UFC 2009: Undisputed

This game is fantastic. I downloaded it today off the Xbox live marketplace and i was amazed by it. I was always a fan of the smackdown series but this game takes the fighting genre to the next level.

The graphics are brilliant and you can see the fighters gradually sweating and bleeding as the fight goes on.

The variety of moves is fantastic- I was playing the game with a friend earlier and he did chucks backfist knocking me out- therefore leading me on to the point that the way in which moves are delivered varies greatly aswel meaning that you cannot lose your conecentration!

Overall this is a phenomonal game and i will defiantely be buying it when it comes out!

You can't beat a good fighting game and after playing a free demo of UFC Undisputed, it seemed like great fun and a must for all fans of UFC.

The graphics are amazing and the animation of the fighters truly astounding. And you can't beat having a throwdown in the ring with your mate.

However after a few days of solid fighting, I have to say its getting a little repetitive. Every fight seems to go the same way; KO. I've rarely been the full three rounds and never managed to get a submission and the how-to guide is pitifully brief and lacks depth. Fighting from the ground is a pain, if an opponent gets you down its difficult to get back up, and again; the guide is hardly helpful.

Career mode frustrates me also. There are only six disciplines and there doesn't seem to be much too variety with any of them. I've found with many fighting games that allow you to build your own fighter, its difficult to get good enough, quickly enough. You have time between fights to spar and train and add points to your skills, but by the time I'm ten fights in, my average fighter is up against main event fighters and I am quickly dispatched. I'm fighting one brazilian fighter and no matter what I do, he takes me to the mat and its game over inside round one every time.

Overall its a fun game with truly amazing graphics, but sadly lacks the depth required of mixed martial arts. If you can pick it up cheap, its worth a few quid to have an enjoyable punch up, but I'm left feeling a little underwhelmed.

This is not on the demo, I was lucky enough to recieve my copy last night and how lucky I was.

Firstly, I was not a UFC fan before this game, no scratch that, before the demo. It offers a rare insight into one of the worlds fastest growing sports. Whether that insight is watching two men punch each other until they collapse in the infamous 'Octagon' or whether thats watching how they men prepare for a fight in one of the game-type option, 'Classic Match'.

Overall opinion is pretty much flawless. This game is amazing, hopefully it isn't overlooked for any awards and deserves being top of the charts for many pre-ordering websites/shops. Lets get the negative out of the way, and believe me it is a very small picky negative coming from someone who has followed this game for a long time. Up-close punches/kicks are different from 'striking distance' punches or kicks. When you are upclose they turn into elbows, or knees! This is not the flaw, this is realistic and a great touch. The problem arises when the opponent backs off slightly and is inbetween the two, close-up and striking distance, and you throw an elbow as default when you press 'punch' which is useless and doesnt reach them, thus leaving you open for attack. There, it is off my chest, thats it!

Positives; and believe me there are a lot. Graphics are amazing, seriously. Player bruises and cuts become apparent over time, or if it is a seriously hard hitting punch it swells up quickly. Bruises on the body are apparent and blood on the octagon floor is also obvious when your pummelling a guys head in. Sound is great, the crowd noise rises if you are on the attack, or boos if the fight isnt to their taste. Commentators are accurate and informative. Relating fighters currently in the Octagon to previous famous fights, i.e. Forrest Griffin beating Shogun Rue (on the demo) by submission.

Career mode is fantastic. You can choose anything from what your figher looks like to how they fight, what sponsors you take on and what photo-shoots you do. However much 'cred' (needed to fight bigger opponents and get sponsors) these things give you, you need to be careful. A photoshoot before a big fight wastes a week when you could be training on an important part of your fight, i.e. speed. This happened to me before a fight against chuck liddell and it cost me the fight because my speed was good enough to counter his strength. Sparring is an option which puts you up against an opponent like the one you will face in your next bout. This is a nice touch and gives you an insight as to what to look out for.

The opening sequence is fantastic, showing you special moves in the game with a brilliantly chosen soundtrack.

This review does not do it justice however and you must buy the game to realise what a hit this is and hopefully it is the beginning of a bright series of UFC games.

Good luck in the Octagon.