FIFA 10 Hands-On Preview
Orlando J Lewis
Let me begin by reassuring you all that FIFA 10 is without doubt an improvement on its successful predecessor. In terms of game modes and features we are still left to ponder what will be made of innovations such as adidas Live Season, Be A Pro and Ultimate Team. However, how and why gameplay has been improved is due to a number of reasons…
User Control and 360 Degree Dribbling
I will start by addressing the most obvious gameplay innovation that the FIFA 10 Production team are most proud of: 360 degree dribbling. Although this feature has been in the pipeline for many years now, its emergence in FIFA 10 is impressive. In another push towards authenticity and realism, being able to control every foot movement of a player sounds daunting, but is in fact a relief. Players on-the-ball no longer surge forward in clinical and linear lines, which in turn encourages greater variety in all aspects of the game. Feeling more connected with the on-screen player, the user is able to accurately pin-point passes or shift the ball to another foot for a more precision guided shot. Combined with improved animation and collision physics, 360 degree dribbling encourages the user to think more on the ball with more options available to utilise. Of these options, FIFA 10 now includes a facility known as Freedom in Physical Play, which again allows the user more control over dribbling giving the players wider dribble touches. In addition, a Skilled Dribbling feature gives you finer control in dribbling and allows you to find spaces between defenders that previously did not exist.
Defending
So do all these innovative dribbling techniques make dribbling easy and defending difficult? I am pleased to report that although inevitably new skill moves have been added, matched with the new dribbling engine, balance is restored with defending improvements. Reassuringly the defenders now have a slice of intelligence that was previously missing from FIFA! For example, a central defender surging forward is given cover by a defensive midfielder noticing the ‘gap at the back’. I am unaware if the exact position of the defensive line has changed since FIFA 09, but there definitely appears to be more space in midfield, which was lacking last year. This is supported too by the balance between the speed of an attacking winger and a defensive wing-back. Whereas before the attacking dribbler could easily outpace and outskin the attacker, due to the positioning of the defenders, it is somewhat easier to make the tackle. Perhaps this is also due to the overall speed during gameplay slightly reduced to create more time on the ball and a more authentic feel. Having said this, cross-field balls in the air now take almost half the time to reach its destination than last year – allowing for a quick switch of play.
Other points to ponder…
Continuing the theme of intelligence and overall balance in gameplay, player runs are no longer straight line bursts. Team mates will either curve their run to avoid a blatant offside or even check back to find more space in a goalscoring area. Depending on the mental attribute skills of the player will determine how effectively this will be executed. Lofted through balls have supposedly also been tweaked and improved. As for shooting, we have been promised less goal post hitting action and more varied goals along with new goal nets! Shooting from long range is still, however, an unwise decision unless in the perfect position.
Goalkeepers
Of course no preview to a FIFA title would be complete until an assessment of the goalkeeping has been made. Goalkeeper animations have been improved yet again and the overall feel is realistic. Refreshingly, goalkeepers will no longer just aimlessly run back to recover from a chipped shot attempt at goal, but desperately attempt to make a second save on the line. We are pleased to report that goalkeepers are now susceptible to the red card and thankfully will no longer be succumbed to humiliation of a goal from kick-off!
Animation and overall presentation
A key change in FIFA 10 concerns the removal of non-interactive cut-scenes (NIS) during gameplay. Play is almost non-interrupted and the introduction of the option to take short free-kicks is a handy feature. Players can be seen warned by the referee for dangerous tackles and only when a yellow card is issued for a tackle made earlier in the game, a relevant replay is now shown to remind you of the incident. Although these changes improve gameplay and speed up progress, personally, I am still a big fan of television broadcast style presentation. The lack of pop-up on-screen graphics that you may see on a live television football broadcast, matched with a slight lack of attention to detail pertaining to the team entrances is disappointing. On a slightly better note, in terms of atmosphere, crowd reactions have supposedly been improved along with updated commentary and improved weather conditions. Lighting conditions for various contexts have also been updated.
Set Pieces
Free kicks and corners are still a work-in-progress, however, the ability to strike a driven and low shot along the ground is finally here. Variation in free kicks is vastly improved and the corner system is similar but we are expecting some improvements there before the final build. Penalties remain untouched for the moment. Throw-ins are now more accurately assigned to players such as Rory Delap, who can utilise their ‘giant throw’, which is a handy tool indeed!
Overall Assessment
Ultimately, FIFA 10 is a superior game to FIFA 09. Gameplay refinement leads to a far more organic and authentic feel on the pitch. Jostling and grappling animations make tackling and working hard for the ball much more rewarding. A few minor details that still need ironing out, but at this stage of the build, we should be anticipating an unrivalled football sim!
Many thanks to all at EAC, Vancouver. If anybody has any specific questions please get in touch at
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Keep checking www.fifainformer.com for more interviews with top FIFA 10 Producers this coming week!
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