Image credit – EA Sports
Author’s Score
8/20
Stop making these games
UFC 6 is another instalment from EA Sports, but it does not feel as though the game has improved, and the gameplay still feels as if it is stuck in UFC 4. At first glance, it looks like EA has made changes, but once you start playing the game, it becomes clear that the mechanics are largely the same as those of its predecessor, and the game modes have not evolved enough to justify a new release.
EA has always delivered decent graphics for the UFC franchise, and the fighters’ likenesses have consistently been impressive. The presentation has also remained strong, with the gameplay and realism coming close to replicating the experience of watching a real UFC fight on ESPN. It is good to see that EA has added more referees to this edition rather than repeatedly using Herb Dean to officiate fights throughout Career Mode.
However, Career Mode lacks depth, as it does not offer enough substance to demonstrate that it has changed in any meaningful way. Although the story elements added to Career Mode are a welcome addition, they are inconsistent and eventually become boring and repetitive. It feels as though EA Sports cannot get Career Mode right across any of its franchises.
The bad and the ugly outweigh the good, as the entire game feels overly arcadey, while the simulation-style fights are clunky. At times, it feels more like playing an arcade game than a modern sports simulation. The striking and blocking mechanics lack fluidity, with both punches and defensive movements feeling sluggish and unresponsive. In many ways, it feels like playing UFC 3 all over again.
The removal of crossover fighters such as Mike Tyson, Bruce Lee, and Muhammad Ali may seem like a positive decision, but it also removes a unique dimension from the game. On the other hand, it could be argued that these guest fighters made the UFC franchise less realistic, as Bruce Lee, for example, would never have competed in the UFC during his lifetime. The HUD is also poorly designed, and at times it is difficult to see without looking very closely.
EA has not produced a truly polished game. There are too many flaws throughout this instalment, and the developer will need to release more patches and updates if it hopes to improve the experience beyond that of its predecessor. EA should seriously reconsider its approach to future UFC titles because this instalment has ultimately been underwhelming and falls short of expectations.
