Review: UFC 2009 Undisputed (XBOX 360, PS3)

2009-06-29T16:00:09-04:00

2009-06-17T12:50:31-04:00

2009-06-29T16:00:09-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/565/087/thumb/Tawny_Fox.jpg 351 ME

Mason1313

South Portland 565567

10 I like how you can make your create super athletes with the glitch. My character is a 105 rating, silly. Now to be fair I also still have the normal version of the player since I have beat career mode a few times. Rampage Jackson is the man in the game, tough to beat. This game ROCKS 5917081

2009-06-18T10:06:38-04:00

Iron Fist

Austin 616928

7 awesome game, i hate the submissions part of the controls, you have to roll the right joystick in clockwise direction, this game eats controllers... online play is fun... 5787625

2009-06-18T11:44:10-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/632/513/thumb/WoWScrnShot_112408_202317.jpg 13 XX

DarkDrakonis

No City 633153

awesome game, i hate the submissions part of the controls, you have to roll the right joystick in clockwise direction, this game eats controllers...online play is fun...

9 there are 2 submission types, technical(analog) and power(repeated button pressing, just pick the button for the limb in question and wail on it) fight night eats controllers... ufc doesnt if you know the controls... 5790112

2009-06-18T10:08:13-04:00

Iron Fist

Austin 616928

8 i started skipping all PR stuff as well, a waste of time in the long run...i can't wait for the next version... 5787736

2009-06-18T10:06:38-04:00

Iron Fist

Austin 616928

7 awesome game, i hate the submissions part of the controls, you have to roll the right joystick in clockwise direction, this game eats controllers... online play is fun... 5787625

2009-06-18T08:15:32-04:00

115

CoolPlayer6

Springfield 87510

6 I don't play video games anymore. 5785945

2009-06-17T19:49:47-04:00

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---Loki---

744457

I enjoy the game. I was also unaware of the stamina meter until a friend told me about it. Getting KO'd by pure BJJ guys while standing sucks... and happens too often, but I can not wait for 2010. I hope that they incorporate build a PPV options, as well as some sort of story mode. As of right now, there are no feuds, rival camps, or any real repurcussions from suffering a loss or obtaining a win other than a digit change in your win/loss record. Who you beat and how is of no significance in the game other than a few trophies if you win them.

3 as soon as you get lvl 3 equipment in speed, you should lose all fights as it will make your future opponents easier and thus, in turn, your sparring partners will be easier allowing 144 pts each time you spar...you can get characters up to 103-105 overall rating... 5783428

2009-06-17T20:27:14-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/746/900/thumb/Faber.jpg 279 FL

MMAisfuntowatch

Navarre 747560

as soon as you get lvl 3 equipment in speed, you should lose all fights as it will make your future opponents easier and thus, in turn, your sparring partners will be easier allowing 144 pts each time you spar...you can get characters up to 103-105 overall rating...

5 That's actually really smart. On my second toon, I've been skipping all of the publicity options in order to get in more training. Thanks for the new idea. :) 5783730

2009-06-17T20:02:10-04:00

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sLiCrIc82

Carrollton 789089

4 im still trying 2 save $$$ so i can get it 5783596

2009-06-17T18:39:45-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/746/900/thumb/Faber.jpg 279 FL

MMAisfuntowatch

Navarre 747560

2 I enjoy the game. I was also unaware of the stamina meter until a friend told me about it. Getting KO'd by pure BJJ guys while standing sucks... and happens too often, but I can not wait for 2010. I hope that they incorporate build a PPV options, as well as some sort of story mode. As of right now, there are no feuds, rival camps, or any real repurcussions from suffering a loss or obtaining a win other than a digit change in your win/loss record. Who you beat and how is of no significance in the game other than a few trophies if you win them. 5782572

2009-06-17T19:49:47-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/743/797/thumb/Wolf-in-Snow-wall-_1024x768_.jpg 2391

---Loki---

744457

2009-06-17T18:39:45-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/746/900/thumb/Faber.jpg 279 FL

MMAisfuntowatch

Navarre 747560

2009-06-17T18:13:49-04:00

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DarkDrakonis

No City 633153

1 For starters, if you turn on the stamina meters and you will be able to tell when you are gassed (its not random) and therefore can plan out your attack/defense strategy much better. I agree there are some clipping issues but you know this is THQ's FIRST next-gen ufc game and it is FAR above any previous version released after the original version on the Sega Dreamcast. Also remember, this isnt a basic fighting game, all elements of a true fight from becoming tired and slow to getting knocked out by a random hit. While 3 second knockouts are rare... it does happen. I love the game and cant wait to see where they decide to take it next time. Maybe some cage control on the fence ? I think that, along with some clipping cleanups, would complete the surreal true to life game that they have created. 5782416

<div class="photo_container image_center" style="width: 615px;"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://img.fannation.com/upload/si_blog_post_images/36821/ufc-615.jpg" alt="Ufc-615" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">Photo courtesy of THQ</div> </div> <h3>Things We Liked </h3> Career Builder: If you've ever wondered what it's like to toil away for hours upon hours in a sweaty gym with nothing but a title bout on your mind, <a href="http://www.ufcundisputed.com/" target="_blank">UFC Undisputed</a> will take you there. The well constructed Career Mode plucks your character out of nowhere and places him at the bottom of the UFC totem pole. Every decision you make will affect your climb to the top. Sparring between fights doesn't just provide more gameplay, it also helps build up your fighter's speed, strength and stamina attributes for the next match. Just don't overdo it. If you're coming off a tough fight, you might be better off choosing to rest. In this deep mode, even which sponsors you pick and how you promote yourself will impact your career.  Always in Control: If you think the goal of a UFC fight is to smash your opponent's face until his brain turns to tapioca pudding and he falls down ... well, you're right. But it's not as simple as repeatedly throwing haymakers at the other guy's noggin. A well crafted attack starts with a flurry of combos that lead to stronger punches and kicks and then, hopefully, a knockout blow. One of Undisputed's best elements lies in the game's nuanced controls. You can punch the head or the body; kick the body or the legs; even elbow the face or knee the body. If you're on the defensive, you have the flexibility to counter high or low. Oh, and if you're challenger keeps running away, there's always the takedown. The moves can all be produced by a string of trigger, toggle and button combos. Sure, the game's instructions may make you feel like a rookie studying Bill Belichick's playbook, but once you've mastered the controls it pays off in the Octagon. Style Points: It's not just individual moves you need to bone up on. Judo, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu highlight the various fighting disciplines you can choose for your fighter. Master the strengths and weaknesses of each style to advance. Fail to pick up on the intricacies of each method and you'll continue to lose matches, career points, and teeth. Name Brand: Chuck Liddell headlines more than 80 UFC fighters who lent their names to the sport's official video game. The trainers, the referees, the announcers, even the ring girls - they're all cherry picked from the biggest headliners in the business. Check out UFC 2009 Undisputed in action ... <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="350" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> <param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yqmtwsuzYPA" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yqmtwsuzYPA"></embed> </object> <h3>Things We'd Change </h3> Power Outage: How is your fighter feeling? Can he go on the defensive and last until the next round? How many more punches can he take before he hits the mat? The answer to all of the above: It might not matter. The high (read: unrealistic) number of knockout blows adds a wild card to each fight that you might not be prepared for. It's always exciting when the next punch could be the last punch, but it can also be a frustrating experience if you've put together a detailed game plan and it's derailed by one random hit.  Animation Abomination: The close-ups on the fighters before and after matches are almost photorealistic (I could practically count chest hairs and spot tattoo typos). However, the in-fight action loses crispness once the punches start flying. Even worse, many of the slo-mo knockout replays show plenty of space between the winner's fist and the losers' chin. What is this, wrestling? Sound Off: The announcers, Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg, are misused. The voices help make the fights seem like a real broadcast, but the canned superlatives rarely ebb and flow with the action in the octagon. The only time you'll get a rise out of the commentators is with a knockout blow. Then there's the cookie-cutter heavy metal soundtrack that screeches on while you navigate through the menu. The last thing we need is another reason to hate loading screens. Bottom Line: Just like the sport it represents, Undisputed combines jaw-shattering violence and carefully planned strategy. This is game producer THQ's first go at a UFC title, so we can forgive the graphic hiccups and quick knockout blows. With a couple of improvements, the UFC's official video game could become just as popular as the sport. Gameplay: 9 Graphics: 7 Audio: 7 Online: 7 Overall: 7.5 -- Reviewed by Paul Ulane 67723

The SI Staff

New York City 21244