EA Sports UFC 2 Review (PS4/XB1)

[RaychelSnr]

When EA purchased the UFC game license a few years back, it almost seemed like more of a knee-jerk reaction rather than a tactical move. To be sure, EA likely realized that there was an opportunity to ride the upward trajectory of the Las Vegas–based fight promotion. Fight Night had started to flag in sales, and it was time to give something else a try, especially considering the success THQ had with the UFC products they released.

The first EA Sports UFC felt like a positive initial step, but I was aware when reviewing it that the game had a limited development cycle and budget when compared to the bread-winners at EA such as FIFA or Madden. Regardless, I felt the gameplay was relatively satisfying, with striking that provided for some varied wars, as well as a ground and clinch component that allowed for some interesting transitions and work along the cage. But that doesn't mean there weren't some drawbacks. Strike-spamming, stamina issues and a lack of modes were instantly noticeable, but some of those were offset by the game's rock-solid online play and steady stream of updated content and gameplay systems. Eventually, the patches refined the gameplay quite substantially, adding extra animations and "finish the fight" sequences, as well as a strike-chaining and combo system.

Read More - EA Sports UFC 2 Review (PS4/XB1)

[SeaTownGamer]

This game needs a universe mode like WWE or I'll never buy it.

[DBMcGee3]

This game needs a universe mode like WWE or I'll never buy it.

Hopefully something much better than the WWE Universe mode though. SO many things lacking in that mode.

[JKSportsGamer1984]

This game needs a universe mode like WWE or I'll never buy it.

This game needs gameplay sliders or I'll never buy it.

[Altohombre]

I don't have the game, but have watched several career play throughs online and it seems very unrealistic even on Adaptive AI. The majority of real UFC fights are back and forth with pushing against the cage, takedowns, and ground games. It seems like the majority of UFC 2 fights even up to fights in the top 10 are all knockouts in the first round where you can just spam head kicks and punches over and over. Wish AI fighters would chance the pace and attempt takedowns when they are being rocked.

[RLebron12]

Re: EA Sports UFC 2 Review (PS4/XB1)

I don't have the game, but have watched several career play throughs online and it seems very unrealistic even on Adaptive AI. The majority of real UFC fights are back and forth with pushing against the cage, takedowns, and ground games. It seems like the majority of UFC 2 fights even up to fights in the top 10 are all knockouts in the first round where you can just spam head kicks and punches over and over. Wish AI fighters would chance the pace and attempt takedowns when they are being rocked.

I have only got to play a couple matches so far but from what I've played it's been a lot harder to just KO someone quickly. Shoot my first match as Rory against Lawler it went all 5 rounds and I lost in decision....that NEVER happened in the past UFC games. But I also don't try to just spam the CPU cause sometimes they'll knock you out, or you'll just lose a lot of stamina so I try to play somewhat realistically.


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[extremeskins04]

This game needs some actual care and time put into it or I'll never buy it. It's absolutely unacceptable that the career mode was practically left an unchanged mess that it is.

Sports game developers need to take a look at NBA 2k and MLB The Show and maybe learn from those guys?

[McG]

This game would have been a day one purchase for me, but to me Career Mode is more or less the same as it was almost 2 years ago when it first came out on this gen with just a few changes here and there. The lack of options for the create a fighter for hair and facial hair, while this may not be a huge problem for some, is huge to me. It's mainly based on the fact that the computer also uses these options when making their characters. How many times do I need to see someone with the facial hair or hair as me? I mean seriously, how hard is it to make more than a few facial hair options? It has to be easier than making a whole new mode (UT) or adding tons of tattoos. The sad part is, the haircuts and the facial hair are directly taken from current UFC fighters, so you basically have to look like someone in the UFC when you are creating you fighter. Like I said, this may be nothing to most people, but to me it kills immersion and makes any mode (career/UT) feel shallow and forced, apposed to realistic and in-depth. I may be the minority, but when I play a career mode I want the character to look as much as I do in real life as I can and UFC just doesn't allow that to become even close to reality.

I may just be speculating but I think the lack of career mode options/depth is a direct side effect of having UT in UFC 2. Much like FIFA and Madden, EA has decided to dumb down career mode in favor of UT. Honestly, at this point I just wish UT was an add-on that you could purchase for like $20 or vis versa and career mode was an add-on that you had to pay for. Either way, all I want (as I'm sure others do) an immersive career mode experience that doesn't feel like an "arcadish", pay to win mode, like UT. Really, all you have to do is look at what MLB The Show has been doing for years with their Road to the Show/Franchise mode. They have those modes and they are on the same level of quality and depth as Diamond Dynasty (their UT mode). Together it's the best of both worlds. Both modes are very well done and both allow deep immersion from either spectrum. If you want a career mode experience, then you have the deepest and most well made mode in the sports gaming industry (NBA 2K is right there as well). Also, if you want an UT experience, then Diamond Dynasty is where it's at. In comparison to EA's UT, it's just as good as their mode (if not better), all without sacrificing the career mode in the process.

*My thoughts on the game overall*

The game is fun, but it's not what I wanted it to be and personally I can wait. I am a huge MMA/UFC fan, but I will probably wait until it's discounted or at the earliest I'll wait until there is the typical down time in gaming (usually during the summer months late May-mid August). As of right now I have too many games to play and even more coming up in the next few weeks/months (MLB 16 The Show, Uncharted 4, Quantum Break, Fallout DLC and I'm sure I'm missing something). I really wanted this to be a must buy, but unless you must have this and have nothing else to play, then pass until it's discounted or you have nothing else to play. If you do own it, then more power to you and I really hope you enjoy the game, but personally my EA Access 10 hour preview was enough for now. With that said, I do look forward to picking it up later in the year, but for now I can wait it out.

Great review from OS and Glenn like always. You guys do a great job overall and I enjoy your work.

[MAGboyswifT27]

Great review Glenn. I'm happy with the game and look forward to the patches as well as more time spent with the game.

[Review]

EA Sports UFC 2 Review (PS4/XB1)

I don't have the game, but have watched several career play throughs online and it seems very unrealistic even on Adaptive AI. The majority of real UFC fights are back and forth with pushing against the cage, takedowns, and ground games. It seems like the majority of UFC 2 fights even up to fights in the top 10 are all knockouts in the first round where you can just spam head kicks and punches over and over. Wish AI fighters would chance the pace and attempt takedowns when they are being rocked.

Agree. I've also watched a lot of videos and the game is still too punch and kick heavy. That said, I'm a big MMA fan so I'll prob pick up the game late in the year if it's on sale for $20.


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[brezzab]

I played the EA access and just picked up the game today in Aus - never played the original UFC though.

I feel a bit sorry for those guys who play offline - the career mode doesn't look great, but it is cool that you can go through and customise your fighters style and individual moves fairly easily. This is a great way to equip certain moves and see how they interact in an offline mode.

Online, however, is where the game shines. It's a tense battle between two evenly-matched (hopefully - this will even out when people reach their realistic online divisions) fighters and quickly turns into a game of cat and mouse. One of the fights today I had was a pretty epic R4 KO where I had got rocked in the first round and nearly got KO'd myself, and made the adjustments to how he was throwing 4 punch combos (2 body then 2 head) by blocking then dodging then counter-punching. He again adjusted in R3 and started getting super aggressive, which I countered with hard body kicks, which HE then countered by attempting takedowns. I feel it's an awesome game online, but a bit of a shame about the offline. It would be cool to have an online "event mode" where you could create your own UFC 201 and then fight online opponents based on the card you made.

[CujoMatty]

The game is good. I would think a good single player experience is a must for the game to excel but maybe online or ultimate team are more important. I say this because the career mode is honestly underwhelming. I've almost got to the end of my career and that means probably the end of the game for me mostly.

The review also surprisingly didn't mention the training in career mode. Its bad in almost every way. You can sim your best grade which leaves little desire to redo any training. That is actually a good thing(which it shouldn't be) because the training is either boring or ridiculous. If I'm training defense I shouldn't have to chase my training partner around the ring to get him to attack me so I can train, you know, defense.

[kongemeier]

I also tried the early access and liked the game in general. I won't buy the full version though because of minimal additions to offline career mode. Hopefully it will get more attention next time.

[SeaTownGamer]

Imagine if the career mode was like myplayer in nba 2k and you play offline to get badges and boost up your attributes and whenever u are ready to go online u take your my boxer u created online. That would be a game changer to go along with universe mode.

[aholbert32]

Re: EA Sports UFC 2 Review (PS4/XB1)

This game needs some actual care and time put into it or I'll never buy it. It's absolutely unacceptable that the career mode was practically left an unchanged mess that it is.

Sports game developers need to take a look at NBA 2k and MLB The Show and maybe learn from those guys?

To be fair, MLB the Show is in its 10th year and NBA 2k is in its 16th. Its easy to have a fleshed out and deep career/franchise mode when a game has 10 or 16 versions before it. This is only the 2nd version of the game.