In August 2021, UFL kicked off a wave of football titles aiming for FIFA‘s throne. At the time, EA Sports’ football game was widely criticized for focusing mainly on its egregious FIFA Ultimate Team mode and ignoring fans’ requests to bolster modes like Pro Clubs and Career Mode.
UFL, with its ‘fair-to-play’ motto, is a game that puts you, the player, at the center. The developers at Strickerz Inc. have crafted a game that respects your skills and dedication, steering away from the pay-to-win model and allowing players to win based on their abilities.
And UFL achieves this with decent gameplay, loads of licensed players, and a fun Ultimate Team-like setup that doesn’t insult your wallet.
This is our SGO preview of UFL.
UFL Preview
UFL is currently in its second beta phase, so Strikerz Inc. is still trying to iron the kinks out before its official launch. So far, I’ve played one or two matches in the first beta, but I got to really sink my teeth into the game during the second.
Overall, we have a game here that falls between EAFC and PES in terms of gameplay. UFL‘s gameplay makes you appreciate the sheer number of unique animations that EAFC and the FIFA series have. That doesn’t mean the gameplay isn’t fun; it just doesn’t have the same fluidity.
However, for a free game, UFL is fun and full of quality. The game doesn’t have the quick slipperiness that EA’s football title tends to have, so it’s harder to dribble past multiple players. This means you’ll need to pass more and be creative to get a shot on goal, which I’m a fan of.
Defending & dribbling
Defending could be more consistent in Strikerz Inc.’s football title. Players feel heavy when you try to control them on the defensive end, and tackling can be too difficult at times. I must’ve conceded at least one penalty per game, but this is something the developers can iron out before release.
Dribbling, however, feels great and responsive. But sprinting while dribbling is where things get bad. When players receive the ball and try to sprint, the ball bounces around aimlessly, even when you are controlling the world’s best players. Again, this is something the developers can fix before release.
Overall, the best part of the game’s gameplay is that it’s easy for anybody to pick up and play. As I stated before, the gameplay falls somewhere between EAFC and PES. It doesn’t have the same amount of animations as EAFC, so players move similarly to each other, and even though it’s a simulation, the game does have an arcade-style that will entice newcomers.
Team Building
At its core, UFL is a competitive football title that applies the ‘Ultimate Team’ concept to a fair space. Players can freely build their team with no incentive to pay real-world money. Building a team is pretty straightforward: play games, earn currency, and buy better players.
However, what makes UFL unique is that as players use their squad, footballers get better and even gain skill points. This feature ensures that players get the most out of their footballers and craft them to suit their style.
As players win games, they earn in-game currency that can be used to buy footballers, kits, cosmetic items, and more. From what I’ve seen in the beta, players will gain a hefty amount of money after completing matches. This means you can buy some of the world’s best players after just two to three games. I don’t know if this will change before release but I like having Ronaldo or Jude Bellingham on my team within just a few hours of playtime.
UFL: Final thoughts before release
I wouldn’t say that UFL is threatening EAFC‘s throne, but it is a free alternative for players who are into the competitive side of football games. I think UFL is set to give eFootball a run for its money since the games are in similar positions. Both games are free-to-play with a heavy focus on eSports and team building.
However, Strikerz Inc. still has time to iron out the kinks and receive user feedback before its official release. With fun gameplay, an already big fanbase, and a focus on competitiveness and fairness, UFL could find its place in football gaming. Stay tuned to Sports Gamers Online for the full review of UFL when it is released.
“UFL has generated a lot of buzz as a potential rival to FIFA, but so far it hasn’t quite lived up to the hype as a ‘FIFA killer’. Despite its ambitious goals and promises of innovation, such as a free-to-play model and extensive customization options, the game still has a long way to go. The gameplay and graphics are not yet on par with the high standards set by FIFA. Additionally, UFL will need to offer a comparable level of depth and variety to appeal to a broad audience. While the project has potential and could become a significant player in the football simulation market, it currently remains a work in progress.”