EA is really swinging for the fences (or a fighting metaphor, even!) with its first entry to the world of mixed martial arts. There’s a lot to keep tabs on in the sport, and from what I’ve seen, the minds behind EA Sports MMA are definitely on the right track. Using everything learned from their past sports titles (namely: Fight Night), EA is crafting something that provides all the action, strategy and brutality of this sport, and considering the pedigree of its previous sports games, this is something to keep your eyes out for.

One of the first things you’ll notice is the game’s presentation. Without the constraints of the UFC, you’ll be able to travel to all sorts of exotic arenas. Everything from rings in Brazil to venues in Japan are present and accounted for, allowing for some variety outside of the main event. Complimenting that is the fact that the rings aren’t necessarily uniformed octogons. Rather, you’ll be able to fight in anything from a six-sided ring, to a circle, or even a square ring. Along with everything else, you’ll be able to control a vast roster of fighters. Anyone from Randy Couture to Fedor Emelianenko are raring to go in this new game, and that sort of variety is hardly a bad thing.

Along with the presentation, you’ll quickly find that the gameplay is the main draw here. It’s not just a slew of button mashing. Instead, it utilizes the flick-stick controls found in games like Fight Night or Skate, and it works remarkably well. If you want a quick strike, simply tilt the joystick up and to the side. If you'd like to use some heavier blows, tilt the stick down then up and across for some some devastating blows. If you'd like to work over the lower body, simply augment your commands with a shoulder button and you'll be able to sweep the legs from under the other fighter. Though you can absolutely re-map the controls to a button layout for strikes, the flick-stick controls allow for a fluidity that lends itself rather well to creating an organic experience, helping you to adapt to a given battle.

Once you’re on the ground, a whole new slew of features come into play as you’re not only dropping hurt bombs on your opponent, you’re also constantly volleying for a better position. Just because you’re on top of your opponent, you won’t necessarily have an easier time with things – your upper hand can be lost at a moment’s notice. While you can constantly move up and gain a better position, it’s always going to be a battle as you’re going have to contend with the other fighter trying to reverse your advantage, which is where the reversal system comes in.

Put simply, the reversal system is a series of in-depth mini games. It requires quite a bit of thought, strategy and anticipation if you’re to win a match. Depending on your position, one reversal may bring up a radial wheel on screen, allowing you to move the joystick in a given direction to keep your advantage; the trick here is that you must move your joystick in tune with your opponent when an on-screen prompt flashes for a split second. Another instance may have you mash a button to combat your opponent, but every time you press the button, some of your stamina fades, and if your stamina dwindles to nothing, your rival will be able to overturn you and you’ll be up a creek without a paddle.

There’s quite a bit of appeal with this new MMA title. It brings a very deep gameplay mode to the forefront, helping players see the variety and solid gameplay packed within. Keep an eye out for more on EA Sports MMA in the coming weeks. With E3 quickly approaching, rest assured that there’s more news on the way.