'EA Sports UFC 2': 5 Interesting Things We've Learned About Upcoming MMA Game

Back in June 2014, EA Sports released its first UFC video game. The response from critics was lukewarm, as it received a cumulative review score of 70 on PlayStation 4, per Metacritic. The rating is a snapshot of the assessments made on the game immediately or shortly after its release.

The 70 doesn't reflect the quality of the game after its updates or steady additions to the fighter roster. Rarely—if ever—have I seen a game change so much post-launch. The only one that comes to mind is the old Backbreaker football game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

EA Sports UFC changed so much that I felt compelled to give the "new and improved" title a second look. To borrow a football term: after further review, I scored it an 8.125. 

Almost two years later, the sequel is set to hit the PS4 and Xbox One on March 15. It appears EA Sports has attempted to build on the positives from the original version in addition to adding some new stuff.

Here are the five most interesting things we've learned about the upcoming MMA title.

Graphics Are Still Mindblowing

The first EA Sports UFC game had the most impressive player models in any sports game. From the looks of the trailers and early tests, the bar has been raised again. 

From stellar recreations of the UFC's roster, referees, arenas and personalities, the new game is also set to deliver a new level of realism in facial and body damage. EA Sports UFC 2 is going to be the first sports game released in 2016, but at year's end, it may still be the prettiest.

Humongous Roster

image provided by EA Sports

Are you ready for the most complete roster of fighters in the history of an MMA game? You better be. According to Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, there are more than 250 fighters available.

There are more than 41 lightweights, and that doesn't even count alternate versions of guys who have fought in other weight classes. That is phenomenal in every sense of the word.

If you consider there will likely be roster updates that add new fighters and update ratings, there's every reason to believe fans will be able to accurately recreate almost any main card—and some prelims—throughout 2016.

That's exciting!

Custom Event Mode

image provided by EA Sports

Piggybacking on the last slide, the expanded rosters serve as encouragement to recreate past cards—or to even create fantasy events.

Thanks to the return of the custom event concept, gamers can again put together their own UFC events. This feature was included in the UFC games that were done by THQ, but it was absent from the original EA Sports UFC game.

It would be awesome if there was a full president or matchmaker mode where you could take on the role of Dana White and Joe Silva, respectively, to create cards, deal with injuries, etc.

Perhaps that's a concept for a game down the road.

Ultimate Team

The Ultimate Team concept has been wildly successful for EA Sports. Up to now, the feature has yet to be included in a nonteam sports video game.

EA Sports UFC 2 is set to break the mold in that regard. The virtual card packs are coming to MMA, but instead of rendering superstar fighters, the packs will produce move and attribute upgrades.

Here's what EASports.com wrote about the feature in the upcoming game: "Create your team of up to five fighters using UFC 2’s deep customization options. Compete in online or offline competitions to progress your fighters and earn coins that open packs which deliver special items used to sculpt your team into the most explosive in the UFC."

Quite honestly, I'm not sure how this is going to go over with fans. Most who are acquainted with the UT concept have an expectation that the cards will produce fighters, arenas, gear, etc.

It'll be interesting to see if fans are as excited and compelled to play the mode with the virtual coins and microtransactions only delivering moves and attributes.

KO Mode

Not everyone wants to grapple. For fans who simply want to slug it out in an arcade-like stand-up battle, EA Sports is attempting to create the perfect mode for you.

It's called the KO mode, and here's a brief explanation: "With no grappling to worry about, unleash the punches, kicks, knees and elbows in this fast, fun and furious mode; perfect for any fan looking to let the fists fly against their friends. The rules are simple…the fight doesn’t stop until someone gets starched!"

This could be fun for a party setting or some quick online fun. It may not be for purists, but we are still talking about a video game here.

The topics discussed in this slideshow are just some of the new features and details headed our way on March 15 when EA Sports UFC 2 is released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Be on the lookout for a full preview and a review of the game.

All info courtesy of EA Sports unless otherwise noted.