Preview: FIFA 10 (360)

Recent incarnations has seen FIFA fight back from a down and out position to level the score, and of late emerge victorious. For a while PES was untouchable but a catalogue of poor instalments matched by EA finally getting matters right, has seen a dramatic reversal of fortunes. Set to kick off on 2nd October, FIFA 10 looks as strong as ever with a new found focus on game play.

Graphics have reached a plateau where minimal extra performance can only be achieved through huge effort. Thankfully on the pitch progress is far more achievable; the greatest football games play as well today as they did several years ago simply because the dynamics are fluid, fun and allow skill and creativity. FIFA 10 promises more realistic control and player movement, with a new emphasis on how players interact on the pitch. Those criticisms we all had of previous FIFA titles have finally hit home.

“We have benefited from 275 million games played online to refine FIFA 10 in a way that matters most to our fans,” said Andrew Wilson, Vice President & Executive Producer for the FIFA franchise. “We’ve listened and responded to their feedback to improve player control, responsiveness and intelligence and create what we believe is the world’s most authentic football videogame.”

Thanks to you, EA Canada has addressed common complaints such as the goalkeeper intelligence, shooting, defence splitting passes and the training area. Whether or not the developer has managed to eradicate such nuisances remains to be seen, but the power of feedback bodes well even for FIFA 11.

Options such as Be A Pro return with enhancements that are currently kept under wraps and completely new modes set for inclusion. EA are pushing the first-ever 360-degree dribbling system that they promise will allow players more control than ever before. This will enable players to exploit defensive lapses and utilise every blade of grass.  Another new feature is Freedom in Physical Play made possible by new animation technology, this makes collisions, dribbling and physical duels more unpredictable in terms of ball physics.

Improvements have also been made to the defending options and the managerial mode. Here EA are quoting 50 changes that will create a realistic experience, one that is sorely needed given the lack of Championship or Football Manager titles on the major home systems nowadays. Player development will be more realistic, transfers will be competitive and club prestige will play a factor in contract negotiations. 

You can never dismiss the challenge of PES until it’s hit the shelves and players debate the latest incarnation. Yet if EA has learned one thing from Konami its never to stand still, FIFA 10 is a major step forwards and looks already like championship material.

Words by Jason Julier