EA Sports UFC 3

MMA and its UFC competition have quite possibly become one of the most viewed sports in the world. With fighting game mechanics already in place and a globally revered brand - EA Sports UFC 3 is a match made in heaven. The first two games of the franchise did a fair job of bringing the experience to gameplay - it only makes sense to keep the ball rolling.

While some sports games are limited in mechanics because of their rules - MMA is a versatile competition. It does leave some wiggle room for innovation. It makes each offering of this franchise all the more intriguing. EA Sports UFC 3 continues the trajectory of refining its combat, but is it still as fresh as ever? Let's get into the ring.

If You Like It Put a Ring On It

What consistently jumps out at you with this franchise does even more so in EA Sports UFC 3 - the gameplay experience is well rounded. It would be easy enough to copy and paste a fighting game and slap the UFC brand on it. However, there feels a genuine effort to improve these games and create a much more holistic experience than just ring combat.

On the subject of the fights - they are intricately refined. The control schematics are geared, so players have complete control over their punches, kicks, and move executions. It is accessible, yet you'll be investing some time to master it if you wish to succeed. Yes, the combat is as excellent as it should be - but it's the surrounding features that make this edition stand out.

EA Sports UFC 3 game modes are some of the most engaging within their sports repertoire. The GOAT career mode puts players in the shoes of a budding MMA fighter, dealing with every detail in between. It's surprising how well-designed it is - creating custom narratives, urgency, and objectives in one neat little package. The multiplayer and knockout modes are just as rewarding.

Despite the fluctuating difficulty of victory and the horrendous microtransaction options, EA Sports UFC 3 has taken what was already good - and made it even better. The visuals look great, there is a wealth of gameplay options - and nuances within the game are minimal. The whole package is an eye-opener, considering the publisher's lesser offerings as of late.

A Swift Punch to the Face of Dreariness

UFC has never really been my thing, but having played various EA Sports games and fighters - it surprised me. Even those outside the realm of MMA will find themselves entertained by taking on a lucrative UFC career or competing online against others. The detail is marvelous in every respect and as fun as it could possibly get. I mean, this is even more enjoyable than that age-old classic WWF War Zone!

Pros:

• Excellent combat replicating the excitement of MMA
• Career mode is one of the most immersive in sports games
• Plenty of game modes that keep players entertained

Cons:

• The microtransaction features are incredibly frustrating
• Difficulty curve will deter some players

Out of all of the mixed martial arts games, EA Sports UFC 3 is one of the best, with realistic fighting and an enormous roster of fighters available. As the third game in the series, this title expands the already awesome modes, introduces new gameplay mechanics, and puts forth a career mode with lots of options and customization. If you watch the UFC, dream of becoming a MMA fighter, or just like the beauty of battle inside the Octagon, EA Sports UFC 3 is ready to test your skill.

Main Game Features

• Realistic mixed martial arts fighting
• Brand new G.O.A.T career mode
• Over 200 fighters on the roster

Gameplay

As a fighting game that simulates real MMA bouts, EA Sports UFC 3 is miles ahead of the previous games. Although EA Sports UFC and EA Sports UFC 2 were lots of fun, this third game takes the realism to the next level by improving on fundamental fighting. In addition to your custom fighter from the story campaign, there are over 200 additional fighters to choose from, including legendary martial artists like Bruce Lee. The striking system has seen some significant changes, leading to refined control over your jabs, hooks, and other punches. Dodging and blocking have also been reworked, and their systems are integrated into the striking controls, providing a smooth and responsive experience.

With such a large number of fighters, you are granted access to an equally wide variety of fighting styles, such as karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and many more. These styles determine what kind of approach you'll want to take in battles, favoring striking, grappling, or evasion depending on your stats. Unfortunately, the submission and ground fighting can be confusing at times, due to minimal in-game tips and clunky controls. Despite this shortcoming, the overall fighting in EA Sports UFC 3 is on-par with greats like Fight Night Round 3, so you can always expect a fierce fight.

Modes of Play

There are many modes to choose from in EA Sports UFC 3, but the big focus is on the G.O.A.T career mode. In this mode, you take your custom fighter and control their UFC career from the very beginning, starting with choosing what style of fighting you want to train in. With a certain amount of points allotted each week, you make your way through the UFC schedule, choosing to train in the gym, promote your next fight, and more. The more time and effort you spend on your training, the more moves you will learn, but it's important to consider your growth over time if you want to become a true champion.

Besides returning modes like Exhibition and Solo Championships, other fighting fun can be found in new multiplayer modes like Knockout Mode, which reduces the ground game and always ends in a KO. UFC Ultimate Team is also here to enjoy, letting you create a roster of fighters by collecting rare cards, but the monetization feels overwhelming. It's very hard to play this mode without spending real money in the game store, leaving the mode as a pay-to-win distraction rather than a real addition.

Conclusion

EA Sports UFC 3 improves the franchise with better fighting mechanics, more modes to enjoy, and hundreds of fighters, but there are some frustrations still left.

Pros

• Striking is fast and fun
• So many great fighters to play as
• Fast new multiplayer modes

Cons

• Too many microtransactions
• Submissions and grappling need work
• Career can be repetitive after several hours