EA Sports MMA

EA Sports' MMA is a game for the Mixed Martial Arts contender that would like to get down and dirty. Rules exist but are rarely followed.
   
The competition is between players of varied fighting styles, from kick boxing to judo, wrestling and even boxing. The strengths and weaknesses of different players come from their different fighting styles and intensive training. It would be judicious at this point to note that there is no perfect player in MMA. It is about how well the gamer can control the player and learn their strengths to pit them against their opponents' specific weaknesses. For instance, boxers have an amazing aptitude for hard hitting punches, whereas wrestlers can grapple and pin you on the floor and even put you into a submission move.
   
If you are a martial artist yourself then your particular discipline may appeal most to you in a character. If not then you'll have fun just discovering the very different types of martial arts.

While playing we couldn't help but think that the load times were a trifle too long, as we had to wait for quite a while before the bouts would start, wearing out half the adrenaline we'd already pumped ourselves up with.
   
You use the left analogue stick to move around and the right stick to throw your punches. The shoulder buttons on the other hand are used to turn your punches into kicks and in close quarters to block your opponent's attacks. It's wise to watch the stamina bar and avoid repetitive punching or kicks in MMA, as this tends to deplete your stamina rendering your punches and kicks less effective and leaving you more vulnerable to a devastating counterattack.
   
The buttons on the controller can be used for takedowns, submission moves and kick outs. When a submission move is initiated, the right stick is used in a circular motion to find the sweet spot on the particular part of the body in the hold, which causes the most anguish. If done right most opponents won't be able to get out of the move and will submit, giving you the win.

The difficulty levels range from easy to ‘Legend' and legend mode will offer you a genuinely difficult (or impossible) fight. Since fighting in MMA is strategy based, beware, one wrong move and your opponent can finish the fight in a matter of seconds.

To familiarise yourself with the different techniques and moves, start out in Career mode. EA Sports' Game Face is featured in MMA and you can choose to upload your own picture via EA's servers to feature in the game. You can manipulate the way you want your player to look as well; you can choose from 50 heads, different hairstyles, skin and eye colours. The best part for this reviewer was perhaps the various tattoos that can be plastered all over your player's body. Furthermore, there are a wide selection of shirts and shorts to dress your player with. Once done, you can then choose a fighting style and strengths to equip your player with, and get on with your career.

After getting your look, style and name registered, you then go on to train with Bas Rutten, a retired MMA champion. There are different training modules that will get you punching and kicking your way through in no time. Rutten will guide you through all the techniques that are apt to your chosen fighting discipline, and once he feels you are fit for the ring, you move on to choose a league to kick start your career.
   
The Strikeforce League is the one in which most of the games' players are a part of, and like we said before, it's no holds barred! The action is now a matter of skill and strategy, a game of brains more than brawn. As you tackle your opponent with blows, remember to keep track of your head, torso and stamina bars. The stamina bar as mentioned before gives a quick heads up on your player's endurance. If this goes down too low then your player is pretty much useless.

The graphics of MMA are average at best even when compared to older titles. That said, the cheering, booing, announcing and other sound effects are authentic and keep you engrossed in the action.