Overview:
UFC 2009 Undisputed splits its time between career, create a fighter, exhibition, online play and classic fights. The game plays much like the demo, with much spontaneity and replay value. You won't see the same fight twice in this game and the character models are as close as they get (For most fighters) when it comes to looks and fighting style. The game boasts a deep roster with over 15 fighters in each of the 5 weight classes, all of which playing and fighting much differently. On to the review.
Career Mode:
The career mode plays much like Madden, you've got to manage your weeks (Usually 9 weeks to train) up until the fight with different aspects of training such as speed, strength, cardio, sparring or celebrity coaching events like training with Eddie Bravo. You also have an in-game email where you receive publicity invites and public appearances/photoshoots to increase your reputation. When it comes time for the fight, you better make sure that you've optimized your training while not depleting your stamina, or else you'll be winded during the fight and you will surely be in for a short night. (I learned this the hard way against Nogueira)
Exhibition Mode:
Very fun mode where you can play multiplayer against a friend or a computer. You can choose all of the fighters from any weight class (However the two fighters fighting must be in the same weight class) right off the bat. No two fights will be the same in this mode.
Classic Fights:
A great mode with quite a few classic match ups from UFC History such as Anderson Silva vs Rich Franklin II, Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar and Matt Hughes vs Georges St. Pierre II. In all of these matches in order to unlock achievements and videos, you must fight the fight exactly like the fight was fought in the past. For example, if you are playing Griffin vs Bonnar, you need to win a Decision with Griffin and if you are playing GSP vs Hughes, you would need to TKO Hughes in the second round. Very fun and challenging mode.
Character Creation:
A truly in-depth character creation system with incredible customization and attention to detail. There are limitless options when creating your fighter and you can change just about everything from eyebrow width to your 7th tattoo layer, you can truly make your character however you want. For those who aren't into lengthy customization, there are character templates for all weight classes that you can choose as a base for customization or just to enter the UFC as they are.
Cons:
The only cons I have is that I haven't seen any way to play a career with anyone other than a User-created fighter. It would have been nice to have a "Rebuild a Legend" feature like FNR3 where you could play as any MMA Star.
Another con is that while they ****ed up styles according to fighters (An example would be Wanderlei's hooks being a bit more wild than other Thai Fighters, as well as his stance being more hunched) I don't think that with some of the fighters they've done enough.
My last con is that you can't fight in between weight classes and mix fights up. I really wanted to knock Brock Lesnar out with Wanderlei Silva, but both fighters in Exhibition must choose the weight class before they fight. Just takes away the "Gag" Match aspect a bit.
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Bottom Line:
Presentation: 8/10 - I would have liked to see intros, but other than that the game is presented fairly well.
Graphics: 9/10- Great character models and attention to detail.
Sound: 8/10 - They did an excellent job with Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg in order to not have them sound repetitive. The sounds are great and haven't gotten stale.
Gameplay: 8/10 - Can handle pretty funky at times, but the amount of combinations and controls make up for it. It's very fun to pick up and play.
Lasting Appeal/Replay Value: 9/10 - You will never get the same fight twice.
Overall: 8/10 - A great and fun game that MMA fans have been looking for with the absence of a good game to represent the sport.
-BRICKS
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