EA Sports UFC 2 is a mixed martial arts fighting video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts. It was released in March 2016 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game is a sequel to 2014's EA Sports UFC and is based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brand.
EA Sports UFC 2 is the complete fighting experience you have been waiting for. With a bigger roster of fighters and stunning character visuals, finishing the fight has never been more real and satisfying thanks to a revolutionary new Knockout Physics System.
EA Sports UFC 2 delivers the grandeur of MMA in a remarkable and brutal presentation. A traditional fighting game this is not, and the genuine attempts at simulating a dense sport result in clumsy combat that only on occasion captures the drama and nuance of human chess.
Release Date
EA Sports UFC 2 was launched in North America on March 15, 2016, for Xbox One and PS4. The MMA game arrived a day later, March 17, in other regions around the world.
Gameplay and Features
Gameplay heavily resembles real UFC fights. The player can select from over 250 fighters and may customize various aspects of the fight, such as the rules. The fighter can perform an array of attacks, such as kicks, punches, grapples, submissions, and takedowns.
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For the first time in any MMA game, experience the freedom of independent fighter control in every grappling situation.
A new facial modeling rig, the introduction of hair physics, and improved strike deformation work to make every impact more realistic than ever.
EA Sports UFC 2 adds a new knockout physics system, new character models, and a handful of fresh modes.
The objectives of the fight closely follow the rules of the real UFC. Many aesthetical details are also present; for example, fighters will suffer visible damage during a fight.
The game's artificial intelligence accommodates for changes in player strategies mid-game to make the gaming experience more realistic than in previous UFC games. The game also simulates "full body deformation" to connect players with their player-character.
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Initial Release Date: Mar 15, 2016
Key Features:
- Knockout Physics System: A new physics-driven hit reaction and knockout system delivers more visceral KOs than before. Every knockout is now unique.
- Grappling: Simultaneous two-fighter interaction brings the ground game to life with greater responsiveness and variety. Surprise your opponent with a flying armbar from the clinch, or with a quick transition from a knee bar to...
- Fighter Customization: Taking character customization to the next-level, UFC 2’s Fighter Creation tool goes deeper than ever with robust facial sculpting, tattoo customizations and for the first time, the ability to create female fighters.
EA Sports UFC 2 - Best Brutal Knockouts Compilation #1
Game Modes
The player may choose to play in a variety of game modes.
- Career Mode: Whether your goal is to be the top fighter on the planet, or the first female fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, you control your career.
- Knockout Mode: Unleash the punches, kicks, knees, and elbows in this fast, fun, and furious mode; perfect for any fan looking to let the fists fly against their friends.
- Ultimate Team Mode: The ultimate team mode centers on building a deck of cards which represent fighters and playing against other players' decks. Players earn coins after each fight, which are used for customizing and upgrading fighters.
- Practice Mode: When in practice mode, the player can practice their skills against an idle opponent or complete drills.
- Live Events: Pick which fighters will win real matchups in upcoming UFC events and then bring those predictions to life inside the UFC 2 Octagon.
Roster
UFC 2 offers the deepest ever roster of any fighting simulation. The game features more than 250 playable characters; males and females are present. The referees are also expanded, with Herb Dean and Dan Miragliotta making their first appearance in this franchise along with Yves Lavigne and Mario Yamasaki.
Pre-Order Bonus
Everyone who preorders the game will get the fighters Bas Rutten and Kazushi Sakuraba right out of the gate, as well as a mystery fighter to be named later.
Reception
EA Sports UFC 2 received generally positive reviews from critics upon release. Many publications were in agreement that the visuals were the game's strongest aspect. Other features that were praised include the improvements made over the previous game and the large roster of fighters.
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Jeff Landa of Electronic Gaming Monthly scored the game a 7.0 out of 10. He summarized with, "EA Sports UFC 2 delivers the grandeur of MMA in a remarkable and brutal presentation. A traditional fighting game this is not, and the genuine attempts at simulating a dense sport result in clumsy combat that only on occasion captures the drama and nuance of human chess."
Game Informer's Brian Shea gave the game an 8.5 out of 10. He stated: "UFC 2 improves over its predecessor in the ways it needed to. The improved ground game and deeper career mode are the biggest draws, but Knockout mode is a blast to play with a friend, and Ultimate Team offers a unique twist on the popular mode from other sports games.
GameSpot's Richard Wakeling gave the game a 7 out of 10 and stated: "EA Sports UFC 2 is a welcome improvement on its predecessor that shows this series is going in the right direction." Wakeling called the visuals "incredible", praised the "robust" fighting mechanics, and commended the improvements made to several of the gameplay systems, such as the grappling.
Josh Robertson from IGN gave the game a 6.4 out of 10, writing: "While UFC 2 certainly looks the part, it doesn't feel it. Strikes are razor sharp, kicks are satisfyingly heavy, and each and every fighter is beautifully sculpted and recreated, but each and every element is too robotic and rigid to recreate the dynamism and unpredictability that draws me to real UFC fights.
Owen S. Good of Polygon gave the game a positive review, scoring it an 8. He commended the realism, the difficulty balance, and the visuals. Good did find that the controls are uncomfortable at times and disliked the difficulty of the submission system.
Adam Beck for Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 3 out of 5 and wrote: "EA Sports Canada has improved upon the UFC formula greatly, although plenty of the modes still feel shallow."
Review Scores
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7.0/10 |
| Game Informer | 8.5/10 |
| GameSpot | 7/10 |
| IGN | 6.4/10 |
| Polygon | 8/10 |
| Hardcore Gamer | 3/5 |