Why FIFA 13 is So Good - BBallcoach's Blog

BBallcoach's Blog

Why FIFA 13 is So Good

Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:04 AM.

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In my first blog, I revealed my 2012 sports game of the year, which was FIFA 13. Five to ten years ago I would have called you crazy that I would even consider a soccer game to play, let alone love it so much to make it my game of the year.

Like a typical american I grew up despising the game of soccer (which I will call it because I will confuse myself if I call it football, So to my UK readers I do apologize). I grew up playing basketball, football, baseball and golf as a kid. In high school I played basketball and golf. Since high school I really just play golf and coach hoops. As I have gotten older, my dream of becoming a filmmaker has pushed me to learn about new cultures and things. So back in 2009 I decided to rent FIFA 10 from Gamefly. After a day I was hooked. I didn't know how to play the game very well and I was losing every match, but none the less I was hooked. Especially with the World Cup in that summer I had started to stream EPL matches (mainly to watch Donovan play at Everton, who became my favorite EPL team) and started to understand the game. That lasted really until July when NCAA football came out. I wouldn't rent another FIFA til FIFA 12 last year. I realized FIFA 10 wasn't a fluke, I like the game of soccer. And since I rented FIFA 12 in June I decided to hold off to buy it and buy FIFA 13. Unknowing to me that Madden 13 would be so good and my love of the NBA and NBA 2k13 I hadn't thought about FIFA 13 really, until Black Friday when EA was selling it for $30. I jumped at the chance, received the game a week later and it hasn't left my xbox since.

The first thing about FIFA that is so great is how simple the controls can be. My first 10 matches or so I didn't really know what a through ball or crossing was. I was getting by on short passes and tough shots in the box. Then with the skill games I learned through balls and crosses, I became brave and decided to use it in games in my career. The outcome? I became better and started scoring more. Same with skill moves, not knowing much of them I practiced in the Arena and then again took it to my career and it opened up better passing lanes. Games like NBA 2k13 you almost have to master the controls to even be decent to compete. That is what makes FIFA good, even on the standard setting of professional you can have fun with limited knowledge of the sport and the game controls.

The system of soccer, The relegation, transfer window, youth academies and scouting. As an American the idea of the relegation system has always intrigued me. It wasn't until 2008 when I really started understanding the relegation system. I wrote a blog on ESPN about how college football should adopt a similar system ( I ended up getting plagiarized by Pat Forde but hey it was a good blog, I don't blame him). As someone who loves taking bad teams and making them good, this offers a challenge not seen in any other game. Currently I have taken lowly York City and I am trying to get them all the way to the EPL. But not only does FIFA offer that they have implemented a form of the Champions league and the World Cup too. Really what it boils down to, is that the career mode is crazy deep, not to mention there are tons of leagues to play in as well.

I'm not much of an online person while gaming, but FIFA's online is great. They have online seasons and the EA Sports Football Club is a great addition too. I love the leveling up and the fact it carried over from FIFA 12 is even better. The catalogue is a good addition, to unlock new kits, celebrations and career boosts is nice. It adds depth to the offline as well as the online. Plus it's fun to support your favorite club (since I live near Portland, I chose the timbers to rep).

FIFA Ultimate Team a few years back added an entire new obsession to sports games. Madden implemented it, MLB the Show and now NBA 2k13. While I'm not even a huge FUT player it again adds depth to both the online and offline modes.

I'm shocked it has taken this long to talk about the gameplay, but holy cow the gameplay is fantastic. Die hards may not agree, I'm not completely sure, but this game is absolutely a blast to play. I play 8 minute halves and it seems to be realistic enough. One of my biggest complaints is that to play NBA 2k to get realistic stats I have to play on a minimum of 10 minute quarters. So games can take up to an hour. With FIFA that's 3 games and I can play full seasons quicker than any other sports game not named Madden or NCAA Football.

So if you read this blog to disagree I hope I made some points for you to at least try out FIFA, If you agree, great. Either way what do you think? As always lets keep the discussion going in the comments.

Comments

# 1 ukslamjam @ Dec 20

Thanks a great read. It's good to see football (soccer) being given another chance across the pond. Don't get me wrong I love all North American sports but football (soccer) will always be my one true love. PM me and we'll have a game some time.

# 2 ukslamjam @ Dec 20

By the way you should try Football Manager 2013, if you haven't already!

# 3 BBallcoach @ Dec 24

Madden 13 is a good game... It's by far the best effort EA put fourth this gen. The Infinity Engine makes that game fun. Are there flaws? yes, but it's a good game.