Release Date: March 15, 2016
The second installment in the new sports series launched by EA Sports in 2014 as a spiritual successor to the UFC Undisputed franchise. Like the title suggests, the gameplay is focused on MMA matches and concentrates on recreating this spectacular sport as faithfully and realistically as possible.
In 2014, Electronic Arts launched a new sports series for the fans of MMA, EA Sports UFC. EA Sports UFC 2 for PS4 and XONE is the second installment of this franchise and introduces a lot of novelties and changes.
The gameplay in EA Sports UFC 2 is naturally about fights between famous MMA fighters. The developers tried to recreate real fights as realistically as possible. Among the biggest novelties of UFC 2, the most noteworthy one is the Knockout Physics System that is responsible for performing powerful finishing attacks. The creators also introduced major enhancements in the ground game, which is now more important. Moreover, the game boasts the biggest selection of fighters ever (now also including women). One of them, Ronda Rousey, can be seen on the cover art.
EA Sports UFC 2 for PS4 and XONE allows us to play in various single and multiplayer modes. The basic one is the career mode, of course, in which we start from the bottom and climb to the top of the leaderboards. We may also jump right into the KO Mode that has only one rule: to wipe the opponent off the ring. However, before engaging in real fights, it is helpful to train in the Training Camps, first.
Another important mode is the UFC Ultimate Team, which is a collectible card mode. We create a team of MMA fighters (a maximum of five fighters of various weight classes) and have them fight in the ring. This way, we make money for new cards that, for example, increase the skills of our fighters.
The whole is complemented by the online struggle for the champion title as well as the fighter editor that allows us to modify the appearance of fighters.
EA Sports UFC 2 for PS4 and XONE is powered by the Ignite engine known from other sports productions of Electronic Arts such as the FIFA series. Thanks to the introduction of more advanced physics, better fighter animations, and greater attention to details (more natural hair, for instance), the virtual matches resemble actual TV transmissions.
Platforms:
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Game Ratings for EA Sports UFC 2 Video Game.
ZTGD: 8 / 10 by Drew Leachman
While I’m still not the biggest fan of the sport, UFC 2 is fun to play and see and allows players to try out different things while still having a decent time. The grapples and submissions are sometimes confusing to understand, but the fighting itself is fast, fun, and great to watch. Fans of UFC will get the atmosphere of a real UFC match, while fighting and sports game fans have enough here to have some good fun.
GamesRadar+: 3 / 5 by David Meikleham
Bruising, buggy and beautiful, UFC 2 is a technically triumphant fighter, but its combat can easily flounder and frustrate.
Polygon: 8 / 10 by Owen Good
EA Sports UFC 2 is easier to understand without being easy
Average score from votes.