Gaming Target - Xbox: UFC: Tapout

Written by Patrick Geurs on March 12, 2002

Full Review: Let's get it on!

There have been a lot of sports УcompetitionsФ that have either graced or stunk the arena. One of the most popular spectacles is possibly the WWF. However, while the WWF does show true signs of athleticism, the WWF is far from УrealФ competition. Something that is very real is the UFC.

The UFC wasn't meant to be more than a few events to see which style of fighting was the best in the world. Opponents would face off in the Octagon to test their strength, skill, and fierceness against the best fighters in the world. UFC is just as it says. No rules, no limits. The referee is in the ring only to make sure no one gets killed. Sound like fun? Well now with UFC: Tapout, you can get in the ring and find out if you have what it takes to win the UFC Championship of the World.

The first UFC game appeared on the Dreamcast, developed by Anchor. Now, a few years later, the next version of the game, UFC: Tapout is on Xbox. So how does this game match up to both UFC, and to the original? I am saddened to report that while some aspects of the sequel are far better than the first game, other areas have not received that much attention, and in some cases are actually worse than before. Lets get dirty.

Much improved, are the graphics (like duh). The crowds are fully 3D models, and each animate independently from each other, instead of in УblocksФ of fans. Lasers, video screens, and smoke all display with excellent realism and flair. The in-game fighting engine is fairly the same as before. Grappling is well done. Reversals, submissions, and power attacks all made the final cut. The sound is also well put together with punches and blows sounding brutal. You also now have the option to choose a weight class, and unlike a certain WWF title, you can't pick a 250-pounder in the lightweight title match. There also is the addition of an arcade mode, where you select a fighter and attempt to defeat all the challengers that oppose you. Doing so unlocks characters and the like. However, this is where the improvements end.

Now for the part when I start the bitching. First off, it has a little to do with audio, and a lot to do with common sense. I was under the impression that Anchor would be reprising their role for the UFC sequel, but I was wrong. In fact, Dream Factory is the developer of this game. It appears that the core engine is Anchor's, as the game plays identical to the first; however, Dream Factory has a rep for not being the brightest light in the room. For instance, with all the technology that Xbox possesses, they STILL have Bruce Buffer speaking when his lips are closed, and he is silent when they are moving. He announces УThe CatФ and УFemme FataleФ (female unlockable characters) as УHeФ. It's not entirely a huge problem, but with all the advances in technology, and the ease of Xbox programmability, DF either sucks as a developer, or they are just lazy. In this day and age, there is no excuse for that.

Another gripe has to do with the create-a-player. In the original, you created your own fighter -- you pick your style, clothing, and city/state you are hailing from. In the new one, you can pick your age, weight, style, clothing (there is a lot more to choose from here), and a custom face design. So what's wrong with this? Well, in the original, you fought scrim matches to gain points that pump up your character. In the sequel, the same is true, but there are no scrim fights. You have all available points from the get go. So you basically have nothing to work toward. Kind of a moot point if creating your character doesn't leave anything open for improvement.

The last major gripe is partly audio related, too. While fighters walk out to the mat, you will hear the crowd cry out УGo (insert fighters name here)Ф. While this is a nice touch, in theory, it is so hard to understand and sounds so stupid that you'd wish it wasn't in there at all. However, this newly added voices from the crowd redeems itself a little with the grapples. While you are in a mount and pounding away at your opponent, you hear stuff like УOh baby!Ф or УOh man!Ф usually after a hard blow to the head. It just adds a little effect to the hard-hitting action.