As I write this we are in the Adelaide airport about to jet off to Wollongong in the first of two away games this week. We play the Hawks on Wednesday, and then the Townsville Crocodiles on Friday. So far so good on the season, currently sitting in third place with a nice 6-4 record. This is a big chance for us to even take top spot if we get the two wins. With the competition ridiculously close this year, it would be nice to be clear of the main pack.
The game vs Wollongong is on Foxtel on Wednesday at 7.30pm EST. Wish us luck!
A long time Pro Evolution Soccer fan, I switched over to FIFA 09 last year after two poor versions of the PES brand. PES 5 and 09 were nowhere near the game that it used to be. On the other hand, FIFA delivered it’s best game for many years, with a complete overhaul of the physics of the game, allowing gameplay to feel very realistic. The second factor was that of the rights to clubs, kits, etc, which made FIFA the real deal.
FIFA 10, in my eyes, didn’t really need to improve much more to the previous version as it was that good. Team updates, current kits, etc would have been enough.
The big change FIFA 10 is promoting is the new 360 dribbling, allowing much more freedom in dribbling direction, rather than just fixed to the 8-spoked axis of movement. I could only notice this subtly in the game – most of the dribbling moves are the same as in 09, but the angles of the moves are greater.
Gameplay is fantastic. Players will make runs allowing more use of the high thru-ball and defenses will be more weary of the one-two’s. Goalies are tough to get by, but realistic and the feeling satisfying once a goal is scored. Gone are the times of using a fast Forward and just dribbling past the defence to get on goal. This year, the defence can run down the dribbler (it is faster to run without the ball) and make the challenge. This of course places great importance on the dribbling moves and passing game. Beating an opponent with a dribbling move has great reward, giving space to the offence to run on to. The strength of the player also comes into play, with stronger players able to retain/gain the ball easier. Everything comes together for realistic gameplay.
The most pleasing improvement to the gameplay, I feel, is the physics of the ball deflections, collisions and accidental touches of the football. There are now times where you will score a goal due to a deflection, which occurs in real life. The ball will also bobble “randomly” when a tackle is applied, a defender blocks a shot/pass or anything else when the ball spills free. It adds more freedom and less predictability to the gameplay.
The free kicks have changed slightly in FIFA 10, or else the use of kicks for different distances from goals has changed. Last year, from about 28m and beyond, use of the power button (L1) was used to have a decent shot on goal. With Christiano Ronaldo in the practice arena, I was able to kick goals from 42m out without the use of the power kick (this may be a reflection on the skill of Ronaldo, but I have found this to be the case for others). In other words, the power shot isn’t really needed until probably 35m +, but this would vary player to player.
The practice arena was the one thing missing last year, and this time round FIFA has included it. You can practice with any number of players up to 11 each side and trial set plays, free kicks, or just free play.
Check out this juggling cool juggling tutorial I found on youtube. <>
Online play is fairly similar to 09 and I think the most fun part of the game. There is a summary of points earned at the end of each game, including team rating bonus which rewards players who beat a high powered team with a less talented team.
You can team up with your friends to play 10 on 10 online (although I haven’t tried this yet) as well as the FIFA world cup mode.
My Player mode has returned and while I haven’t played it yet, reports suggest it is smooth and a worthwhile exercise.
Overall, FIFA 10 plays just as great as it’s predecessor with subtle improvements that keep the feel similar to last year, while adding pleasing nuances to the gameplay. A quick comparison to PES 10, shows that while PES’s graphics of the players are slightly better, it’s gameplay still lags behind, and FIFA 10 is still the premier football game to buy this year. You can’t go past the authenticity of the game.
