You Eff See De Mo

I really didn't care for fighting games until recently outside the odd WWE game or two because I like the create-a-character section of it (wrestling as an entertainment form bores the hell out of me now that I'm no longer fifteen). But I started playing Soul Calibur IV and fell in love with the new Street Fighter but now is another WWE-ish (but way-the-hell better) fighting game that I scored a demo code to.

UFC 2009 Undisputed Demo codes were granted to people who pre-ordered it at GameStop, and I love swag. So, in preparation for my UFC 97: Redemption shindig I have going on, I played the hell out of it. The demo is a lot like a Fight Night demo: tutorials and an exhibition option where you can play as one of two fighters and beat the hell out of the person you didn't pick. In this demo, it's Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell--a fight that is actually happening TONIGHT. I was looking for a real reason to buy this game, and I think I just got it with this demo.

Firstly: the control. I was worried the controls wouldn't work very well, with the history of UFC games that came out. The controls are complicated, but work really well once you get the hang of it. The face buttons are kicks and punches. Heavier punches and kicks are done by pressing the left stick forward, as if leaning in to the punch. The D-Pad is used for taunting. Blocking is done with the right bumpers and triggers, bumper for face and trigger for body. To strike the head exclusively, press the left bumper. For the body, left trigger. To grapple in a clinch or on the ground, use the right stick. The most complicated part is how you have to do Skate-like flicks of the right stick to change position while on the ground, but they are easy to do once you watch the tutorial--something I didn't do until I had already played for about an hour. I would suggest doing the tutorial first.

Second: the fights. I was concerned the fights wouldn't make sense. Chuck Liddell sure as hell better not try to submit me, and if I can't throw a well-timed and well-placed superman punch right out the bell and knock some out there is some unrealistic issues to be dealt with. But what do you know, I could go a round and rock them (Fight Night slow time style), knock them down, knock them out, submit them (after I watched the tutorial) and even knocked out Rua with a single counter-kick to the head. I was so pleasantly surprised, it's almost unfair.

I fought several fights as both characters, knocking out, submitting, and being knocked out for a few hours and I didn't even get bored. The submitting is a bit difficult from what I can tell as I couldn't actually win in the first round with a submission, but I'm pretty sure it's actually harder to submit someone than it is to knock their teeth in. I am looking forward to the full game, the actual fights taking place tonight, and having my little party of fighting, beer, and video games. Word.

-Evan "Dez" O'Connor