Technical Knock Out- EA Sports MMA Review

It’s rare to view Electronic Arts as the pugnacious underdog. Although the rival NBA 2K franchise has had a slight edge over the Live/Elite series over the last few seasons, EA’s aggressive licensing and resolute determination has lead to domination nearly elsewhere else. Between the superlative interpretations of hockey, soccer, football, boxing, and college hoops, most contenders have struggled to compete against the publishing powerhouse.

With THQ successful acquisition and adaptation of the UFC license, a robust adversary in the mixed martial arts arena seemed unlikely. Mirroring the restlessness of the sport, recent release EA Sports MMA is the roguish upstart which seems poised to unseat the reigning champion. With a superb fighting engine which captures the fluidity, mechanics and physicality of the Fight Night series and at least one dubious strike in its repertoire, MMA has the capability to captivate a wide swath of fighting fans.

One of the strongest elements in MMA‘s arsenal is its intuitive control scheme. Like the Fight Night series, strikes are imitated with pushes and simple sweeps of the analog stick. The controller’s left trigger and shoulder buttons act as modifiers, allowing combatants to aim high or low, and permitting players to strike with legs or fists. Gamers  familiar with a post-Tekken fighting approach- where each of the four face buttons instigate an attack with a different appendage, may use the title’s classic control scheme. While this method may be welcoming to newcomers, it doesn’t feel nearly as visceral as shoving the thumbstick around.

Once in a clinch or on the ground, the right stick is still used to throw elbows, knees, and punches, with the buttons now allowing fighters to modify their positions. With a deceivingly simple approach- players press the “A” button to improve their grapple, “B” to block a position improvement, while the “X” button attempts a submission hold. To simulate joint or choke submissions, two mini-games challenge players: keeping rhythm with button presses or rotating the left stick to find an opponent’s sweet spot. Both contests require participants to balance stamina with aggressiveness, endowing the proceedings with a bit of strategy. Unlike UFC Undisputed 2010, I approached AI adversaries with specific tactics. Occasionally, softening the body before going for a resolute mount, other times trying to wear out the legs of an elusive foe with a flurry of kicks. Button-mashers will likely have a career as abbreviated as Kimbo Slice; MMA consistently favors the conscious competitor.

Those seeking to earn a livelihood as a mixed martial artist can do so in the game’s career mode. Fighters receive tutelage from Bas Rutten, Rickson Gracie, Randy Couture and a number of other coaches as they train at seven different locations. Beyond the ability to scout upcoming foes, the mechanics of the title’s career mode don’t veer far from the typical sports game- with players upgrading their stats as the master combos, special strikes, and defensive skills. Yet, the anticipation of each impending fight managed to have me giddy with excitement. As gratifying as the career component was, it’s no match for the game’s Live Broadcast multiplayer mode. Here, EA promises to broadcast matches between renowned players, with live commentary by real people. Don’t have a copy but want to view the action? Simply head to EA’s MMA site to watch the match. Where innovation often becomes prerequisite in the sports genre, I expect to see this ingenious model reproduced whole.

While Live Broadcast is cunning, it’s not MMA‘s shrewdest move. That would have to be the game’s versatile fighter editor, which allows players to design, share, and download custom combatants. Cleverly, EA has circumvented the absence of the UFC license by allowing gamers to share Georges St. Pierre, or Cain Velazquez clones. It’s probably not coincidence that players can choose the names “Brock” and “Lesnar”  for their fighter’s moniker, which is unmistakably woven into a fight’s commentary.

Any concerns about the lack of a UFC license constraining EA Sports MMA can be put to rest. Like the publisher’s other sport franchises, the title is an exceedingly well-engineered simulation of mixed martial arts- expertly capturing the speed and brutality of matches. With two indefatigable contenders on the market, a impressive rivalry within the sporting realm is about to commence. Hopefully, this clash will go the distance.