[screenamesuck]

I can't wait

http://community.ufcundisputed.com/

You only get to play as Chuck or Shogun, but thats fine with me

[MJB23]

That's sick I can't wait to try it out.

[Wise]

I wonder if the demo will let you go online. Either way Im pumped for it.

[southpaw447]

April 15, 2009 - In honor of UFC 97, set for this weekend in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, THQ is releasing a demo of UFC 2009 Undisputed so fans of the sport can get their hands on the game prior to its May 19 release.

Players can assume the role of either Chuck "Iceman" Liddell or Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, two fighters who will be in the octagon this Saturday. I got the chance to spend some substantial time with the demo over the last few days and if Liddell/Rua plays out anything like a few of my bouts, the world should be in for one heck of a show.

Keep an eye for the demo to drop on April 23 on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

Luckily for those who have yet to get their hands on the deep and slightly inaccessible controls of UFC 2009 Undisputed, THQ has included the full tutorial in the demo. You'll get an in-depth rundown of how to maneuver on the ground, toss someone while in a clinch and pretty much everything else you'll need to be successful in the octagon. It's a good thing too, as UFC 2009 Undisputed is one of those fighting games that emulates the complexity of the sport very well, but that comes at the expense of accessibility.

Standard brawling can be done easily enough. The four face buttons are basic kicks and punches with high/low and technique modifiers on the left shoulder buttons and blocking on the right. Things do get a little fuzzy when you get into the clinch or on the ground fighting.

While in the clinch it's about grappling for position. You're trying to get in a position to get your opponent on the ground while still having the ability to throw shots to their ribs. Take Shogun, for instance, he has the ability, as a Muay Thai boxer, to get into the Muay Thai clinch and begin throwing knees into his opponent's face. I found success only when I took advantage of my fighter's techniques, much like the real UFC.

The complexities continue once you get your opponent on the ground. That's when the right analog stick comes into play and the real UFC gameplay shines through. Players, while on top, have to rotate the right analog stick in quarter-circles and slightly greater than quarter-circles for minor and major transitions respectively. Likewise, if you're on defense, you'll need to watch for the transition animations to begin and then either hold the right stick in a direction for a block or flick it in a direction to attempt a counter.

There's a lot more to UFC 2009 Undisputed's controls than what I've gone over here, but those are the basics. What's great about this demo is that all of the moves for both Liddell and Rua are available so long as you have the wherewithal to pull them off. Aside from the tutorial, there are also move and combo lists that can be accessed through the pause menu.

My main means of offense, at least when playing as Liddell, was pure cold-blooded striking. The Iceman has a mean superman punch and spinning backhand, as well as an overhand punch that bloodies Rua very nicely. I landed a kick to the head and then a superman punch and, thirty seconds into the fight, it was all over.


Playing as Shogun means making use of the aforementioned Muay Thai clinch and eight points of contact, throwing knees, shins, elbows and hands at your opponent. I found the clinch to be the real money shot for Shogun. Waiting until Liddell swings his head to the right or left while in the clinch provides the perfect opening for a timely knee to the noggin. Shogun also has a nasty flying knee that, if you can connect with it, is a perfect way to cause some serious damage to the head.

One thing that I hadn't noticed in my previous run-ins with UFC 2009 was the small visual details. Namely the use of blood. It's a great feeling to get your opponent on the ground and start pummeling his face and watch as the cut on his face continues to open. Blood will fly onto the mat, even onto your player model. When playing as Shogun I got Chuck in a Muay Thai clinch and landed so many blows to his head that my right shoulder wound up being completely saturated in crimson. It was great.

The UFC 2009 Undisputed demo is an admittedly light peek at what the full game will offer on May 19. There's no career mode, no create-a-fighter, and no classic fights. If nothing else, it'll give UFC fans a chance to play through one of the fights from UFC 97. It's also a perfect way to cut your teeth on the deep and complex gameplay that UFC 2009 brings to the table. Look for the demo to hit both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network on April 23.

They better have given Shogun a good gas tank for this Demo


http://ps3.ign.com/articles/973/973303p1.html

[screenamesuck]

I'm fine without the demo being online really. Gives me time to perfect the controls before the game comes out, so I'll be rocking the leaderboards with ease

[MJB23]

Originally Posted by screenamesuck

I'm fine without the demo being online really. Gives me time to perfect the controls before the game comes out, so I'll be rocking the leaderboards with ease

You'll be right below me though

[screenamesuck]

We shall see. I only wish I had a lot of time to play , thats what keeps me off the COD leaderboards

[MJB23]

Being a college student means I have tons of time to play.

[ShadyNismo]

Can't wait for this mofo

[MilesHackett]

Fuck, it comes out two days before my last exam. How the hell is a dude supposed to study?

I can't wait, I haven't been this excited about a fighting game---or a game in general---for so long.