It's two years since EA SPORTS dropped their debut UFC title on next-gen consoles and a lot has changed in the Octagon since then. The franchise's first cover star, Jon Jones, was stripped of his title, Ronda Rousey finally took a loss and Conor McGregor has transitioned from a fringe fighter into one of the world's most popular athletes.
UFC is more popular now than it's ever been and with the biggest event in the organisation's history, UFC 200, months away, EA SPORTS have crafted a fighting game that's so much more than a simple beat 'em up. With a roster 250 fighters deep, an 'Ultimate Team' mode taken out of the FIFA playbook and the best knock out physics ever seen in a combat sports video game, EA SPORTS UFC 2 might pull even more casual fans to the Octagon than a Conor McGregor trash talk.
It's time to see if you can go one better than 'The Notorious' 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo. Here's 5 things you need to know before buying EA SPORTS UFC 2.
1. It Might Be the Best Looking Sports Game We've Ever Seen
Combat games have a tendency to bring out the best in video game aesthetics, and UFC 2 is no different. With the game's focus only ever really on two characters at any one time, developers have the time and flexibility to make the models look as true to life as possible.
The sport's elite fighters look remarkable and the awe-inspiring realism goes as far as to mimic their fighting style, Octagon entrance and mannerisms. Every single drop of ink from Conor McGregor's tattoos – for better or worse – is in there.
With UFC now boasting some of the highest production values in television, the developers have ran with that, too. Every in-game bout has the same big fight feel of a UFC main event with pre-match graphics, intuitive commentary and 'tale of the tapes' taken straight from a PPV.
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When the bell rings and the action begins, the attention to detail doesn't slide. Skin ripples each time a fist or leg connects and blood spills when fighters finally connect with that all-important sweet shot. Fighters' bodies also visibly bruise as the fight wears on and in the 'action replays' that prove to be the money shot for any beat 'em up, fighters wince in pain or go to sleep when they're tagged for the final time.
3. It'll Turn Casual Fans into MMA Lifers
4. Joe Rogan Has a Higher Rating Than CM Punk
One of the biggest UFC stories of the past year has been the signing of ex-WWE Champion, CM Punk.
The ex-pro wrestler has never had any actual fighting experience, so Dana White's decision to sign him to a contract with the organisation behind the world's most brutal combat sport raised a few eyebrows.
On the back of such skepticism, his in-game rating was one of the most highly anticipated. In news that will please die-hard fans, Punk is the weakest competitor in the game – even behind UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
The comedian-turned-commentator – who actually is a black belt in BJJ – packs an 86 rating, four points higher than that of CM Punk.
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6. Mike Tyson Could Have Been UFC Champion In Another Life
For UFC 2, EA SPORTS have brought the value of knockouts front and centre with their 'Finish The Fight' mantra. In the history of combat sports, one man represents that better than any other and they've made him the poster boy of UFC 2.
One of the most iconic heavyweight boxers of all time, Mike Tyson makes his MMA debut in this video game as a bonus character for those who pre-ordered (he's also available to buy as DLC, too). Tyson has the biggest punch of any fighter in the game and while his ground game is particularly limited (he can't actually perform takedowns or submissions), he's still wiped the floor with the UFC heavyweights we've pitted him against so far.
Until EA SPORTS resurrects Fight Night, this is the closest we're going to get to seeing Iron Mike in action on a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
8. UFC Ultimate Team Means This Game Can Go the Distance
Once you and your friends have finished recreating the highlight reels of Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey and Mike Tyson, you'll need a game mode with depth to keep you playing all year round. To tick that box, EA SPORTS has brought 'Ultimate Team' to UFC.
Like in FIFA, you'll be given the opportunity to build your own team of UFC stars to fight online, who you can improve and develop through buying packs and winning fights. Unlike FIFA, where you build a fantasy team of the world's best stars, you'll be creating your own fighters using the game's pretty deep Create-a-Fighter engine.
And instead of finding players in your newly purchased packs, you'll be rewarded with moves and skills to equip your fighters with. Your first fighter will start out pretty basic but the more coins you win and packs you open, the better fighter he'll become.
Similar to FIFA, there are online and offline divisions to climb through and some of the items you'll find in Ultimate Team packs will be tied into the current events in the real-world UFC universe.
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UFC 2 is as deep and detailed as every other sports title on the market. It's not a pick up and play game for casual fans but for those who are patient enough to learn the game's controls and immerse themselves into life inside the Octagon, there are few better beat 'em ups or sports games on the market right now.
EA SPORTS UFC 2 is available now PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
