As every year, EA Sports lacing up the cleats we propose a new Fifa covering the 2010-2011 season. After a dazzling Fifa 10, a World Cup FIFA – South Africa 2010 a tad better in the background but less rich in content, the new installment in the simulation football landed in our stores with the promise of a content fuller and more challenging gameplay. The bet is it successful? All football lovers there they end up? The answer in our Video Review.
By trying to be number 1, you end up playing goalie
In recent years, after being soundly dominated by PES, FIFA series has managed to raise its head by offering a real change in terms of both substance and form, even to draw more or less widely from the competition. In addition, the EA titles could rely on the richness of their content (game modes offline and online, licensed teams, etc.). To win. Let’s talk about and now the most important novelties of this new opus in content.
Among them, there is no doubt being able to fill (for the first time) entirely the role of custodian as evidenced by this video . Indeed, it is now possible to control only the guardian of our team during a game , whether you are connected online or not. Which consequently induces the arrival of the parties to eleven players against eleven, that’s what enthusiastic crowds. At least on paper. Because if EA thought to enhance the management of the guardian of some aides sound (trajectory of the ball, align the placement recommended by the AI, can monitor and influence a tad on the actions of our colleagues), it remains that embody a guard appears broadly far less fun than controlling a player or the entire team.
Why? First, because it often happens that our protected has not much to do during the game (the defenders are also rather well their job, but we will return) though it can stand on a corner , release point shot in the air or enjoy some one-against-one against an attacker … in addition to stopping the opponent’s head or shooting course. “This is closely linked to the actual role of” gatekeepers “you say. This is not true. Still, we’re in a video game and it is unfortunate that the developers have been able to make one side more “fun” to this new feature. Perhaps giving more interaction to the keeper screw-a-vis other players including his defenders (ask the defensive withdrawal or marking an opponent, encouraging the troops to global, etc..), Why not?
Similarly, this task is not necessarily unique to an easy and can even be frustrating . Indeed, the latter requires a good investment, excellent anticipation and a near-perfect timing to make it really help his team. The concentration is therefore required and each error (in timing, in particular) will pay a high price. Sometimes, for example, that we did not have much to do interventions during the match (which has the effect of reward us with a note around the 6 / 10 in Be A Pro mode dedicated) and we conceded a goal in the final minutes. Result: our dear Lloris is found with a note rather unfair to 1 / 10 and yours truly finishes the game rather sheepish. Note also that our goalie was often difficult to catch the ball and releases / projects is out of the ground is far more embarrassing to him … So sometimes in the feet of an attacking player. In sum, this is a significant innovation offering a different gaming experience but is likely to tire quickly, or even discard some. Our online multiplayer games (where everyone could choose the role they occupy on the field during the entire game) seems to confirm this impression: the place of keeper was rarely taken contrary to coveted positions of attackers or environments. To refine in the next installment then.
Fifa 11: The Winning Eleven?
In addition to this big news, the title from EA Sports prides itself include other additions / improvements holders. Include the hearty and enjoyable career mode that allows to play as a player, manager or both at the same time for no less than 15 seasons . In the “player”, you control an athlete who aspires to the heights by playing a succession of games in different competitions (leagues, cups …). The side “Coach” focuses on workforce management (transfer, fatigue, paperboard …), the device team tactics or his style of play, while keeping an eye on the financial side of things. If success is to go, it takes between one grade and more small papers in the Board of Directors (by winning competitions in particular).
Similarly, the feature “Personality +” can show more pronounced differences between players based on over 36 attributes and 57 features. In practice, the specifics of each in fact prove more visible and distinctive signs will certainly fly among connoisseurs. For example: Cristiano Ronaldo fever when loose ball, which Lissandro picking on every ball, which struck Iniesta, etc.. The Creation Center allows for him to create his own millionaires in shorts and his team (in choosing the size, logo, stadium) via a dedicated website – rather functional and pleasing to the eye – and share them eventually. A further option to be indispensable, certainly, but which offers extensive customization (in addition to the opportunity to put his picture on a player, already present in FIFA 10), potentially increasing the life … It will also help our friend Gerard finally create their dream team and hope to rub the tops of the League 2 (yes, it changes the championship inter-company Gege my dear!), while importing the songs he the secret in the game And this, this is priceless.
Story to be even prouder of him than it already is, it will – like all other players of course – also up a bit replays of goals and publish them on a dedicated website . The same theme, also speak of “Highlights”. These actions slowed the hottest recorded automatically by the AI as the match and will be visible once the virtual players returning to the locker room. A small detail that enhances the impression of being in front of a television broadcasting and secondarily to allow room a bit at parties in multi (example: “Did you see, it was I who had the most free shares. So it was I who deserved to win! ” ). Note in passing that the method Fiesta (featuring 20 players to challenge them on the same console) is always the journey.
In addition to these additions, there are of course the updated numbers (Gourcuff in Lyon, Milan Ibrahimovic, etc..) And a few newcomers (the Russian division) for an extremely comfortable total of over 600 teams, 30 championships and 1500 licensed players . As usual, it is undoubtedly a major strength of the title from EA, allowing it to widen the gap over the competition. In sum, Fifa 11 has on the cake of a very rich content that gives it life potentially very long, even if it loses the appearance of the coaches and some game modes available in World Cup 2010. In addition, the option “Live Season” offers still updating weekly stats clubs Ligue 1 Barclays Premier League, La Liga BBVA, Bundesliga and Seria A, depending on the characteristics of real numbers (performance, statements of form, injuries, transfers, yellow cards and suspensions). If this feature is definitely a plus, it is nevertheless an additional cost. Indeed, while Fifa 09 we offered free updates for a given league, Fifa 11 we only offer paid solutions (aside from the free trial version of 5 days). It will cost about 2.50 euros for a championship and 10 euros for the pack that integrates all.
“The whole is pleasing and fluid”
If the content is already there can no longer satisfactory, it is the same realization. Graphically, it is still that of an evolution. There are some more animations, some effort on modeling (criticized in Fifa 10) of much of the players, despite the fact a little “shiny plastic” always visible on the faces, or a rendering of the shirts a bit improved especially in the rain. The set is nice looking and smooth on both Xbox 360 and PS3 (although the latter seems a tad less clean technically). The ball physics has been substantially reworked and is closer to that of PES without the match. If one appreciates the fact that there are real physical impacts between players (which really bring realism to duels), one regrets, however, some strange crashes sometimes. Nothing to be alarmed either, the visual is particularly strong and flattering to the whole retina .
The interface is itself quite similar to that of Fifa 10, although it boasts more colors and elements moving through the menus. There is a lot of information displayed for the matches (statistics on possession, the faults or the actions of a given player, scores of other games of competition, etc..). We regret the design could be improved by cons of some menus (in the Career mode for example). SAR level views (well configured), even if we would have liked a more immersive when you control the goalie.
The next sound is him almost unassailable . Reviews are very good (especially vis-a-vis the competition) and provide valuable expertise rather easily forgiving those few times when they are caught out (few small bugs, redundancies and delays with respect to a share). Better still, our brave speakers will allow even a small parade of type: “It will initiate the power cons … Ah! He made ??me lie ” . The atmosphere in the stadiums is credible and who pass the music when you’re in the menus to the coat. So good at all.
“Online game viable, rather stable and rich enough to make us spend many sleepless nights”
At the gambling experience online, we all seemed viable, rather stable and rich enough to make us spend many sleepless nights (game 1 vs. 1 per team, with or without rank). And that, although the modes are virtually unchanged from the last part (except 10 against 10, which becomes the 11 against 11). Not to mention that it was the victim of a bug in the launch of a party that has forced us to restart the game we moreover This bug is a scare when we reported the interface (once the relaunched under) the pass online was corrupt.
Remember that this is a new (less pleasant for users than the previous) of Fifa 11 that asks us to enter a code included in the manual and single-use, to enjoy the online experience . If you buy the game or the opportunity you want to play with a friend with our play and our account without downloading the code has already been used, it will go through the box “wallet” and pay about 10 euros. If it is no question here of returning to the debate (even if you understand the opinion of thinly disguised yours truly), at least hope that no technical problem accidentally oblige players to switch back to the fund. In any case, this has not happened for us. For the rest, the parties are chained and quickly without stumbling block, participants were already present in numbers, and servers have held up to us offering fluid parts despite the 22 players (humans) on the screen .
Back to spheres more “fun” and now talk of artificial intelligence. The latter has proved satisfactory overall during our test phase (as long as we play in Pro difficulty level at least, of course). There is a real block-field team : the lines are often tightened, the players usually reposition wisely so you can attack the ball carrier or collective solutions (to be left in an offside position, grrrrr!). Defenders proved mostly tough and well placed, they do so their job pretty well, especially since some of them seem to be preferred to forwards in the tackle (as Puyol, true virtual wall). Players techniques use more technical moves and we thus pose more problems to recover the ball, especially in midfield. The guards are not to be outdone, have been improved compared to FIFA 10 . As was the case a little World Cup in 2010, it is less risky reminders (read: the ending raises hand in the feet of the opposing forward), fewer balloons released and ultimately more efficiency, simply.
An austerity plan news
You have probably figured out, Fifa 11 is proving to be a simulation even more sharp and requiring maximum rigor. Opponents are more oppressive, there must be more inventive and mostly play “fair.” Indeed, the passes are more difficult to clear and collective action are less fluid than in Fifa 10, where the passes were often “guided” . It now seems essential to better gauge the strength and direction of a password (simple or in depth), failing to see it ineffective. Additionally, players have seemed a little heavier / slower than earlier in the controls and oriented at the start of a race in the opposite direction. It seemed at once more difficult to create a rapid shift and punch the opposing bloc, especially if it is in place (not so cons-attack).
All this probably represents the main challenge that encounter frequent players of Fifa 10 launch of the wafer, which will force it to review more or less deeply how to evolve the field. The gameplay is actually quite different from FIFA 10, more demanding and restrictive. It will satisfy those who thought FIFA 10 too easy, but permissive will probably frustrate some, in absolute terms or in the early hours of gameplay . Because of Personality +, endurance and abilities of the players seem more pronounced, to the dismay of smaller teams and smaller players. So get ready, even more than last year, with very many matches against Barcelona, ??Real Madrid or Chelsea in particular!
Note in passing that if things seem too fast or slow on the field, a choice of three game speeds we proposed in the options. There are also penalty system “version of the World Cup 2010″ (which did not necessarily yet been unanimously) with the system pressure gauge with color and not forgetting the strange ability to procrastinate when you type (this is not forbidden?). Most welcome: referees are more “visible” . In addition to being presented at the video introducing the players on the field, to see their names in menus and being mentioned by commentators, they have an identifiable impact on the game: each has a specific sensitivity vis-a-vis the mistakes and cartons. The arbitrator is thus more or less strict depending on its affinities.
Yep, the series has reached such a level for some time that must be scrutinized to the smallest details, menus or onscreen actions and analyze our every sensation to arrive to detect the main changes / modifications titles. You’ll understand the overall gameplay of Fifa 11 is very nice (especially multiple), deep and with a good scope for growth regardless of the level of the player. Especially since many options are there to help us when active or, conversely, make us greater control over the various game elements otherwise. All in key areas such as passing, centers, shooting, the player or change the “race analog” (the player runs with the degree of pressure on the trigger analog joystick).
Conclusion:
Even richer and more demanding than last year’s FIFA series continues to dominate the category of simulation football on PS3 and Xbox 360, including forcing the line on defense and physical aspects as well as the collective discipline. Leaves may be losing some players en route (which would likely end up with more FIFA 10 or PES 2011, more permissive and a more pronounced impact offensive), because of some small actions making abuse more generally chopped and control to keep the ball more bitter. Still, with its concrete content and gameplay, high quality (sufficiently modified to differentiate itself from its predecessor and justify the purchase) and its implementation on top, Fifa 11 is still the must-have title for fans of football simulation.