Playmaker- FIFA Soccer 10 Review

As both a warm-up and a clever way to disguise load-times, NBA Live 10 allowed players to practice their jump shots and layups before a competition began. The mini-game was a competent, yet unremarkable diversion- I found myself starting the main match at the first available opportunity. EA Canada’s recently released FIFA Soccer 10 includes a similar activity, as a single player tries to sneak a few shots past a diligent goaltender. As a testament to FIFA 10’s 360 new degree dribbling system and the game’s overall finesse, I’ve myself practicing for extended periods of time, astounded by the refinement of this diminutive digression.

Clearly, the developers of FIFA Soccer 10 recognize the strength of the mini-game also; with a press of the back button, the warm-up turns into a full featured practice mode which allows players to drop in attackers and defenders, as well as build set pieces. Admittedly, the concept of drills in a sports title sounds initially dreadful- after all, the beauty of gaming is that it can endow players will professional-level skills. In execution, the mode is surprisingly pleasurable and serves as an invaluable way for players’ to develop their overall aptitude. Hopefully, next year’s iteration will allow players to share their set pieces online, are at least offer the option to include them in online matches.

Following the precedent establish by many of this year’s sports titles, FIFA 10 has also included a comprehensive career mode, entitled Virtual Pro. Here, gamers can create their own prospective footie star which they can take into any of FIFA’s modes from Manager Mode, online matches or even custom tournaments. By completing a myriad of in-game accomplishments, players are able to access skill upgrades, improve their stats, or just unlock new gear. Strangely, the ability to use the Xbox Live Vision camera of Playstation 3 Eye is notably missing- players must upload digital images of their visage to EA’s servers.

Once players hit the pitch, they’ll immediately discover FIFA 10’s most crucial new development- the game’s moment and animation system. Previous version of the title restricted player movements to eight directions, an antiquated holdover from the game’s 16-bit origins. Now, each athlete moves both realistically and incredibly sinuously. This type of fluidity often comes at a price, as gamers can feel locked into motion-captured animation routines. FIFA 10 rarely controls mechanically, and unlike most soccer games, ball movement and control is handled realistically.

While the game’s animation is top-notch, FIFA’s other visual components are starting to show their age. While the title’s menu system is certainly functional, navigating through the options hasn’t offered much graphical diversity over the last two years. Although the game’s character models are competent, some of the FIFA’s textures are showing their seams- several of the sky maps look embarrassingly pixilated. Sonically, FIFA 10 offers a superbly varied soundtrack, and the game’s play-by-play by Martin Tyler and Andy Gray is first-rate, lending the game an impeccable feeling of authenticity.

With so many elements of the game executed impeccably, only one aspect of the game deserves serious admonishment- the cost of Live Season 2.0 mode. A contemporary trend in sports games is to present a component that tracks and adjusts a game to model real-world events, from trades, injuries, to hot streaks. While NBA Live 10 does this out of the box, FIFA 10 charges players $5 to update a league, or $10 to cover all six leagues. Although it could be argued that like most downloable content, Live Season 2.0 isn’t essential to FIFA’s enjoyment, charging for the service in one game while offering it complementary in another, seems contradictory.

With a complete overall of the animation and ball-handling routines, FIFA Soccer 10 has taken a massive stride forward in recreating the sport of soccer. The title’s controls elevate the disk into one of the most pleasurable footie games since the glory days of Pro Evolution Soccer/Winning Eleven, and easily trumps Konami’s series with next-gen authenticity. FIFA 10’s refinement has the power to make football aficionados out of mild soccer fans; I can think of no higher commendation for a title.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

62 comments

  1. Nice review. I’m not a soccer fan, but it was a good read.

  2. I played soccer as a kid, but never really got into video game soccer that much. Dont know why.

  3. Rockson theScotch

    Thanks you EA for watermarking every damn picture. As if the FIFA 10 everywhere wasn’t enough!

  4. I’ve been meaning to get this. Did this just come out in the U.S.?

  5. I don’t like sports games all that much, but I played this for a bit and got hooked.

  6. Character models look pretty good to me. Whatcha complaining about?

  7. For me, futbol games are all about the atmosphere. Hows that in this one.

  8. How do the crowds look?

  9. I’ve never played a soccer game before. Is there a demo?

  10. ieatsmallchildren

    Man, you guys love some EA games.

  11. I bought this on release day. great review, it’s one of the best games I’ve played this year.

  12. You mean football, not soccer right?

  13. Sounds like fun. I might have to rent this.

  14. I know nothing about soccer or soccer games, but I have a question.

    Didn’t AIG go under and need to get bailed out?

  15. Yep, it’s been on LIVE for a few weeks now.

  16. Not so hot on soccer games, but I did like Mario Strikers Charged.

  17. I haven’;t play this years, but FIFA 09 was great with crowds chanting and moving. It got intense.

  18. Yep, they got bailed out. So your tax dollars paid for the name on those jerseys. Thank Obama!

  19. Shame about Live 2.0. I agree it should be free.

  20. Pretty good review. I’ll stick with good old AMERICAN football, though 😉

  21. I think there are a lot more players in FIFA than the NBA. 11 man teams vs. 5. Thats why is costs money.

  22. Seems cool, but I just bought 09 a few weeks ago for $19.99. I’m thinking I’ll wait for 10 to drop in price.

  23. Does it have Womens leagues or just Mens?

  24. Intelligent Zombie

    Blame Bush he got us into this mess!

  25. How many teams/stadiums are included in the game? I heard EA is nickel and diming people on this one (again)

  26. Good review.

  27. Are headers still nearly impossible to pull off?

  28. Good review. Soccer isn’t my favorite sport, if this ever drops in price…

  29. DE, you’ve got to be the only person I know who plays sports games and loves RPGs…

  30. Have to wait to see how PES turns out this year. I hear the graphics are better than FIFA.

  31. How the online multi? Last year if a person dropped, you wouldn’t get the win, is that still true?

    Any lag?

  32. Good review, I might have to try the demo.

  33. Just bought it at the B2G1free deal at BB, since they were out of Brutal Legend.

  34. $5 to follow a league seems ok, $10 for 6 leagues isn’t bad at all.

  35. Id suggest everyone wait for the PES demo defore purchasing FIFA.

  36. Ive encountered a number of bugs with the game, and I don’t like the back and forth nature of matches.

  37. Is this the last big sports game of the year?

  38. Any deals of this besides Best Buy?

  39. So glad to hear about the movement system. That always frustrated me.

  40. Olaf - Lost Viking

    Does Real Madrid play different that some team with lesser talent?

  41. Best sports games of the year, IMO!

  42. Great review, mates! Still haven’t picked it up. Must have just come out in the States.

  43. Is the replay kind of choppy for anyone else? Playing on 360…

  44. PES next week. the demo is up on PSN kiddies!

  45. My local game store has it for 56.99

  46. I cant wait to rent this. I always like the FIFA games.

  47. Tried the PES demo, wasn’t too impressed. I’ll probably get this.

  48. Nice review. I also heard headers were pretty hard to pull off.

  49. EA games don’t really change that much from year to year. No need to buy 10.

  50. Got this a few weeks ago, and have been playing it everyday. Ive noticed the commentary is getting repetitive, but on the pitch, all is well.

  51. I try to play soccer games, but they just seem like a complicated game of foosball to me.

  52. Whats up with the same player celebrations from last year? EA could have put a few more in there.

  53. Everyone I know if going bonkers for this game. I need to get it, to kick some ass online.

  54. What leagues are updated?

  55. One of the best football games ever, is you ask me.

  56. No way will PES top this. Mark my words.

  57. I really want to get this, but $60 is out of my price range 🙁

  58. PES demo is shite. Players running around mindlessly, faces look weird. FIFA 10 owns it!

  59. It is sucks miserably. Don’t even waste the time it take to download it.

  60. Agreed, I was disppaointed with PES. Seems very unrealitic.

  61. Great review. I hope to get it this week.

  62. Great review.