EA Sports UFC 4 Vs UFC 5

The stage is set. The crowd is growing with anticipation as two fighters step into the ring. Each is full of eagerness to knock the snort out of their opponents. The first bell rings, and it's time to go. Blows are flying, and it's a brawl, one strike at a time. By the end, you get one winner and one bloody nose or two. You might walk away with minor cuts and bruises if you're lucky, because things can get intense in MMA.

The sport's brutality gained global recognition, and it's no surprise that EA Sports hopped on it at the right moment. The EA Sports UFC series just hit the five-year mark, and they're cranking up the intensity with UFC 5, rocking that M rating for mature gamers. It's like the devs decided it's time for the real deal in the MMA gaming world.

So, how does this new entry compare to its predecessor? Well, I'll tell you for sure, it's a whole improvement, but I won't let the cat out of the bag just yet. Step into the ring with us as we unpack EA Sports UFC 4 vs. UFC 5.

What is EA Sports UFC 4?

EA Sports FC 4 picks up the mantle from EA Sports UFC 3, which featured  “The Notorious” Conor McGregor as the cover. The fourth installment features Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya and Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal as the cover fighters. Plus, it polishes up the nicks left by its predecessor. But critics still say it could have been better.

There is no objection here, but it is also necessary to appreciate the grand journey that the franchise has grown into. Since releasing the first UFC game, EA Vancouver has come a long way. The studio takes a step forward with each entry, and, honestly, UFC 4 is a world apart compared to the first title.

The game sticks to the tradition of its gameplay. You enter the ring as an MMA fighter and fight to be the greatest of all time. Now for newbies, the game features an “onboarding experience” where you learn the four MMA disciplines: wrestling, jiujitsu, kickboxing, and boxing. It also makes things easier with revamped control systems, making the game more accessible. For instance, in UFC 3, getting out of a clinch seemed impossible. In UFC 4, breaking a clinch is much easier. You simply have to step away from your opponent if you have enough room to move back.

Another exciting update is the submissions, which branch out into two minigames. You either have to fill in the submit meter or the escape meter. Plus, some players can counter submissions with a grand slam or a counter-submission. These improvements go a long way in delivering an authentic MMA experience that the previous sequels fell short of.

What is EA Sports UFC 5?

EA Sports UFC 5  is the latest entrant in the EA Sports UFC franchise. The game doesn't reinvent the wheel with its gameplay, but it makes exciting changes. It is arguably the first game in the franchise to feature strong language in its career mode, an accurate depiction of how intense things get in the ring. One noticeable change in the title is the head strike. Take on too much head damage, and you're out. The game features a facial damage element where, if you suffer a bad cut, the referees can intervene. A cut above the eye means a doctor must check you. If you get a second check, there is a high chance the referee will call the fight. So to avoid this, always ensure to guard your head.

Another addition is the KO replay feature. It's not really a new feature, but an improved one. The cinematic slow replay showcases the brutality in a Mortal Kombat way. The replay will have you gunning for more KO's owing to its satisfactory appeal. Plus, the added animations add a layer of realism to the game. For instance, a KO would send a player falling face-first on the mat. You can visibly see the weight shift on the mat as the player's body hits the ground.

Moreover, the new title kicks out the minigames that headlined UFC 4, replacing it with a revamped submission system. The new system gives you simple and intuitive controls where you use your left and right sticks to switch positions.

The game also smooths out the rough edges in the career mode. Instead of repetitive drills, you can get to a fight faster with simulated training. Coach Davis adds four challenges to every three-minute sparring session instead of the one witnessed in UFC 4. 

Gameplay

Despite the various additions to UFC 5, the game feels like an updated patch of its predecessor. There's little going on with the new title. The one thing that grabs attention? The online career mode is a winner. Sure, it hangs on to the old stuff like Quick Fights and Ranked Fights, but the real deal is playing as a customized fighter.

You step into the Octagon and face off against other customized characters globally. You earn evolution points as you fight, granting your character new abilities. However, away from career mode, you'll only gain the ability to use your character's appearance, not his attributes.

Moreover, the Frostbite engine gives the game a fresh coat of paint. It only does little to elevate the gameplay but amps the next-gen presentation.

Verdict

In the epic face-off of EA Sports UFC 4 versus UFC 5, the latter claims the heavyweight championship. Hold on, though—pump the brakes a bit. Let's highlight a crucial point here. Three years after the UFC 4 launch, all EA Sports could master was rewrapping the fourth edition in a shiny new package and handing it over to gamers. It would've been sweet to witness a gameplay makeover, you know, like the game-changing move UFC 3 pulled off. I hope the next installment will take the franchise to greater heights.

So, what's your take on the two titles? Have you picked a favorite yet? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here.