It’s traditional when reviewing a sports game to load the introduction up with puns, clichés and references… with Fifa 10 though this feels almost wrong. It’s as if I’d be showing a disrespect and a callous disregard for the importance and quality of the title. As such I won’t waste space introducing it in a clever way, this is Fifa 10 and it’s one of the biggest releases of the year whether you know it or not.
Actual gameplay has several changes, the most notable being running moving away from the eight direction control and into full 360 degree control. Not only simply being easier to use and more realistic it contributes to the unpredictability of the sport making each game that bit more enjoyable. Skilled players with a skilled team will find it very rewarding and a powerful tool to use, as such defence had to be ripped out and changed to combat this. Last year you held in the “pressure” button and eventually won possession, now though timing and strength are factors with strong players being able to hold off weaker players and vice versa. If you bundle in and shove someone off the ball you will concede a free kick. It means that doing things like putting big players to mark players like Messi actually yields results now as only a top player will be able to use agility to their advantage. Combine this with the fact that pace, whilst still being potent, is no longer a complete game killer makes the whole vexed issue of attacking much more balanced and realistic. No longer can you just pump a lobbed through ball and watch your quick striker sprint clear, it’s now a skill to attack against better players and equally enjoyable to defend well against it.
Fouling is more common though thanks to the changes in defence, but the flow of the game is kept through the introduction of quick free kicks and a vast improvement to referees playing the advantage. The flow and fluidity of Fifa 10 is paramount to its enjoyment, with the 360 degree control showing us truly what all other football games have been missing. Fifa was great but it always looked and played like a game, the improved fluidity is a big step towards real football being played on your console. Despite this, passing is still a major issue with high level games often resulting in ping pong as the ball zips around teams first time. Granted if you play with no assists this is impossible to do but even with some assists you will rarely misplace a pass and most people will just keep it moving to avoid losing possession through being muscled off the ball. Whether this could be patched or if it’s more something for Fifa 11 remains to be seen and it is a small gripe compared to the swathes of superlatives I could shower on the gameplay but high level online play will be rife with this.
Game modes are the other area which got attention and testament to the care taken with Fifa 10, both online and offline play have been improved. Manager mode is a great deal tougher with the board being more demanding than ever and transfers being that bit more realistic… for the computer. As Rangers I could still offer Walcott a contract and get him to sign up with double wages, but the AI can no longer tempt the likes of Rooney to Craven Cottage with absurd wages and seems to follow a logic of certain teams only approaching certain types of player. With that fixed, Manager Mode is that bit more absorbing with it being possibly the final refinement they can offer without greatly changing the whole feel of the mode.
Be A Pro Mode is roughly the same but the way you manage your custom player is vastly different. Now your player is yours in all game modes and stat improvements are now linked to accomplishments, which can be anything from scoring a volley to playing 100 games. Finishing each accomplishment will unlock a relevant stat upgrade for your player, so the more you play the better you get. Your player can be used in manager mode, be a pro mode and the online clubs which has been given a lick of paint for this year. The days of everyone playing as “any” in clubs is over, with you having to play your own position… the position of your own player. Regional leagues, more trophies and the lack of people playing as the big teams for the slight stat boost makes this mode actually playable and enjoyable. Nothing is more rewarding than scoring a nice goal in front of your friends with your own player and the fact you now want to play as your own player and not as any is a big step towards the EA Sports dream of full 10 vs 10 Fifa matches for the World Cup. Other modes have plenty of little refinements, be it improved search options in standard online play or the arena having full free kick and match practice options. The arena is now a real hub thanks to the improved training options, not least the ability to create your own free kick. The powerful and tough to use free kick creator no doubt will be exploited by those in the know but it’s a welcome addition for the control freaks amongst us.
I could write for thousands of words on the game and yet I feel like so much is being missed out, half the fun is finding the little extras in Fifa and you can only do that by getting lost in the game. The joy of it being more fluid and realistic is that it’s not frustrating to get lost in, all you need is a love of football to enjoy Fifa 10 because this is as close to the real deal as we’ve ever gotten before. Put aside the little issues, the server problems which is now common for a popular game, put aside any prejudices you may have against EA Sports and just enjoy this stunning representation of the most popular sport on the planet. Yes it still has its flaws, yes there are bugs and yes to some it just won’t be the same as Pro Evolution Soccer but the bottom line is here we have the best sports game ever created. Go, play, enjoy.
Shooting is a bit tougher, so when you do score a nice volley you will celebrate like an idiot.
Jostling is a huge part of the game now, finally Fifa is a contact sport.
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October 12th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Really must pick this up, don’t think I’ve had a Fifa game since 1999, loved the demo of it so is just a matter of finding the energy to head to the shops and pick it up.
Knew I should have gone to Asda and picked it up for £25, damit!
June 7th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Interesting read. Ive been waiting exactly 4 years for this (since the last world cup lol). I cant wait to see if Italycan get the title in this Fifa 2010 in South Africa