UFC 2009 Undisputed Preview - Xbox 360 UFC Demo
UFC Release Date May 19 2009, Demo April 23 2009, Early Impressions
May 2, 2009
The world premiere trailer for UFC 2009 Undisputed featured impressive graphics and gameplay that seemed true to the source. The demo released on PS3 and Xbox 360 on April 23, 2009, with the scheduled release date for the full version planned for May 19, 2009.
Does the demo showcase graphics and gameplay as impressive as the debut trailer? Will the first UFC fighting game feature great gameplay? Or will it be yet another licensed franchise game failure?
Read the UFC Undisputed Preview of the Xbox 360 UFC Demo below to find out.
UFC 2009 Undisputed Preview - Demo Impressions - Demo Details and Features
The demo for UFC 2009 Undisputed features two fighters - striking expert Chuck Liddell and grappler and Muay Thai expert Shogun Hua. Players can duke it out in 2-player one-on-one fights, or single-player against the CPU.
Also featured is a training mode. UFC 2009 Undisputed offers no instruction mid-game, so the training mode is an excellent way to learn the rather complex fighting mechanics.
UFC 2009 Undisputed Preview of Fighting Game Mechanics
UFC 2009 is a 3D, directional-based fighter with context-sensitive actions. The face buttons - A, B, X, Y - perform punches and kicks, while holding L button performs power hits and holding L trigger performs low hits. Holding R button or R trigger blocks high and low. And finally, the R-stick is used for grappling and wrestling maneuvers - requiring specific motion inputs such as rotating the R-stick quickly in a full circle.
If this sounds like a lot to take in, it is. Instead of dumbing down the gameplay for accessibility, developer Yuke's Media Creations decided to create a more true-to-real-life experience that features all aspects of mixed martial arts fighting.
While complex and deep, UFC 2009 Undisputed isn't too complicated for beginners. Newbies can simply ignore all the wrestling and grappling moves and focus entirely on striking until the comfort level is high enough to perform more complex actions.
Additionally, while the game has complexity and depth, randomness and luck also play an important role. Just like in real life, a lucky elbow can turn the tide of the match entirely. Landing a well-placed flying knee strike early in the match can result in an easy victory. Thankfully, these moments don't seem overly frequent, but luck can give less skilled players and beginners a chance to victory boast.
UFC 2009 Undisputed Preview of Gameplay and Party Potential
Perhaps more than most fighting games, UFC 2009 Undisputed has incredible drunken party tournament potential.
As aforementioned, the game has enough depth and complexity for advanced players to have the edge, but is also accessible enough for beginners to stand a fighting chance. This gives it the potential to be a real hit at parties. In particular, UFC fans will likely have a blast fighting each other before watching a big match on Pay Per View.
UFC 2009 Undisputed also features fight highlights, replays, and commentary by real UFC commentators like Joe Rogan, adding even more to the party potential. The detailed graphics, too, offer more potential for party play - splattering blood and causing bruises and cuts should lead to some uproarious drunken insults.
UFC 2009 Undisputed Preview of Other Features
Looking through the locked features shows a breadth of options and modes. Particularly noticeable were the options "create a character" and "classic fights."
While offering a create-a-character mode is standard in wrestling games, not all 3D fighters employ the feature, so UFC stands out in that regard. And while details on the feature are so far unknown, if the 3D model options and fight options offer enough variety, creating one's own UFC fighter should offer more immersion and fun to the experience.
Classic fights, presumably, offers players the option to engage in famous UFC fights from the past. Again, details are unknown, but UFC fans would enjoy the option to play famous fights such as the legendary battle between Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture, or the epic fight between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.
UFC 2009 Undisputed Preview - Demo Impressions - Conclusion
The trailers impress, the demo impresses. The full version will have many options of play, including a career mode, online play, and more. Also, with over 80 fighters and a create-a-fighter mode, a suitable fighter can be found or created for any player's gameplay style.
Fans of UFC or 3D fighters in general should have a lot to look forward to in the coming May 19 2009 release date for THQ's UFC 2009 Undisbuted.
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