Fifa 10 – Game Review

One of the biggest rivalries in the gaming world is that of Fifa, produced by EA Sports and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), Konami. Neither of the two have ever been consistent winners. Up until 2007 Fifa was clearly better. However at this time a few editions were being released with few changes. This gave PES the chance to improve their game, even though they had no license for the players. This year’s edition is crucial to show the differences between the two. Who will be crowned the winner of the gaming world? PES is not released until 23rd October. I cannot make the comparison between the two until then, so for now I will just have to talk about Fifa 10

I couldn’t wait to test out the much anticipated 360 degree control. It is magnificent. It makes the game-play so much more realistic: the runs and passing flows can now simulate those of Ronaldo and Messi. Especially when paired with the skilled dribbling command. These additions make the game more realistic, and the runs are more purposeful and fluid. The variety in opponent and team-mate’s movement has also assisted in producing more genuine and less predictable matches. The individual skills of each player are more apparent with the improved match dynamics; there is now a greater level of control over the curve and pace of a long ball. However, many people have found a slight glitch with this - scoring directly from a corner is quite easy due to the ability to curve the ball more. Some people may like this feature, but this may be an easy way to get a much needed late goal.
The pace of this game is a little slower than Fifa 09, but I feel that this allows you to think through plays, which in the long run adds to the satisfaction.

Unfortunately however the commentary is still as annoying and nearly as repetitive as its predecessors. Andy Gray and Martin Tyler use a lot of the same lines as Fifa 09, which can sometimes not even be relevant to the game, which can be quite irritating – but let’s face it – we’re all used to that!

The new Manager Mode transfer system is great in theory. The players you bid for will only move if they think they will fit into your team. If players think you have enough experience as a manager to help them develop they are more likely to move to your team. There is however a problem with this, personally when I play manager games I love being my team, which in Fifa10 is quite difficult, as it is a top team. Therefore top players do not want to join you, because as a manager you have no experience, and younger, less experienced players do not think they are good enough for the club! This proved quite problematic! There's a new Assistant Manager option. They are supposed to rotate your squad depending on player’s fitness and the importance of upcoming matches. Sounds great, but they make some strange choices, often playing players out of position, and dropping a key player for a big game. Some of which decisions would never, in the real game, have been made.

The player development points system seems to have gone, which is a good thing, in my opinion. Before, young players wouldn't become good players unless you played them in every game, which is just not practical. At the end of the day, you want to be winning the games straight away. Now they have returned to the development graphs from the old PS2/PC versions of Fifa, where young players will develop without games, but obviously playing them will help their progression more.

Overall, Fifa 10 plays a much more convincing game of football. The visuals currently out-do any other competition, with amazingly detailed player models and marvellous animation. Although the commentary is still a little poor, the atmosphere of a real game has been captured well – with authentic chants and announcements over the tannoy. In my opinion it is currently the most superb videogame take on football so far. PES has got to do something marvellous to be able to compete with this!