UFC 5 Career mode review

The highly anticipated UFC 5 has landed, and with it comes a revamped Career Mode promising to deliver the most authentic MMA experience yet. But does it punch above its weight, or does it get knocked out in the first round? Buckle up, fight fans, because we’re diving deep into the Octagon to give you a knockout review of UFC 5 Career Mode.

UFC 5 Gameplay

First things first: the gameplay feels different. While the visuals might resemble UFC 4 at first glance, strap on your gloves and step into the cage, and you’ll feel the weight of every punch and takedown. Gone are the sluggish strikes and phantom inputs of the past. This is UFC 3’s impactful striking blended with UFC 4’s fluidity, creating a combat system that feels both satisfying and strategic.

Speaking of strategy, the grappling and submission systems have received a major overhaul. No more button mashing mini-games! The new flow-based grappling and context-sensitive submissions demand patience and understanding of your fighter’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s a steep learning curve at first, but mastering this intricate dance on the canvas is undeniably rewarding.

UFC 5 Takedown controls

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the Octagon. While the improvements are undeniable, some niggling issues hold UFC 5 back from true championship status. Takedowns feel frustratingly difficult to initiate, the clinch remains largely unchanged, and footwork could use some serious work. Animation variety also leaves something to be desired, with fighters lacking unique movement styles and strike sets.

To initiate a takedown on UFC 5, you must use LT + A & X simultaneously, which feels very clunky. The controls to initiate a takedown are based on your stance, be it southpaw or orthodox, you must use A & X or A & B.

Is the UFC 5 Career mode good?

The Career Mode itself is a mixed bag. While customization options have expanded, offering detailed control over your fighter’s appearance and fighting style, the overall structure feels eerily familiar to previous iterations. The lack of new narratives, voice-overs, and character customization options is disappointing, especially considering the potential for truly immersive fighter journeys.

UFC 5 AI

One area where UFC 5 truly shines is AI. Gone are the jab-happy zombies of UFC 4. The AI fighters in UFC 5 are aggressive, unpredictable, and adapt to your strategies. This makes every fight feel like a genuine scrap, demanding constant vigilance and tactical adjustments.

So, should you step into the Octagon with UFC 5? If you’re a hardcore MMA fan craving a deep and challenging fighting system, then yes, absolutely. The improved combat and AI make for some truly thrilling battles. However, if you’re looking for a significant narrative overhaul or fresh Career Mode experiences, you might be left wanting more.

Overall, UFC 5 Career Mode delivers a knockout performance in the gameplay department, but falters in some key areas like animation variety and Career Mode freshness. Still, it’s a significant step forward for the series, and with some future tweaks, it could become the undisputed champion of MMA video games.

Here’s a quick rundown of the key points:

Pros:

• Superb combat system: impactful strikes, strategic grappling, and improved AI make for thrilling fights.
• Enhanced fighter customization: control your fighter’s appearance and fighting style in greater detail.
• More aggressive and unpredictable AI: fights feel more dynamic and challenging.

Cons:

• Limited Career Mode progression: feels similar to previous iterations with few narrative innovations.
• Repetitive animations: fighters lack unique movement styles and strike sets.
• Frustrating takedowns: initiating takedowns can be unnecessarily difficult.

Final Verdict: A solid contender with a knockout gameplay but needs work on its narrative and animation elements.