This really is the beautiful game, EA have got it down to a tee.
Not quite, but it's still bloody brilliant.
OK, since they are so minimal, let's get the few bad points out of the way first. The Manager Mode has some pretty annoying bugs at the moment but I'm told that a pretty extensive patch is in the works so any bugs that may be plaguing the game right now should be gone pretty soon. The goalkeepers are still a bit inconsistent; plenty of incredible saves but some pretty dodgy positioning and I still don't really like the slightly flappy look of the 'keeper animations. The graphics look lovely from afar but get up close and it's still a bit of a zombie freak show and player likenesses are leagues behind Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer.
Apart from all that, it's really, really exceptional.
So, on the pitch FIFA 10 is brilliant and there are enough gameplay improvements to make this a real step up over FIFA 09. It may not be noticeable at first, but try going back to last year's game afterwards and you'll realise how much better this new version is. First up is the brand new 360 degree dribbling allowing a freedom of movement that was up until this year posted missing, however there are other improvements which help add to the experience, players seem to have move intelligence about them intercepting balls that they would previously have let through, teammates also tend to make better runs, freeing up more space for you to either pass or advance. Defenders also seem a lot more savvy, closing down space and therefore making it a lot harder to score goals. I have also noticed other little touches which add a bit of realism such as the ball smacking off the referee, sure it isn’t necessary but touches like these really make a difference. Passing and crossing also has more 'zip' about them which helps quick counter attacks, especially with teams like Arsenal and Barcelona. Shooting is also more forceful, making it far more possible to rocket a 30 yard screamer towards the top corner of the net if you've got someone on the ball like Gerrard or Robin van Persie.
Player and team individuality is also something which I've noticed is much better. Choosing an all Premier League match will result in better quality football than choosing for example The SPL, where only Rangers and Celtic seems to have touch of quality, while all the other teams knuckle down and change the match into a real dogfight, although I soon discovered that if you pit the Old Firm against teams of higher quality their deficiencies soon shine through too. This makes for a much more realistic game and makes all the matches play out very differently, rarely will you score any identical goals in FIFA 10.
Off the pitch, FIFA 10 has all the usual modes such as Manager Mode, Be A Pro, tournament play, single match play, the lounge mode, all the usual online modes and more. New additions include the Virtual Pro and the Live Season modes. The Virtual Pro is a player that you create and then build up through the game. You can use him in any game mode and everything you do leads to in game accomplishments that improve your player's stats. This is all seamless too, so if his stats go up whilst playing in the Manager Mode, his stat changes will also be reflected in the Be A Pro mode - even though they're different save game files. What's really cool is the customisation, you can even use EA's Photo Game Face to map your face onto your player and the results are surprisingly lifelike.
Live Season is a single player experience where you play the real life fixtures and have to deal with the real life injuries, suspensions etc. You can track your progress against that of your real team and it works well. You have to pay extra for this, even though it's a mere 400 MP per league, I still fail to see why this is a premium mode and why it isn't free - we've bought the game after all.
Presentation has always been a strong point of the FIFA series and there is certainly no faulting this year’s version. All of the teams, players and authentic kits are present, the menus are as slick as ever and the on field action is as realistic looking as it has always been. As I said earlier, up close the players don't look great but otherwise the game looks fine. The sound is also flawless, there is a fantastic soundtrack, the atmosphere inside the stadiums is very realistic and the commentary is as professional as it has always been. Andy Gray and Martin Tyler do a sterling job and actually sound like they're having fun, they clearly took this job seriously, unlike the commentators in PES that just sound bored and want the pay cheque quickly.
The only question you have to ask yourself before you pick up FIFA 10 is, 'Do I like football?' If you do, then go and buy the bloody game, it's brilliant.
By Tom Acres - Systemlink Blog
