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IGN Review of FIFA Soccer 10
It's always disappointing to learn that a beloved platform is receiving a weak version of a great game. I'm sad to report that this is the case with the PC version of FIFA 10. It's by no means a "bad game" but it feels behind the curve when compared to the stellar Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. I understand that developers need to allocate resources according to sales numbers, but FIFA 10 could have done a much better job of putting solid PC specs to good use.
For starters, almost none of the gameplay additions that made the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions so great make their way over to the PC iteration. You won't see those angelic physical interactions between players and the on-rails moments that used to plague FIFA efforts is back with a vengeance. Likewise for the eight-directional movement that makes the game feel like it's from a different generation. The system (an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU at 2.4 Ghz, 4 Gigs of RAM and dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 275s in SLI) I used to review FIFA 10 could have easily handled the physics used in the console versions, yet no effort was made to leverage the hardware.
Other, smaller annoyances also hurt the experience. When using an Xbox 360 controller the game has some strange default control choices and also labels the buttons on the controller as if it was a generic peripheral. This is an issue I've seen in PC sports games before and it's one that I hope developers fix in a hurry. I also found slight control inaccuracies when maneuvering the analog sticks on the pad. Occasionally passes would be off by several degrees and nothing felt quite as accurate as on the Xbox 360 or PS3.
I know I'm making FIFA 10 on PC sound like a real joy to play; it actually functions better than I've let on. The action looks fantastic when the canned animations are at work. Players will bump together and jostle around a bit and the increased clarity in this version is a welcome change. Instant replays and celebrations reveal some very impressive graphical details. I had a few hiccups in the framerate, but once I fiddled around with the settings I was able to calm things down and enjoy some fluid soccer.
The list of modes is also relatively solid with Be A Pro adequately represented. There's no Virtual Pro which is a downer, so the only way to improve the attributes of your created player is to trudge through the lengthy and sometimes tedious solo career. Be A Pro on PC also suffers from some odd artificial intelligence (AI) quirks that should've been ironed out. For whatever reason the CPU-controlled players keep the ball on one side of the field far too often, delivering short passes to one another like they're in someone's backyard. I also had a problem with the "roadie run" camera that kicks in when you sprint towards the goal. All too often I'd streak up the sideline to deliver a cross, only to have my view completely restricted by the unsteady viewpoint.
Manager Mode is back and is as deep as ever. Owner expectations are delivered via a mock e-mail system and you'll read exciting headlines after big matchups. It does an excellent job of making you feel like you're actually in control of a very important organization and has enough length to keep you playing for some time. For those who don't want quite such an in-depth experience, there's Season mode which is identical to Manager Mode, less the managing aspect. Truncating both experiences are the simulation options. You can either quick-sim a game or watch it play-by-play in visual sim mode.
Live Season also makes its way onto the PC and provides updates (scores, stats, injuries, etc…) for your favorite league throughout the season. One league is free of charge while extending beyond that will cost you a few extra bucks. You'll also find some decent multiplayer options, despite being limited in comparison to the deep Be A Pro gameplay and leagues that are available elsewhere. I suffered a bit more lag on PC than I was expecting, though I was playing pre-launch and was likely connecting with someone from across the pond in Europe.
©2009-10-21, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved
For starters, almost none of the gameplay additions that made the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions so great make their way over to the PC iteration. You won't see those angelic physical interactions between players and the on-rails moments that used to plague FIFA efforts is back with a vengeance. Likewise for the eight-directional movement that makes the game feel like it's from a different generation. The system (an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU at 2.4 Ghz, 4 Gigs of RAM and dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 275s in SLI) I used to review FIFA 10 could have easily handled the physics used in the console versions, yet no effort was made to leverage the hardware.
Other, smaller annoyances also hurt the experience. When using an Xbox 360 controller the game has some strange default control choices and also labels the buttons on the controller as if it was a generic peripheral. This is an issue I've seen in PC sports games before and it's one that I hope developers fix in a hurry. I also found slight control inaccuracies when maneuvering the analog sticks on the pad. Occasionally passes would be off by several degrees and nothing felt quite as accurate as on the Xbox 360 or PS3.
I know I'm making FIFA 10 on PC sound like a real joy to play; it actually functions better than I've let on. The action looks fantastic when the canned animations are at work. Players will bump together and jostle around a bit and the increased clarity in this version is a welcome change. Instant replays and celebrations reveal some very impressive graphical details. I had a few hiccups in the framerate, but once I fiddled around with the settings I was able to calm things down and enjoy some fluid soccer.
The list of modes is also relatively solid with Be A Pro adequately represented. There's no Virtual Pro which is a downer, so the only way to improve the attributes of your created player is to trudge through the lengthy and sometimes tedious solo career. Be A Pro on PC also suffers from some odd artificial intelligence (AI) quirks that should've been ironed out. For whatever reason the CPU-controlled players keep the ball on one side of the field far too often, delivering short passes to one another like they're in someone's backyard. I also had a problem with the "roadie run" camera that kicks in when you sprint towards the goal. All too often I'd streak up the sideline to deliver a cross, only to have my view completely restricted by the unsteady viewpoint.
Manager Mode is back and is as deep as ever. Owner expectations are delivered via a mock e-mail system and you'll read exciting headlines after big matchups. It does an excellent job of making you feel like you're actually in control of a very important organization and has enough length to keep you playing for some time. For those who don't want quite such an in-depth experience, there's Season mode which is identical to Manager Mode, less the managing aspect. Truncating both experiences are the simulation options. You can either quick-sim a game or watch it play-by-play in visual sim mode.
Live Season also makes its way onto the PC and provides updates (scores, stats, injuries, etc…) for your favorite league throughout the season. One league is free of charge while extending beyond that will cost you a few extra bucks. You'll also find some decent multiplayer options, despite being limited in comparison to the deep Be A Pro gameplay and leagues that are available elsewhere. I suffered a bit more lag on PC than I was expecting, though I was playing pre-launch and was likely connecting with someone from across the pond in Europe.
©2009-10-21, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved