The Fifa series has evolved drastically over the years to become the ultimate football simulation that offers plenty of redeeming value as well as an authentic football experience. Although the game relies heavily on the successful elements of its predecessors,  this year’s Fifa 10 has undergone plenty of minor gameplay modifications here and there but is it enough to sustain dominance over its rivals, Pro Evolution Soccer?

Right from the word go, Fifa 10 fires on all cylinders offering so much more in terms of realism, gampleay mechanics and game modes than any of its predecessors. Ever since the franchise made its first step to Next Generation platforms, the successful elements of the past 3 games have all been taken and the flaws have been patched out. This time you are left with a game that really takes soccer simulations a step further.

Starting with game modes, it can safely be said that the huge selection of modes and gameplay options will definitely keep you occupied. ”Be a Pro” mode appeared in last years installment but this time round it has been developed much further like many of the other modes. The additional “Virtual Pro” feature allows you to fully customize your player and create your own personal game face. The player’s skills and attributes will increase over time. This brings a sort of RPG element to the game but does not hamper the gameplay in any way at all. Manager Mode offers plenty of engaging features that will allow you to build up you own football team. You play matches against other clubs and can also buy and trade players as well as gain sponsorship contracts. Just be sure to watch your budget!  Then you also have several other modes including  Exhibition modes, Quick play mode and online.

Navigating between menus while out of play can take a while to get to grips with but after a while it becomes second nature. The arena mode also makes a return from last year and, considering how much has been put into this game it manages to do its job brilliantly. Its always fun just to have a kick about by yourself and take a few shots on goal without having to wait through all the loading screens.

While the fundamental match play is basically the same throughout, there is enough diversity to keep you hooked. For long time veterans of the Fifa series, the most noticeable feature in this game is the 360 degree player control which gives players much more flexibility from the rigid 8 point axis system used in previous games. Now you can run, dribble pass and take shots on goal from any angle and really increase the dimension of you play. This adds much more fluidity to player movement than ever before and is an excellent gameplay mechanic that bolsters the game’s contrast to real football. In the general terms of gameplay, every tiny detail has been improved. Ball flight appears much more natural than before, player animations look much better with added depth and the AI strikes a delicate balance to force you to use a mixture of passing and dribbling and having to use varied tactics to score goals. Player positioning in particular is spot on and you will have to chase the ball down much more rather than just let it come to you and be intercepted by an opponent.  

  

EA Sports are well known for upping the visual quality for each year’s release and once again they live up to their reputation. Stadiums look superb, especially in the varying weather conditions and the loud chanting of the crowds makes the match seem virtually lifelike. Although there isn’t much diversity in Fifa 10’s commentary, the commentating itself is fabulous and every moment of the game is narrated with excellent detail. You will rarely hear the same thing being said twice.

The robust online multiplayer modes offer plenty of options such as ranked and unranked matches and make the game even more interesting when playing with a real person with a similar ball control level. The AI is good but does not have the same level of intensity that can be felt when playing head to head with someone. 

You wouldn’t normally associate a football game with with strenuous hand movements and waving plastic controllers around…until now. Fifa 10 on the Wii offers vast differentiation from your traditional PS3 and Xbox 360 formats. You use a simple combination of waving the Wii remote and controlling the Nunchuck joystick to perform sprints, passes and other footballing skills. Just wave the controller towards the goal and you will take a shot, and hopefully (for less experienced players) be lucky enough to score. Its an innovative design but it relies heavily on the precise movements of the wii remote. It occasionally does not respond to hand movements which can ultimately cost you the match. With that said, the PS3 and Xbox 360 editions are the optimum platforms to use and you will get more fulfillment from playing the game on the conventiona l way.   

 At the end of the day, you are left with a well polished and good all round football game that does exactly what its predecessors have done but to a much better level. Fifa 10 is definitely the best game the franchise has yet produced and a “must have” for any football fanatics.

+ 360 degree control adds more flexibility than ever before.

+ Loads of great online and offline modes

+ Very lifelike football atmosphere during matches.

- Some game modes are over complicated.

- Wii gameplay feels awkward

9.0/10

By Ian Ratledge Posted Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 6:30 pm