"EA Sports UFC 3" won't release until the end of January, but with a free beta available now through Dec. 5 those on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 can try it out early. The beta opened earlier this week to those who signed up during the registration period in November, but is now available to all.
Playable in the beta is a practice mode, both online and offline fights in the lightweight division, and the revamped Ultimate Team mode.
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QUICK FIGHT and FIGHT NOW CLASSIC: Jump into Quick Fight and Fight Now Classic to experience the revolutionary new Real Player Motion (RPM) Tech. RPM is a revolutionary EA Sports animation technology that sets a new bar for motion and responsiveness in the best-looking, and now the best-feeling, "EA Sports UFC" game ever. Players can now slip and strike in full motion to execute dangerous counterattacks, adding new levels of strategy and competition to every fight.
UFC ULTIMATE TEAM: Ultimate Team in "EA Sports UFC 3" introduces more personalization, strategy and collectibles. For the first time, combine your customized create-a-fighter with real life UFC fighters such as Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson to build your UFC Ultimate Team. All-new Fighter Chemistry allows you to chase and pair specific moves that grant boosts to your fighter for a strategic advantage. New Ultimate Team Solo Challenges feature dynamically updated single-player gameplay challenges that unlock in-game rewards, while new Ultimate Team Sets allow you to collect thematic items and trade them in for items of higher value.
PRACTICE MODE: Experience the all-new Practice Mode AI recording in "UFC 3." The Practice Mode AI recording lets you input an action sequence that the CPU opponent will playback for you, allowing you to practice your offense and defense against specific combinations and behaviors.
"EA Sports UFC 3" releases on Tuesday, Jan. 30 for those who purchase the $80 "Champions Edition," which includes extra Ultimate Team content. The standard $60 version will release on Friday, Feb. 2. "UFC 3" will feature a new career mode, which emphasizes fight promotion and rivalries in addition to the new spin on Ultimate Team, new animation technology, new damage system, and authentic fighter styles.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.