UFC Undisputed 3 Review
(CBS News) As MMA strengthens its grip on sports fans, THQ has strived to replicate the brutal action that takes place in the octagon.
The publisher's third installment of its widely popular and critically acclaimed UFC Undisputed series aims to up the ante while also making it accessible to newcomers. Does UFC Undisputed 3 strike the perfect balance?
From the outset, UFC goes to great lengths to capture the intensity of the sport. Live-action footage from real bouts accentuates the authentic feel. A roster of more than 150 fighters provides a tremendous amount of variety -- both in weight division and fighting style. Additional camera positions, entertaining fighter entrances and even real-life referees add to the believability.
Once in the Octagon, each match feels organic. With such a wide-range of fighting styles -- wrestling, karate, kickboxing, taekwondo and judo to name a few -- some battles will begin with both fighters in an upright position but end in a ground submission. The brutal reality of the sport is also recreated with great authenticity. Bruises, gashes and welts can form during bouts and if a gash opens up, blood will flow, leaving blood stains on the mat and even your opponent.
Pulling off the countless moves, from punches and kicks to grapples and submissions, is intuitive. Each face button dictates whether you attack with either arm or leg. Grappling and takedown moves add another level of strategy, making you weary of over pursuing a fighter whose strength is submission takedowns.
Though initially intimidating, the deep control system is extensively explained during the multitude of tutorials. There are also helpful hints during fights, which can be turned off, that break down the various moves and counters that can be executed. It can be overwhelming, but once you get a handle on the controls and discover all the moves at your disposal, you truly realize the depth of the gameplay.
With all those options at your fingertips, it only makes sense that Undisputed offers a deep and addictive career mode. Building your fighter provides a deep level of customization -- everything from your fighter's weight class and fighting style to his appearance and equipment can be tailored to your specifications. Training and competing in matches reward you with experience points, which can be used to improve your fighter's abilities and equipment. It is rewarding to see your fighter grow from the lower levels of the circuit to eventually competing in UFC's largest events.
UFC Undisputed continues to be the go-to video game for the most authentic and deep MMA experience. The learning curve can be a little steep initially, but the time you put in honing your skills will be well rewarded.