EA Sports UFC 3 Reviews

EA Sports UFC 3 is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10.0
Aug 20, 2017

The start of round three is upon us! EA Sports enters the world famous Octagon once again with added replay depth and appreciable mechanic retooling.

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Jan 24, 2018

UFC 3 very well may be EA's best release in the series, but it's only by a small margin that they've improved on their previous effort.

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4 / 5.0
Jan 24, 2018

UFC 3 feels the most like a video game in the pool of big sports simulations. Being a one-on-one combat sim, it still feels like you're at the mercy of your own ability even though there are stats. A punch is a punch, and while some chins are more durable than others, patience and care can help you overcome the odds. It feels like a different kind of fighting game for folks interested in real-life martial arts, with a cumbersome grappling system and some branded bumbling with numbers and menus to appeal to the core audience. UFC 3 is fun and exciting, and I can see it acting as a potential entry point for its real-life counterpart.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jan 25, 2018

Besides dealing with computer-controlled submission attempts, I largely feel that EA Sports UFC 3 is the best playing mixed martial arts game to date. That's why it was so disappointing to find out that so few of the modes managed to capture my interest. Perhaps it's more of a statement on the current over-saturation of the UFC, but there's not a ton of appeal of going into the exhibition mode and seeing meaningless fights play out anymore. I need something more than that, and I don't feel like either Ultimate Team or the career mode provide it. It's in the weird position of being a game that I like playing, but one that I'm not drawn to at all. But hey, at least there's Snoop Dogg.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 25, 2018

EA Sports UFC 3 is the best the series has ever looked, sounded or played and, despite a small handful of minor shortcomings, is quite simply the best UFC title to date and a very real contender for the fighting game throne in 2018.

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8 / 10
Jan 25, 2018

UFC 3 is a rare sports sequel that probably does enough to justify its existence. The betterment of Ultimate Team and the career's focus of becoming the greatest ever help the game feel different from the last. A rich bevy of modes coupled with top notch presentation is a winning formula every time.

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Jan 25, 2018

EA Sports UFC 3 is a fine attempt at recreating one of the most complicated sports on earth; a dynamic, exciting and often thuddingly violent fighting game that makes marked improvements to its striking game, but just like poor old Francis NGannou, still needs a lot of work on the ground.

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77 / 100
Jan 25, 2018

Tactical martial arts simulation with an authentic atmosphere and great presentation, which has small weaknesses in balancing and ground combat.

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Forbes
Top Critic
8.4 / 10.0
Jan 26, 2018

With a focus on depth and functionality, the EA UFC 3 development team has created the strongest version in their series. A few minor missteps and the reluctance to embrace or include a true-sim component keeps it from GOAT status. However, there's no question it's a titleholder.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 27, 2018

UFC 3 is a step in the right direction for the EA Sports MMA game. Subtle but important adjustments in combat combined with a deeper career mode result in the best entry of the series.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Heavy
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Jan 27, 2018

UFC 3 is proof that a championship run for the franchise is attainable.

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Jan 29, 2018

After the disappointing UFC 2, this new entry is a significant and welcome step forward. It's not perfect, but in this form, the future's bright.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 29, 2018

EA Sports UFC 3 is a solid title that comes highly recommended for both die-hard UFC fans and those wanting to get into the series. Even with some fighters occupying several different weight classes, the roster count is huge, and it complements the improved striking system. The modes contain some depth and some twists that work well, while the presentation remains as good as it was before. The knocks against the submission system make it a little tougher for grapplers to deal some damage, and while the loot box system doesn't hurt the game as badly as the publisher's other titles, the additions to the economy seem extraneous. Overall, the combination of good and bad changes makes UFC3 a sideways upgrade rather than an essential one, especially if you're still deeply entrenched in the second title.

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3.5 / 5.0
Jan 30, 2018

Fans of the sport will get a kick out of EA Sports UFC 3.

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85 / 100
Jan 30, 2018

EA Sports UFC 3 provides a staggering amount of improvements in nearly every area. EA Canada could have played it safe and iterated, but instead they overhauled major systems, addressing almost every complaint I had about its predecessors. Better striking mechanics, movement, and animations are joined by a fantastic career mode, and a whole host of additional attractions. I've still got a few axes to grind on submissions and AI balance, but the rest of the game is an embarrassment of riches.

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8.8 / 10.0
Jan 30, 2018

With an exceptional career mode and improved gameplay on top of its predecessor's already-strong offerings, UFC 3 is the best MMA game ever released

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Ray Carsillo
Top Critic
5 / 10.0
Jan 31, 2018

EA Sports UFC 3 feels like one step forward and two steps back. Striking is more realistic than ever, but submissions and the ground game remain convoluted. The new G.O.A.T. Career mode has flashes of brilliance, but bogs you down in menus while losing the human side of fights. As well, Ultimate Team just feels like yet another cash grab. There is a decent core in UFC 3, but it needs a lot more time in the gym to become champion material.

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85%
Jan 31, 2018

Brimming with modes, UFC 3 is a massive game. It might only be an incremental improvement over its predecessor, but the gameplay remains stellar and the action is accessible and fun. As far as MMA games go, EA Sports UFC 3 is the G.O.A.T.

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Shacknews
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jan 31, 2018

The heart of the game is in its fighting and that's as good as it's ever been.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 31, 2018

All that has to be said about UFC 3, is that it is the grandiose, and robust MMA sim, which most were waiting for, since the release of UFC 2009 Undisputed. It features intuitive and explosive stand-up gameplay, which beautifully coexists with all the ground-game mechanics. And while some armchair pundits, may still moan about how simple ground and clinch based manoeuvres and holds are. Then it has to be underlined that the so-called simplicity, ultimately allows the title to reach wider audience, which won’t feel intimidated by unnecessarily confusing submissions or takedowns. And while the highly anticipated Ultimate Team, may be a Stockton slap in the face of many, it can ultimately be overlooked, and those who skip it, will not be missing out on anything significant.

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