UFC 5 Review: Honest Look at the MMA Fighting Game

Many people enjoy trying new fighting games, and it is normal to wonder if a game like UFC 5 can give a smooth and clear play style that stays fun.

This is an MMA game that uses steady timing and clean moves to make each round feel close to real fights without adding complex steps. 

The game mechanism, unlike the previous one, is entirely different & feels more realistic, which brings to the question, is this game good? 

I will be providing a detailed review, from expert sources & the communities to help you decide whether its worth your money or not.

A fair look at the main parts can help you see both strong and weak sides. 

But before that, let’s discuss the game so that you can understand how it stays unique from other fighting-themed games.

UFC 5: An Overview of the Game

UFC 5 is a Mixed-Martial-Arts (MMA) game that aims to show real-time action in a simple way that most players can follow without feeling lost, and the game runs on the Frostbite engine.

You can use many move types here, and each move connects in a way that feels close to real UFC action instead of random hits flying around. 

The game launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S at the price of almost $69.99 in the last week of October 2023 to make realistic MMA fights in play.

You can build your own fighter or pick real names to compete in simple modes that work for a new player or someone who knows the sport well. 

The goal stays the same in each fight, and that is to win with clean hits or force the other side into a weaker spot before getting the finish.

UFC 5 Complete Gameplay Breakdown

UFC 5 keeps the fights simple to follow, and each move lands with clear weight that helps players understand what is going on during long rounds. 

The strike system feels smoother than old games, and punches or kicks connect in a way that makes each match more controlled instead of random. 

The real-time damage system also changes the pace because cuts and swelling slowly grow after clean hits and can lower your vision or stamina in challenging moments.

The ground play removes the old mini-games and uses basic stick moves to change spots, which helps new players handle floor fights without stress. 

Some players still feel the timing is strict, but the flow stays easy enough for most people. 

What Major Gaming Websites Think About UFC 5?

Many well-known gaming sites tested UFC 5 and gave clear scores that show strong parts mixed with clear weak points that players will notice fast.

• IGN gave the game 9 out of 10, and they said the fights feel smooth, and the new systems help matches look clearer and easier to follow.
• GameInformer gave 8 out of 10, and they said the fights feel fun, but the career mode repeats too often, which makes long runs think slow.
• GameCritics gave 8.5 out of 10, and they said the game looks sharp, but online play feels rough at times, especially when lag hits during busy hours.
• Metacritic shows an average score around the high 70s, which means many reviewers liked parts of the game but still pointed out real issues.

These scores help players see how critics felt before jumping in.

Graphics, Sound, and How the Game Runs

UFC 5 shows clear hits, cuts, and swelling during long fights, and many players say the look feels sharp on new consoles without feeling too heavy.

The Frostbite engine helps faces move more smoothly, and the real-time cuts stay on the skin during each round, which gives a clear idea of how tired each fighter becomes.

Some players like how the slow-down moments show clear hits, but others feel these short breaks slow the match more than needed.

The sound hits hard, and the punch noise feels close to live fight nights, but some players think the menu music repeats too much during extended play.

The game loads fast on most screens, but some players reported minor bugs and camera shake during messy scrambles.

These issues do not break the game, but they can still annoy players who want clean matches.

Modes You Can Play: Career, Online, and Daily Tasks

The game offers a few main modes that work for short sessions or extended play, and each mode tries to give simple goals without confusing steps.

Career mode lets you build a fighter and move through small shows, but the training loop can feel delayed when tasks repeat too often during long runs.

• You unlock new moves through training, and some goals help you learn timing without making the fights feel too messy.
• Online Career lets you fight players close to your level, and each win gives points that help your fighter grow.
• Daily tasks called Fight Contracts give quick matches and small rewards, which work great when you only want a short play break.

These modes cover both solo play and online fights, so players can jump into whatever speed feels right for them.

Fixes, New Fighters, and Ongoing Support

The game received many updates after launch, and each update changed small parts of the fights while also adding new names that players asked for.

These steady updates show the game has changed over time, but some players still think more fixes would help.

What Communities Are Saying About UFC 5?

Many players on the EA Forums and Reddit shared mixed views about this game, and their posts help show how real users feel during long sessions.

Some players think the game feels smooth during slow fights, and they like how simple the controls stay even when rounds get busy. 

Other players say the online mode feels laggy during peak hours, and they feel some matches freeze or drop moves when timing needs to be perfect. 

Many players also think the career mode repeats too often, and again, the same tasks make long runs feel slow instead of fun.

A few players enjoy testing new names from updates, but others think some moves still land too fast and make fights feel cheap. 

These views show how different players see the game in daily play.

How Does This Game Stand Against Other Fighting Titles?

Many players compare this game with big fighting titles, and these comparisons help show where the game stands in simple terms for new or casual users.

• Compared with Street Fighter 6, this game moves more slowly on purpose, and it focuses more on real fights instead of fast combos or bright skill systems.
• Tekken 8 moves faster with side steps and close hits, and many players think those games feel cleaner during high play because timing stays steady.
• This game feels better for people who like sports-style fights, but it does not match the large modes or long play paths that other big titles offer.
• Some players think the rank mode is close to other games, but they also feel the slow footwork makes tough matches feel heavy during long rounds.

These points help show how the game sits next to other popular titles.

Should You Buy UFC 5?

If you enjoy slow and clear MMA fights that focus on timing instead of long combo steps or fast arcade movement, this game is best for you. 

It looks clean on new consoles, and the hits show clear marks, which helps players understand what is happening during long rounds. 

Many new names also joined the game through updates, which gives more choices for players who enjoy testing different styles.

But if you wish to fast play, a large story path, or many single-player modes, you can skip it and consider it later. 

Some features also change slowly across updates, and players who want big changes may not feel happy with how minor the updates can be.

This game works best for people who like simple mixed martial arts matches.

Conclusion

UFC 5 gives a clear MMA feel that can work for many players who enjoy slow rounds and simple moves that stay easy to read during long fights. 

You may find some parts good, while some may feel boring, yet the game still offers steady action that feels fine for people who want calm pacing instead of fast steps. 

The game sits in a spot where you can enjoy short sessions or long nights without feeling lost or pushed into complex skills. 

You can think about what style you enjoy most, which can finally help you decide whether this game is for you or not.

What was the first thing that stood out to you when you looked at this game? Tell us and share with us in the comments below.