UFC Tapout 2 Review (Xbox)

Ever since the first Ultimate Fighter reality show in early 2005, the UFC has been an unstoppable juggernaut. Strangely, though, we have not seen any new UFC videogames in the last couple of years, which seems odd that no one wants to strike while the iron is red hot. The best we can do on the Xbox is UFC Tapout 2 which was released in 2003. It isn’t perfect, but it does a pretty good job of presenting the UFC and it even features a surprisingly good roster of fighters.

Features and Modes

In UFC Tapout 2, you can choose from a surprisingly good roster of fighters or create your own character and take them through several modes including a never ending arcade mode, a career mode, or a title mode where you have to defend your belt. The roster of real fighters is a bit out of date, since the game was released in 2003, but includes a surprising number of current fighters including Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, Tito Ortiz, and even some of stars of Ultimate Fighter 4 including Matt Serra and Shonie Carter. You unlock most of the fighters in the arcade mode, and I think most fans of the UFC will be very happy with the roster even though it is a few years old now.

Gameplay

The controls in the game are fairly simple. Each face button controls a different limb and different combinations produce different combos. Different positions give you different punches and kicks. You can also shoot in for the takedown (or stuff your opponent’s takedown) and when you do take them down you can work your way from guard to half guard to side control or full mount. And, of course, if your opponent rolls over you can work from their back. You can work on submissions or punches or whatever you want. On the bottom, it changes to trying to maneuver your opponent back into your guard or buck them off completely or even reverse positions so you are on top. The controls are fairly simple and it all comes down to different movements on the analog stick along with button presses to perform different moves. All of your actions are governed by a health meter and a stamina meter. Your stamina refills if you step back and rest for a little bit, and it is important not to “punch yourself out” as they say. This keeps your actions in check and is pretty well done overall.

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