When the first news of ESBC Undisputed dropped back in late 2020, the boxing community was put on notice. It’s been far too long since we’ve had a AAA boxing game. The buildup to this game has been something akin to a title fight with some doubting that the game would ever be released as we were subject to roster updates and fighter renders for quite some time. Well, when the news of the beta released, many of us realized that this was indeed a serious game. Now, having played the beta, I can bring you my Undisputed beta impressions.
Undisputed Beta Impressions
What I Like
Graphics
The first thing I noticed when I jumped into a bout was how good the graphics looked. Granted I am only playing with semi-maxed out graphical settings, but I still managed to walk away impressed by the lighting, fighter models, and overall ambiance in this beta. Time will tell what it looks like when you’re fighting in a marquee event, but they’ve nailed the smaller neighborhood gym feel down to the corner that looks spectacular.
I’m glad to see that all of the fighter renders we’ve seen in the buildup actually look good in the ring. Even the way the background is a little blurred out gives you that cinematic feel as if you’re the only two humans on the planet that exist at that particular moment. For those who are worried about how the game looks, don’t be.
Movement
I really like how the boxers move overall. The feet are disconnected from the head in a good way, meaning you can feel the foot-planting on nearly every step yet you can stand in the pocket (in close quarters to your opponent) and slip, duck, and lean back with relatively no button input lag. That’s an important skill if you ever get caught in the corner and need to avoid some punches.
The differences here between the men and women’s fighters are noticeable in a good way, especially since Gatti and Irish Mickey Ward weren’t known for their footwork. The two women’s boxers feel quicker as they are lighter on their feet. This offers a nice change of pace and showcases the ability to utilize different styles, such as fighting from the outside by establishing the jab to find range. The more comfortable you get with footwork and movement, the better the game looks and feels.
I found this very similar to NBA 2K where the better players make the game appear to be realistic as the movements and animations are sharper. Utilizing angles to not only avoid punches but to also throw punches feels really good. Hopefully the roster expands to include the likes of Manny Pacquiao, who was one of the best ever at throwing punches from different angles.
Take a look at this excellent video from the Coach’s Corner on YouTube where he breaks down how to fight on the outside and control the distance between you and your opponent.
Punching Animations
With this being a beta, there are of course going to be some animations that seem a little off, both visually and functionally. That’s what the purpose of this beta is about, to iron out the kinks through feedback. With that said, there are still some beautiful animations to be enjoyed. Jabs can be crisp and snap with the full plethora of types (power, vertical, double, etc.) covered. What’s also nice is the way in which punches miss. Too many boxing games in the past mirrored Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots where fighters would just trade blows, and while fights can sometimes delve into that type of bout, it’s nice to see punches go astray.
Match Speed
The pace and tempo of fights are a real strong point in Undisputed. Just like a real fight, there are moments where the fight is slowed down and both boxers are picking and choosing their moments. The action during these times is on the slower side and is better displayed by the women boxers for the beta. There are also times where the action is thick and heavy, especially when fighting inside and the punches are coming in hard and fast. The ebb and flow of a fight can be a thing of beauty, especially if you’re paired up against someone who doesn’t immediately charge you down as the bell sounds to start a round.
You can normally tell what kind of fight it’s going to be by how fast your opponent charges at you, if at all. More calculating fighters will take a moment to analyze their opponent, and because the beta seems to reward strategic players at times, the difference in styles that plays into the fight tempo is well replicated.
What I Don’t Like
Camera
My issues with the camera are most likely attributed to the beta, but I feel like the way it focuses on one side of your boxer doesn’t give the true essence of being in the ring. In one of my fights, I managed to open up a cut on Arturo Gatti’s (RIP) left eye somewhat early in the fight. The fact that Gatti, who was prone to cuts, actually developed one in game due to me targeting it with jabs and left hooks made me feel like there were rewards for those who like the sweet science. However, the video game enthusiast in me wanted to visually see the damage. Unfortunately, I could never see it because the camera doesn’t swing.
It’s worth repeating again that this could be beta-specific as the footage we saw leading up to the beta showcased different views.
Can’t Punch Stepping Back
Styles make fights. If you’re in with a stronger fighter and you want to keep your distance, then it’s imperative that you be able to throw a punch while stepping backwards. A jab while stepping back can help you put distance between you and your opponent. But as of right now in Undisputed, when you try to do this you end up stepping forward on your jab because the game thinks you want to close the distance. It’s a shame too because you can actually throw check-hooks (a hook while pivoting to your front/rear hand), which were staples for boxers like Floyd Mayweather — so we know you can punch and move. Perhaps it’s something that others have relayed to the developers, but it would be nice to be able to do both a step back and throw a jab/step back and then forward and throw a jab.
Controller Layout
Overall, I’m not too fussed about the controller layout, and it very well could be something that we’re able to customize after the full release, but right now I’d love to be able to re-map the power shot modifier. While some might find the control scheme to be a tad complicated, it’s nowhere near NBA 2K levels and is something I found myself gaining more comfort with as time went. That said, for the sake of this beta I’d still like the ability to tailor the controls to my finger placement.
Bottom Line
It’s been quite a long time since I’ve been excited for a new sports game. Even the scheduled return of EA’s college football series, a game which brought myself and many others to Operation Sports, doesn’t move the needle for me quite like Undisputed. After having spent time with the beta, I’m even hungrier for this game. We’ve all watched the beta rounds, seen the boxing renders and extensive roster, but actually playing the game has brought my excitement to a new level.
Of course, the Career/Story Mode will play a part in how long I play this game, but as of right now the gameplay was better than I expected and seems to be evolving as we get more time with the game. While we still still don’t have a release date, if you’re interested at all in the sweet science this one is definitely worth tracking.
