FIFA Soccer 10 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I consider myself a pretty decent FIFA 09 player and immediately bought FIFA 10 when it came out, hoping that improvements made to a top-notch game would make the new game flat out amazing.After playing a few games against my real life friends and online strangers, I am not sure if I like "10" or "9" better.My biggest disappointment in the new game is that IMO, the graphics did not improve at all or maybe even gotten worse.Maybe I am imagining it but the width of the goal looks smaller.Of course, this shouldn't affect gameplay at all but it just feels like I am looking at a smaller target.The improvements in the gameplay is subtle but nevertheless clearly different with defenders having a chance against the supermen (eg. Ronaldo) of the game, making the game more defense-oriented and somewhat harder to score.Some of the differences I noticed so far:

1.Throughball doesn't work automatically unless there is a developing play where a throughball is the best play.In `09', you could just randomly throughball and somehow the offensive player would end up with the ball with a near breakaway too often.
2.Defenders are positioned much better so defense is easier to play.Also, because stars like Ronaldo can't just run away from the pack when they have the ball, defenders will have a better chance as long as they are in a good position.But the improvement in defensive positioning also resulted in heavy traffic near the goal where the play seemed a little bit clustered.At times, the phrase pinball action came to mind when it became clustered like that.
3.The view when the GK has a goal kick or instances where you have a corner, the view has changed to a more zoomed view and less overhead perspective.I personally didn't like this change due to the change in depth perception, making it harder for me to judge the players' positioning.
4.The collision physics is much more realistic and players actually bounce off each other in more realistic fashion.
5.It is much easier to bend the ball, maybe too much.On several corner kicks, I had kicks bend too much that the ball was no where near the goal almost half way between the penalty box and the half line.
6.Overall, the offensive player is forced to put together a well constructed attack and rely on crisp passing and play development more than relying on the speed and power of players like Ronaldos and the Etos.
7.The online play is smoother and when playing ranked games, the skill points is calculated after each game and displayed for you to see,showing you how the points were calculate.This was a very nice feature for someone who plays online as much as I do.

One thing that didn't change:

My number one pet peeve for '09: The number of shots hitting the goal post per game is way too much.I was hoping that this would change, but so far, the occurrence of shots hitting the goal post is still way too frequent and unrealistic.

Overall, I would say '10 is more realistic but not necessarily more fun to this veteran of '09.I definitely think '10 is a great game but I will not be getting rid of my `09' right away because they play different enough for me to consider it two different games

UPDATE: 11/5/09

So after playing for a few more weeks, I will say that I am appreciating the subtle differences between '09 and '10.I really like the new collision mechanism.It is realistic enough so that I often thwarted the other players attack by just getting in the way of the opposing team's players who don't have the ball to deny their space when there is a pass directed toward them.I have also experienced the advantage of 360 degree control as I manuever my player with the ball.Definitely a solid improvement over '09.

UPDATE: 11/23/09

A huge negative has popped up for with this game.Goalie AI.Maybe it's not even AI.Glitch is more like it.The goalie in '10 is worse than in '09.I suppose goalies making errors should be expected since a real life goalie would make can make mistakes too.But goalies have a much harder time handling shots that are directed right at them if it's low.Goalies are allowing shots that are literally next to their legs.(The animation in replay suggests that the goalie, instead of stopping the shot by moving a little to the left or the right, instead tries to squat down and tries a mini dive save on a shot.That allows the shots to go under them.
What is infuriating is that given the number of great opportunities that end in a shot off the goal post if you try to aim for one of the corners of the goal, the way the goalie allows this cheap score, it's a huge imbalance.Goalies that leap like panthers to save shots 10 feet away or sure goals that somehow the computer directs right at the goal post yet the goalie can't save balls hit next to them.What's up with that?

UPDATE: 11/30/09

I don't know what I was thinking by not mentioning this.In FIFA '09, (and I call this just plain stupid on EA's part),they didn't include a practice mode.Sure, you could pratice your skill moves 1on1 with the goalie, but that too was not that helpful because no one would play an actual match in that perspective, thus making you learn the skill moves one way but then have to make adjustments to the stick work.In FIFA '10, there actuall is a practice mode and a pretty darned good one at that.You can set the practice match to have as many offensive and defensive players as you want.You want to practice breakaways?1 offensive player vs. goalie only.5 vs. 4, 5 vs. 3.Any combination you want to hone your offensive skills.Also,you can actually practice set-pieces (FK and corners) the way it would be in the game with real defenders. By practice in this mode, I can score on about a 1/3 of my FKs inside 30 yards because I know what kick with how much power to execute.(The other 2/3 of my FKs bounce off the goal post, LOL.)If you are serious about being a good FIFA player, this practice mode will let you maximize your chances.

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Product Description:
The seventeenthoverall release in Electronic Arts' popular FIFA Soccer franchise,FIFA Soccer 10 enables gamers and soccer fans alike to enjoythe nonstop action and fun of the #1 soccer game simulation, regardlessof their skill on a real or virtual pitch. With FIFA Soccer 10,players can create themselves in game, join a club and compete againstgamers around the world in online competition. Game features includeextensive play modes and improvements, as well as multiplayer optionsincluding 7-player local multiplayer, coop gameplay both online andoffline and 2-20 player support online.

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