The Reviews for "UFC 2009: Undisputed" Begin
by Eugene Schelfaut on May 14, 2009 6:57 PM EDT
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GamePro is the first:
The most immediately noticeable thing in Undisputed is the absolutely gorgeous character models of the UFC's stars. It's no exaggeration to say that the game achieves a level of character detail that no other MMA game has. Fighters are a spitting image of their real life counterparts with few expections-the main quibble I had was that Mirko Cro Cop's torso was too chiseled to be true to life. [...]Like the create-a-fighter options, the career mode is straightforward and fun, though it doesn't have a lot in the way of extra fluff. Some players may prefer the "no frills, all business" approach but others may wish for a more engaging and novelty filled experience outside the Octagon. [...]
UFC 2009 Undisputed does have a couple of issues that keep it from being a MMA-fan's dream come true but it is still a tremendous title that will make any fan of the sport proud. While it comes up a little short in terms of extra bells and whistles, the developers spent a lot of time refining the gameplay and control scheme, which is what matters most in the end. Instead of a watered-down product that tried too hard to appeal to a mass market audience, Undisputed manages to remain 100% faithful to the product and look spectacular while doing so. It not only manages to deliver the game the UFC faithful have been longing for but adds an entirely unique and excellent experience to the broader fighting game genre, which is why it's also a title that non-MMA fans should look into. Who knows, you might just find yourself becoming a dedicated supporter of this fantastic sport.
Having already purchased my copy, I must say I enjoy a review such as this. This will be, of course, the start of many more reviews to come, but it is a start in the right direction for the UFC and for the financially hurting THQ. Future iterations of the title should include cagework, head movement, southpaw stance, and increased CAF customization; however, the gameplay seems to be solid and already in place. If you have played the demo as much as I have, you will be in agreement.
Release date: May 19th.
New videos by IGN and GameTrailers in extended entry.
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So if you disagree with the review...
Be nice. I wrote the thing. I’m watching. And I hurt easily.
Naw
Just freelancing for them. Did go to GDC, but E3 this year probably not. Wouldn’t be upset if that changed though. :)
No doubt
This year is going to be the end-all. Have you tried to dig up a pass or apply for one as a freelancer?
I poop rainbows.
It’s more about flying out there for it. A pass shouldn’t be a problem, wanting to put money towards staying there and airline is. Paid trip is the way to go, if possible. :)
Its coming back since it sucked without it.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh?
E3 never went away.
I poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
They tried to scale it back to a strictly corporate thing to save money, but us nerds aren’t having any of that. I want a Japanese man dressed as Zelda dammit!!!!!!
Wrong convention, E3 has booth babes.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
No
Not for the last several years. They’re back this year because the mood of the event went downhill and exhibitors started moving their products to hotel lobbies or abandoning the event altogether.
I poop rainbows.
Any comments on grade inflation in the gaming industry? Why does every title from every game developer with a good marketing budget get reviewed so well even when they stink?
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
I can’t answer that really, but I can say that for me there was no outside influences nudging to give the game a certain score. It was entirely left up to me… I actually labored pretty hard over what score to give it, but under the established ranking criteria that GP uses, I think I made the right call. It was close though…
Yeah, Chuck doesn't have abs like that, either
But otherwise, the graphics are awesome. Not Fight Night awesome, but awesome. I hope they can incorporate head movement of SOME kind into the next one (also, let’s get the next one in less than 84 months).
by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions
It’s going to be annual, so long as THQ stays afloat. Basic mechanics are in place.
I poop rainbows.
Yeah this is basically the prototype (which is still gonna be awesome) and now they will add a ton of cool detaols and stuff on the next one.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 14, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Just let me hold the block button and use the takedown stick to move around a little bit.
by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m really looking forward into using the cage in a sequel. Honestly, the lack of it makes Randy’s absence bearable.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on May 14, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Cant WAIT
for them to add southpaw as an option. It’s such a small thing…but knowing that there are no southpaw fighters bugs me deeply. How am I going to be a right handed Cro Cop?
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 14, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
Not a lot is going to save UFC Cro Cop.
by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
That really sucks. I don’t know anything about making games, but adding southpaws doesn’t seem like a huge addition. It would certainly add to the authenticity.
by Swordslasher on May 14, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking with Rome about it earlier...
I have to drop it a full “point” (assuming our review is on a 10 point scape) just for not having southpaw fighters. Can’t claim overwhelming realism while forcing every fighter to fight right handed.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 14, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Er...I mean...
Rome said he would have to drop it a full point…and I agree
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 14, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, yeah...fancypants
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 14, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
They claim it causes too many clipping issues. Same reason they gave for not doing Penn vs. Lesnar this time either.
by Eugene Schelfaut on May 14, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Good call.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on May 14, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
If it was a small thing, fighting in southpaw in real life would be easy. As much as technique differs with southpaw, the same goes for the programming. The orthodox side of the game is there, but their techniques, mechanics and animations for opposite stance fighters would have work seamlessly or there would be complaints left and right.
I agree that it’ll irk many players, but you can’t roll out everything in one release, they have to make sure they conquer each issue instead of possibly having things that stay unresolved through multiple versions.
Southpaw wouldn’t really change anything since you can’t really change your angle.
I dislike Matt Hughes.
by MonkeyCHops on May 14, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
they built a game from scratch they couldnt add all the tiny details the first go round…plus the company needs this title to stay afloat buy the game and they will improve any flaws they have and add extras im sure
"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye
It begins...
Me thinks I have paid my dues waiting for this game and it is time to start smashing people on Xbox live.
That's great, but how does it affect Lyoto Machida?
Lookin' Good.
Maybe in the first DLC release, they’ll include a steroid-cycling minigame.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 14, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
This game will not leave my Xbox360’s disc tray. I haven’t even played COD4/WaW or anything else since the demo came out. I go straight to the demo everytime. It’s a sickness, damnit! :) I’m glad Gamepro gave it 5 stars but I’m waiting for IGN, Gametrailers, Gamespot and Giant Bomb reviews! Bet this sucker will be rockin a 90+ on Metacritic soon!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Has anyone else found it impossible to get off their backs when Shogun gets a take down while playing as Chuck on the higher difficulty levels? That’s my only problem with this demo…once Shogun takes it to the ground, Chuck is done for.
Oh and Chuck’s superman punch is killer.
I've been on expert the past week or so....
and I always play as Chuck and don’t seem to have too much of a problem. I’ve been reading everyone saying to rotate the stick clockwise as fast as you can but I actually move my thumb from the left stick to the right stick and rotate counter clockwise; not sure if there’s a huge difference there. As long as I’m not gassed Shogun can’t keep me down to save his life.
I was having the same problem which forced me to better learn how to defend against the takedown. I’m a huge fan of the knee to the head for the K.O. now.
"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn
Its really hard to defend against Shoguns ground game until you figure it out. After that, it becomes really easy to get back to the feet. Start at a lower difficulty level and work your way up. The ground game isn’t intuitive and a lot of it (like making a top left quadrant semicircle to defeat Shoguns rubber guard attempt) can only be learned by doing. I think the thing that was my biggest problem is I kept trying to make semicircles instead of letting the stick go back to center before trying another move. If you just rotate in a semicircle you’ll get destroyed.
+1
For UFC including the HW Division they wish they had.
by bignerd on May 14, 2009 6:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, they must miss the fuck out of Cro Cop.
by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
They actually do. The Germany show is really missing him and his star power in Europe.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
No Southpaw is a glaring problem for me. I’ll still buy the game and love it…but as a southpaw and lefty…I’m offended. They better patch it or something.
Knowing a little insight into game making I don’t think that will be possible. Most patches involve a movement glitch or add-on that is generally a new canvas (map, character, etc). However, southpaw stance would require an entire new game tool.
They could patch a crab walk if they so desired. But I wouldn’t expect a southpaw patch. It was a conscious decision that consumers will have to decide on before even purchasing it. No sense in patching it after the fact.
I poop rainbows.
It would be a serious time thing, adding in a shit ton of extra animations, probably 70% more. Expect it in 2010.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
My understanding is that there were clipping issues. They obviously had issues with close quarters and the models having an opposite lead foot. They can mirror any animations. It seems to be an issue of their physics model.
I poop rainbows.
I was thinking more along the lines of just fixing the southpaw that they already have. They said that it had clipping issues, which means that they had it. I figure if they had it and left the data on the disc, then it might be able to be patched, no? I could be completely wrong seeing as though I only know how to play video games and not develop or make them.
by CliChe Guevara on May 15, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I love this game.
The stand up is sick. I think I’m just going to set up my created dude’s attributes to sprawl n brawl. I’m loving putting combos together while moving backwards and stuffing takedowns. In fact, it’s pretty much the only way I win on expert….
I’ve been playing the demo day and day out and have yet to pull off a submission, anyone able to pull it off?
Yup, buncha times. Did you do the tutorials?
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 15, 2009 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I did, but with Shogun I’ll go into an armbar and tap the button and Chuck just rolls out of it and transitions on top of me. Is it better to use the joystick movements?
Click the stick to get into a sub and quickly start rotating the right analog clock wise. I also tap the buttons at the same time for good measure. I’ve done a bunch of diff subs.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 15, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Me and my friends have spent way too much time on this game to not get it when it comes out.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
No head movement, cage interaction, southpaw fighters , and CAF features (which is what makes most games fun and give it a longer life span) have been hurting the game in the reviews.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 15, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
GI is lame, though 8.0 is not a bad score sometimes they give low scores even though the review was all around positive. =/
Still waiting for IGN and GT.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
EGM was the best mag in gaming until they closed it down last year in favor of going web-only for 1up.com
You know pretty soon GI will be the only gaming publication just because its owned and published by Gamestop right? That alone makes it lame lol. jk
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 15, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
GI is far superior to EGM
I mean, EGM was good, and was the second best gaming publication, but GI is far better put together, has the far better exclusives (by miles) and is far better written. I don’t even see how you can make the comparison… And EGM didn’t consciously decide to go web only. In fact, they clearly didn’t. EGM/1UP were purchased and they dissipated the print and fired most of the staff. That’s not exactly concentrating on a facet. And who gives a shit that GI is supported by Gamestop? They aren’t allowed to do good business? I don’t get it..
I poop rainbows.
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