Common Sense Media Review
By Brett Molina
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
UFC's complex moves, thin career mode need more training.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
EA Sports UFC
What's It About?
EA SPORTS UFC is a simulation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which features one-on-one duels in a ring with an octagon-shaped cage. Players can choose to fight as one of the UFC's popular brawlers, including Cain Velasquez and Jon Jones. Even martial arts legend Bruce Lee is available. Several fighters across multiple weight classes, including women, are represented. Players can battle offline in standard Play mode or online against human opponents. There's also Career mode, in which players create a fighter, put him or her through training, and guide him or her on a path toward a UFC championship belt.
Is It Any Good?
EA Sports UFC is a solid effort, but ultimately it needs more time in the gym. It's not all bad; although controls are complex, the game features a detailed tutorial and challenges to help players learn moves. Fighting is entertaining, especially when players earn a knockout.
But there are several elements that need to be adjusted for this to be a must-have fighting game. Career Mode is thin, boiling down to a tedious grind of training, upgrading stats, fighting, and then repeating. Players also spend a little too much time waiting for sections of the game to load. Although fighting on your feet is thrilling, the mechanics for executing a submission hold are confusing and frustrating. Also, computer-controlled opponents seem easily duped after dodging or countering attacks. Overall, EA Sports UFC needs more work, with better submission mechanics, stronger AI, and a deeper career mode.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the UFC is so popular. What makes this sport fun or entertaining? How does the live-action version compare to the game version?
How does EA Sports UFC compare to other sports games, such as boxing and wrestling? Is UFC better or worse? Why?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 4 , Xbox One
- Pricing structure : Paid (Along with the primary game, players can choose to purchase separate downloads for a smaller fee. In this case, players can buy additional fighters.)
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Electronic Arts
- Release date : June 17, 2014
- Genre : Sports
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 28, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate