As a lifelong boxing enthusiast and gaming aficionado, I’ve been eagerly awaiting a worthy successor to Fight Night Champion since its release over a decade ago. With Undisputed finally gracing our consoles after an extended period in early access, I must say, it’s a mixed bag.
A significant amount of time has passed since we last witnessed a fully-licensed boxing simulation game, which was EA’s Fight Night Champion, released over a decade ago. In this interval, boxing has been increasingly associated with high-profile sponsorship deals in Saudi Arabia, notably through Riyadh Season events that have significantly altered the landscape and financial benefits for boxers. Furthermore, there have been remarkable technological advancements in gaming consoles, and Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are yet to face each other in the ring.
does it really earn the title of the undisputed champion of the noble art?
Right from the start, it’s evident that this game is a more deliberate, leisurely paced sequel to its predecessor in the EA series. A detailed and extensive tutorial introduces you to the mechanics of the game, focusing on precise footwork and timing. The game offers numerous combinations and techniques for you to master. The fights have a smooth rhythm as you juggle defense and offense, throwing jabs and deciding when to throw powerful hooks or uppercuts, and you can also strategize by targeting different vulnerable spots of your opponent based on their weaknesses. The controls are a mix of face buttons and triggers. By pulling LT, you can adjust the direction of your punches, and you can boost the power of your attack with the right bumper. There are various offensive and defensive maneuvers accessible through stick movements, and the possibilities seem almost limitless.
The primary issue with this fighting game lies in the fact that, regardless of who you’re controlling, the fighters exhaust rapidly at times, often leaving you dismayed as your boxer collapses and the match concludes dishearteningly, either in a loss or a decision based on points. This oddity is peculiar in Undisputed, considering it accurately replicates real-life boxing in many aspects to a fault, which doesn’t lend itself well to an engaging video game experience. For instance, the physics behind the fighters’ movements and reactions closely mirror those of actual boxers. Reach plays a significant role, and there is even a command for clinching. However, the way bodies interact can cause a thrilling counter-punching match to devolve into an unwelcome embrace if mismanaged. I wouldn’t anticipate Usyk or Fury performing acrobatics like Balrog in the ring, but sometimes the movements feel sluggish and unresponsive as you transition momentum from one foot to another, or regain balance after throwing a punch before readying for the next strike. Additionally, getting knocked down can result in trouble even if you still have energy left, due to the complex quick-time event (QTE) mechanism for reviving a fallen fighter. Until you adapt, this process can be frustrating, potentially leading to a loss simply because your thumbs aren’t synchronised enough.
The game doesn’t provide the intense, satisfying punch-ups like other boxing games from the past. It struggles to find a balance between simulation and arcade style, resulting in infrequent impactful moments that leave you wanting more. However, I appreciate the detailed injury system where you can target and capitalize on your opponent’s injuries, and the visual effects are convincing when you swell an eye or open a cut like a can of beans. But, these instances aren’t frequent enough for my preference.
Undisputed does many things well, one of which is its extensive collection of licensed fighters and authentic belts. It’s quite impressive, though there are some notable omissions. For instance, a dream match between The Gypsy King and AJ cannot be realized within the game. The fighters are skillfully rendered, with certain ones even mirroring the unique movement styles of their real-life counterparts. Tyson Fury’s lanky, unconventional boxing style is unmistakable and accurately represented in the game. Legends like Ali and Marciano are included, leading to some enthralling fantasy fights. The career mode is a dedicated attempt at replicating the world of boxing, with careful attention to detail. You can customize your boxer from a variety of options, altering their appearance, physicality, and fighting style. You could choose to be a defensive master, a powerful knockout artist, or a relentless Mike Tyson-esque swarmer. The classes offer distinct experiences when tested in combat.
In this scenario, you’re tasked with assembling a team, including essential boxing figures like your cutman, a role that has always intrigued me. Discussions about forthcoming bouts are ongoing, aspects such as maintaining a social media presence and ensuring weight management, training camps, and enhancing your fighter through an RPG-like stats progression tree are all part of the equation. However, it lacks depth by not incorporating engaging activities for when not in actual combat. I yearned for arcade-style minigames or training drills to make progression feel rewarding. Even something akin to what Sega achieved with Virtua Tennis in World Tour mode would have been sufficient, merely to alleviate the monotony of fight sequences and the comparative dullness of the Career menu layout.
As a gamer, let me tell you about my experiences in the online arena. More often than not, my opponents went for the top dogs like Canelo or Ali – the statistically strongest fighters in the game. This left me yearning for some diversity, as it increased the odds of me getting knocked out. However, I must admit that the matches themselves were solid and fun. It’s clear to me that playing this game with friends could be one of its biggest selling points.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that Undisputed has some impressive qualities. It delivers an authentic fighting experience, boasting an exceptional roster, top-notch presentation, and appealing visuals. However, it seems to fall short in the excitement department, lacking the thrilling knockouts and the ability to truly let loose without tiring or running out of energy. While it’s not a complete home run, Undisputed isn’t crowned the undisputed champion either.
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2024-10-09 13:16