Description:
EA Sports UFC 4 is a mixed martial arts fighting game developed by EA Vancouver and published by EA Sports. It is the fourth installment in the EA Sports UFC series and was released in August 2020 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Here is a summary of its key features, gameplay, and modes:
Key Gameplay & Features
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Gameplay Overhaul: The game introduced updates to the core mechanics, particularly the clinch and takedowns.
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Fluid Clinch System: Utilizes Real Player Motion (RPM) Technology to make the clinch feel more fluid and driven by positioning, allowing for more natural transitions between strikes and grappling.
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Takedown Overhaul: Takedowns also benefit from RPM Tech, offering a greater variety of animations and user-controlled outcomes based on fighter attributes.
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Simplified Grappling: The ground game was simplified with the addition of Grapple Assist controls, making it easier for new players to transition, submit, or get up from the ground. More experienced players can still use the traditional "Legacy" controls.
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New Submission System: Submissions were overhauled, replacing the old radial system with two new mini-games (one for chokes and one for joint submissions). You can now also strike while in a submission.
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Fighter Progression: A unified progression system allows a created fighter's style and abilities to grow based on the disciplines and moves they use across all modes.
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High Impact Moments: New visual cues indicate when a devastating blow lands, emphasizing the brutality of MMA.
Game Modes
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Career Mode:
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A revamped mode with an emphasis on a storyline where your created fighter progresses from amateur to UFC superstar under the guidance of a new coach, Coach Davis.
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It features a new system for building relationships with rivals and friends through social media, which can affect your career path and unlock training partners/moves.
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Fighter development is tied to the moves you use, which gain experience and level up to a 5-star rating.
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New Venues: Introduces new non-UFC arenas:
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The Backyard: A bare-bones, backyard fighting environment.
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The Kumite: A martial arts temple environment inspired by classic martial arts films.
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Online World Championships: The ranked multiplayer mode where you compete for a belt and climb leaderboards.
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Blitz Battles: A fast-paced online tournament mode where the ruleset rotates regularly to keep the competition fresh (e.g., Knockout Only, Stand and Bang, etc.).
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Quick Fight/Fight Now: Standard modes for quick one-off matches with custom rules or against the AI.
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Knockout Mode: A simplified striking-only mode where each fighter has a limited health bar, similar to a traditional arcade fighter.
Roster
The game features a large roster of current and former UFC fighters across all weight classes. Notable additions at launch included boxing heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as unlockable/purchaseable fighters, and UFC legend Bruce Lee also makes a return.
Reception
Reviews for UFC 4 were generally positive from critics, praising the improvements to the striking and clinch systems, and the revamped Career Mode. However, the game received mixed-to-unfavorable reactions from some long-time fans and users, often citing:
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The simplification of the ground and pound/grappling mechanics.
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The removal of the Ultimate Team mode from the previous installment.
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The inclusion of a heavy amount of cosmetic-focused customization items.