as anyone you might fancy going on a streak with is an absolute killer. Still don't get why that's a thing, maybe I missed an explanation? Probably not an issue for most though. I regret paying as much as I did. Worth 20 quid tops to me.