EA Sports UFC 3 Review – A One, Two Combination

Over the last few years we’ve witnessed some of the greatest fights ever in the UFC. Rousey v Nunes, McGregor v Diaz, CM Punk even made his in-ring debut after quitting WWE. And on a side note, it’s crazy to see Rowdy Ronda Rousey leave the Octagon for the squared-circle (WWE), making this possibly her last time in a EA Sports UFC game.

UFC 3 continues to deliver the knockouts we crave in plenty of fashion. As we come back to gameplay and mechanics later in the review, let’s discuss the game modes available. UFC offers Fight Now (exhibition), Knockout Mode (along with a few other strategic mini-games), Live Events, online fights, Ultimate Team and the new and improved Career Mode.

Career mode is the most impressive mode in UFC 3 as it’s the most in-depth experience ever created “successfully” in ANY sports game. Its not just about the fight, but the buildup, the promos, breaking records and becoming the best; the G.O.A.T

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You start off in the minor leagues (as usual) building a name for yourself while getting into the right gyms and training for what’s to come. In-between fights you can learn new moves, spar and learn about your opponents while having a bit of fun with social media. But when it’s fight night, hypothetically speaking, that’s when the gloves come off.

Gameplay is amazing! This year has a presentation like never before with the most realistic and fluid fighting mechanics to date supported by a spot on collision system. People will definitely appreciate the detail in graphics, but those hard punches, kicks and takedowns are much more entertaining during replays.

Each area of your body as a separate meter to determine your remaining strength whether it’s your head, body, blocking and so forth. These are just as important as monitoring your stamina this year as different areas can become vulnerable at the same time when not focusing on the overall condition of your fighter.

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As for commentary, it’s spot on in delivering real-time feedback, including specific history on each fighter. Perfect example was playing with CM Punk and listening to how they discussed his first fight with Mickey Gall and how he took the loss. Every fighter has a story behind them and the UFC commentary team did a great job sharing it, providing a more genuine level of authenticity to each athlete.

Knockout Mode commentary by Snoop Dogg, though it’s entertaining to hear him in the game, it’s a rather boring commentary after the first few fights. More weeks in the booth or a partner to help call the action may have been what was needed. Like how in NBA 2K special guest commentators become the third (or forth) member of the team, UFC lacked a bit for what felt like a wasted attempt in giving the audience a unique voice to hear.

Ultimate Team is back, allowing you to build your personal team while earning cards that help build your fighters, health, fighting style and abilities and more. UFC 3 has also added solo challenges this year that allows you to earn even more coins aside from the normal Championship modes available.