The first distinguishing factor about EA MMA is in the controls. The game ditches the face-button scheme (although it is an optional choice) and relies heavily on the use of the analogs. Running on approximately the same layout as Fight Night, players are required to manoeuvre the right analog in various motions in order to throw jabs, hooks and uppercuts, while holding the left trigger (L2) modifies these movements into kicks. The game does a great job at approximating the feeling and fluidity of the sport, as all strikes and damage are physics based; leaving anyone who’s played a recent Fight Night title feeling right at home.

Where the face buttons do come into play is on the ground. Players can perform takedowns with the push of one button, however opponents can counter and resist these attempts with precise timing. When grappling, players transition to different positions using simple button presses, however it’s not as easy as it sounds, as players will have to take their stamina into consideration seeing as switching from one mount to the next (and eventually locking in a submission hold), takes a significant amount of stamina. So the ground combat is all about wearing your opponent down and knowing when to go for the win, and while it’s still a very difficult facet of MMA to translate into games, EA have done a pretty good job.

An impressive Career Mode is also incorporated, allowing players to be coached by Dutch MMA legend Bas Rutten and train with a variety of different exercises. Players need to build up their stats heading to a big fight, and compete in sparring sessions, combo challenges and also learn special moves; such as finishing strikes or devastating submission holds. Overall, the Career Mode manages to immerse the player by giving updates after fights and providing the feeling that you’re actually making your way up the ranks to the top division.

A very good presentation accompanies the solid gameplay mechanics, as fighters are incredibly detailed, showing sweat, cuts and bruises clearly. Yummy! Thanks to the still very impressive Fight Night engine, animations and movements are silky smooth and reactive to how your opponent hits you. Further little touches, such as showing an X-ray scan of your opponents limb as you apply pressure in a submission hold, adds some personality to the title.

When the crowds have dispersed and the ring girls gone home, EA MMA is an excellent package as it delivers a steady gameplay  foundation, gorgeous visuals and something new to the genre. While hardcore UFC fans may miss their favourite fighters on the roster, it’s still a worthwhile title that won’t disappoint fans of the sport.

So UFC Undisputed 2010 remains relatively the same as last year. The engine running the previous game is the same, although there have been some new additions this time around. The controls have been revamped allowing for much more responsive and effective attacks, which lets the player transition from clinches to grapples much easier. This makes all facets of the game (and sport) much more approachable than the previous iteration.

The cage itself also plays a major role this time as it’s integrated into the combat. Players can now use the cage to get an upper hand in fights, by pinning their enemy against the cage in a clinch, or by ‘cage walking’ to get out of a defensive position. It makes the matches much more realistic and dynamic by using the environment as leverage to gain an advantage.

In addition to a bunch of new fighters, such as the infamous hobo-bashing Kimbo Slice, there are a variety of new fighting styles to try out. Karate, Sambo and Greco-Roman Wrestling all have their own specific striking and grapple variations, which mix up the roster even more and provide some refreshing moves and animations to the fights.

Unlike a fighter at the beginning and end of a cage fight, UFC Undisputed 2010 looks largely similar to its predecessor. A lot of the animations and models remain unchanged, although there are some new aesthetic touches, bringing new pre-match and post-match sequences as well as an overhauled menu system.

UFC Undisputed 2010 does a good job to follow up last year’s fantastic fighting entry, although there are a lot of elements which may seem too familiar to warrant a full purchase for casual fans. If an expanded character roster and more fighting styles entices you, check it out.

Among the mix was Crysis 2. The groundbreaking FPS sequel will be heading to PC’s and consoles sometime within the fourth quarter of 2010 (which covers the last 3 months of the year). Dead Space 2 and Dragon Age Origins 2 were also slated for a Q1 release in 2011.

The record selling Sims 3 will also make its jump to home consoles and will drop sometime in Q4 2010.

Many other titles are still on the release calendar from EA this year, including NBA Jam, FIFA Manager 11, NBA Live 11, FIFA 11, Skate 3, Medal of Honor, FIFA 2010: World Cup South Africa and EA Sports MMA to mention a few.

We’ll keep you posted with more information on these titles, as well as their release dates within the coming weeks.