FIFA Soccer 10 - Quick Review
and it is time for - FIFA Soccer 10. I live in Toronto and I called 3 Ebgames near my home after school and 2 of them had the game sold out. It was 7pm and there were a total of 4 good looking dudes (that of course, includes me) lining up for the greatest job on earth (Well, one of the greatest). So lets cut the crap, here is the quick review for you football fans. (I know it's soccer, but you know, the game is played in the English way, period.)
Here are the some of the crucial changes that can be easily recognized during the first 10 minutes of gameplay:
- The first thing I did for FIFA 10(even before I bought the game) was going on to fifa.easports.com and created my own "Game Face".
- "Game Face" is a new function by EA. You simply upload 1 or 2 of the most attractive pictures of you (If it applies). Then, the online application will generate a FIFA 10 player face for you in less than 10 minutes. (P.S. Please be mentally prepared that your virtual alter-ego will be extraordinary.... ugly)
- Loading duration is significantly reduced during any transition time in the game.
- Physics engine of both the ball and the player models has improved, and is giving the game an even more fluid and authentic football experience.
- The overpowering of dribbling from 09 is remarkably tuned down. You can still be doing all the fancy crossovers but the ball sure is not going to stick to the players' feet like a darn magnet.
Virtual Pro is similar yet improved from 09. After creating your in-game alter-ego, you can download your "Game Face" from what you created in the EA website. While previous game modes still available, you can now play as yourself online with other custom created players. Moreover, The way for attribute growth has changed. Instead of the old and somewhat annoying manual growth system, players will have their ability boost by accomplishing special tasks in the game (some in the arena) and by playing various positions. After a couple of games, I personally find the new system way better than its predecessor. And guess what, it is very addictive.
Online Head-to-Head games are very smooth and I find the pace of the game a little quicker than the offline modes. Building up and scoring feels great but it is quite difficult to defend quick players (By quick, I mean Messi and Ronaldo's standard). Afterall, you have to try the online modes or you are missing a lot from FIFA 10.
Now lets talk about the everlasting, highly-addictive manager mode. It is completely redesigned, and here are the main differences:
- The interface is different, it is cleaner and more accessible.
- Friendly games are introduced.
- Player growth system is totally new (Well not exactly new, as it resembles the Winning Eleven Series).
- Player condition is added (Which is wisely stolen from WE again).
- The bug of "reversing the order of your bench" from 09 is fixed.
- Thanks to president Obama,
Final Comments:
Although it does cost you a fortune, but it certainly worth every single dollar for its near-perfect physics engine and beautiful player/ball/environment animations. Despite the fact that FIFA 09 was already technically ahead of Winning Eleven 2009 for... (I don't know, you tell me.), it is actually a surprise that FIFA did not just take a break and slack off for this update. Unlike Konami, It is obvious that EA Sports used time wisely and fixed both unbearable and bearable bugs. To sum up, I have the same conclusion as last year - FIFA simply won the Oscar for "Best Soccer Game of the Year". So please get it, for the sake of your own enjoyment.
P.S. For you die-hard Winning Eleven (PES) Fans out there. Why wait for another 2 weeks for a game that is going to be handicapped in every single aspect comparing to FIFA.
That's it for now. Hasta la vista~
