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The 3 million copies of FIFA 2012 sold in its first week are more a testament to the popularity of soccer than how good the video game is. If people bought the game knowing how good it would be going in, that number would be much higher.
The FIFA soccer franchise doesn’t have the history of, say, the Madden franchise or the multiple NBA games, but in recent years, the soccer games have gone above and beyond other sports games.
What used to be a jumbled, confusing picture of who was on the pitch when you played has developed into one of the clearest, most concise gameplay experiences of all sports games. Close-ups of individual players show extensive detail, while shots from afar still carry that characteristic, as each player’s particular nuances are captured in the game as well.
Better graphics isn’t surprising for a new video game, but the improvements in FIFA is multi-faceted. Although it takes some time to getting used to, the defensive gameplay in FIFA 12 is more realistic than ever. Some actual skill is involved in dispossessing your opponent rather than just mashing one button. Timing and position — just like in actual soccer — is more important in this year’s version of the game.
Beyond defending, the movement of each player is outstanding, as the ability to move any which way opens up the flow of the game. Passing options that used to be difficult to find can now be easily utilized with the right movement of the joystick.
In addition, if you try to make a pass in the opposite direction you’re heading or try to make a difficult pass with someone who lacks creativity, the game will recognize it and the pass or play will most likely be errant. The game plays more like a soccer game than a game of pinball on a soccer field.
A lot of that has to be attributed to the advancements in the artificial intelligence of the game, as the computer is smarter with and without the ball. One of my biggest gripes in years passed with FIFA has been the lack of intelligence for goalies, as they would take their sweet time running back to the line to stop a ball from creeping into the net. To my surprise, this year’s version has goalies diving towards the goal line in hopes of stopping a dribbler from seeping through.
Another added element that is far from necessary but should make soccer purists happy is the good sportsmanship aspect. One of the fundamental unwritten rules in soccer is when there’s an injured player, the team with possession should kick the ball out of bounds so the player can receive treatment, and the other team throws it back to the original team that kicked it out.
Of course, that wouldn’t normally happen in a video game, as the A.I. didn’t keep tabs on why you kicked the ball out. This year, however, you are rewarded if you do the right thing.
While FIFA revamped their gameplay and graphics to close the gap with previous other sports games, it wasn’t until this year that they put added focus on their career mode.
Last year’s game gave you the opportunity to compete in the transfer market at an introductory level. This year’s game not only allows you to bid for players, but it has some of the larger and more powerful teams trying to steal away your top talent.
The new ability to build a youth squad for your team is nice and now key to a fruitful future for your franchise. You can also hire scouts to scour the globe in hopes of finding the next big thing and before big matchups, you have the chance to speak to the media and comment on the state of your team, the opposing team or your players.
The players on your teams have more of a personality that you need to manage or else your squad could crash and burn. The only thing you had to take into consideration before was how much energy each player had and make substitutions based on that. Now, with the addition of form and morale, you have to make sure that your players get an occasional start here and there. If they’re in bad form, stick them on the bench for the benefit of the team.
While I praised FIFA’s vast player rating in my last video game column, they are still far from perfect. I enjoy their separation betwen elite players and mediocre, but I can’t imagine what EA Sports’ idea of a perfect soccer player is, if Lionel Messi is only a 95 overall and Cristiano Ronaldo is a 92.
The commentary has some updates this season as well after color-man Andy Gray was let go for his sexist comments about female officials early in 2011. He was replaced by Alan Smith, who does what a color-commentator should do — keep quiet for the most part. Doing the play-by-play is still the whimsical Martin Tyler.
For the most part, play-by-play don’t make much difference to me. But with soccer, there better be an Englishman poetically describing the beautiful game to me or else it doesn’t carry the same sentiment. FIFA 12 stays with that theme brilliantly.
Overall, FIFA 12 is a must-own for any soccer lover. If you’re a casual fan of the “beautiful game,” purchase FIFA 12 for your favorite console and it will help complete your conversion.
