EA’s UFC 4 has been out a few weeks and has proven to be a big hit for EA, turning out to be one of their better scoring sports titles in 2020. The game received a major patch in September which not only addressed several issues, but added new fighters, gameplay adjustments, and brand new features.
However, despite its popularity and the steps forward the series had made to improve the gameplay mechanics, there is a surprising number of features from previous games in EA’s UFC series that have been removed or are scaled back to some degree. Seeing that EA will continue to support the game for a long time to come, it’s safe to say that fans are still holding out hope that some of the long-missed features from the franchise’s previous entries have a chance to make a comeback.
10 Missing: Clinch Denies
With the recent patch 3.0 for EA’s UFC 4, there have been significant improvements to the game’s clinch mechanics. It’s now a far more risky endeavor to keep spamming the clinch as it could mean that the spammer could be the recipient of a flash knockout.
In addition, it’s now easier for the defending fighter to escape the clinch. However, the clinch is still far too overpowered and still leaves the defending fighter exposed to an unblockable uppercut. The ability to completely deny the clinch from UFC 3 is also missing.
9 New: RPG-Like Career Mode
Those that take themselves back to the promotional videos for EA’s UFC 3 will remember the clips of Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz getting in each other’s faces and more. It led its fans to believe that there would be a far more dynamic and interesting career mode than what was offered.
Thankfully, the career mode in UFC 4 is a far more dynamic experience that features RPG-like character leveling, rivalries, friendships, and a social media mechanic that integrates into the character’s quest for glory.
8 Missing: Ground And Pound Mechanics
As with the previous games in the series, the ground and pound element is an important factor — especially for players that favor the wrestlers in the game as they shoot for the takedowns. Unfortunately, two of the most satisfying offensive attacks from previous games are missing.
In UFC 4, players are no longer able to land hammer fists or elbows from the top position. This is likely because the new ways to evade punches from the bottom position may conflict with the strikes. However, hammer fists and elbows are a staple of an MMA match and should definitely return in a future patch.
7 New: Smoother Movements
Fans of MMA games may remember EA’s first effort, which featured the legendary cover stars Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture on EA’s MMA. It was released as a competitor to THQ’s UFC Undisputed series and was always praised for its fluid action by comparison.
In hindsight, the fighters move far too quickly, but the freedom of movement in the arena felt fantastic for the player. EA’s UFC 4 has definitely brought this sense of fluidity and movement back, and it’s easier and more satisfying than ever to avoid an opponent’s attacks.
6 Missing: Parrying
The parry mechanic is a feature that has been missing since UFC 2. This is because it was considered that game’s most spammed move. However, when used properly it looked and felt great to be able to paw away someone’s strike and counter it with a flurry of strikes.
A modified version of the parry would definitely be welcomed back if there was a way that it could implement the counter move by not allowing players to exploit it as they did in the second game. Not leaving the parried fighter completely vulnerable to a flurry of punches for a few seconds at a time would be an easy way to rectify this.
5 New: Cut And Bruising Mechanics
One of the biggest complaints leveled at EA’s UFC series has always been that the facial damage, bruising, and cut mechanics don’t perform realistically enough, especially when compared to the now eleven-year-old title UFC Undisputed 3.
UFC Undisputed 3 featured realistic face damage, swelling, and blood which fans of combat sports loved. While UFC 4 still doesn’t quite live up to that, it’s still so much better than its predecessors. Fighters now have realistic cuts, bruising on the legs, ribs, and blood now stains the fighter’s bodies and the canvas.
4 Missing: Voiced Chat
A major feature that is missing from UFC 4 is the ability to chat with one’s opponents during the match. This has been replaced with a predetermined messaging system that has been designed to make communication between players less toxic than previous games.
While this is a great idea (especially for younger audiences), players should still have the freedom to choose between voiced and non-voiced communication during matches.
3 New: Online Communication
It’s true that voice communication will be missed by many gamers, and adding in a feature that allows its players to turn it on off in the settings menu would be great. However, the online messaging system is a fantastic way to get around potential toxicity, bad language, and raging gamers.
The system is designed to keep any communication between players as positive as possible by complementing each on a “great fight” or congratulating the winner (or loser) with a “well played” text.
2 Missing: Rag Doll Physics
A feature that was appreciated in not only the previous UFC games but EA’s Fight Night series was the ragdoll physics. They were implemented in a way that made knockdowns and knockouts look more organic and entertaining.
While it’s unlikely this will be a feature that will get added in a future patch, it’s still one of the most requested features for the game by fans. However, EA has been very good at adding new features and gameplay mechanics with stellar support in the past, so fans can definitely keep their fingers crossed.
1 New: A Simplified Controls System
The developers at EA have worked hard to bring gamers are far more accessible experience than ever before. There’s a brand new submission system and the ground game has a more simplified option to help players to transition on the ground.
In addition to the new ground game, EA has now patched in a similar system for the stand-up fighting. With patch 3.0, the developers have added a Simplified Controls option in the Fight Now setting. With this feature added, the AI will automatically throw the best punch and combination based on what is happening in the fight. It’s a great option for new players that helps them not only perform more competitively in a local match but also conserve stamina so their fighter doesn’t gas out in the first round.
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