For EA, the hardest thing about creating a new Fifa year after year is that improvements have to justify the cost of the game.
This year, it has pulled a few surprises. Even though the changes are subtle, it has delivered a game that is a significant improvement on last year's version.
With 18 Fifa titles under my belt, I've seen the franchise grow into a complete soccer simulator that keeps the arcade-like feel, but challenges Pro Evolution Soccer in its traditional stronghold - being a technical soccer simulator. This year, EA stepped that up even further with the addition of three new features: Player Impact Engine, Tactical Defence and Precision Dribbling.
The much-touted physics-based collision engine promised to redefine how characters interact and improve the mechanics of tackling. EA has delivered this, and more - the player impact engine creates unparalleled realism when it comes to player collision. The game takes on a whole new dimension when, while careering toward the goal, someone knocks the player's shoulder and throws him completely off-balance, making an accurate shot almost impossible. The system isn't perfect though, with referees often making incorrect foul calls.
With Tactical Defence, instead of flinging the players towards the oncoming attacker, the gameplay now becomes a matter of timing. The AI will no longer tackle for the player, and in order to defend, players have to accurately time their tackles in order to get the ball from the opposition. This new style of defensive play is hugely enjoyable.
In summary:
To the untrained eye, Fifa 12 looks like more of the same; but EA has delivered a game worthy of the price tag - the addition of ranking systems and new gameplay mechanics are a subtle, but significant improvement.
In Fifa 12, EA has produced the best-looking and most polished sports title on the market.
Pros: Hugely improved defensive systems and dribbling engine; low levels of lag, online ranking boards; choosing between two sets of commentators.
Cons: Pro player mode is still very boring, commentators aren't great.
Score: 9/10
Achievement difficulty: 8/10 (one achievement requires 600 x 5 min games!)
Price: R539
Contact: BT Games - www.btgames.co.za
On offence, the player is able to counter the defensive system with the Precision Dribbling feature. With a press of the bumper and then the analogue stick, the player is rewarded with some subtle moves that make the difference between an almost-was and a goal of the season. The mechanics are much simpler to master and more rewarding than the previous game, and left me wanting to perfect my offence for hours.
The game still has some of the traditional Fifa game modes: career, pro and virtual pro. I've always found the pro modes intensely boring, and nothing has changed there. The new EA Sports club allows you to gain experience points for both online and offline gameplay. The player's progress and scores are ranked against their favourite team, which fight for relegation or promotion in the Support Your Club League - when players lose a match, they're letting down every other team supporter.
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