Developer: Yukes
Publisher: THQ
Rating Guide: How I Review Games

Review:

IT IS TIMEEEEEEE!  As you all might already know I’m a huge fan of MMA and UFC.  Anderson Silva and Jonny “Bones” Jones are two of my favorite UFC fighters.  Well I have a few favorites like Urijah Faber, Koscheck, Jon Fitch and others but you get the point.  I’m a big fan.  So to say I was really excited about UFC Undisputed 3 is an understatement.

I’ll be the first to admit that UFC Undisputed 2 wasn’t exactly the greatest second entry into the franchise.  It had its moments but it just didn’t feel right.  I’m glad they took the long break between releases because UFC Undisputed is perhaps the best and most complete UFC experience ever.  I know that’s not saying much considering there have only been three games but this game is pretty damn good.

There are a host of new features alongside staples like Title Mode, Ultimate Fights and Title Defense.  Now you have Pride mode, new divisions, a new career experience, ring entrances and more!  And for the first time it’s really been made accessible to the beginner MMA fan out there.  The controls have always been extensive but they’re much more streamlined now so that even if you don’t know submissions and take downs, you’ll find a home in controlling the game.

One of the few additions to the ground game is the little octagon that pops up when you’re attempting to submit someone.  You have to play a round of “catch me” so to speak in order to pull it off.  You have to line up your line with the opponent’s just right or else you’ll lose the hold.  It was clever albeit a little frustrating at times.

You can choose an Amateur style of play or a Pro style.  That makes a world of difference believe me.  I’m a thumbstick guy so I chose Pro naturally.  It just makes my ground game that much more potent.  Despite the ease in which you can go into the game now, the depth in it is just frightening.  It’s just a ton of stuff to take in.  The biggest being the entry of the Pride mode and its style of play.  If you were a fan of Pride, you’ll be impressed with the way they’ve managed to capture how the league once was.  Does it get any better than head stomping someone in Pride?  No, I don’t think so.

Mixing the UFC fighters versus the Pride fighters was also a lot of fun.  I enjoyed taking the Pride Rampage Jackson up against Rashad Evans and putting a beat down on him.

The career mode now lets you take any of the fighters up in the ranks to a championship.  Stats and styles are all up to you now.  I enjoyed it much better than the previous attempts at a career.  I started mine off with Bones Jones to see if I can still become the youngest Light Heavyweight champion.

The multiplayer in the game features Fight Camps again which allow you to team up with another group of UFC fighters and become a team.  You can share highlight reels, custom content and get into some serious matchmaking and ranking now.  Try it if you dare because there are some fierce fighters online.

Visually, UFC Undisputed 3 is one of the best looking games on the console.  The character models of the fighters are very accurate and the damage system is awesome.  It looks even better in motion when you’re grappling and doing some ground and pound.  Mix the visuals with an above average vocal commentary and you have some great action going on.  Even old Bas Rutten shows up to voice the Pride house.

Conclusion

If you’re not a fan of MMA or the UFC, then you’re missing out on some really awesome gameplay.  Beyond just being a “UFC game”, this is a very well done game period.  It has big personalities, brutal action and some awesome control.  Fight fans of any genre should be looking into taking this game for a spin.

9.0
“Velvet”