Games Review: EA comes out fighting with MMA

Published 27 Oct 2010 09:30 0 Comments

MIXED Martial Arts (MMA) or the less eloquently termed ‘cage fighting’ is the world’s fastest growing sport, writes Ross Gordon.

It has come a long way since the ‘barbaric’ headline grabbing original Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993. EA Sports’ foray into MMA is testament to just that.

While the UFC is the undoubtedly the premiere organisation globally, there are in fact a whole plethora of other companies around the world full of elite fighters. EA has brought together more than 60 of these warriors who compete outside the big show (well, apart from one or two exceptions who through contractual reasons are allowed to appear in this game as well as the UFC).

In order to get to grips with the game, it does help to have a basic understanding of MMA. Each fighter has their own combat discipline in which they excel and you must use this knowledge in order to get the best from them. In this way, the game has a great deal more depth than THQ’s UFC series. Another advantage is the ability to change both the rules and combat arena in which the fights take place. Of course you can have the usual multi-sided cage under the unified rules, but you can also compete in a boxing ring or circular cage with Vale Tudo or Japanese rules. This aspect really comes into its own under the Career Mode in which you train up before travelling around the world to compete as a freelance fighter.

Given EA’s pedigree in sports titles, it no wonder this game holds its own against UFC Unleashed despite the lack of big name fighters - Hollywood’s Randy Couture notwithstanding. If you’re looking for a fighting game that goes beyond the usual punching and kicking beat ‘em ups, then EA Sports MMA will give you hours of fun.

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This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 02 Nov 10

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