FIFA 12 Review

By Nick Cowen Published 25 September, 2011

Kick me tender.

By now, the millions of fans who sign up for a new FIFA every year must have grasped the fact that, for the foreseeable future, EA's football sim is all about evolution rather than revolution. Ever since the series began turning things around in FIFA 08 the emphasis has been on bringing the in-game football experience as close to the real thing as possible. Every new feature or tweak focuses on authenticity, and even the reactions and chants of the different stadium crowds are region-specific.

But how close to reality does this game need to be? Elements of realism have the potential to impress, but shouldn't have a negative impact on one of the medium's main draws: wish-fulfilment. A Fulham FC fan's pleasure at recognising a chant from Craven Cottage has to be married to their ability to take the Cottagers all the way to a Champions League final.

The big new features in FIFA 12 that tap into those disparate desires are the new Head To Head Seasons and EA Sports Football Club. The latter is a new online social network, of sorts, with an RPG element attached to it. Players earn XP for everything they do in the game, and those points count towards the position in the FIFA 12 online league of the club they support. It also offers scenarios and live challenges based on real-world instances similar to the Scenario Mode in FIFA World Cup 2010. They're season-long and there's no extra fee to access them.

The position of the player's club of choice in the online league is based on the average skill and dedication of each fan, so it's not just about weight of numbers, and there's a daily XP cap to prevent farming. Fans also don't have to use the club they support to earn XP, so it's possible to help Millwall's progression on the leaderboards by playing with Barcelona.

The new Head To Head Seasons are a more encompassing and expanded take on the game's ranked matches. Players have 10 seasons of 10 games to progress from the lowest division to the highest one, advancing up the ranks by winning points through victories or draws. There are also cup tournament windows that open for each of the different divisions where players can compete for virtual silverware.

They're certainly ambitious features, but at the time of writing it's impossible to judge how much of a draw they're likely to be. Those who play every FIFA to death probably don't need an extra reason to boot up the game and fair-weather fans don't seem to be the sort these features are aimed at. But they're not the be all and end all of FIFA 12's projected success - that depends on how people take to the changes made to the in-game engine.

The on-pitch action has kept much of what was evident in FIFA 11's drive towards authenticity and away from arcade play; passes are still weighted and require more precision, you have more control over headers, and goalkeepers aren't beaten by chipped shots on goal. The larger tweaks and tucks, meanwhile, may cause fans of the last three entries in the franchise some teething problems, at least initially.

For a start, the game's new player impact engine has the same effect on the on-pitch action as a strict referee would. It all feels a little less fluid and scoring goals is a lot more difficult. Barging into the box - at least on difficulty settings above Semi-Pro - is no longer an option.

Slam into a player - be it an opponent or a teammate - and depending on their speed and build, both could end up in a heap on the pitch. This can be leveraged to one side's advantage - it's harder to knock Wayne Rooney off the ball than it is Theo Walcott, for example - and the animations look very realistic indeed. Tackles that result in an injury actually look eye-wateringly painful.

Defenders also work more cohesively as a unit instead of charging out full tilt at oncoming attackers. This means you'll come to rely on the game's new precision dribbling mechanic, which allows players to keep the ball closer to their feet and shield it against opponents. There's a greater amount of control on offer here, and while it takes some time to get used to, if you take the trouble to improve you'll find you have more passing and possession options than simply clearing the ball away when surrounded.

Tackling and defending are also far more difficult thanks to the precision dribbling mechanic and what seems to be an improved AI. Harried attackers will turn away from oncoming threats, covering the ball with their bodies or threading it through to teammates running into space.

Tactical defending and jockeying compensate for this somewhat. There's a face button for causing defenders to shoulder or grab the shirt of the player they're trying to close down, although it's worth tempering the use of this feature, as hammering it consistently will prompt the ref to blow for a foul. Then there's the handy 'contain' feature, which sends the closest AI-controlled defender to cover the player with the ball, meaning that you don't need to constantly switch between players to break up an attacking threat in the box.

The new defending system will be jarring for players who used to rely on holding the two 'pressing' buttons to close down opposition attackers, although ultimately it forces you to adopt more realistic defensive behaviour. (And if you really, really hate it, you can switch to the old system through the menus.)

Away from the pitch, FIFA 12 feels robust and streamlined at the same time. The menus are less fiddly and loading times have been shortened considerably. FIFA 12's Career Mode, which once again bundles the choice of being a player, a manager or a player/manager into one neat package, is a huge improvement over last year's model. The transfers system is both easier and more fun to use and feels a lot closer to the dramatic reality than in previous iterations.

Manager and club star-ratings work in tandem in the transfer market; if you manage Manchester United, for example, don't need above a two-star manager rating to attract good players to your five-star club. You can also use your transfer budget and wage budgets interchangeably, giving you more money to sling around in the transfer window. The fantasy football element has been reduced somewhat, although the odd big buy is still possible and the AI still tries it on occasionally (£6,000,000 for Thomas Vermaelan? Pffft!).

You can choose to 'stall' deals rather than being forced to decline or accept huge offers for your best players right off the bat, and this can prove an absolute boon. Managers also receive missives from players who feel they aren't getting enough time on the pitch, and can make the decision to give them more playing time or bench them, which will have an effect on their morale and whether they announce to the press that they wish to leave.

Transfer deadline day is a far more dramatic component in this year's release too. The brief, one button-tap experience of ending the transfer window has now been drawn out to an eight-stage advance countdown. As the window to buy or sell players closes, you can use the in-game news to keep track of which players are coming on the market, which clubs are picking up new talent and how much money is being spent. The effect of watching the transfer window close is quite dramatic and fun.

Hold the line: Tactical defending takes a bit of getting used to.

Elsewhere, the fan service from last year is still in place and largely unchanged. The creation centre, ability to edit teams and players, import your own music and chants and replay and upload your finest moments on the pitch are there if you want them.

Graphically, FIFA 12 looks absolutely solid. Players look more like their real-world counterparts than ever, though the crowd in the stands is still a blurred mob. The soundtrack is as exact as in previous years, although Andy Gray is no longer doing commentary - players instead have a choice between Martin Tyler and Alan Smith or Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend depending on the context of the fixture.

The changes to commentary may have been forced by circumstance, of course, but the majority of FIFA 12's considerable updates to gameplay were not. The point of evolution is to improve in order to adapt and dominate one's environment, and FIFA 12 has done this - it keeps the best elements of FIFA 11 and builds on these already impressive foundations. The changes to the gameplay may not suit all players initially, but then evolution isn't always painless.

What it is, though, is a step forward, and after playing FIFA 12, going back to previous entries in the series seems almost unimaginable. It's another step closer to reality, and this time it's a very welcome one.

9 / 10

Comments (104) Latest comment 6 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • lorik #1 8 months ago

    This again ? :-(

  • Ironlungs76 #2 8 months ago

    9/10?
    Edited by Ironlungs76 at 25/09/11 @ 11:39

  • Rens11 #3 8 months ago

    FIFA 11 was a big disapointment for me players hardly making any runs being stuck on the edge of the box for ages and alot more glitches than previous years. Might be the first year I don't buy FIFA since 07 unless its 25quid again in sainsburys
    Edited by Rens11 at 25/09/11 @ 16:57

  • paulf #4 8 months ago

    no andy gray makes it worth the 9 on it's own

  • CraigMcG #5 8 months ago

    impressed, i guess I'll be giving pro evo a miss for another year then

  • BeachGaara #6 8 months ago

    Like off the ball control?

  • sfp_noodle #7 8 months ago

    After playing demos of both PES and Fifa its clear as day which one is the better game. The new defending is hard as nails and I changed the settings back to the old defending system so I could enjoy the demo a bit. Once I learn to play the game in the full version, I'm going to try and master the new defending mechanic. There's nothing more satisfying than making a last ditch tackle. It's just too hard to get the timing right atm.

    Teams keep possession much better too. There's no fool prof way of scoring the easy one-twos like in Fifa 11. Crossing has also improved greatly and the players are finally starting to look like their real life counterparts.
    Edited by sfp_noodle at 25/09/11 @ 15:41

  • karl_uk #8 8 months ago

    rip pro evo

  • Beano #9 8 months ago

    Have they improved on the real-time weapon change system? Otherwise, no sale...

  • charming_fox #10 8 months ago

    Have they improved on the real-time weapon change system? Otherwise, no sale...

  • charming_fox #11 8 months ago

    Have they improved on the real-time weapon change system? Otherwise, no sale...

  • danathjo #12 8 months ago

    Played this at the expo and can't frickin wait for this to arrive! Was even beat by some young kid playing as Man U, beat my Arsenal quite convincingly so it's good to know the realism is still there.

    Arsenal supporter btw
    Edited by danathjo at 25/09/11 @ 14:52

  • kingcrowbar #13 8 months ago

    So is the PC version actually identical to the console versions or is it FIFA online with a 3 month sub?

  • Flipper79 #14 8 months ago

    Reads more like a preview than a review. How about more info on the career mode? Does the unpatched build still have the usual attribute glitches? Is player growth more significant, and does it still rely on having to play your crap players every game over multiple seasons just to get them to improve to any significant standard? Has the micro-freezing issue been fixed? Is it possible to play more than 1 or 2 games online without it completely freezing?

    There's no way I'll be buying this until those questions can be answered. It's a shame really because I thought the demo played really well, although the defending controls are perhaps not implemented as well as they could be. I like the way it works, but the controls don't seem properly set, plus I found myself clearing the ball an awful lot if I suddenly received the ball at the same time I thought I'd need to tackle.

  • Gaol #15 8 months ago

    This review makes it sound like it'll take hours to learn/master the controls. I respect that many people spend a lot of time with Fifa each year but I just want to spend half an hour scoring goals after a night at the pub, so looks like I will be sticking with Pro Evo.

  • sebsal #16 8 months ago

    Seems very difficult to foul or be fouled in the demo. Lunging sliding tackles never seem to connect. It doesn't seem very realistic

  • TonyHarrison #17 8 months ago

    I'll wait for the user reviews on this one, FIFA has been garnering high praise from the critics in each of the last few years but pretty much every year players have discovered horrible bugs in the career mode within the first weekend of play that the critics continue to miss. As that's the mode I'm likely to play the most, it's rather a big deal if it's broken again.

  • curtlikesmeat #18 8 months ago

    #15 - couldn't agree more, 'reviews' on football games are rubbish ever year. Will leave it a week then check some the forums for Fifa and PES.

    "the game's new precision dribbling mechanic, which allows players to keep the ball closer to their feet and shield it against opponents. "

    Uhh, that's not new?

  • kirankara #19 8 months ago

    "Rip pro evo"

    Ironically enough, demo has convinced many people I know to go back to pes.
    My brother , a semi pro player with fifa coaching badges, who hated pes 2011, absolutely hates FIFA 12. I personally like aspects of both games, but think both have major faults.
    FIFA forces you to play certain ways and isn't fluid enough in it's approach to the game, whilst pro certainly lacks polish, but feels more fun and fluid. FIFA has more realism for most part, but then you will see John Terry catch up Ronaldo who had 8 yard headstart.

    Neither is definitive game imo
    Edited by kirankara at 25/09/11 @ 14:55

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #20 8 months ago

    I've slightly leaned towards FIFA since 08, when it was up against PES 2008, which truly was an atrocity on the PS3.

    But playing the demos of both for this year, PES seems to have become the much better game once again.

    Like others, I'm waiting for user reviews on these two. The critics reviews, not just here, just don't seem to cover the glitches and the problems that always seem to emerge very soon after release.

  • frazzl #21 8 months ago

    Very well said Kirankara. That's exactly my sentiments on the 2 football games based on their demos. I prefer PES 2012 over FIFA 12 but both could do with plenty of improvements. Instead of yearly roster updates (which the critics rarely ping either developer for) it would be nice for EA and Konami to make a concerted effort at fixing problems gamers around the world have been pointing out for years.

  • Shikasama #22 8 months ago

    Of cours eit doesn't answer the most important question that the least FIFA review missed.

    Is the manager mode utterly broken?

  • charming_fox #23 8 months ago

    Have they improved on the real-time weapon change system? Otherwise, no sale...

  • Deckard1 #24 8 months ago

    Pes is fucking awful. Awful awful awful. Just a horrible robotic mess. Can't say I'm a big fan of the new defending in this though. Its starting grow on me a little now, but I still think its hit and miss at the moment.

  • witchdrash #25 8 months ago

    Sadly the same issues as Fifa 11, it's no fun unless you're able to put hours and hours to master it, I felt 10 got the balance just right, me and a friend could bash goals passed each other in the build up to Sat/Suns football on the tv without having to spend ages practicing in the week (neither of us have time!) and have a great time doing it, Fifa 11 killed that, neither of us could score easily, and often the first one to fluke a goal won. Fifa 11 and now 12 have destroyed the game for people who can only play for an hour a week or so, so we're both heading over to PES, simply because the demo was easier to pick up, play for a while and put down, Fifa simply doesn't have that anymore :(

  • steagz #26 8 months ago

    People will play fifa 12 for the 1st 2 weeks and then get bored and realise pro evo is due to be released.

    they will then all go running out to buy it at the thought of playing a new football game that is not the same as fifa 09 fifa 10 fifa 11 fifa 12.

    YOU HAVE HIT THE JACKPOT THIS YEAR KONAMI WELL DONE
    Edited by steagz at 25/09/11 @ 14:40

  • PeacockDreams #27 8 months ago

    @FluffyTucker

    "The fuck, 9/10? This has to be the most annoying boring football game I've played"

    Stop talking utter drivel, you havent played Fifa 12 yet, you have played the demo, wait till the games out before you slag a review off, and its definatley no coincidence that most people who slag football games off are usually shit at them.

  • LeD #28 8 months ago

    Konami should rename the now defunct PES to POS, as by all accounts the latest iteration is terrible. Why people are still sticking to it is beyond me.

  • PeacockDreams #29 8 months ago

    And another thing i cant comprehend is how anyone can stand by PES, the game was once amazing and is now a horrible broken mess and the online aspect is beyond appalling! And before the PES fanboys start crying, i used to love the game, but they got lazy and Fifa stepped up, i never in my wildest dreams would of thought that Fifa would become the No.1 game, its now at the point where comparing the 2 games is actually kind of laughable. PES brings nothing to the table that Fifa dosent already do ten times better. If PES is the better game next year ill jump ship because im not a fanboy, maybe the PES fanboys should smell the cofee and realise that they are playing a game that is inferior in everyway.

  • omraya #30 8 months ago

    wow, what a bunch of cunts and twats...
    praising PES over FIFA because it's easier to pick up and has less depth.
    yeah, that surely makes it the superior game..

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #31 8 months ago

    @omraya

    First up, watch the language.

    Secondly, from the demos, there's nothing at all to suggest FIFA is a deeper game.

    Thirdly, some people will enjoy games you don't, that doesn't by any measure make them a c""nt or a tw''t.

  • zoweewowee #32 8 months ago

    Finesse shot still based on players' stats + magnetic woodwork, identical 'gestures' for all players (it's so stupid when you make Messi do CR7's tricks…), dumb assisted/semi/manual control system… After buying the last two editions and getting hugely disappointed by last year's, I certainly won't buy this FIFA 10.2.

  • krisskross2 #33 8 months ago

    Eurogamer commenters: FIFA 12 is way too mainstream I'm off back to PES. Pipe down Hipsters I thought both were good when I played them! however the transfer improvements have swayed me towards fifa this time

  • Shikasama #34 8 months ago

    LeD - 'By all accounts' sounds like you haven't played it yourself.

  • Rodchenko #35 8 months ago

    Still very much on the fence about this. I found the demo to be rather tedious with the AI opponent endlessly passing the ball around in midfield and since you are only allowed to play two minute halves, there was nothing much to try out.

    That said, I had a chance to play the retail version of PES12 yesterday (for some reason my DVD-rental had the 360 version already in stock, but not the PS3 one) and I was a bit disappointed. I liked the second demo a lot, but the final release felt different in a bad way. Sluggish, scripted and full of silly moments (at one point my full back tried to clear the ball from the touch line near the goal and hit another defender's back from where the ball deflected into the net). However, maybe this was just an effect of me not being used to playing it with the heavy Xbox controller.

  • spekkeh #36 8 months ago

    Ironlungs76: 9/10?

    To be fair, I've seen some Barcelona players dive in more ridiculous ways.
    Edited by spekkeh at 25/09/11 @ 15:54

  • Stockings #37 8 months ago

    Pfffffffff I must be playing a different game.

  • f01re #38 8 months ago

    No mention of my glorious afc Wimbledon now being in it ? ;)

  • OrgasmicMutton #39 8 months ago

    @Ironlungs76

    That video was excellent, though in my mind stuff like that lifts the game a mark higher rather than detracting from it!

  • Strac #40 8 months ago

    It's Thomas VermaelEn btw, give the poor Belgians a break EG ;)

  • Vedfolner #41 8 months ago

    Oh, come on. Played the demo quite a lot and it was crap. EA will never get the ball physics right it seems. And don't forget the fact that you don't get the entire game when you have bought it at retail. For that you have to have an annual membership that comes at an additional cost. EA makes me sick.
    Edited by Vedfolner at 26/09/11 @ 10:45

  • Nephirion #42 8 months ago

    Better than GOW3 then ...

  • Paulie_P #43 8 months ago

    Guys, both FIFA and Pro are good games. Neither are perfect, both have their faults I guess for most people it'll depend on what faults you're willing to put up with.

    The main reason I stick to Pro Evo though is because all my mates play it so I need to stick with it in order to remain competitive.

  • abzddon #44 8 months ago

    I can see it already. Fifa 13, keepers now do realistic saves, which never existed before! And to counteract such realism, we give players the ability to curl and dip the ball, which also never existed before..... Lol. [Sarcasm]

    When will they start adding bugs and glitches of these games in reviews?

    Also can't wait for fifa 14 when they finally add realistic referee decisions.

  • MontyBrewster #45 8 months ago

    Bravo Ironlungs, that missed free kick near the end's awesome.

  • tinners #46 8 months ago

    9??? It's about time tbh... pro is oh so dead!

  • steagz #47 8 months ago

    The biggest problem with fifa for me is their is no realism involved. sure the way the game plays etc does deserve a 9. but chucking some stupid new defensive system on top of fifa 11 is not the answer to makeing the match feel more realistic.if anything it has made it 10x worse thats why so many people are comeing home this year to PES

  • tinners #48 8 months ago

    Btw you dont have to use the new defensive system, there is an option to turn it back to the old way in the settings menu.

  • PaulieWaulie #49 8 months ago

    Post deleted at 14:23:40 06-01-2012

  • zeldasdad #50 8 months ago

    NEither game does enough ech year to justify paying 50 quid imo , but pro evo just feels more like football to me

  • super_monty #51 8 months ago

    It's about time games are given 2 scores one for offline and one for online multiplayer.

  • higgins78 #52 8 months ago

    This game has me torn more than any other in recent memory. I used to be a "pes man" but after this generations efforts AND hearing Fifa 09 was taking some great reviews I gave it (Fifa) a shot...surprise! It was great and Fifa 10 even better, Fifa 11 - I thought - was the pinnacle. I was obviously chomping at the bit to get at Fifa 12 but after playing the demo I was left feeling cold and confused. Was it too big a change in a short a space of time? Possibly. All I know is I was struggling and not in a good way as in "classic" PES and Fifa 09/10/11.

    So, so, so confused and now this (another) great review. What is one to do...
    Edited by higgins78 at 25/09/11 @ 18:46

  • kimchibaka #53 8 months ago

    witchdrash
    25/09/11 @ 14:20

    Sadly the same issues as Fifa 11, it's no fun unless you're able to put hours and hours to master it...
    ----------------------------------

    Very many thanks witchdrash - sums up in a line all I needed to know about the game - it's not for me. Thank goodness I read the comments section here. The review hinted at it but seemed reluctant to come out and say it.
    Edited by kimchibaka at 25/09/11 @ 19:15

  • Shagsmith #54 8 months ago

    @f01re

    Came on to ask the same thing, if they are, absolute day 1 buy for me.

  • coolbritannia #55 8 months ago

    I hate football. I truly am the winner.

  • steagz #56 8 months ago

    1 thing i hate about fifa is the crosses it feels so scripted. you just know you cross the ball on fifa and 9/10 the same thing will happen.

    pes is not like that no 2 crosses are ever the same its just complete freedom where anything can happen

    and for me this is why pes is the far better game

  • jablonski #57 8 months ago

    Sorry EG, but that was a pretty poor review.
    You'e hardly said anything subjective at all, explaining how YOU felt playing it...y'know, kind of like a review?

  • chiz #58 8 months ago

    No Mention of online modes? When you review pes 2012, please have a good play of it online and report back. It's a mess every year with lag and it's never mentioned in any reviews.

  • Farstarbuck #59 8 months ago

    I agree with the review points. At first I was bewildered by the defensive system, took ages to get used to. Also scoring was a real problem for me, something I've never had an issue with, I put it down to the new AI defence and my style of through the middle play, more difficult open up the CB on this version. I bought the game and have been playing since last night, it's actually getting easier and have now started scoring again. It's going to take a change in your approach to play but it has so many positives I can't imagine going back to an earlier version. Keepers are so much better, not that they were that bad before, thankfully every cross does not end in a goal. In this version you can get away with a lot more off the ball than usual which is at times frustrating. It's more of a physical battle and the little teams this year do really stand out against the giants. Is this a good thing? Dunno, I quite liked being able to take a small team and still beat the mighty Man Utd peeps online, think it will be a much harder climb given how easily you can be robbed physically in FIFA 12.

  • JeroenZM #60 8 months ago

    Why can't people like both games? I enjoy Pepsi and Coca Cola, even though I prefer the former.

  • norsende #61 8 months ago

    Every single FIFA review I've read sounds more like a preview than a review. Or maybe even an advertisement, as IGN's review was. Wonder why that is? How much did EA pay?

  • tinners #62 8 months ago

    @steagz - try "manual" crossing in FIFA ?

  • ERG1008 #63 8 months ago

    As was said earlier, it seems more like an in-depth preview than a review.
    I (like a lot of people on here) just play Career Mode and couldn't give a toss about online yet I'm none the wiser after reading this.
    As I've said many times, there should be an offline and online review of games like this.

    EDIT - Spelling
    Edited by ERG1008 at 26/09/11 @ 08:56

  • Mr_interesting_2011 #64 8 months ago

    Not being a 'massive' football fan I've never really followed FIFA too closely but quite fancy a footie game this year and enjoyed the demo...

    Anyway, does anyone know traditionally which version of FIFA is the best to go for between the PS3 and 360?

  • TimothyDalton #65 8 months ago

    Any attention paid to the SPL clubs and stadiums or is it just generic again?

  • Sid-Nice #66 8 months ago

    I’ve currently got a pirate version of the game; will I need a patch to play online?

  • chiz #67 8 months ago

    I’ve currently got a pirate version of the game; will I need a patch to play online?

    You can get a patch at game for £30-£40

  • Sid-Nice #68 8 months ago

    You can get a patch at game for £30-£40

    "Oooh arrrh" thanks me hearty.

  • sir_tripod #69 8 months ago

    Unless EA fix the online part of the game so players who are deliberately spoiling the game play each other and those of us who want a decent game play together then it'll always be broken.

  • kirankara #70 8 months ago

    sir_tripod
    25/09/11 @ 22:40

    "Unless EA fix the online part of the game so players who are deliberately spoiling the game play each other and those of us who want a decent game play together then it'll always be broken."

    Deliberately spoiling the game? Are u referring to people who quit? Or is there something more sinister I'm unaware of?

  • tinners #71 8 months ago

    You will struggle to sort the community out who are mostly dicks!

    They either quit during a game after going a goal down
    Score as many own goals as possible and throw a hissy fit

    Take your pick

  • blackbriar101 #72 8 months ago

    Yes the most popular sport on planet earth has 2 great virtual replications, finally. Where is Tom Bramwell? You could set your watch to that mans reviews. Maybe there will be a second review after prolonged play time.

  • talhamid #73 8 months ago

    Hey, can anyone tell me what are the graphical differences between PC and PS3/Xbox version? I heard that FIFA has a superior graphics engine on the HD consoles. Yes I am a graphics whore :-)

  • Big-Swiss #74 8 months ago

    EG Mafia!

  • f01re #75 8 months ago

    @shagsmith they are in, it's all over the EA forums

  • Blaster_N #76 8 months ago

    Come on man, you can't say which is better. It's a matter of opinion.

  • kirankara #77 8 months ago

    Talhamid

    No idea about pc , but I'd say graphically the 360 has a minor advantage over ps3 . I downloaded both demos and couldn't tell them apart playing one after other, but when I saw a LOT comparison of demos, like last year, it had slightly Less clear images of players and crowd on ps3 version.

    Ain't gonna affect you either way tbh, but that's the way it is.

  • charming_fox #78 8 months ago

    Have they improved on the real-time weapon change system? Otherwise, no sale...

  • ZizouFC #79 8 months ago

    YES!

    Can't wait to get stuck into Career mode.

  • brazzauk #80 8 months ago

    The defending is making me have to relearn defending so far. I am getting it but its a bigger change than I first thought. Only 7 games into the season and so far its a better game overall. Being rash in the challenge has cost me valuable points so its realistic from that perspective.

  • jablonski #81 8 months ago

    @tinners
    "You will struggle to sort the community out who are mostly dicks!
    They either quit during a game after going a goal down
    Score as many own goals as possible and throw a hissy fit "

    Yep. I stopped playing online for this very reason.

    I really like the idea of the 11v11 matches, but no one holds position and everyone wants to score - even the goalkeeper.
    It's a joke

  • DiamondIce #82 8 months ago

    @Ironlungs76 #2

    I cannot see anything wrong in the video. They are just behaving like your typical soft footballer.

    Edit: Oh I'm sorry. Of course that soppy sport is for real men, isn't it?
    Edited by DiamondIce at 26/09/11 @ 20:00

  • Korpers #83 8 months ago

    I do NOT want to look at Wayne Rooneys face when I'm having my cornflakes thanks.

    Gah, now I'm going to be hungry until lunch.

  • geeza2020 #84 8 months ago

    I hated the new defense system in the demo, so I switched it back to Legacy defending, and it felt good again. However it then became starkly apparent that very little else in the game has been changed, so I'm not sure if its worth picking this up full price.

    Pick it up at a low price, post January transfer window I think, FIFA11 will suffice until then.

  • mjselvig #85 8 months ago

    From what I've seen from reviews, this is even better than Fifa 11. I have only tried demo of both, and Fifa 12 is my first purchase of the franchise. Can't wait to get and play it. Seems awesome :)

  • Monsieur_Blade #86 8 months ago

    I always take sports games reviews with a massive pinch of salt. A reviewer has to give a game an overall score after only a few days play. It takes weeks/mpnths before you know whether Fifa/PES are filled with bugs or a joy to play. Whether every game is different or they become very predictable.

    I loved Fifa 09 when I first got it but after 2 months I sold it on Ebay as it became very boring and predictable and about 75% of goals were the same!

    From playing the demo I'm suprised Fifa 12 managed a 9 though. It's a very solid game of football but I found playing against the computer a little sterile and boring.

    I'll be very interested to see what EG gives PES 2012 as, from playing the demo, I actually think it's the more exciting game this year. The AI is massively improved, but the animations are still a little rough around the edges.

  • Nick_Tizz #87 8 months ago

    I literally cant wait for this to come out! I played the demo, liked it, and then played the proper game at the Eurogamer expo, and it was amazing! by far the best fifa game to date. The graphics are immense, and the general gameplay is a lot more competitive and enjoyable. I can understand people's doubts after the last couple of entries in the series, but honestly, this really does deserve a 9/10. If you think that people are going to be playing fifa 12 for a couple of weeks, then shift over to pro evo, then i'm affraid your very much mistaken! Fifa 12 is brilliant!

  • cardboardMonster #88 8 months ago

    Played the demo and quite enjoyed, despite repeatedly getting battered by AC Milan on Intermediate. I'm sure there's some sort of rule that says Ibrahimovich has to score at least one ridiculous goal.

    I'm probably playing it wrong or haven't tweaked the tactics enough, but for me the players don't make intelligent enough runs off the ball. Often, they make runs early and then check them, despite not being close to offside. The PES demo seemed to have the edge in this regard, which I'd sooner have over the player impact engine any day. That said, I really want to like this and may well give it a "shot". Boom boom. /leaves

  • sir_tripod #89 8 months ago

    @kirankara

    Rage-quitters, people who score own goals on purpose, people who get players sent off on purpose, people never pass the ball (and always lose the ball when trying to do tricks), people who tackle their own team-mates because they want the ball, people who seem to think a melée of 16 players in the middle of the pitch scrapping for the ball is how to enjoy the game, people who have no idea what offside means, people who when they are the goalkeeper think it's a good idea/funny to try and dribble the ball all the way up the pitch but lose the ball by the time the leave the 18-yard box... Those kinds of people.

    The way points are allocated for your Be a Pro score should apply as a different total online so you have a playing reputation so when the dicks are scoring own goals and spoiling it for everyone else, their reputation goes down. If you play in position and have a good pass success rate etc, then it goes up. Over time, you'll have the ability to let people of the same reputation range play together so the dicks can fuck each other (pun intended) and leave the rest of us to a decent game, and maybe one which doesn't include Man Utd, Man City, Barça or Real Madrid.
    Edited by sir_tripod at 26/09/11 @ 16:44

  • tinners #90 8 months ago

    Lol that's FIFA, still when it works it's a thing of wonder

    All about the 2 v 2 lobby tbh, now you can kick people and if anyone quits they need to dashboard it, it could actually work well this year.

  • AidyD #91 8 months ago

    @Rens11.. Seriously dude.. Theres this thing called a button guide on the main menu and the booklet that comes packaged with the game.. You just press L1 to make players do runs.

    You literally had the game what? 8+ months and never once realised it or something? And then complain about it on the review for fifa 12, where by logic you will probably miss this comment, buy fifa12 and never ever learn that you just have to press L1 to make players go on runs.

    wtf.

  • pigeon_g4mer #92 8 months ago

    Fifa 11 online was almost unplayable for the first 3 months or so. I hope this time will be different.

  • AidyD #93 8 months ago

    Tripod - Also are you aware you can simply set up your own VP club with like minded people who are not complete dicks online? It hardly makes fifa broken online by having arseholes playing it, you can apply that logic to literally every single online game ever created.

    Online ranked is fine when you get pass the bottom levels and start playing serious players too.

  • Totza #94 8 months ago

    of course you give it a 9 any lower and then EA will not send you any goodies :)

  • iistuii #95 8 months ago

    I must admit I'm disappointed with the defending. I just can't seem to get anybody near the ball carrier. They say it's realistic, however pressing is massive in football, ask Barca, yet you can't do it, you have to contain, jockey stand off while the opposition waltz into your box. Also I've played about 20 or more games in the demo and I haven't been fouled once, not once. As I say slightly disappointed.

  • Tonasaurus #96 8 months ago

    I've been playing FIFA 11 solidly since last year and was a bit disappointed with the demo of 12. Like a few others, I'm really not a fan of the new defending mechanic, if you get your timing even slightly wrong you have zero chance of making up for your mistakes. Some miight say this is reflective of the real thing but the defensive system isn't tight enough to get your positioning right in the first place. Having said that, it always takes a while to get the hang of the new version so I'm sure with a bit more effort it wil become more intuitive.

    It'll always be difficult to change a sports title dramatically because the rules are necessarily set in stone and there's never going to be too much scope beyond pass, tackle and shoot. Other genres can change things up more easily as there are few unbreakable rules elsewhere and a new story line is always on the cards. This is the first year it won't be a day one purchase for me, not because I think it's a bad game, just not worth the upgrade considering the coming release schedule.

  • Tonasaurus #97 8 months ago

    Oh yeah, I think the on line quitters are just more blatant as it's a one v one scenario. Other big online titles can have players quitting all the time but because you have 7 other people on your team you won't notice as much. Still, having someone quit when you've played a blinder is ridiculously annoying.

  • pigeon_g4mer #98 8 months ago

    @beIIy

    In my case, xbox360.

    1v1 was fine, but clubs and team play were very laggy and buggy.

  • swissorc #99 8 months ago

    Wouldn't it be nice if someone reviewed this game from something other than a Premier League perspective as the lower divisions always get a shitty build every every year.

  • brandon-flowers #100 8 months ago

    With reference to the rage quiters that's why i play ultimate team as people very rarely quit as they are to concerned with loosing there coin modifier.

  • drxym #101 8 months ago

    What impresses me about FIFA is how a game that scores 9/10 possesses virtually zero resale value.

  • layleeloo #102 8 months ago

    @drxym - Because even though every 'update' of game alike Gears and COD are just as minuscule as the changes to yearly football games, alas they don't come out every 12 months.

  • Ryview #103 8 months ago

    Writing this post from Seattle WA were we've got the chance to have Fifa 12 since Tuesday. I've spent some time playing it and you can read my review here http://rytonreview.blogspot.com/2011/09/... .

    PES 2012 is more realistic though! Cheers and do not hesitate to leave comments.

  • dave1969mufc #104 6 months ago

    Fifa is the game you play your way and this game never lets you down whether you are using the new tackling system or old.. Alan smith is more on the ball with the commentary and adds more depth and realism.. Career mode is ace as is the online stuff.. easily the best footy game !! Again !!