UFC Sudden Impact screenshots   The Final Say! Gameplay 8.0 Graphics 8.2 Sound 8.0 Value 8.0 UFC Sudden Impact - reviewed by Andrew B Review Date: June 2004 Review Score 8.0/10 Distributed By: Take 2 Interactive

Return to one of the deadliest fighting tournaments in the entire world... the Ultimate Fighting Championship! UFC Sudden Impact is the latest instalment of the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship series that pits players against some of the most dangerous and vicious fighters from around the world. As with the previous game, this current incarnation offers a new twist on the series by allowing gamers to create their very own Ultimate Fighter and also allows them to choose from 15 different fighting disciplines. Apart from player created Ultimate Fighters, Sudden Impact also includes over 35 real UFC fighters that include Tito Ortiz, Kevin Randleman and Ricco Rodriguez who are some of the world's most deadliest and greatest fighters. The game also offers a variety of different gameplay modes that includes progressive championship (my personal favourite), arcade mode (great for a quick fight or two) and of course the versus mode. The control system of the UFC Sudden Impact is fairly straight forward and although some people may see this game as another button smasher, it involves a variety of successful combinations in order to pull off your manoeuvres. Another new addition to the game is the career mode that allows you to slowly build up your character until he is a deadly battling behemoth. The Career mode basically gives a new spin to the series by allowing the gamers character to be picked up by UFC trainer who assists them in their training. However, in order to proceed in the career mode, you must perform a variety of challenges in order to progress through the game. Graphically, UFC Sudden Impact is a very impressive looking game on the PlayStation 2 and the characters in the game are extremely well modelled and move with a human-like grace. All the characters in the game contain a fairly high polygon count that help with the realistic portrayals of the fighters. Apart from the impressive polygon count, each character also has a variety of highly detailed textures from skin tones, tattoos and even the way they take damage. The only downside to the graphics are the lacklustre backgrounds that look like they have been directly taken from the previous instalment of the title. The backgrounds also look extremely dark with a lack of attention to detail but fortunately the movements of the fighters really make up for this downside of the title. Each character can virtually perform a plethora of different moves that helps with the realism of this bloody title that include kicks, punches, holds and various other official UFC moves.

UFC Sudden Impact also contains some of the most realistic fighting sounds to ever hit a console game. Everything from the sounds of fists and feet hitting other body parts sounds extremely realistic. The game also contains the voice of Bruce Buffer who does a remarkable job at commentating the proceedings of the UFC. The game also contains a very kicking soundtrack that is perfect for such as a violent title as this.

In conclusion, UFC Sudden Impact doesn't really add much new to the genre of fighting games but if you loved the previous instalments of this title than you will probably adore this current incarnation with slightly improved graphics and a variety of new gameplay modes that will keep even the most staunchest of UFC fans happy. Check it out!

- Andrew B