As a long-time fight sports enthusiast with experience in boxing and MMA gyms, coupled with extensive hours in fighting games like Fight Night and Undisputed, I feel qualified to share my thoughts on Undisputed. The game had a lot of promise, but currently, the developers seem more focused on paid DLCs rather than improving the core gameplay.
Undisputed stands as the only authentic boxing game available on PC, since Fight Night ports lack organic support. This gives it a comfortable, yet mediocre, position, as players are more inclined to pay for a modern game rather than struggle with older titles like Fight Night Champion. But, Fight Night Champion, a game from 2010, is very comparable to Undisputed, and in some aspects even better. This raises the question: How can a console game from 2010 be superior to a PC game released in 2023?
AI Issues
The CPU AI in Undisputed is, frankly, bad. After extensive playtime, it's clear that regardless of fighter type (boxer punchers, swarmers, or outside fighters), they all follow a predictable pattern: aggressive fighting followed by backing off. The frequency of these actions varies depending on the fighter type, but the predictability remains. Instead of adding complexity to the AI, the developers have resorted to:
- Giving the CPUs infinite block health.
- Granting the CPUs perfect blocks 2-3 seconds after entering a dazed state.
- Preventing damage the player inflicts on the CPU.
Number 3 is a significant issue. The game often prevents damage when the player lands consistent hits on the CPU. To register damage, players must space out their shots, although this issue seems to diminish in the later stages of the career once a 90+ score is achieved. The exact system is still unclear.
Fight Commentary and Music
The fight commentary is remarkably poor, featuring only about 25 voice lines that often don't match the on-screen action. Fight Night Champion handled this aspect much better, making the shortcomings of a 2023 title all the more glaring. The music in the game lacks variety and is generally uninspired.
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Online Play
Online play suffers from the absence of dedicated servers, relying instead on a host-server system. This results in laggy fights and an unplayable experience. Even with a low ping, lag persists in online matches, making it preferable to wait longer for a stable connection to a dedicated server.
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Stand-up game, Referee and Injuries
The stand-up game also leaves a lot to be desired. And just a quick side tangent about the referee. First off, I've never heard a referee in boxing say, "9, 10! You're out!" I think they got their sports confused and thought he was an umpire in baseball, because no one says "You're out!" in boxing. Lastly, the swelling/cut injury assessments and stoppages are terrible. A ref doesn't stop a fight for injuries. The doctor does, and it isn't in the middle of the round, or at the end of the final round. Doctors assess injuries IN-BETWEEN rounds.
Fight Styles and Movement
Fight styles and movement are acceptable, although there is room for improvement. Feint punching, for example, has an awkward default mapping. However, considering the other issues, the punching and movement are passable, even though fighters' arms sometimes exhibit strange, glitchy movements during punches.
Career Mode
Career Mode has glaring issues. First, why can't I lose weight and train while passing a week? Why do I have to pick one? If you're training as a pro fighter, you're dieting and maintaining your weight. It's not a game of, "Do I train this week, or lose 1 lb.?" That's absurd. Second, the injuries are unnecessary. Yes, I realize people get injured during training. But, you can just back out to the menu and re-enter Career Mode to start the training over. Which also makes fight insurance obsolete. Food for thought.
Undisputed MMA in Philadelphia
Undisputed MMA in Philadelphia is more than just a martial arts school. They strive to empower and mentor today's youth, helping them tap into their authenticity and potential with strength and honor. With patient instructors and a warm environment, they provide training for all levels, making it an ideal place for beginners and experienced fighters alike. The gym's coaches interact with the children in a welcoming manner, creating a supportive atmosphere that motivates students to earn advancements. Parents have praised Undisputed MMA for the positive impact it has had on their children's confidence and skills.
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| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Empowerment | Helps youth tap into their authenticity and potential. |
| Mentoring | Provides guidance and support to young individuals. |
| Training | Offers training for all levels, from beginners to experienced fighters. |
| Environment | Creates a warm and supportive atmosphere. |
| Confidence Building | Positively impacts children's confidence and skills. |
tags: #undisputed #mma #gym