EA Sports UFC 4

When a game allows you to release your inner beast, best believe that it is something you should be playing as much as you can! EA Sports UFC 4 is exactly the sort of video game that allows you to release all the pent up inner rage, and release a barrage of strategic blows on an opponent.

While the Fight Night games are gone in place of the MMA style that EA is using for their games, we can’t help but be a little excited for each new release in the EA Sports UFC video games. Whether it is in the graphics overhauls or gameplay balance changes, the UFC games always manage to generate quite a bit of hype in the fighting community.

Story and Setting

One thing regarding the UFC games so far is the fact that fans truly do love to exchange serious punches. In a more forgiving environment like WWE 2K22, that itch is easily satisfied. However, this newest release from the EA UFC team is probably the most accessible game that has been brought so far.

In this game, you’re going to be ecstatic with the multi-layered systems and mechanics that have been streamlined and threaded to create a fighting experience that does a respectable job at mirroring the real thing. While a few choppy animations are inevitable, this game still manages to quell any fears of unnatural textures and bugs.

Gameplay

Compared to UFC 3, UFC 4 is a game that makes many smaller adjustments to the overall feel of the fighting game experience. Whether you’re punching or kicking your way through encounters, especially when you find yourself in a clinch. UFC 4 is probably the only UFC game that demands for you to have a good idea of how clinching is best done. Your combat is completely tactical here, so you’ll need to know how to transition your experiences between tactical and standup combat encounters.

Verdict

In UFC 4, a good amount of your time will be spent learning the ropes, so don’t feel embarrassed if things aren’t going your way right from the start. Finding your own rhythm is probably the most important aspect of this game, and this is best cemented with the presence of a Fight Now option where you can engage with a large number of toggles that allow you to customize the experience. There’s a lot of fun to be had exploring what this feature has in store, so feel free to try out the things you may find!

A career mode is present in UFC 4, allowing players to have a taste of next level fighting in the shoes of their own original character. In this mode, you’ll need guts and a lot of heart to make it through some of the tough battles that will be presented.

Pros

• Fun combat
• Accessible for new players
• Diverse gameplay options

Cons

• Clinching can be hard to master

Stepping into the Octagon has never been more exciting, as this entry in the popular MMA fighting series takes things to a whole new level. Packed with over 200 fighters and 7 different game modes, EA Sports UFC 4 delivers realistic mixed martial arts in more ways than you can count. It doesn't matter if you are a striking champion, a master of submission, or an evasion expert, EA Sports UFC 4 lets you fight the way you want. With updated fighting mechanics, online multiplayer, and incredibly lifelike combat, this is one of the best gaming fist fights you can prepare your knuckles for!

Main Game Features

• Fight as your favorite MMA athletes
• Improved submissions and grappling
• Single-player and online multiplayer

Story and Modes

Sports games aren't usually known for their story modes, but EA Sports UFC 4 features a dedicated career that focuses on your very own fighter. In Career Mode, you create and customize your own MMA athlete and begin your climb to the top of the UFC rankings. This mode works much like the career options seen in other sports titles like NBA 2K24 and WWE 2K24, giving the player complete control over their upcoming fights. You can pick when you want to train, what fights you accept (or decline), and much more. Choices you make during press conferences and title bouts will affect your reputation moving forward, making your career path truly unique.

If you don't want to sit down for an entire fighter's career, there are many other modes that are available to select. In the mood for a quick scrap? You can quickly jump into standalone fights with a few button presses, selecting from a variety of battle types, including Knockout Mode, Stand and Bang, and more. If the premade fight types aren't good enough, you can adjust tons of settings to create your ideal Custom Event, or string together multiple fights in Tournament mode. When it comes to modes, EA Sports UFC 4 doesn't skimp on the variety.

Gameplay

EA Sports UFC 4 combines the best of all fighting games, with fast punches and kicks the like of Street Fighter IV, but also with the tactical zoning of boxing games like Fight Night Round 3. In this MMA game, you must emerge victorious in tough, realistic fights, where almost all the rules are off. There are over 200 real UFC fighters to choose from, and with tons of fighting styles on display, you'll be spoiled for options. Just like in the real UFC, many disciplines of martial arts are represented, including traditional boxing, jiujitsu, wrestling, muy thai, and many others. Although kicks and punches are easy to figure out, the submission and grappling system is more complicated, but can make it much more simple to win challenging fights.

For the hardest battle of your life, check out the online multiplayer options, where you'll go toe-to-toe with some of the best fighters in the world! EA Sports UFC 4 is a lot of fun when you're fighting against a real person, as the computer is only so intelligent when it comes to smart battle tactics. Just like the single-player, online multiplayer has lots of modes to try, including Quick Fight, Online World Championships, and the fast-paced Blitz Battles. If you really want to be the best MMA fighter of all time, you'll have to prove your heart and stamina with practice and smart-thinking.

Conclusion

EA Sports UFC 4 is the best UFC game available, with realistic graphics, fighting styles, and lots of customization options. The large selection of modes is really impressive, with a substantial amount of offline and online modes included.

Pros

• Hyper-realistic MMA fights
• Over 220 athletes to choose from
• Lots of fun modes

Cons

• Weird ground fighting
• Frustrating camera
• Excessive in-game advertisements