Plot: What’s it about?
Supremacy MMA might not be the only mixed-martial arts game available, but it offers a unique experience that neither EA or UFC can provide. This is not a simulation style MMA like those games, so expect a more arcade style approach and oh yeah, this is about a hundred times more brutal. When your opponent taps, you can choose to not release the hold, shattering their limbs and making a serious mess. Or use your strikes to cause insane levels of damage, then activate your adrenaline to render their bones into a fine powder. The visible impact of your damage is well rendered, so your opponents will look like you’ve beaten them to a pulp. So this is not a realistic MMA experience per se, but it is a wild and fun one. You battle in underground locales in unsanctioned brawls, so the entire game has a “no holds barred” texture. This is just raw, intense combat, an MMA experience that neither of the other brands can match.
Another difference is that you can progress through an actual story mode, not just create a basic fighter and climb the rankings ladder with him. This mode is a little short, but it was a welcome inclusion and more enjoyable than guiding a generic grappler through fights against the same five opponents over and again. While Supremacy MMA is all about unlicensed, unsanctioned combat, you will find some real life fighters on the roster. Jens Pulver, Jerome Le Banner, Malaipet, and Mariano Mensoda are some of the best known warriors found here and in another first, you can even battle it out as females. The actual combat is all about speed and counters, so no flash knockouts are possible. You’ll have to adjust to the game’s rhythm at first, but the controls quickly become second nature and you’ll find a groove without much trouble.
Supremacy MMA is not going to win over those who want a UFC experience, as this is about fast paced, brutal combat and not methodical tactics. Think of this game as a kind of more brutal Mortal Kombat, but without all the magic, fireballs, and killing blows. The visceral nature of the combat is going to thrill some and offend others, as will the gritty, based in reality story modes that walk some harsh paths. When you play Jens Pulver’s story, it isn’t about press junkets and lunches with Dana White, it is a cold, hard road that takes you inside the man’s head. The on-line fights proved to be solid as well, but as always, depend heavily on the internet connections involved. I found Supremacy MMA to be a solid alternative to the simulation style MMA games, with the story modes being a huge addition. So if you like brutal, intense combat and want to see a darker take of the sport, Supremacy MMA is recommended.
Video: How does it look?
As I mentioned above, the damage the fighters takes looks excellent. You can see cuts open, bruises form, and of course, the more brutal strikes pack an impressive impact, The animation is solid, but a little inconsistent during the fights. Not a big deal, but I wanted to mention it. Overall, the graphics here are quite good and in terms of the fighting elements, you’d be hard pressed to find a better damage system than this.
Audio: How does it sound?
The sound design is rock solid, especially when it comes to the visceral sounds of the fights. Each strike has a nice thud, while powerful kicks have a great crack, just fun stuff. The music is metal and that fits the content well. There is repetition of course, but there is always is. So basic sound design presentation is good and the in-fight elements sound terrific.
Supplements: What are the extras?
N/A
