FIFA Soccer 11 Demo Roundtable

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/16/2010 by

1. Best thing in the demo?

Chris Sanner - First off, the demo is actually rather functional. There are several playable teams, and you have the ability to test out a couple of modes, which is a hard combination to beat. After that, the gameplay is much improved. AI players (NPC and CPU) react to the situation at hand much better, they go after loose balls, and they react relatively lifelike. The gameplay has seen some minor, yet big improvements that make the entire package seem a lot better than last year.

Caley Roark - I'll agree with Chris' opening thought. It's nice to be able to play a full game and have multiple teams to choose from. Even a game that ends in a tie goes to PKs -- often it seems that demos end regardless. The goalies seem a lot smarter, and the AI seems to take away a lot of the "run and gun" style soccer that was possible in older versions.

2. Biggest Disappointment?

Chris Sanner - I think it's the lack of innovation with controls outside of passing (and the addition of a couple more moves). There are a couple different options but nothing really stands out to me as being too innovative. This has to be an area the FIFA team looks into for next year.

Caley Roark - I would have liked to have seen more Career mode info in the demo but that's sort of a nitpick. I think shooting is a little too touchy (more so here), and I'm not a huge fan of the new PK method -- little too "gamey" for me.

3. The gameplay is _______ (fill in the blank).

Chris Sanner - Still incredibly good. The Personality+ system, the new passing mechanics (or system?), and the new animations add a boost to the gameplay to make the game seem like it's improved by quite a bit. The graphical enhancements with different player types and whatnot also drive home the point that there have been some big improvements within FIFA 11.

Caley Roark - Smooth. This game really does seem to become more polished each year. I need to spend more time with the passing system to really get a feel, but I like what I've played so far.

4. Any other things catch your eye?

Chris Sanner - There are some presentational elements that have been added this year such as the stat overlays, which are quite nice. Also, the lighting is improved, giving the game a bit better look overall. And, finally, the game itself just seems to be more polished. If I could use one word to describe how I feel about FIFA 11, polished would have to be the one.

Caley Roark - The stadium looked pretty nice, especially during on-field moments like goal kicks. I too liked the presentation elements, but they could have been a bit more "TV" for my taste. It was also pretty challenging on the "experienced" settings.

5. Overall is FIFA's stock up or down?

Chris Sanner - The stock is slightly up to steady, depending on your expectations. The game is still very good, and for me, it's possible it could get a LOT of playtime out of me. FIFA is going to be among the best sports games this year. The American bias will probably prevent it from getting game of the year here at OS, but FIFA will be just as deserving as any other game on the shelf this year.

Caley Roark - I would say up, but not necessarily because of the demo. It seems to play a great game of football, but I'm looking forward to the Career mode as well as the new MLS teams (hometown squad now being the Philly Union).

FIFA Soccer 11 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 Dazraz @ 09/16/10 04:45 PM

Really impressed with the smoothness of this years game. Everything is polished. There are some nice new player animations. I like the stat overlays, something that has been missing from previous iterations. Hopefully stat tracking & comparisons will play a bigger part in the career mode.

# 2 budsticky @ 09/16/10 05:04 PM

I'm not sure what more you guys want them to do with the controls. There's only so much you can do with what's available on the 360/PS3 controllers. Besides, if it ain't broke don't fix it, and to me the controls are pretty damn solid. In my opinion I hope they keep any gimmicky control things out of this game.

# 3 elprez98 @ 09/16/10 06:21 PM

Are you guys going to round table the PES demo?

# 4 misterbroom12 @ 09/16/10 06:51 PM

The only thing I am going to disagree with here as the whole impression was positive from both Chris and Caley is the PK system. I read about the new system when it was first introduced for FIFA World Cup 2010, and even though I didn't get to play the game, it seemed as though it would be a great idea and I was hoping it stayed for FIFA11. The reason I like it is because The concept of it is very simple, and it is pretty easy to get used to how it plays, whether or not you are good at it though is a whole different story, and that's why I love it. Just as in real life, taking a penalty is somewhat nerve racking, if you let pressure get to you or you over think the little things, and you can just as easily master it and almost never have one saved or miss the target. The new controls for the goalie as well make the system nicer because there is less of an occurrence of you diving the correct way, only to have your goalie not outstretch his arms enough or just simply lift an arm or leg to block the ball away. I hope the system stays for a while as it is very realistic in the fact that on both sides of the spot kick, you can be very good or very bad at them, and skill is involved.

# 5 AInquisition @ 09/16/10 07:59 PM

I'm not feeling the World Cup style PKs. Anyone know if the old version will be an option in the full game?

# 6 cepwin @ 09/16/10 09:43 PM

I have to agree....I am impressed by the demo...it is smooth and the graphics look improved from last year. I would have liked to have had more gameplay options (difficulty, manual/auto aim) in the demo to see how the real game will play for me. I am very much looking forward to the real thing on the 28th.

# 7 JRod @ 09/16/10 09:48 PM

Tough crowd to please. I don't know how the gameplay isn't talked about more. This is probably the most organic feeling football game to date and I've played them all -- all the way back to WE6(import).

For the first time, there seem to be no predictable outcomes. I don't mean in the final scoreline but in moments that occur many times during one game.

Headers - Last year, if you had some one tall and big, you could win the ball 99% of the time. Now it's truly 50/50 as it should be.
Tackles - There's so much more variety to tackling. And there's no sure thing, you can rush a dribbler and hope to win the ball. And when you do tackle that ball could end up anywhere. Unlike last year, where either you or the CPU came away with the ball. I've had times where the ball goes to a dead area while both players go down.
Shooting- Couldn't be more impressed with the ball physics here. The ball has weight, curve and seems realistically lively. If you spend any decent time just in the practice you really see the variety. I hope this translates to amazing free kicks and long shots.
Field space - much more improved. Last year, it felt like giants playing on 5-a-side pitch.

The only thing that doesn't seem changed is the ability of the goal keepers. In one-on-one situations they are vulnerable. But I think they are able to stop long shots too easily. We'll see in the full version.

Just really impressed with the game.

# 8 JohnnytheSkin @ 09/16/10 10:16 PM

Curious as to why the controls NEED to change or have innovation? It's the same gripe some had with The Show. If it works, why change it? I don't WANT to learn new buttons or stick moves every year, I just want the buttons I press and moves I do to work flawlessly. Why mess with a good thing!?

# 9 misterbroom12 @ 09/16/10 10:32 PM

I agree with JRod too about the tackling. I love the variety of it, especially when you hold A to tackle, or use the LT to face up and get in position to tackle, if you're player isn't in the perfect position for the tackle, they can still whiff and be left in the dust, unlike in FIFA10. I hated last year how online all you had to do was hold A and there was no repercussion, no real chance at fouling, never a card for a tackle with A and in the rare instance that you wouldn't win the ball with the "conservative" tackle, your player never went too far out of position. I love that now you have to make sure you time and choose your tackles.

# 10 Randiesel75 @ 09/16/10 11:25 PM

@JRod - well said

# 11 cheesesteak @ 09/17/10 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnytheSkin


	Curious as to why the controls NEED to change or have innovation? It's the same gripe some had with The Show. If it works, why change it? I don't WANT to learn new buttons or stick moves every year, I just want the buttons I press and moves I do to work flawlessly. Why mess with a good thing!?

Not condoning it, but they do it to prevent complaints of them recycling content or not being innovative. It's like darned if they do, darned if they don't. That's how they think, at least, I assume.

# 12 drobebryant @ 09/17/10 05:30 PM

real smooth

# 13 sarlndr @ 09/17/10 11:52 PM

I like the demo even though the halfs are to short. The animations look better and it's tougher to score, which is a good thing. I'm nitpicking here but I wish EA could find a way to get the names on the jersey to look better and get the jersey colors better.

Gameplay is what it's all about and it seems at this point that FIFA will yet again be in my collection come the 28th.

# 14 Alistair @ 09/18/10 05:07 AM

Am I the only person who wasn't the slightest bit impressed by the demo?

While the animations are fluid, it felt like I was ice skating rather than running. The game (at least on whatever the default setting is) was far too quick. Furthermore, the opposition AI was utterly brainless. Almost every time, they try to run the ball out of defence, where you can just pick it off and start attacking.

Four minute games suck arse too. Most people are going to buy the game, so why is EA being tight-arsed? Let us play a 10 minute game or something. That really annoyed me.

# 15 arsenal123gunners @ 09/18/10 02:33 PM

Back up to what Jrod said about shooting:
I had a situation where a deep cross was played out wide to Messi who then played a header to about 5-10 yards before the corner of the 18-yard box, and Xavi came and launched an amazing volley that although it didn't go in, was one of the most natural shots I have hit

# 16 misterbroom12 @ 09/19/10 05:39 PM

Alistair, I don't know if you played on too low of a difficulty setting or what happened but I haven't had a problem with the opposing teams AI being dumb. In my experiences they have been very good actually with building attacks and not taking chances at the back. I will agree though, there's no harm in making the demo game 5 minute halves. The game modes and online play are what make people buy the game, a longer game in the demo won't change that.

# 17 ProdigalSon @ 09/20/10 05:22 AM

There are times when the computers d will hold the ball too long and I've stolen it and had an easy shot.

That happened on World Class, but it only happened once in the game. Although it did lead to a goal, the goal was something that I actually had to think about for a second. Ended up hitting Van Der Vaart in stride and he put it in the back of the net.

One of my gripes is that on goal kicks, players don't move up far enough up field. The midfielders should be at midfield on these, instead it's just the forwards.

Also seems that the CPU abuses the Marseille Spin.

# 18 Mad 69 @ 09/23/10 07:56 AM

Feels like the same old game every year - not enough to warrant paying $65+ for basically the same game every year. The same can be said for NHL and Madden for that matter. EA needs to go to a 2 year cycle on sports games - but they are a greedy company and a two year cycle only benefits the consumer so I'm not expecting it to happen.

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