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UFC 4 has faced a lot of criticism in the realm of virtual MMA games. Many fans waited eagerly for EA Vancouver to release a top-notch UFC game. Yet, lots of folks were let down. They felt UFC 4’s problems were mainly due to its floaty physics, unimpressive animations, and lacking ground and striking play.
It’s sad that EA Vancouver hasn’t fixed these key issues. Instead, they’ve mainly added more stuff to the game. But, gameplay videos and the beta test just show once more that they’ve missed the high expectations again.
We, as fans of virtual sports, long for a game that truly mirrors mixed martial arts (MMA). A game that truly pulls us in. Sadly, UFC 4 doesn’t meet these hopes. It makes us wonder if EA Vancouver can ever match our dreams with its games.
The History of EA’s UFC Games
EA Vancouver got into the UFC world in 2012. They bought the license when THQ faced money troubles. The team’s skill in combat sports made them ideal to craft a top-notch MMA game.
“Despite their success with the Fight Night series, their first MMA game, EA Sports MMA, disappointed. Its play and controls made players want more.”
Moving forward from THQ’s UFC Undisputed series was hard for EA Vancouver. Their later UFC games couldn’t match the high bar set by these games.
Players worried about EA’s UFC games’ looks and physics. They thought the game engine was the issue. Strikes seemed off, likely due to too much focus on motion capture.
Fans were let down by the lack of effort to fix problems and the small improvements in each new game. These misses left players feeling let down.
Fight Night vs. UFC
EA Vancouver did well with boxing in the Fight Night series. But switching to MMA offered new hurdles. Unlike boxing, MMA needs to show many fighting styles and skills.
EA Vancouver faced struggles with their first MMA attempt, EA Sports MMA. Players weren’t happy with how the game played. They said the feel of fight wasn’t there, which took away from the game’s potential.
Unfulfilled Potential
The history of EA’s UFC games tells of missed chances. Even with the UFC license and resources, EA Vancouver hasn’t met fan expectations. They haven’t made a game that fully immerses you in MMA.
EA Vancouver needs to rethink how they make their games. They must listen to player feedback and fix the core game issues. By making more realistic games, they can win back fans’ trust and lead the MMA gaming scene.
EA Vancouver’s UFC Games | Release Year | Key Features |
---|---|---|
EA Sports MMA | 2010 | – Disappointing gameplay – Mangled controls |
UFC Undisputed (THQ) | 2009 | – Realistic simulation – Authentic mixed martial arts experience |
EA Sports UFC | 2014 | – Graphics and physics issues – Unrealistic strike impact |
EA Sports UFC 2 | 2016 | – Minimal improvements – Disappointing graphics and gameplay |
EA Sports UFC 3 | 2018 | – Lack of innovation – Frustrating ground game |
UFC 4 | 2020 | – Mixed reception – Criticisms of striking mechanics and graphics |
Criticisms of UFC 4
UFC 4, released on newer consoles, faces many criticisms. Players are not happy with the ground game, striking, and graphics. They think certain parts are not up to par.
The Ground Game
Many players are disappointed with UFC 4’s ground game. They say it’s not as smooth or easy to use as they hoped. Grappling and submissions are hard to do right, making the game less fun.
Striking Mechanics
The striking mechanics in UFC 4 have also been heavily criticised. Players feel the animations look fake and fall short. The punches and kicks don’t feel as powerful as they should.
Graphics and Gameplay
Even with new consoles, UFC 4 didn’t make big jumps in graphics or gameplay from UFC 3. Fans wanted better visuals and smoother gameplay, given the game’s longer development time. They’re let down by the lack of big changes.
Positive Aspects
But it’s not all bad for UFC 4. The game shines in some areas. The career mode is well done. Players can make their fighter and help them become a champion.
There’s also a live events mode. It lets players guess and play real fights, which adds fun to the game.
Overall, UFC 4 has both good and bad points. The feedback points out where the game misses the mark. It suggests room for improvement in the future.
Conclusion
EA Vancouver’s UFC games have let fans down repeatedly. Many gamers have voiced their concerns, but the team hasn’t fixed the main problems. The game’s look and how it plays have barely changed. This has left players feeling like their expectations were not met.
UFC 4 has some good points, such as the career and live events modes. But most fans still feel it doesn’t live up to what they had hoped. They are not happy because EA Vancouver didn’t fix the old issues. They could have made a game that truly felt like being in the UFC.
What’s next for the UFC games is unclear. Fans wish EA Vancouver would rebuild the games entirely. With big changes and listening to feedback, EA Vancouver could turn things around. They might finally give fans the UFC game they’ve been dreaming of.
FAQ
Does UFC 4 really suck?
UFC 4 has faced a lot of criticism. Some fans haven’t liked the ground game, striking, or the looks of the game. Still, it’s not all bad. The career mode and live events are well done. But most fans feel it falls short of what they hoped for.
What is the history of EA’s UFC games?
EA Vancouver started working on UFC games in 2012. They got the UFC license after THQ had troubles. The team knew about fight sports from their Fight Night games. But their first MMA game, EA Sports MMA, wasn’t fun and had bad controls. Even with the UFC games, they couldn’t do better than THQ’s UFC Undisputed series.
What are the criticisms of UFC 4?
UFC 4 hasn’t pleased everyone. People find the ground game confusing and not exciting. The striking animations are not great, and the game’s look and play haven’t improved much from UFC 3. There are a few good parts like the career mode and live events.
Have the issues with EA’s UFC games been addressed?
EA Vancouver has let fans down with their UFC games. They haven’t fixed the main problems. Their effort in making the game better wasn’t enough. Fans don’t know what the future holds for the UFC games. They wish EA would start fresh and make the game everyone wants.
Source Links
- https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058311389/ea-ufc-5
- https://www.therant365.com/post/why-eas-ufc-games-suck
- https://www.quora.com/Why-is-it-that-UFC-fighters-have-terrible-striking-compared-to-boxers-who-for-the-most-part-use-precision-and-have-power-behind-their-punches