EA’s UFC 4has been out for a few days and has been quite well-received by critics and fans alike. However, even though it’s available as part of a10 hour trial through EA Access/EA Playsome gamers may still be on the fence about whether or not they want to invest in another edition of EA’s mixed martial arts series.
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On the surface, it doesn’t look as though much has changed inUFC 4compared to its predecessors, but those that dive into the game’s mechanics will see and even feel some significant improvements and changes. With that in mind, it’s always good to know a few things before jumping into the game so one knows what to expect.
11The Career Mode Has Been Revamped
The biggest star of the show inEA’s UFC 4is the revamped career mode, which is a huge improvement over its predecessors in the series. In this iteration, the career mode will see players rise through the ranks from an amateur toDana White’s Contenderseries, the minor fighting leagues of the WFA.
There’s even a social media aspect that allows players to build their fighter’s status and create rivalries. It isn’t all about creating rivalries, however, as friendships can be formed to gain new training partners and learn new techniques.
10How To Unlock The DLC Fighters
UFC 4gives players who preordered the game immediate access to the DLC fighters. These fighters are legendarymartial arts superstar Bruce Leeand the two best heavyweight boxers in the world,Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
However, these fighters can be unlocked for free in the game simply by playing and completing the career mode. Not only is the career mode a way to learn the many systems and mechanics involved inUFC 4but it offers a great incentive by rewarding the player with these great fighters.
9Practice Makes Perfect
There are practice modes and training manuals built into the game’s Offline modes and for good reason. In fairness to EA, they have madeUFC 4far more accessible than ever before and even newbies can jump in and enjoy what the game has to offer.
However, if one wants to really master the game’s many systems they need to put in the work because practice really does make perfect inUFC 4.Players should utilize all that the game has to offer to get to grips with it because it is invaluable for learning how todefend takedowns, break away from the clinch, and escape transitions.
8Switch Back To Legacy Mode
As stated,UFC 4is a far more welcoming game to newcomers than its predecessors. In addition to returning fight modes like Knockout Mode and as well as Stand and Bang, the game makes it easier than ever to fight on the ground with the inclusion of the Assist feature in settings.
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The Assist feature lets new players that would otherwise be intimidated byUFC 4’s ground game feel more competitive in any fight. However, for those that are looking to compete online they should really switch back to Legacy to revert the settings back toits predecessorUFC 3. The Legacy system gives its players full control whether they are defending or in a dominant position. Furthermore, Legacy mode gives players far more options than the Assist option does when it comes to different offensive and defensive actions.
7The Submission System Has Changed
If there was one major area that put many gamers offEA’s UFCseries it was an overly complicated and fiddly submission system. It was difficult to learn, clunky, and never really allowed the player to feel like they were in control.
Thankfully,the submission systemhas been completely revamped inUFC 4with aWWE 2Kstyle meter chasing system. It’s simplified compared to its predecessors but it also lets the player feel like they are more in control.
6Tap And Hold Striking
For the most part, throwing strikes inUFC 4feels more or less the same as its predecessors. Landing combination punches feels very similar although it is much more fluid when it comes to counterpunching.
However, what is new inUFC 4is the new tap-and-hold system which allows players to dynamically land quicker punches and kicks with a tap of the button or land heavier strikes by holding down the button. It’s a great system that really allows players to feel and control the impact of their hits in the Octagon.
5Custom Fights
One of the most interesting features inUFC 4is it gives players the power to customize their fights to their liking. Players can select between 3 Round, 5 Round, and Championship fights and even adjust how fast the timer counts down.
In addition, players can select the arena, active perks, stamina, health recovery meters, transition speed, damage meters, submission speed, and more. Another fun feature is the ability to select open-weight fights so fighters from different weight classes can fight each other for some true (and often hilarious) David and Goliath battles.
4Custom Events
Fans of the UFC will always have certain matchups in mind that will get them excited. Whether it’s a super fight between Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones or a dream bout between UFC legend George St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
UFC 4allows players to great the card of their dreams packed with super fights, dream matches, and contests between future stars that are guaranteed to make history.
3Online Blitz Battles
New toEA’s UFC 4is the brand new online mode called Blitz Battles. These are fights that can add unusual stipulations like a “Minute to Win It” which temporarily change the weight class of the player’s fighter and make them fight to win a battle in under a minute.
There are several more stipulations and match types that will change every time and it helps to keep the game fresh by adding a different dynamic to typical online modes.
2Create A Fighter Is More Flexible
Even the Create a Fighter feature inUFC 4has seen quite a bit of improvement this year. Players can now kit out their fighters with crazy and ridiculousFortnite-style costumes and masks.
However, for the more serious players out there, the tools on offer are flexible and deep enough for them to create their own Brock Lesnar to create those much-talked about dream matches with Daniel Cormier or Stipe Miocic.
