FIFA Soccer 10 Demo Available in Europe (17th for US), Post Impressions Here

[boritter]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tomasperez9

- The new foul/tackling/muscling system adds a whole new element to the game. - Quick free kicks! - You have much more control over your players

I agree. I'm not sure if it's the 360 degree control or the addition of RT + LT but I feel like I have a lot more control over my players. Skill moves actually work.

And I really like the slow speed setting -- it seems more realistic.

[adun_79]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tomasperez9

How so? What does it say? I created a Euro account (Germany) and it allowed me to download it easily (except for the fact I had to navigate through an all German dashboard to find FIFA10!).

UK is right above US and you scrolled all the way up to Germany, smh

[demencia_total]

After playing about 8 games on the demo, my impressions are mostly good.

Positives:

- The AI seems much improved. They are a lot more patient in keeping the ball and creating possession, as well as in chance creation. I haven't seen any hasty shots outside the box by them which were the norm in 09. Also, I tested a CPU vs CPU and it actually developed quite nicely: it was Barca vs Bayern, and while Barcelona controlled possession (as they often do in real life), Bayern won 1-0 with a beautiful counter attack that left Mario Gomez (I think) facing Valdes 1 on 1 and scoring on a lob shot. Awesome.

- The player switching logic on defence seems to be better. I struggled the past two years trying to get to the right defenders in a lot of situations, but now the switches seem to make more sense. It seems that no longer I am stuck on a defender in certain canned situations that were the norm in 09. Need to study this for longer though.

- There seems to be a noticeable difference between the top clubs and the lesser ratings ones. I felt that in 09, even with the introduction of the tactical sliders, most clubs had a very similar feeling and playing style. I played with the Chicago Fire vs Barcelona and I struggled to keep possession as they were faster and more skilled in trapping me with their stingy pressure. This is another thing that I want to study for a longer, but it seems a positive so far.

- 360 dribbling is a godsend, but what I absolutely ADORE is the movement on defence without the ball. It's so much easier to keep marking a defender up close without rushing him. Even when they completely change directions you can keep close, which was almost impossible to do in 09.

- The ball seems to behave more realistically in the air, specially in crosses which carry a lot of curve and speed. Haven't really tested free kicks yet though.

- The AI no longer aces every pass. Last year it was a pain playing in Manual against the CPU because their passes were ALWAYS on target, but it seems that now they will make mistakes in terms of power and misdirection. Loving it!

Negatives:

- There still seems to be a delay of input on certain situations. It's not as bad as it was in 08 and 09, but I've noticed it a few times. Also, sometimes you will press to clear the ball but the defender gets stuck in an animation and the input is ignored. Again, doesn't seem to happen as often as before, but its still there sometimes.

- The AI still insists on pressuring way up the field, even with the lesser clubs. I saw the Fire pressuring Barcelona deep into the backline, which often left them really exposed for counter attacks considering the superior tactical and physical ability of their opponents. The game was 0-0 and it wasn't late in the game, so it looked really out of place.

- I noticed that I couldn't change my Offensive/Defensive mindset during corner kicks. In 09 by moving the slider to the offensive side, it would bring the defenders up for the corners. Maybe this is controlled in a different manner this year with the addition of the set play creator, so its probably not a big deal.

- Rushing the ball handler with a defender is still sometimes a little too effective for my taste. This is a minor complaint at the moment because I haven't played that much, so I might be overreacting, but sometimes it seems that the defender comes running at full speed from afar and can steal the ball with much too ease without fouling the ball handler.

I am still undecided on other things, but I am really digging the AI so far. I'm really struggling playing in Manual at moment with the new adjustments to dribbling, passing and shooting, so I did most of my playing on the Semi settings. Hopefully by the time the game comes out I'll have it down.

[Tomasperez9]

Quote: Originally Posted by adun_79

UK is right above US and you scrolled all the way up to Germany, smh

I just followed the directions I found after googleing it. It said Germany or Japan (nothing else) and they gave the zip codes for each. Oh well. I don't have to use that account anymore.

[KG]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bahnzo

After playing about 6 games, it's hard to see any BIG improvement over 09. The much touted 360 dribbling doesn't really seem that noticeable, but it is there. Build up play seems better than before, if you choose to play that way. But passing to the wings and cutting in a cross is still the play of the game. The AI never tried to build up play and instead goes either for a quick pass up the middle, or a cross from the wings. The pace of the game is better than 09..it's slowed a bit and last year's super defense (where everyone was Rio Ferdinand) is toned down. Still, players don't seem to have any momentum at all and turn on a dime and change directions with no loss whatsoever. And still, old problems persist. Fouls are still almost non-existent. I had two free kicks in three games. Once I played a nice dribble past the last defenseman, only to have him wheel on a dime and stick out his leg and take me down....no call. Your AI teammates stand there and wait for the pass...and then watch as the CPU defender pushes past them to steal it. This has been going on for years now, and still hasn't been fixed? Not overly impressed so far. It's a small step forward from 09, and I'm sure if manager mode has been revamped then you can add that as well. But gameplay is still mediocre at best, sadly.

Players had a lot of momentum in '09. That was the big change IMO from '08 to '09. Out of all the EA games I played in '09 FIFA was the only one that got this right.

I never understood this complaint. I have my user-switching 2 clicks from the left and once I pass the ball it switches players fast enough for me to take control of the pass recipient.

[poster]

I think what Bahnzo is referring to with passing happens to me from time to time. I had switching at one click from the left which was the default and it isn't too bad. More frustrating when playing Manual passing as it is hard enough.

I still need more time, but as a single player playing against the CPU not much has changed. All these teams play the same, still see everything funneled forward. There are three parts of the pitch where action occurs, in this game there are two. Middle is non-existent, always has been in next gen FIFA. Back and forth, never any possession or control from the CPU. Always rushing forward.

Bahnzo also brought up attacking, and I also see the same stale way all teams attack. It is cool that the ball action is improved on crosses, but that doesn't mask the fact it is the way the CPU most often attacks. No fun in that for me.

I did see a couple more fouls called and liked the referee giving warnings for the most part after the first bad challenge instead of going straight to the card. Improvement there for sure. Still don't think enough fouls will be called. They introduce this great new set piece editor, but you won't get to use it much. What is the point then?

Asked Marcel at the EA forums if there are more slots for tactics this year (28 last year I think), and also if we can change the CPU tactics in MM for example. No response so I assume that is a no and another thing they don't even realize is a flaw, or they overlooked it for more online additions.

Tactics did nothing last year anyways as again all teams played the same for the most part. So once again how will MM be any better when teams play the same way? I think this goes back to what phillyfan said, in that the players are programmed by position and are static to that area of the pitch. At least the CPU controlled players are. I never see FB's attack the length of the pitch for example, they seem to give the ball up at a certain point. Only danger is the attacking forwards and mids.

The game does alot right and is fun, but it fails to represent alot of what is great about the sport and the tactical beauty of the game. I will keep giving the demo a run, but not looking good from my end at this point.

[Bruins]

Quote: Originally Posted by poster

I had switching at one click from the left which was the default and it isn't too bad.

I beleive two clicks from the left is the default.

[Qb]

Completely forgot that I was supposed to move to Europe yesterday. I guess I'll have to hop a flight across the pond today after work...