REVIEW – Developer EA Vancouver UFC 5 is in one of the most interesting positions we’ve seen from a sports game in years. Breaking away from the usual annual release cycle of sports games, this latest release is about three years removed from UFC 4, where the series took a big step forward in gameplay and a strong career mode.

After watching the first few seconds of gameplay, it’s clear that UFC 5 has made the most of this gap. Gone is the support for previous generation consoles, the first year of the Frostbite engine has been added to the series, and for the first time a well-deserved 16+ rating has been added, as the realistic injuries that fighters suffer during fights are not for minors.

While this may be the most ambitious entry in the series to date, veteran fighters know that hype is just that, hype, and once you’re in the ring, it’s all about fighting in the spotlight. So let’s take a look at how the core of the game has changed.

Combat dynamics: the subtleties of gameplay changes

One of the best things about any sports game sequel is how well the developers have listened to feedback and tweaked the systems to improve the experience.

Some subtle refinements to UFC 5’s gameplay will be exceptionally less noticeable now compared to the realistic injury systems made possible by the impressive power of the new generation of consoles.

The game’s marketing throws around a lot of numbers and buzzwords to describe the game, but the point is simple and compelling. For example, aim for a leg and the fighter will begin to limp, affecting the speed and power of his punches.

This impressive functionality extends to the face, where a cut above the eye can affect vision, which can then negatively affect the protection of that side of the body.

A broken nose is a common example and is quite easy to exploit, which then affects the fighter’s ability to regain as much stamina due to the change in breathing.

The game even makes use of very rare medical stoppages, where the injured fighter has not yet lost the fight for some reason, but needs medical attention.

Precise offense and defense – all at 60 FPS

All of these excellent gameplay improvements are complemented by the smooth, fluid action that allows you to pummel other fighters at a steady 60 frames per second. Punching in particular benefits from this improvement, as our fighters are more responsive to control, making it a joy to hit – but the defensive fighters’ blocks and stamina upgrades are also professional enough to compensate.

It seems that the quality of the fighters will be more important than in the past, and players will definitely feel the difference in speed on the mat if they choose a fighter with fast footwork, for example.

The realistic graphics of UFC 5 are also impressive, you really feel like you’re in the ring and you can almost feel the sweat splashing out with every punch. To use a dating analogy, the game doesn’t just flirt with photorealism, it dines on it. Running at 60 frames per second, UFC 5 brings fighters to life in a way you’ve never seen in a video game before.

The stars of the game are mostly accurate, though some may have faces that do not quite match the originals. Lighting and shadows play an important role, creating a visual spectacle that enhances the hyper-realism of the battlefield drama.

The presentation of the audience’s reactions can only be described in superlatives. And the final touch is the playback of the pre-broadcast, which has a tremendous atmosphere that adds an even greater adrenaline rush to the action. The camera work is not bad either, with cuts and angles that make the entrances of the fighters dazzling would be right at home in a real WWE broadcast.

Finally, the dramatic knockout replays add a dose of slow motion and gruesome reality to the knockouts. The realism of the visuals will probably make you sigh as you watch the slow, painful enveloping of the fighters’ wounds. But hey, that’s what makes UFC 5 so “punchy”, right?

A behind-the-scenes look at the world of UFC managers

UFC 4’s campaign was surprising in the way it recreated the real world of fighting, putting players in control of how, what, when, where and how they train, including running training camps and even stalking opponents after a deal is struck.

Much of this is back in the tried and tested format here in UFC 5, with players once again able to choose how they start their very humble career as a rookie before making it big as a champion of the fighting scene.

The game also features a true legend: Valentina Shevchenko is a fantastic addition to the coaching side of the career, as she helps with a very strong integration process that introduces players to the basics.

And again, this is very much in focus. The career mode is fun and appeals to all levels of players. It’s a great touch that the game uses narrative-based gameplay as a tutorial, really bringing new players into the game – or even the sport itself – and sucking them in completely.

All-too-familiar game design…

There’s also a lot of new walkthrough footage, and the training camp AI has been greatly improved, making the game even more immersive. The ability to juggle sponsors and even fan challenges is a nice touch. Otherwise, it feels a little too familiar to the previous episodes, right down to the menu design.

However, the series will never escape comparisons with similar games like the WWE 2K series, and in the crossfire of these, UFC without things like general manager control of the fight cards, the behind-the-scenes, more detailed stuff, seems a little backward. Despite its minor and major drawbacks and strong competition, UFC 5 is a great addition to the fighter series.

-BadSector-

Publisher: EA Sports

Developer: EA Vancouver

Style: Sports/Wrestling

Release: October 27, 2023.