Undisputed Review (Anciano ⚜)
To start with, I'm just a casual player. I used to watch some boxing matches back in the day, but I don't really follow boxing as much as I used to. However, I've been playing boxing and MMA games since I was a kid, so my review is based on my experience with those games. Before getting into the pros and cons, I want to mention that I've had this game since the early access release, I've experienced every update, and I've always supported Steel City on their social media platforms since the very beginning.
PROS:
- The amount of boxers (missing some big ones, but for early access it's alright).
- The walking movements in the ring are generally smooth, although they can sometimes feel stiff and awkward.
- The graphic area of the game is pretty good in my opinion.
- Multiple camera angles to play.
- They "recently" added career mode although its not too deep.
- Each of the coaches in career mode are better at training certain skill sets, so depending if you're an inside boxer or outside you might check what coach you want for you.
- Character creator is pretty in deep, especially the face editor and being able to select a stance, block and style from a wide variety of options, however they could improve the editor for the rest of the body as well as adding more clothes/tattoos options, facial hair, hairstyles, etc...
- Big updates (they used to upload big updates every month or two, but they haven't updated the game since February).
CONS:
- Punches feel weird, slow and without power (Especially uppercuts).
- Game basically forces you to only use and spam jabs and hooks.
- Power punches are basically useless, take too much time to charge and don't do that much damage.
- AI feels like damage sponges, you can hit them constantly for many round they don't go down, and when they do after taking a lot of damage for many rounds they quickly get back up.
- Career mode lets you learn different traits depending on your trainer, but if you hire another trainer you lose all the traits you previously learned (where is the sense in that)...
- Career mode should let you import your own entrance and victory song from your pc or something.
- Career mode should have minigames for the trainings of your character, like sparring, punching a heavy bag, jumping rope, etc...
- Career mode should have press releases or something for your big upcoming matches and maybe some video teasers showcasing both fighters to hype up the fight as well as maybe some optional dialogues to either provoke the other fighter and earn hype for the fight or be nice to him to earn his respect (depending on your opponent's personality he might provoke you even if you're nice to him).
- Career mode should have promotional deals once you boxer starts to get certain attention.
- Winning a title or a tournament in career mode doesn't feel like winning a title or a tournament, just feels like you won another match. We need commentators going crazy, cutscences, our character with the belt celebrating along its team in the ring, etc...
*Honestly, I've only highlighted a few aspects that could be improved, especially in career mode because the mode has enormous potential, but it needs some attention because right now it feels quite repetitive and boring.*
*I can't comment on the online mode because I don't play it. I used to, but with the long wait times for matches and the lag, I eventually gave up on it altogether.*
This review isn't meant to criticise Undisputed or Steel City; in fact, I really appreciate the potential of this game and have supported it from the start. I'm writing this to share my thoughts, along with those of other players, on how the game can improve. I understand that Undisputed is in early access, which means there's still a lot of development ahead. I just hope they are focusing on the aspects that we, the Undisputed community, are asking for.
Currently, I can't endorse this game to players. However, once I notice improvements in Undisputed's gameplay, and it becomes more engaging and less repetitive, resembling a "proper" boxing game, I will certainly revise my review.