UFC 5 Review

Achieving the right balance between a satisfying sports simulation and an engaging fighting game can be a challenging task for MMA games. Lean too far into simulation, and you risk alienating all but the most dedicated fans; veer too close to the violent spectacle of a game like Mortal Kombat, and you might deviate from the "as real as it gets" tagline. EA Sports UFC 5 manages to strike a perfect equilibrium, making it the best MMA game to date. It skillfully blends these two approaches, resulting in a more fluid and lifelike experience compared to its predecessors, while also intensifying every blow thanks to a remarkable new damage system that makes matches more thrilling, risky, and rewarding.

Notably, UFC 5 is the first entry in the series to receive an "M for mature" ESRB rating, and it's not hard to understand why. In UFC 4, fights often lacked the high-stakes feel of a real MMA match because visible injuries were infrequent, and wounds didn't bleed over time. Moreover, securing a victory frequently depended on a Health Event from a specific damaged area (Head, Body, Legs), which was challenging to discern quickly. UFC 5 addresses these issues by rendering the consequences of damage far more realistic, with more intricate Health Events that profoundly affect the player. For instance, sustaining repeated blows to the face could lead to a broken nose and cuts above the eyes. Icons resembling eyes and lungs will then appear beneath your health bar, indicating a loss of vision and breathing difficulties for your fighter. This can lead to diminished capabilities, compelling you to make tough yet rewarding decisions, such as enduring the damage and recuperating between rounds or aggressively pursuing a finish before it's too late.

The game introduces a significant change in fighter animations, with a total of 64,000 possible facial injury combinations. These injuries accumulate minute by minute and round by round, allowing you to exploit a cut you opened up on an opponent in the early rounds throughout the rest of the match. A newly added feature in UFC 5 is doctor stoppages, mirroring real-life situations where a doctor assesses a fighter's condition and decides if they are fit to continue. Additionally, blood and sweat resulting from strikes now accumulate on the mat, creating a visual representation of the fight's intensity beneath you. The new damage system is complemented by UFC 5's knockout finishes, which present highly cinematic slow-motion replays that resemble finishing moves in Tekken more than traditional sports game replays.

The revamped damage system and slow-motion KO replays transformed the gameplay experience significantly. Achieving a knockout has never been more gratifying, and I often found myself chasing knockouts regardless of the risks involved. This is partly due to the impressive new fall animations for knocked-out fighters from a standing position, where they drop face-first onto the mat with a sense of depth and weight that resembles an actual person falling. However, some animations for fighters KO'd and falling onto their back still appear somewhat stiff, with their necks protruding forward and limbs hovering a few inches above the mat, reminiscent of UFC 4. Nevertheless, there are improved animations for TKO scenarios when a fighter is stopped on the ground and pounded, where the finished fighter now rolls onto their side and adopts a fetal position, known as 'turtling,' a subtle but effective detail.

Attack animations have also been refined in UFC 5, with a substantial overhaul of the control system. Every move feels more fluid, lifelike, and responsive, making UFC 4 seem comparatively clunky. Striking opponents, especially with kicks, is notably crisp and authentic, enhancing the game's aesthetics and giving players more control over their fighters. Defensive maneuvers have been revamped, with stronger blocks preventing flash knockouts and easy overpowering. There's a noticeable snap in the movements, delivering a heightened sense of realism and excitement, allowing for more effective combo-building and greater agility. A nice touch is the differentiation in speed between smaller and heavier weight classes, mirroring reality and introducing more variety into each fight.

The spotlight in UFC 5 is undeniably on its Career Mode, and it brings a deeper and more engaging experience than ever before. The Career Mode gets a fresh overhaul, with an improved home page and some quality-of-life enhancements. One notable addition is the option to simulate training sessions you've already completed, allowing you to get to your fight more quickly without having to grind through repetitive drills for extended periods before every match. However, even the training grind is more enjoyable this time around. Coach Davis, reprising his role from UFC 4, presents four different challenges during each three-minute sparring session, as opposed to the previous single challenge. This diversifies and adds depth to your training, motivating you to complete each challenge within the allotted time to unlock the next one. These challenges include straightforward directives, such as landing a certain number of strikes, as well as more challenging tasks like evading strikes by moving your head. Additionally, there are more cutscenes featuring Coach Davis in UFC 5, and they are better written and integrated into the story. His presence throughout the Career Mode is welcomed and even missed once his appearances become less frequent as you progress from the minor leagues to the UFC. Another notable addition to the Career Mode is UFC star Valentina Shevchenko, who serves as a coach and guide. While her scenes are somewhat rare, they add to the depth of the Career Mode, making it feel more like a real narrative. However, her appearances may come across as more of a novelty cameo than a substantial contribution to the mode.

In summary, EA Sports UFC 5 stands as the best MMA game to date. It boasts next-gen visuals and enhanced mechanics, significantly improving the overall gaming experience. The new damage system adds complexity to your in-fight strategy, requiring more thoughtful risk-versus-reward decisions, making both offline and online modes more enjoyable and replayable. The Career Mode has been refined with quality-of-life enhancements and a deeper story featuring Coach Davis. While UFC 4 may have been the best MMA game due to a lack of competition, UFC 5 earns its place as an exceptional sports simulation and fighting game in its own right.