A fresh approach to a familiar great game...
Those who have been faithful to the EA sports’ FIFA series would need no further elaboration on the engine that runs the game. It is worth noting that though the game remains pretty much the same as it predecessors, they have added plenty of new elements to improve replay ability and satisfaction on the fan’s part.
To make it fresh, on the start menu, you will hear commentaries of great goals scored in great games, sometimes in foreign language and sometimes in good plain English. Familiar names like Rooney, Cantona, Sinclair or Beckham will make it the more pleasant as memory of those goals ring in. After getting through the start menu, you will again be able to choose from the usual game modes, practice games and options as per the predecessors. This time however, you can play in the manager mode, where it sums up to a simple football manager sim where you can play the games yourself. While the concept is certainly refreshing in a football sim, the manager mode is awfully simplified, and many a times all you have to do is play the game yourself without letting the Computer AI settle it for you, and you will win in streaks. Manager options aren’t much to choose from; you can only upgrade your staffs, or transfer players with or without scouting, and other than these few options you will constantly be asked to respond to a series of stereotyped situations which gets repeated over some time, and based on your respond, it will affect how the fans love you, how the management supports your work and the team morale.
Game graphics have certainly improved tremendously with the players looking very much like their real life counterparts and also facial expressions which are more in depth, and there is also the fun of watching arguments going on in the field, or how your player fatigues and he seems relieved to be substituted.
Commentaries are still superb as ever, but worth mentioning is the repetition which will bore you, and sometimes the commentary doesn’t fit in the situation. For example: In a Real Madrid versus Manchester United football match, the commentators will mention that one side is much stronger on paper while the other is at the opposite end. This doesn’t seem to fit reality very well, as well as the ratings of the tow teams.
Regarding the controls, skill moves are easy to execute but they don’t really serve their purpose. Many a times you will realize that it’s easier for you to play a pure passing game and score via crosses rather than having a single footballer dribble all the way towards the opposition, because the AI is very smart, and the moment you try to sell some dummies, he would have already tackled the ball away. The goal keeper AI is tremendously improved; you will clench your teeth and shake your fists cursing at the marvelous goalkeeping as it seems to be no stopping the keeper from performing ridiculous saves even when you are shooting full power in front of goal. Even defender AI is intensely realistic, as your shots will be blocked over and over again unless you really steer clear of them. This does not apply however, if you are playing at an easier mode such as the amateur game mode, where the slightest of shots will sail into the goal.
If you are an EA sports fan, this game is worth a buy, as for other sports simulation fans, you might want to rent and try it. This one will make you sit for hours altogether.