Football’s a funny old game. That’s the phrase, right? The one that’s supposed to convey the extraordinary highs and lows, the shocks and shambles of the world’s favourite sport? One month you’re leading the pack, the next you’re scrambling outside the top five in your worst run since Ronald Reagan was in office. It turns out that old adage extends to the world of digital football, too. A decade long reign at the top from Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer was finally brought to a halt by the rejuvenated and refreshed competition – David Rutter’s EA Canada finally nailing a progressive effort to bring both fun and simulation to their franchise with last year’s outstanding FIFA 09. Twelve months on and both sides are back on the park, ready to square up for the only derby in town, a winner takes all affair that’s seen a summer of big name features added and more pre-match mind games than Ferguson vs Mourinho.

And…it really is a game of two halves (alright, I’ll stop it). See, on one front FIFA 10 is the greatest football game ever released, leaps ahead of its previous iterations and moons away from its nearest rival. But despite the glowing praise it undoubtedly deserves for its gameplay, it would be irresponsible to ignore the appalling amount of bugs and glitches contained in one of the year’s most highly anticipated releases that’s left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

We’ll start with the positives; the introduction of 360 degree movement is a Godsend for anyone who ploughed as many hours as this reviewer did into the ridged and often limited FIFA 09. The great feeling of freedom extends from simple passes to elaborate tricks and shots that look and feel every bit like they’re supposed to. In fact, the general movement and animation of players is fantastic. It’s a joy to ping complex passing moves together with relative ease, the vastly improved response times allowing you to jink past men and zip long balls from one flank to the other as you imitate the beautiful flair of Barcelona. It feels organic, natural even.

Another new addition is the ‘Skilled Dribble’ that allows closer control with certain players – squeeze both triggers and you can watch Lionel Messi glide through static defences like the cosmic wonder-kid he is, leaving lumbering centre-halves tangled up in knots as you race down on goal before bridging the ball around the helpless onrushing keeper and tap it into an empty net. Shooting has also been tweaked to allow greater variety and adds spice to proceedings. It works a treat and you’ll immediately notice the new-found ferocity efforts on goal are struck with.

Much has been made of the physicality in FIFA, with last year’s introduction of a collision system undergoing some much needed tinkering. It’s still hit and miss though, with a list of problems that can quickly become frustrating. Jostling for the ball on a run is excellent, the shoulder charges back and forth and general tussling for possession adds a new layer of immersion and excitement to proceedings, removing the issue of fast players like Ronaldo and Torres simply skating past defenders with relative ease. However, there are occasions where it stinks. The referee seems happy for the opposition to ‘hockey charge’ you from behind in a move that leaves you in a crumpled heap on the turf while the slightest of nudges or trips can see your own player booked. There’s also the hilarious (read: highly ridiculous) spectacle of professional footballers bouncing around like they’re made of rubber or failing to react to things as you’d expect.

Graphically, the game looks great with stadiums and conditions that are prettier than ever. New direction on rain-soaked pitches and snowy venues means that weather genuinely plays a part in how the match plays out. Little animations like players pulling up their socks
and an onscreen referee that books players in real-time, along with an added option of a quick free-kick are all subtle touches that amount to a more life-like take on the sport than ever before.

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