After an impressive, if by-the-numbers debut in 2014, the EA Sports UFC series took a year off to regroup. Now it’s back, having clearly put in enough work in the gym to re-emerge as a heavyweight force to be reckoned with. Capturing the excitement of the sport from pre-fight introductions to devastating one-swing knockouts, this game feels intense and alive.
Game: EA Sports UFC 2
Consoles: Xbox One (reviewed), PS4
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Release Date: March 15
OK, take a moment to laugh at EA’s choice of cover stars. Both Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor suffered devastating losses after they were chosen to headline the new game. But don’t expect any parallels between the sports giants suffering falls and the game they represent doing the same. The second EA Sports UFC outing is an all-around improvement, with nearly every area of the game vastly improved.
Crisper animations, smoother controls and more detailed and realistic visuals make the game an eye-popper, and one of the best examples of current console technology’s ability to capture the spectacle of athletes in action. The presentation is also stunning, with TV event style animations and insightful, natural-sounding announcer patter that pumps up the energy level and makes you feel like you truly are a gladiator in the octagon.
Instead of going with the annual release pattern of other sports games, EA goes seems to have built a game to last rather than be made obsolete in a year. That’s an apt fit for UFC, which thrives on made-for-TV spectacles rather than traditional sports seasons. Expect a stream of updates and downloadable fighters to keep this game fresh for months, if not years, ahead.
From character creation to career mode and online action, EA Sports UFC 2 has evolved into the game players were hoping for when the publishing giant took over the license. This could well be the impressive, crowd-pleasing throwdown that lifts the franchise out of the depths of obscurity to pop culture-dominating levels of FIFA and Madden.
EA Sports UFC 2 Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJgUsTMZ8mw
ORDER: EA Sports UFC 2 here
ORDER: EA Sports UFC 2 Deluxe Edition here
EA Sports UFC 2 Reviews Around The Web:
“On an immersive level, the authenticity both in the visuals and atmosphere is astonishing.” –Cheat Code Central
“Improves everything from last year’s UFC, better simulation, more fighters, more game modes, and all the reasons why the UFC series is still the king of the MMA simulation.” –Meristation
“More game modes, a new, improved physics system and stunning visuals.” –LaPS4
EA Sports UFC 2 Screenshots
The publisher provided a review copy.