Like a great man usually asks, are you ready to rumble? If the answer is yes, then you've come to the right place, as it's been a long three years since the predecessor. UFC gaming returns in the form of EA SPORTS UFC 5 with the aim of providing enough bloodshed to do more than quench your thirst. We're talking about unleashing unrelenting pain levels on our opponents in a more realistic fashion. On top of that, you are actually getting the ultimate UFC experience in a game ever, and it was hugely expected for the latest installment to give you that and then some.

It does feel good having to play and compete with UFC's best male and female fighters again inside the octagon. It helps more with a very impressive over 300 fighter roster EA SPORTS UFC 5 has, including a variety of fighters with different styles. Whether it's with Israel Adesanya, Amanda Nunes, and more, there'll surely be blood, sweat, and tears. But it won't just be UFC fighters; absolutely not. Iconic figures such as former boxers Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson and the creator of the Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee, will get a piece of the action.

Now, with all of that said and done, what you're mostly concerned about are what changes or enchantments were made compared to the last game, right? Well, sit back and relax as we go over what the biggest ones are. And nine times out of ten, you may be pleased with why EA SPORTS UFC 5 is the best in the franchise. May as well start with the fact that you're guaranteed the most realistic UFC experience ever for a number of reasons. EA SPORTS UFC 5 is the first in the franchise to be on next-gen consoles; we're getting close to real-life visuals, likenesses, and more.

And because the game is powered by the Frostbite engine, it includes enhanced rendering capabilities. This means you'll be seeing real-life behaviors, movement, and more depictions of your favorite fighters in the game. Even how fighters walk down the ramp will provide the sensation of partaking in actual main events. And to sweeten the pot, it's supported with 60 frames-per-second high-speed rendering performance.

It's crazy just thinking about it. As for combat, there are many more brand-new animations for punches, kicks, uppercuts, elbows, and combos. As well as many brand-new animations for kickboxers, heavy hitters, and so on. But the one to look out for is the improved grappling system that now includes a redesigned ultra-realistic submission system featuring an immersive mini-game and realistic animations. 

EA SPORTS UFC 5's mini-game mainly involves the use of thumbsticks, and you're required to aim them toward the direction of an action you wish to execute. Firstly, you'd need to transition into the submission possession in order to be able to get into the submission. There are about two transitions for you to be able to complete the submission. Think of it sort of like chain wrestling. Both triggers and action buttons are also involved.

For a better understanding, let me give you an example. Let's say you want to perform submission strikes. During a submission, you have to press a required action button to strike. When you're in this type of submission, you can also strike from armbars and triangles. But you must be careful, as the opponent can use heel hooks. You can counter strikes with a required trigger and thumbstick, but you must time your counters.

You have to remember that during the submission, there is a mechanic called 'struggle mechanic,' and what this does is increase the realism by mimicking the fighter that's either on the bottom or top trying and will display different realistic escape animations in situations such as grips, submissions and so on. Also, this mechanic can consume stamina, and the speed of the consumption depends on if you're the fighter on top; your stamina won't reduce as quickly as the opponent on the receiving end of your submission.

Another important feature is the brand-new authentic damage system that'll simply take your UFC matches to a level you've never seen in a UFC game until now. The system delivers a staggering 64,000+ detailed facial damage combinations, which can impact a fighter's attributes. If you think that's impressive, just think about the outcomes and the damage you've laid on your opponent. Depending on the severity of damage inflicted, you'll have a doctor evaluating it and then deciding on whether the fighter can continue to fight or not. For this new mechanic to work, you'll have to repeatedly strike an area of the face to cause a cut to prompt the doctor to at least check it out.

Let's say you've progressively worsened the cut to your opponent's head because you've repeatedly attacked the targeted area of the face. The doctor will be requested by the referee to come in to analyze the cut, and if the cut is bad enough, he'll strongly recommend to the referee to stop the match. Note that the doctor will be asked to come and check a fighter's condition appropriately two times. This is a great gameplay addition because not only does it add more realism to the condition of a fighter, but it can also build momentum for players as it becomes another method to collect a victory.

And speaking of victory, you'll love the new visually remarkable aesthetic cinematic K.O. Replays featuring super slow-motion replays. Finally, a feature that'll truly have your face scrunched up as you view incredible fight-finishing replays to make you feel a fighter's pain from a number of different cinematic camera angles and lighting – just like you see in the movies. The best part is you'll get to see them in 4K.

If you're wondering about the content, an engaging exhibition for you to put your skills to the test against the improved A.I. or a friend. Or, if you wish to go even further, there's the faster and more efficient online mode that includes skill-based matchmaking ranked matches, online career, and the fun-packed Blitz Battles, where you play short, constantly rule-changing matches. If you want things your way, increased customization features and content give you better opportunities to create the perfect fighter of your image. The same goes for the event creator mode, allowing you to create your own UFC event or a one-night tournament bracket. 

You also have, which is arguably EA SPORTS UFC 5's best feature, the more exciting story-based action stacked career mode, where you take an official or custom fighter and grind and fight your way to the top against the best fighters in the game—the interesting cut-scenes, adrenaline-inducing battles, and much more form a violent but emotional rollercoaster. The voice acting desperately needs a lot of work done, though. There are one or couple of different voices recorded and placed on the male and female fighters. It's rather strange listening to the Russian fighter, Khamzat Chimaev, with an American urban accent.

The rewarding fight week contracts mode, where you'll receive daily new fight offers that may receive rewards such as UFC coins. Each contract is time-limited, so you better pick the ones you wish to play before they expire. The contracts include different fighters, game styles, and difficulty settings. When you enter a contract, the first attempt is free, but if you lose, you can replay them up to three times – but for a fee. Furthermore, completing contracts impacts your contract wins and losses. Then, of course, the store where to purchase fighters, UFC points, vanity, and much more. Also, players will need to regularly check for updates.

No matter what mode you're playing on, you're getting a life-like experience. There are a few concerning issues, however. The gameplay is ultra-realistic, but that's not always the case. For instance, when a fighter falls down after an intense strike, it looks like the skeletons have turned mush, and sometimes their body parts are improperly positioned. Plus, there are occasionally buggy animations and glitches here and there.

However, The flaws of EA SPORTS UFC 5 are outweighed by the fact that it provides the greatest, most authentic, challenging, and satisfaction-guaranteed MMA experience ever. Constantly encouraging you to think about what moves you're going to make before making them inside the octagon. The enhanced and increasingly refined mechanics, a great roster, amazing atmosphere and visuals, fine content, and more have created a true knockout king installment the MMA fans deserve.
 

Junior Onunkwo (@PoweredByKratos)
Editor, NoobFeed