Introduction

Welcome to EA Sports UFC 4, where you can finally settle that argument with your friends about who'd win between Jorge Masvidal and a very angry grizzly bear. Spoiler alert: The bear probably. However, this game does come with a glimmer of hope-for those whose chances at real-life MMA are dim, you can live out your mixed martial arts fantasies in the virtual Octagon, but beware: it's not as easy as getting your buddy to scream, 'tap out!' in a headlock.

Gameplay

Diving into UFC 4, you'll find a plethora of unique fighters lining up to throw down-229 of them, to be exact, with 81 alternate versions because why wouldn't we want to see multiple personalities of a singular beefcake? The game kicks off with a 'career mode' that serves more like a tutorial designed to usher you into the MMA world like a dojo-schooled teenager entering their first prom. You get to create your own fighter and aim to ascend to the dizzying heights of G.O.A.T status (that's 'Greatest of All Time', not 'Goats of All Time', which you may initially think while creating your fighter). The difficulty curve can only be described as 'fair but merciless', much like your older sibling stealing your snacks. You'll start off facing opponents who seem to have trained at an inflatable bouncy castle gym, but soon find yourself battling against competitors who might have eaten a few raw chickens before stepping into the cage. As you progress through career mode, you accept or decline fights, impacting your popularity and skill development. The new control scheme has been streamlined to make button mashing for important moves feel more intuitive, which is amazing when you get the hang of it. The game teaches you to master four major MMA disciplines (boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu) so you don't just tap out in a single match-unless that's your thing. Multiplayer has also received a pretty nice facelift. You can tackle your friends in Blitz Battles and see who emerges as the absolute underdog. And let's face it, everyone loves an underdog. For those seeking total domination, there are also Online World Championships. Good luck handling those folks-there's always that one dude online who has mastered the art of the perfect spinning backfist, only to leave you wondering about your own life choices after knocking you out in ten seconds flat. In short, the game is a haphazard showcase of knockdowns and recoveries, beautiful chaos involving feet, fists, and all variations of limb flailing one can imagine.

Graphics

Visually, UFC 4 flaunts its muscle-sorry for the pun-like a heavyweight champion. The characters are well-designed, their tattoos looking crisp and their muscles glistening as if they just came out of a spa. It's a stark upgrade from the prior installments, thanks to the Real Player Motion tech which works wonders during the clinch moments (finally, you can see what it might look like when two human wrecking balls collide). The Octagon feels alive, with cameras zooming around scenes of glorious mayhem while you try to remember if it's the circle button or the square to throw that knockout punch. Spectators react with woozy awe as your character performs a spinning heel kick-perseverance translates into instant gratification for those who are brave enough to swing (and potentially miss) the air. But there's always a catch: while the visuals shine during gameplay, you might find that sometimes it shows strains during replays or in the ground game, leaving you to ponder whether you're truly battling in an elite competition arena or a cartoon fight.

Conclusion

EA Sports UFC 4 is definitely a solid addition to the fighting game genre, providing a satisfying mix of challenge and skill-both of which will take dedication and time to master. Sure, navigating through the online community can be as daunting as confronting a room full of strangers after the pandemic, but with practice, you'll find yourself throwing punches as elegantly as your favorite fighter. The game doesn't reinvent the wheel but rather polishes it, ensuring that it rolls smoothly while delivering a wild ride into the virtual fighting world. If you're a fan of combat sports and don't mind occasionally being shown who's boss by a meticulously trained online opponent, UFC 4 is worth checking out. Just be prepared to tap out when the need arises-both in the virtual ring and when it's time to admit you need to watch a few more training montages. Overall, it's worth stepping into the Octagon, whether you're a wannabe fighter or simply someone wanting to see their friends get knocked out in the most entertaining way possible. Now, let's go beat that grizzly bear... with skill, since trying whatsoever else is pure lunacy.

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