EA Sports MMA Game Review

When it comes to Mixed Martial Arts THQ's UFC series is leading the way, but with EA Sports deciding to dive into the octagon what can we expect for their first attempt with EA Sports MMA. While EA lack the big-name license, they still manage to provide a great roster of fighters along side solid gameplay and most importantly a game which feels as brutal as the sport itself.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) it's a sport which pits two men against each other much like Boxing, the difference is due to the lack of rules the fight is more of a no-holds-barred affair. Each fighter is placed inside an octagon, or Boxing ring with a pair of gloves (smaller than traditional Boxing gloves) and the action begins. Unlike Boxing the action can take place on the ground as well as the standing game, this allows for different forms of fighting to compete with each other. You will use traditional Boxing techniques alongside Muay Thai, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate and much more to defeat your opponent. The sport is immensely varied and allows players to be whatever type of fighter they want to be. This also helps create very interesting matches between two opposing styles.

(EA Sports MMA Middleweights)

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 Game Review

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 is Konami's latest venture into the Footballing world and with the slogan "Engineered for Freedom" what can we expect this year after the phenomenal success of Konami's rival EA Sports with their Football franchise, FIFA 11.

PES boasts loudly about freedom and that is definitely what it does this year. The passing system feels much more fluent and responsive this time around and when you get that right in a Football game, your job is nearly done. Passing the ball from player to player feels satisfying and more consistent than the previous game allowing for a richer and more realistic gaming experience. Players will also anticipate passes that go too far and make runs in attempt to help the player, always breaking into space to offer multiple options and creating a much more realistic football experience. When defending in the previous game, awkward ping pong possession would become irritating and frustrate the player in his attempts to regain the ball. This has been corrected and feels much more natural in PES 2011.

This is all due to the fact PES 2011 focuses more on the positioning and timing aspects of the gameplay and chances are if you get on the right side of the opposing player you will be able to defend the attack with much more ease. The game is more rewarding when it comes to simple mistakes, however if you give your opponent too much space and he knows what he is doing, then be prepared to be passed into submission. While the defenders are much improved you should still expect to see the same mistakes from the keepers, while less frequent than previously they are still there and happen often. Let's just hope you are playing with a Jabulani ball, then you have an excuse at least.