UFC 2009 Undisputed

So far then Undisputed sounds like a kickboxing version of Fight Night with less emphasis on leaning and swaying, which as a summary of the standing game is reasonably fair. But it's the use of the right analogue stick and its transition from the standing game to the ground game that sets Undisputed apart and represents its most tactical mechanic. Tilting the right stick towards the opponent sends your fighter in for a cuddle, and, if successful, catches your opponent in a standing clinch hold. From here you can try and take the opponent to the floor or just beat on them with strikes - all the while he can try to counter the clinch.

A more aggressive tactic would be to attempt a double-leg takedown, driving the match instantly from standing to ground, by holding the left trigger and pulling the right analogue stick down/towards your opponent. This is risky because it's easy for a skilled player to punish, but if it hits un-countered will put your fighter in the advantageous guard position - i.e. the opponent on their back with the player kneeling upright between their legs.

Although it's likely most players will initially ignore the ground game and just batter each other until someone flukes a KO, Undisputed only really comes into its own in the ground game. For example, from the common guard position, both fighters are able to strike and guard using the same principles as the standing game - although the top player will more likely dominate when trading hits. With good timing it's also possible for a player to catch the arm of a striking opponent and put them into a submission hold like the armbar. This technique is one of the most common submissions in the UFC and a favourite among Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners.

Once a ground game is initiated, both the dominant and defending player can attempt minor and major position transitions - either to increase the chances of a KO/submission, or in the case of the defender, to execute a position-reversal or escape, and this is the hardest mechanic to successfully manipulate. Initially dominating in the standing game against the AI, I was often taken down to the mat, swiftly manoeuvred into increasingly indefensible positions, before being pummelled into submission.

Minor transitions, like going from guard position to half guard position, are done by performing 90-degree motions on the right analogue stick, vaguely mimicking the real-life manoeuvre. Major transitions, including guard position to side mount, are executed with a 135-degree motion. The defending player can try to reverse these transitions by performing the appropriate counter on the right analogue stick, like reversing a guard position by flipping the opponent onto their back. But as it stands, no amount of guesswork will prevail over a player who's done their homework in the training mode. Undisputed's success is going to pivot on how fair and intuitive the transition system turns out.

As with the offensive standing game styles, each fighter has a proficiency in wrestling, judo or Brazilian jiu-jitsu for advanced grappling manoeuvres. Wrestling seems to be the easiest style to implement, with techniques that focus on taking a standing opponent to the ground - usually with lots of momentum. Combine wrestling with a boxer's knuckle-based repertoire and you have a dual style which, although not the flashiest, focuses on overwhelming and out-powering your opponent.

Comparatively, a judo fighter has many techniques that allow them to easily take down an opponent during a clinch, and, once on the ground, execute a variety of different submissions from joint-manipulation to choke holds. Brazilian jiu-jitsu, meanwhile, is all about controlling the ground game; pulling off technical submissions in positions that would be disadvantageous in other styles.

With all this in mind, for the majority of European gamers, who may have heard of Ken Shamrock but don't have a clue what the difference is between a back mount, rubber guard and north-south position, the appeal of Undisputed could largely be lost amongst the more familiar Fight Night and the more entertaining Soul Calibur IV. But for hardcore fight fans who like their games all kinds of Virtua Fighter 5 technical, Undisputed could provide a more realistic alternative. And for those who've seen UFC 1: The Beginning right up to the most recent UFC 97: Redemption, Undisputed has the potential of being the first worthy UFC MMA fighter.