Generally speaking, UFC 5 manages to establish itself on the scene, presenting several improvements both in terms of graphics and gameplay.
EA Sports UFC 52023
EA Sports UFC 5
2023 EA Sports66Worthwhile
Playtime
ModerateIt typically takes about 12 hours to finish the game.
Playable on
Included with
- EA Play
- Xbox Game PassStandard
Available on
- $69.99
- $69.99
Game modes
- 2 players
- 2 players
Details
- Launch
- October 26, 2023
- Developer
- EA Vancouver
- Publisher
- EA Sports
- Themes
Overview
EA Sports UFC 5 is as real as it gets. Powered by Frostbite engine’s advanced rendering capabilities, your favorite fighters now have unparalleled character likenesses to complement next-level environment fidelity that’ll make their walk to the Octagon feel like a PPV main event. The all-new authentic damage system brings the intensity and strategy of a fight to life, as cuts and strikes absorbed can affect mobility, defense, stamina, and more. Take too much damage, and the doctor will check to see if you’re able to continue. For lovers of the ground game, the new Transition-Based Submissions make grappling feel more fluid and realistic than ever before. And if you like to admire your handiwork, new Cinematic K.O. Replays capture your fight-ending finishes in all their punishing glory. Plus, a completely revamped live service schedule builds exciting challenges around all PPV fight weeks. Bring the next evolution of the fight game home with UFC 5.
Screenshots
Reception
Press78
Players44
GoodBad- Metacritic78from 36 reviews
- OpenCritic79from 26 reviews
Outside of a straightforward Career Mode and an 0nline mode that has occasional hiccups with connectivity, however, there isn't much to do for a single-player experience. One can train and spar and focus on playing online or taking their created player online with a few different match options, but that's about it. The focus is the fighting, as it should...
With UFC not being a yearly release like Madden or NHL, I would expect a little bit more polish by now. Sure there a plethora of modes that I briefly touched upon earlier, but there doesn't seem to be any freshness to the game. Simply put, everything seems a bit…familiar. That might not be a bad thing for those who put in serious hours with UFC 4, but...
UFC 5 is a good game, but the move to a new engine isn't as revolutionary as it has been in the past for other EA franchises. Sure, it looks and sounds better, but I could never escape the feeling that I was just playing a nicer-looking UFC 4. If you have that game you don't need to buy this one, you'll enjoy your time all the same.
EA Sports UFC 5 is a solid, if not particularly inventive, follow-up in the series. It can be fun, warts and all, but long-time fans will want for more.
