VANCOUVER — The original “EA UFC” title released in June 2014 was a building block for what’s aimed to be a longstanding video game franchise. Game designers were required to create a brand new engine, mechanics, characters models and more from the ground up, and the final result was a flawed but playable MMA game.

“EA UFC 2,” set for release in Spring 2016, still isn’t perfect, but it’s a giant leap forward from the experience of the first edition of the “EA UFC” series.

MMAjunkie recently got an exclusive hand-on look at “EA UFC 2” with game developers to get a complete rundown on the process that went into building EA Sports’ sophomore UFC video game title.

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The visual improvements to “EA UFC 2” are noticeable from the outset. Cover stars Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor welcome users to the home screen, and upon moving into advances game menus, the added variety of modes is apparent.

Although the absence of a tournament mode is disappointing, there are several new options such as the ability to create a full custom fight card in Event mode, assemble a furious fighting squad in UFC Ultimate Team or even play straight stand-up bangers in KO Mode.

The added modes are a refreshing coat of paint, but they mean little if the actual gameplay isn’t up to par.

Roster, Reebok and more

Upon conclusion of viewing the revamped menu screens, it’s time to jump into action for a fight. Before that can happen, though, a matchup must be selected. With the insane roster of fighters spread over 10 weight classes, doing so is hardly a cakewalk.

All told, including downloadable content (DLC) updates, the original “EA UFC” title featured roughly 120 fighters. Get ready for more than double that, because “EA UFC 2” tops 250 playable fighters with more potentially set to come post-release via DLC updates if it follows the trend of the previous game.

From your favorite fighters like McGregor, Jon Jones and Anderson Silva, to unexpected names such as Clay Collard, Alexandra Albu and, yes, even CM Punk, “EA UFC 2” is loaded with character options. The top-15 rankings in the UFC are in a constant state of flux, but you would be hard pressed to find a ranked competitor that didn’t make the cut for the game.

After scanning through an endless variety of potential matchups, a bout between undefeated bantamweight prospects is the bout is selected, as Aljamain Sterling will take on Thomas Almeida.

After confirming traditional game settings (difficulty, fight length, venue, etc.), the UFC’s recently introduced white, gray and black graphics packages welcome players inside the venue to the familiar sound of UFC commentator Mike Goldberg. His broadcast partner Joe Rogan is there as well, as they break down the attributes and backstory of each fighter as they walk through a sea of fans, each of which look far more realistic than before.

While there were plenty of complaints about the first “EA UFC,” the attention to detail on the fighters was not one of them. The power of next-generation consoles allowed fighters to be brought as close to life as possible, and “EA UFC 2” further upgrades on those already phenomenal graphics.

Once Sterling and Almeida arrive in the octagon, there’s a glaring change to the fighters that has nothing to do with facial models, physique or tattoos. Both fighters are dressed in white and black or black and white Reebok fight kits, meaning the wide variety of short colors and brands seen in the last game are a thing of the past.

Nevertheless, a startlingly authentic version of Bruce Buffer introduces the athletes – to the sound of audio pulled from actual UFC events, no less – and the contest is underway.

Gameplay experience

Those familiar with the previous “EA UFC” title will have no trouble grabbing a controller and picking up where they left off with the new game. Although the general vibe of the game is similar to the last, there’s significant refinement in all areas, and in the case of the ground game, a complete overhaul.

Every fight starts standing, and with Almeida in action, that’s where he’s at home. The Brazilian has a wide variety of striking attacks, but caution is required. The speed and pacing of striking in “EA UFC 2” feels far more realistic than before, and an overzealous approach could be costly.

The option to meet your opponent in the center of the octagon and mash buttons until one falls down is still readily available. But for those eager to use foot movement, a mixed offense and perfect timing to score slick and rewarding knockout, the tactical and strategic side to the striking game is more alive than ever before.

Almeida’s hair naturally flows back and forth as he moves around the cage looking to inflict damage on Sterling. His striking style feels unique to his own character, which is apparently the case for the majority of the more than 250 fighters in the game. Almeida takes some shots as he stalks Sterling in attempt to figure out a sound strategy, but some early swelling forms around his right eye. He continues to throw big shots, but that’s when Sterling changes levels for a big takedown to move the action to the ground for the first time.

One of the major frustrations with the previous game was the limited amount of engagement on the ground. Scoring a takedown was a struggle, but keeping the fight on the mat was even more difficult. Finishing a fight by submission against an experienced opponent was nearly impossible.

The changes to the grappling system for “EA UFC 2” can only be described as a step forward. Instead of the classic half-circle rotation to stand up or change position, users are presented the option to hold the joystick in a certain direction to load a bar to achieve a desired move. Fighters in top and bottom position can advance position or go for a submission, but success is determined by speed and timing, as well as the strength of statistics for a given athlete.

Sterling is the superior grappler in this matchup, so Almeida will have to time his reversal or stand-up attempt during a strike or transition attempt from his opponent. Sterling moves into side control and from the dominant position attempts to lock up a kimura and get the win by submission. This launches both players into the same submission mini-game as seen on the previous title, so that aspect of the ground game remains unchanged.

With the fight still in the first round and most of his stamina in tact, Almeida avoids the submission and strings together the appropriate series of grappling moves to scramble back to his feet and make it a standup fight once again.

Almeida begins to hammer Sterling with leg kicks, which causes a limp that slows down his movement. Leg kick TKOs are possible in “EA UFC 2,” so Sterling has to avoid absorbing further damage to the leg that could lead to a fight-ending stoppage.

The adjusted defensive striking controls allow users to block low and protect the legs and body or block high and defend incoming head strikes. Sterling is forced to protect his legs from the incoming blows, which opens up the head. Almeida lands a hard knee to the body then a furious combination that sends Sterling crashing to the canvas for a knockout entirely unique to itself, which is arguably the more dramatic difference in the new game.

Knockouts

Another problem with the debut “EA UFC” title was the repetitive fight-ending sequences. Play enough matches, and the same style of knockout would occur over and over again, making the finishes tedious and underwhelming. That won’t be the case in “EA UFC 2,” because each knockout is driven by in-match physics rather than pre-determined animations.

Depending on the octagon placement, technique, angle, and power of a knockout blow, a fighter could crash face-first into the octagon canvas, fall backward on top of their leg, land sideways in the fetal position and everything in between. That means no two knockouts should be identical even after hundreds and hundreds of matches.

In order to put that theory to test, KO Mode is available. For users unable to grasp or simply disinterested in the ground game, the mode completely removes grappling from the equation and allows for what is essentially a kickboxing match with four-ounce gloves in the UFC octagon. Play a best-of-five series with your chosen opponent and each fight will apparently end in a knockout different from the last.

Career Mode, UFC Ultimate Team and more

As previously mentioned, the increased variety of modes available in “EA UFC 2” adds an entirely new layer to the franchise.

Career mode differs in a number of important ways, starting with the ability to select a male or female character. Gone are the days of playing through an entire career and facing the same opponent more times than Andrei Arlovski fought Tim Sylvia. The added depth of the roster gives more options so going through career mode feels far less like Groundhog Day.

The training process for career mode has been altered, as well. In “EA UFC,” many grew sick of playing the same training mini games over and over to earn points to improve your player. Now the efficient training session can be saved with the same results applied to each day of training. Don’t work too hard, though, because unhealthy training habits can lead to injuries that hinder crucial statistics and performance on fight night.

If career mode doesn’t appeal and a user prefers online gameplay, then the newly introduced Ultimate Team mode will be of interest. Ultimate Team is a concept taken from other EA Sports titles where a team of fighters is created to compete and earn coins to buy upgrade packs that consist of moves, attributes and perks.

Event Mode, on the other hand, affords users the opportunity to build a dream fight card. If there’s ever been a fight Joe Silva or Sean Shelby didn’t put together, this is the chance to make it happen in video game format.

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With gameplay footage, complete roster information and more set to become available in the coming weeks before “EA UFC 2” is set for spring release, fans of the series have a lot to be excited about with the second iteration of the title.

Although MMAjunkie’s hands-on experience with the game only lasted a few hours and there was still much that went unseen, it’s clear the designers implemented much of the positive and negative feedback from the debut title and applied it to the new game.

Is “EA UFC 2” the perfect MMA video game? No, and the insanely complex and unpredictable nature of the sport will make it very difficult to ever execute as much. What it is, though, is a far superior version of what was seen before that’s much simpler to pick up and play.