UFC 5 Changes One Key Detail That Totally Transforms The Game

EA Sports UFC 5 is the latest in the UFC franchise of games developed by EA Vancouver. The game has a ton of improvements and enhancements, making it more realistic than ever, but one key mechanic has even the most skilled mixed martial arts practitioners scratching their heads. Luckily, the more one knows about MMA and the science behind combat sports, the more adept they will be at adjusting to these significant changes.

UFC has always been a challenging fighting game, as — just like in real life — there are a multitude of different fighting techniques one must master to reign supreme. The range of options available can sometimes feel overwhelming, from grappling to striking to fighting in the clinch. However, the changes made to one game element will totally transform how people approach fighting in UFC 5.

UFC 5 Completely Changed Submissions And The Ground Game

Those who prefer to wrestle or submit their opponents with Brazilian jiu-jitsu should rejoice, as the new ground fighting mechanics in UFC 5 are arguably the most realistic grappling mechanics a game has ever had. Previously, in UFC 4, when a submission was initiated, it would begin a mini-game that would have each combatant rotate the thumbsticks or hit the controller bumpers to finish off and defend against the attempt. In UFC 5, this has been completely overhauled, with the mini-game being removed completely in favor of more realistic countering, transitions, and stamina-based grappling.

This same thought process can be seen across the game in several ways, including initiating special takedowns in the clinch and denying ground transitions. While previously those techniques required special button presses, now one action more naturally flows into another, requiring a combination of buttons to be hit with the right timing to pull off the move. This more advanced approach even extends to aspects of striking, as rotating kicks and punches, like the spinning back fist — must be initiated first, then finished with a different button.

UFC 5 Ground Fighting Puts An Emphasis On Stamina And Transitions

Another major change to the grappling system in UFC 5 is that it more realistically and heavily considers stamina while on the ground. In real grappling, whether BJJ or wrestling, stamina is an important factor and ties into the strength one has to win the match. UFC 5 now has a new Submission Resilience meter that depletes based on character stats and needs to be drained for a submission to be pulled off successfully. This meter is separate from stamina but is affected by it, as more tired fighters will have a harder time denying transitions and submission attempts.

A huge emphasis has been put on transitions, as characters in the game can now chain positions and submissions by pressing down on the right thumbstick while in the middle of a submission attempt. This better reflects the reality of rolling in BJJ, as submissions can also be used to advance position rather than force a tap. While stuffing transitions on the ground has always been a thing in the UFC games, doing so will now drain a significant portion of the enemy’s stamina meter, giving players more of an advantage on the ground.

Grapplers Should Like The New Changes

The new grappling system in UFC 5 may take some time to get adjusted to, especially for those who are used to the previous game’s mechanics. However, once the base systems are understood, many of the counters, transitions, and submissions reflect real grappling to some extent. Knowing superior positions or what submissions are possible in a certain scenario will enable those who have an understanding of grappling to excel in the latest title. This also extends to transitions and stuffing them, as physical cues on character models will indicate which direction to move the right thumbstick.

It’s important to note that there are still easier systems for those unfamiliar with BJJ or wrestling in UFC 5, as Hybrid and Grapple Assist settings will take out some guesswork on what position to advance to next. That being said, those two settings that make it arguably easier on the ground will also limit the options available, and those looking for an as real-to-life game as possible should opt for Legacy controls, which gives full access to all the transitions and submissions on the ground.

UFC 5 Is Now More Of A Fighting Simulation Than An Arcade Game

Though it might seem like a minor change in a sea of enhancements that UFC 5 has made over the previous title, it’s actually one of the more significant changes and innovations to come out of a fighting simulation game generally, as avoidance of the complexities of ground fighting has caused it to be often overlooked. The submission mechanic in the last game was one of the most “arcadey” features in the title, as defending or sinking a submission would likely result in rotating the thumbstick as fast as possible. Now, it’s necessary to slow down and be more thoughtful with each action.

Similarly, the greater emphasis on stamina management and transitions significantly slows down the ground game as well, which reduces the arcade nature of the title in replacement for something more realistic. In real grappling, resting is an important feature in advancing position and effortlessly tiring out an opponent, and in this way, UFC 5 also boosts the realism of the title. Combine this with a more life-like damage and injury system, and UFC 5 is arguably the most realistic simulation of MMA that people have had access to thus far.

However, this greater emphasis on realism won’t be everyone’s favorite thing — especially those who came to appreciate the more arcade-esque fighting features of the game. Even for those who understand fighting and grappling, getting acclimated to the new systems may initially be a struggle. That being said, looking at EA Sports UFC 5 more like a fighting simulation may make things easier, as the ground game is much more intuitive and realistic than it used to be.