It’s the time of year when console gamers who love their football are divided. You’re either die hard Pro Evolution Soccer or die hard FIFA and it’s difficult to move from one to the other. Maybe not this time round.
EA’s latest instalment of FIFA completes their resurgence from second rate game to the leader of this genre, the position where they were 10 years ago until Pro Evolution upped their game.
Everything about this game is smooth, flowing and easy to use. Additions like 360 degree dribbling have broken down the barriers of what you’d expect from football games, players can literally go in any direction. FIFA has created a game that’s as close to real football as we’ll ever see (until virtual reality suits… or until next years FIFA!).
On to the gameplay itself, this is the smoothest FIFA so far. The movement of the players is now much more fluid and that’s a big compliment as last years’ instalment was great. One touch passing has improved as well as the ability to play cross field passes. Depending on your standpoint, it could be seen as positive or negative but goalkeeper AI and ability has also been improved.
A point also has to be made about the commentary – the ‘dream team’ of Martin Tyler and Andy Gray is about as good as you’ll ever hear on any football game. Rather than the same generic commentary game in-game out, they offer extra words of wisdom on derby matches like United against City, or Spurs against Arsenal and even Nottingham Forest against Derby. Moments like this make you appreciate how far FIFA now are ahead of Pro Evolution.
There are still frustrating moments when your team-mates won’t run where you want them to run and there will still be countless times when you push the tackle button so many times in a row that once you’ve made the tackle you’ll just pass the ball out of play but those are things that you get used to. There is no question that this game has improved immensely. Set pieces are also a little easier than before, you can either place your shot or just blast it Ronaldo style, both provide success when performed in the right way!
There are several different modes for the game alongside your usual exhibition, cup & leagues, all of which have been improved. We’ll start with the manager mode, as a manager of a team your progress is assessed by stars (five being the highest) and the board are now more involved making comments after every game. Transfers aren’t as easy as they used to be either – players now deciding not to move to your club for specific reasons such as the player looking for a mentor and an inexperienced manager not helping the players progress. The manager mode now has a lot more depth than before.
The next two modes tie in nicely together – Be A Pro, is still an integral part of the game after its introduction last year, but it now blends in with the Virtual Pro mode. Be A Pro is almost the same as the previous version in its layout, there are a couple of minor improvements with the way that you ask for the ball and players will pass to you a little quicker but as before, after 6 or 7 games in a row the mode can become quite frustrating and tedious, especially when playing against good opposition.
Virtual Pro is the crowning glory of the game. This mode is basically the create a player mode from last year except with some amazing additions. EA now allow you to go on to their website, use their software to upload a picture which will then be sent to your PS3 (as long as it’s online) and create a much more realistic version of your face. This is a huge step forward – the idea of using your home computer to make things more realistic on your PS3 is an avenue which I think will be exploited in the next year to really make use of its potential.
Once you have made your photo realistic character, in previous versions you’d instantly make them as good as humanly possible. Not any more! You now have to earn your spurs (pardon the pun). Your player’s stats are now increased by fulfilling tasks in gameplay with them. For example, in the arena mode where you are when the game first loads, by scoring a penalty your characters shooting & penalty stats are increased. To find out how to build your player up there is a very nicely presented sticker book which explains how to accomplish each statistic increase, these range from scoring from 30 yards to performing each different celebration. Completing these mini challenges also unlocks features to change the look of your character like different boots or accessories. This modes icing on the cake is that you can use the character in exhibitions, Be A Pro or manager mode to complete these challenges so there are no restrictions on needing to be constantly in Be A Pro which I think is an inspired idea.
Another addition to this new version of FIFA is the introduction of an online shop, where game updates will be made available and also extras to download. Upon release the Bernabeau stadium is free to download as well as boosts for your virtual pro (which will cost you!).
Overall, FIFA does exactly what it says on the tin. They took last years’ game and sensing a last minute winner pushed forward with improvements and has now completely overtaken Pro Evolution. I’ve played the demo of Pro Evolution 10 and from that alone the game feels sluggish compared to the fluid smoothness of FIFA. This game should cement FIFA 10’s and EA’s rightful place at the summit of football games – and this is coming from a former die hard Pro Evolution fan.
VideogameUK verdict: 8.5/10
