My Fifa10 Demo review.
As you know, I've been playing the shit out the demo. Here's what I think. (Deliberately not going to mention the other game too much).
+ Pitch freedom.
The pitch has been opened up due to the use of better ball physics and closer control over the ball and players. You now have a sense that you can do anything within reason on the pitch. You have most of the tools to do so. Such as..
+ Dribbling.
This has improved the most. In Fifa09 you simple could not aim for a GAP and dribble though it. Now there are a number of ways you can attack space.
You can dribble using only the "LS" and if you time it right you can beat players just shifting the ball.
You can slow dribble with LT/L2 and then burst into the gap with RT/R2.
You can hold LT/L2 & RT/R2 together and dribble laterally or switch feet to send the defender the wrong way with timing, finding space or just use it to confound the defender until your attackers get some space.
You can finally use RT/R2 to put your foot on the ball and wait for help or turn the defender. Ibrahimovic is a master at this in the demo. I've seen him nutmeg defenders from this position and with a combination of the RS you can roll the ball out of harms way. Brilliant.
+ Physics
Whether it be ball physics or player physics there's definitely a more tangible feel to the game this year. Exemplified by the rubber ripping off my LS during this demo
. The ball moves very realistically (check the vids in my sig). It clips and bobbles off of anything and everything in close quarters and it hovers over the defense with backspin with a Xavi chipped through-ball and it cruises it's way across the skies with a Schweinsteiger switch from one flank to another. Wicked.
Players tangle and hustle for the ball now in a more realistic way. These interchanges can last for ages too! What I like is that there's a mechanic (a mini-game if you will) during these interchanges. Even with a tiny player, if he's skilled he can hold his own against the bullies with a well timed press of LT/L2 and a movement away with the LS to control the ball away from the big lugs of the game. You just have to remember to get infront of someone before jamming on LT/L2 or you'll concede a foul.
+ Ball striking
You can hit the ball in a number of ways in the demo. From shooting to switching the ball to crossing. It's all been improved over Fifa09.
Shooting as you know has more
omph™ but as do cross-field passes. I could barely believe it when I looked down at the radar when in possession of Abidal and saw Messi making movements on the opposite flank, I hit a diagonal ball into the space behind their left back and Messi knocked it down with his head into his path (with RS). Amazing and very lifelike. The ball made a very deliberate journey too, with serious pace.
Not much you haven't heard before but I'm enjoying the new physics of the ball being struck.
+ Heading
Heading has been improved in general. It's not a revolution or anything but it's cearly been looked at. Last night I scored a nice one with Gomes of Bayern. A nice whipped-in cross was met nicely by the lanky German with the Brazilian name. In off the floor too!
+ Goals
Goals Goals Goals. One criticism of 09 was that it got too samey the way the balls fell into the back of the net. Not so with Fifa10 thusfar. The goals are coming from everywhere! Long and short range. Freekicks etc Sometimes even corner kicks!! Definitely a good feeling when you finish some great passing with a thump.
+ Refs
Real time bookings are a God-sent. They keep you in the action of the game whereas previously it felt so detached to go to a cut scene (ahem goal replays... ahem). The quick freekicks add to the involvement too. Refs allow play on in a much, much better way. The flow of the game is awesome at time with minimum stoppages.
+ Goal Keepers
I've seen some amazing saves in the demo and some realistic gafs too. I've seen double saves, shot stopping and finger-tip saves. The animations look stellar too.
Time for the negatives.
- Goal Keepers
You know it. I know it. One vs One. Your keeper steams out like a c*nt and flaps at air as the striker chips hi,. Needs to be gone from the final version. It can be better if you double tap Y/TRIANGLE but I shouldn't have to do that and I normally can't even see the GK on screen as I'm doing that.
Should be fixed in the final version.
- Headers
More oomph™ and consistency please.
Doubtful to be fixed in the final version.
- Presentation
From kits to pitch intros to celebrations to player faces to player models, Konami has EA beat this year. Hands down. This could be the difference in the mystical "soul" that PES fance preach of.
I'd also like to see individual animations for skilled dribble, running, heading, dribbling, off the ball and shooting(short and long range) for the top players for Fifa11. It would add a much needed personality to the title.
Not that it's not on it's way there already though. Controlling Ibrahimovic and Xavi for instance is notably different. One is lumbering and tricky while the other is nimble and tricky. All we need is a visual aid to accompany that feeling now.
EA are nearly there. If they listen to the fans they could deliver in 11. But for now, this looks like it'll be a great game.
oomph™ is a registered trademark of Chris Davies. 
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