It was like grade ten all over again when my copy of UFC Undisputed 3 arrived from the fine folks at THQ. I ran downstairs to my “man cave” and threw on my PS3 version. It was officially geek out time. I just turned 34 years old and I have a family, so when I get these moments of where I can be a 17 year old boy again…I’ll take it. I’m not a professional game reviewer, but I do play a lot of Undisputed and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.
I was a big fan of the first game in the franchise and “meh” about the second one. Even though I found some things about Undisputed 2 very slick, I thought that the game became way too complicated for the casual user. The game became too bogged down with things that weren’t fighting. THQ decided to take some time off to see if they could re-work the next installment and I’m so glad they did.
There are many things to like about Undisputed 3 that I don’t know where to begin. How about PRIDE FC? As someone who loved to watch the old bootleg tapes of PRIDE back in the day, it was the first feature of the game that I played immediately.
I highly recommend Pride’s Tournament mode. You choose the weight class, how many fighters, and see if you can become the last man standing. All the old rules are intact, like face stomping and soccer kicks to the head. Ahhh…the good ol’ days.
I had a few wars playing the PRIDE FC Heavyweight Tournament. Unfortunately, although you can play as current UFC roster fighters as well as some of the legends of the sport, there is no Fedor Emelianenko or Sakuraba. They were two of the biggest stars within the PRIDE FC organization. Don’t worry I’m sure you can look online and figure out a way to create them.
You will also notice that fighters like Nick Diaz, Brian Stann and even Alistair Overeem are missing. But do not fret; if you go to the PS3 Network (I’m sure it’s the same on XBOX) you can purchase Overeem for .99 and they might even throw in a juicer if you call now. Operators are standing by.
Also, if any of you have pre-ordered your UFC 3 Undisputed through Game Stop (EB Games), you will be given a code to unlock some of the fighters that are missing through the “Contender’s Pack.” For those of us who didn’t pre-order, I’m sure THQ will make it available to purchase 90 days or so after the release date. Listen to MMASucka Radio as we talk with Nick Robertson of THQ about the game.
As for overall game play, this is where Undisputed 3 shines. Remember how difficult it was to submit people or get out of submissions? The entire submission game has been revamped.
When you slap on a sub, an octagon shaped gauge appears on the side of the screen. The new objective is to line up your colored line with your opponent’s in order to successfully submit them. Sound easy? Depending on your fighter’s skill on the ground, you’ll either get a long or short bar, which will degrade or shorten as your fighter fatigues. If you keep your line lined up with your opponent’s long enough you will be able to get them to tap out. However if your line gauge runs out before you can successfully submit your opponent, you could lose the upper hand. It’s one of those things you have to play to fully understand.
At first I thought the new submission gauge was silly but after playing it a few times I can see why THQ made the switch. Although submissions are still at times difficult to pull off or get out of, the new gauge gives that part of your fight game more substance through something more tangible than just going crazy on a toggle stick. Now there is no reason to break a toggle or get blisters while trying to tap out your dumb ass friend who always picks GSP. The new gauge makes tapping your opponent out more satisfying and maybe saves a finger or two. See the below video to get a better idea.
Another thing to note is that when the game starts you can choose between Pro and Amateur grappling controls. Pro gives the user the classic rolling of the right toggle stick to pull off major and minor transitions. However, the amateur setting only requires you to go up or down on the right toggle stick for major and minor transitions. So whatever your preference, THQ gives you a choice.
Everything else about the game is pretty similar as far as striking goes. The major difference now is if you are throwing more leg kicks, and your opponent isn’t checking them, your kicks will cause damage to your opponent’s legs to the point where they can no longer stand.
I love how THQ has improved the ground and pound elements of the game too. It is now easier to posture up when on top of an opponent and throw bombs. There are also more submissions than the previous games in the franchise. I’m still finding new ways of submitting my opponents.
Career Mode has been completely revamped. Besides creating the craziest looking dude in the UFC, you can now also use any of the roster fighters in career mode. Start Anderson Silva in the minor leagues, and move him into PRIDE FC before he makes a name for himself in the UFC.
Career Mode is a lot easier to use because you don’t have as many menus and stats to joggle. There is also less downtime between fights. You still have to build your fighter up through skill games, but Career mode puts most of the focus on fighting.
Without giving too much away, the overall look and feel of the game is very different than the previous games in the franchise. Sure some of the core components of the older games are still there, but you have to love the trimming of the fat and adding in some great new details. The little things like ring entrances for fighters, more realistic cuts and body damage, and even the commentary from MMA legend Bas Rutten and The Fight Professor Stephen Quadros during PRIDE FC mode.
There is so much depth and detail to love about UFC Undisputed 3 I could keep writing. Instead grab yourself a copy on February 14th, and play around. The game is easier to pick up and play, and if you’re not comfortable you can go through the very helpful tutorial mode. There is something for the casual gamer to the hardcore fan.
The THQ developers went out and listened to the fans of the game and made some big changes, and kudos to them for taking the franchise to another level. This is the best game of the UFC Undisputed franchise thus far and is the best MMA game ever made. I highly recommend it.
Here is how I scored it:
Presentation: 9
Graphics: 8
Sound: 8
Gameplay: 9
Addiction Factor: 9
Overall: 9 – AWESOME
Win a version of UFC Undisputed 3 by clicking here!
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