Supremacy MMA Unrestricted represents a gritty world where fighting is the only way to gain any respect. Fighters from across the globe battle it out in gritty, urban locations for a chance to be the ultimate fighter. Fans of UFC will be familiar with the style of fighting seen in this title. There are no combos, fireballs or team assists — it’s you and your fists against one opponent.
The PSVita version of Supremacy MMA Unrestricted offers new fighters, front and rear touch controls, and a host of new options to keep gamers busy. Since combat is complex, a set of tutorials guide you through the combat system before sending you into the ring.
Each fighter is a master of his discipline with a unique set of moves. Some rely more on grappling, while others use their fists and feet to best their opponent. There are 16 fighters available with varying degrees of skill. It may take a few play throughs to find the right fighter that best suits your play style, especially if you’re new to the MMA franchise.
The game has a wide selection of options available. After completing the combat tutorial, you are free to play any feature from the menu system. Even though a single-player feature is available to help level your fighter, it offers little replay value since you can only play one match at a time.
Single-player mode is a good way to level up your fighter of choice, though. Story mode follows the trials and tribulations of each fighter. Instead of using in-game graphics, the story is told using storyboards and voice acting. As your fighter’s story unfolds, he is challenged by numerous fighters as he climbs the ranks.
Gamers raised on Street Fighter and Marvel vs Capcom will find the combat unsatisfying. Combat is realistic and brutal, but slow compared to your standard arcade fighter.
The majority of fights are won by grappling and throwing your opponent to the mat regardless of your character’s fighting style. Fighters that specialize in wrestling are very difficult to beat. ST. John Ackland, for example, can counter just about any attack and grapple you to the map. Breaking his submission holds will make the thumbs of any seasoned gamer feel numb.
The combat system uses a simple punch/kick button combination. During combat, Square button is used for punching and Triangle is used for kicking. Supremacy MMA Unrestricted gives the player two choices for grappling — by pressing the X button or pressing the touch screen and back touch panel together when close to your opponent. Using the touch screen / back touch panel to grapple is a novel idea, but it takes your fingers away from the punch/kick buttons. It’s actually easier to grapple using the X button.
Grappling is difficult; it requires constant vigilance on the player’s behalf to monitor the on-screen button cues. You may be required to press L repeatedly to block or the Circle button to free yourself from your opponent’s grip. Missing just one of these cues can result in major damage being inflicted on your fighter.
Both fighters have stamina bars that deplete as they punch, kick and grapple. The quicker the stamina bar diminishes, the slower your fighter will respond to your button presses. It’s easy to assume the game is at fault when this occurs, but mashing buttons will only reduce the stamina bar quicker. The only way to avoid this is to time your attacks carefully.
Supremacy MMA Unrestricted has a plethora of features, including online wireless matches and a training gym to build your fighter. The most intriguing of the features, though, is ‘Femmes Fatales’. This feature allows you to play as one of two female fighters — Felice Herrig and Michete Guterrez. Story mode is available for both characters.
The graphics are not as impressive as other PS Vita titles. The fighters suffer from bland, smooth-looking textures. Sadly, they resemble a last generation effort. The backgrounds are decent, but most of them suffer from dark, muddy colors. Despite these gripes, the game still looks great on the PSVita’s large screen.
Supremacy MMA Unrestricted is not your standard fighting game. While combat can be sluggish and frustrating at times, it’s the raw, realistic portrayal of combat that gives the game its charm — faults included. Fans of UFC will still find the PSVita version of Supremacy MMA Unrestricted worth their time, especially if they do not own the console version.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: PS Vita
Developer: Kung Fu Factory
Publisher: 505 Games
ESRB: M (Mature)
Price: $39.99
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| Decent graphics that could have benefited from high-res textures. | |
| Sound | |
| There's a good selection of Hard Rock and Hip Hop music. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Multiple features add to the game's replay value. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Not so much for the arcade gamer than the UFC fan. | |
