Based on the trailers alone, UFC 5 is looking like a true next-gen fighting game.
- EA Sports unveils UFC 5, boasting significant enhancements using the Frostbite engine, such as realistic fight progressions and dynamic facial damage.
- The game introduces the ‘Real Impact System’, reflecting genuine MMA bouts, alongside improved grappling, striking systems, and AI-driven facial injuries.
- Scheduled for an October 27 release on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, UFC 5 offers two editions, packed with bonuses like Alter Egos, legendary fighters, and gameplay modes.
Returning to the octagon, EA Sports is prepared to introduce UFC 5, a game that aims to improve the mixed martial arts experience.
However, this represents a substantial advancement rather than merely being another addition to the EA UFC franchise. Fans can expect a visceral treat from UFC 5, which was developed with EA’s Frostbite engine and boasts a graphics upgrade, realistic bout progressions, and dynamic facial damage. However, that is only the tip of the iceberg.
UFC 5, which is slated for release on October 27 for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, marks the return of EA to the MMA genre after a three-year absence that began in the summer of 2020. After considerable anticipation, fans will soon be rewarded with a comprehensive “Real Impact System.” This cutting-edge function is said to accurately depict the ebb and flow of real MMA fights. Although the fighters’ injuries will be evident, their performance will reflect the abrasions they sustain in combat. It’s a technology that will replicate the weariness and realistic degradation that fighters go through, closely linked to the assault they’ve faced in the octagon.
Not only does the new engine look good, but it also promises improved particle and fluid mechanics. Players will now notice a noticeable difference as blood and perspiration are exchanged between fighters; the blood and sweat spatter and drip in a way that is more realistic than previously.
There has been a noticeable improvement in the gameplay area. Redesigned is the grappling system, which was an issue with previous iterations. Instead of minigames, EA has switched to a more user-friendly transition-based system in an effort to more authentically capture the mayhem and expertise of MMA ground combat. Mo-cap work also helps the striking system, which aims to more closely mimic various hitting methods. Particularly, the facial damage has drawn notice, and to further heighten the realism, EA employs AI physicians to evaluate and treat a fighter’s wounds.
A stunning teaser has already been shown to eager fans. Despite the absence of actual gameplay, the trailer provided ample information and teased what’s to come. The trailer had fans on the edge of their seats, featuring celebrities like Bruce Lee, Mike Tyson, and Muhammad Ali, as well as alternate character models known as Alter Egos. One particularly fascinating aspect is the Bruce Lee alter ego, which may wear costumes from his well-known films.
However, individuals prepared to enter the digital octagon early have options. The Standard and Deluxe editions are the two that EA offers. At $69.99/ 69.99, the Standard Edition comes with features such as online career mode XP boosts, a 30th-anniversary Vanity Bundle, and Alter Egos for Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko. The Deluxe Edition, on the other hand, is an absolute treasure; it retails for $99.99/99.99 and includes early access, a ton of great fighters, the Bruce Lee Bundle, and the Origins Bundle, which has celebrities like Conor McGregor and Leon Edwards.
Even though the core of UFC 5 is still combat, EA has acknowledged the value of modes and post-match activities. Players will be kept interested with additional gaming modes like online career mode, Fight Week challenges, and frequent content updates in conjunction with actual UFC events.
The development of user-created combatants has been emphasized, adding nuance to online combat between divisions. The addition of draws and improved referee mechanics, which capture those split-second judgment calls to spare fighters from unwarranted punishment, further improves the game.
With the release of games like Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, UFC 5 is set to take place during a jam-packed gaming month. Even so, with its improvements, it remains impressive, providing a special fusion of realism and fast-paced action with a dash of fan service.