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

[spartansocc12]

This game has awful AI. It is so frustrating when all the comp does it go forward and your AI players cant defend this predictable gameplay. I understand I need to take control, but I can only be one player at a time. At some point vs the better teams it becomes a shotfest. It is not that satisfying scoring when shots come so easily. Unless I purposely hold possession, that is the only way of keeping the shot count down. The worst part is that it is very easy to hold the ball since the comp rarely holds it themselves. It is even more frustrating because this games controls are so smooth, but the AI really does ruin it for me. Does anyone else feel this way?

[demencia_total]

Quote: Originally Posted by spartansocc12

This game has awful AI. It is so frustrating when all the comp does it go forward and your AI players cant defend this predictable gameplay. I understand I need to take control, but I can only be one player at a time. At some point vs the better teams it becomes a shotfest. It is not that satisfying scoring when shots come so easily. Unless I purposely hold possession, that is the only way of keeping the shot count down. The worst part is that it is very easy to hold the ball since the comp rarely holds it themselves. It is even more frustrating because this games controls are so smooth, but the AI really does ruin it for me. Does anyone else feel this way?

Indeed, it is frustrating. I usually like to play at a methodical pace and keeping possession as my favorite club does, and its annoying that the AI only has one strategy towards attacking the human player. But I believe that the problem isn't within AI's intelligence, but rather in the lack of tendencies for individual players. There is almost no difference between similarly rated players, and you can barely differentiate the stars apart.

In real life, footballers have comfort zones that they like to attack and different playstyles within their clubs strategy, but this is nonexistant in the FIFA series as far as I know. You just have a bunch of sliders for the clubs that basically just determine how aggressive they are, and most are set up to play at a frenetic pace.

I wish FIFA would adopt PES' "special abilities" system that gives the players individual traits, but it doesn't seem like its going to be in this year, so we are stuck with the same generic styles as last year. I believe 08 had something like this, but it wasnt editable and I'm not sure it actually made a difference at all. It really sucks for me because I cannot stand the level of automation that PES has as far as controls, and I absolutely adore the freedom of FIFA's system, but the lack of variety between the players really kills a lot the of excitement for me.

[blisterdfingerz]

Quote: Originally Posted by mebby

Anyway - For me... I think the pace in PES is off a bit and the players don't seem attached to the environment. It's almost like their legs are moving but they are just sliding across a background. The ball physics and player movement all seem off to me compared to FIFA.

I always used to think it was PES that was more attached to the environment and FIFA had this lower sense of gravity on the pitch. FIFA seem to have really nailed it this time around though. For example you would never see a player nutmegged just because of his footing, it would most likely have to of been in the animation before. I always leaned towards PES in the past because of this but on the few games ive had on the FIFA demo they seem to have fixed this. Everything seems more responsive to. This may be the first time since i can remember that i'll only need to buy one football game this year.

[southernbelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by poster

Vermaelen who can play on the wing, but usually is central in defense. ?

dude - Vermaelen on the wing? never at Arsenal, maybe AJAX, never seen them. i was at the Emirates for the match, Verm was quality. been so impressed with his physicality. his second had the most bend of any shot by arsenal player this year!

but on to your other points, you make a great viewpoint. for all the flash and tricks, it does not play like real football. but its an amazing video game to play. not near a sim, but very addictive. cant wait for Oct 2!!!!!

[mebby]

Quote: Originally Posted by demencia_total

I wish FIFA would adopt PES' "special abilities" system that gives the players individual traits, but it doesn't seem like its going to be in this year, so we are stuck with the same generic styles as last year. I believe 08 had something like this, but it wasnt editable and I'm not sure it actually made a difference at all. It really sucks for me because I cannot stand the level of automation that PES has as far as controls, and I absolutely adore the freedom of FIFA's system, but the lack of variety between the players really kills a lot the of excitement for me.

Yea - I agree that this could really alter the game a bit (for the better). Those special abilities in PES were pretty cool and made a huge difference in what players I sought to acquire. You could really build a dynamic team like this...

[southernbelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by therizing02

for the most part it's a bunch of teenagers that think FIFA is "realistic" because they have the license/uniforms and good graphics.

thats a shame... but i think most people are just excited about FIFA 2010, not making it the exact replica of footie.

the problem i see is what most people speak about is the lack of fouls, build up play and tactics that happen with fifa... and in real football that happens over two 45 minute halves. most people play 8 to 10 minute halves in FIFA, i would guess. its hard to get the same nuances and build up...

i think its the same with all sports game (good artilces on front page) where there is the curve that plots realism v fun.

i understand your frustration.

[southernbelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by mebby

Yea - I agree that this could really alter the game a bit (for the better). Those special abilities in PES were pretty cool and made a huge difference in what players I sought to acquire. You could really build a dynamic team like this...

there are special skills to be earned for your VP.

[JRod]

Quote: Originally Posted by therizing02

Couldn't have said it better myself. Especially the FIFA boards comment. There are a handful of what I would actually call SIM guys that post there, but for the most part it's a bunch of teenagers that think FIFA is "realistic" because they have the license/uniforms and good graphics. The developers post in that forum and the game, to their credit, is designed around the feedback from that Community. Again, props them for "listening", but that community seems to be more concerned with trick moves, online rankings, and highlight reel goals. There has been a big push on the EA boards for changes/improvements to MM and the design team responded, but it's very rare that anyone ever posts anything about the lack of fouls, teams playing the same, and the fastbreak style football that plagues this game. Very frustrating. I'm not completely down on FIFA 10 because I do notice some great things about the game. Maybe changes in CTT will help a little.

It's not teenagers that things its more realistic. We don't know what they final versions will look like completely so I guess we can argue on the demos.

In years past FIFA's main selling point was kits, leagues and licenses. Gameplay was super arcade. I don't think anyone would argue that FIFA was a pretty formulaic and not dynamic in goal scoring or playing the game.

Since FIFA's new direction the main weak points were one-on-one interactions. You can't really "deke" players because they are too aggressive and effective getting the ball off players. And maybe the position play with teammates or defense. I show we could run off some other things like GK AI, AI tactics has other problem areas.

Not to get into a PES v FIFA debate...but the other game has been woeful since making the transition. It never regained it's former glory of WE9/10.

I would go so far that PES and FIFA are more closely similar than people think. And the flaws in one game are the same flaws in the other. For the record I thought that AI in PES had just as big problems as FIFA 09 just in different areas.

Like I said, at the end of the day it's all about what's fun. How can NHL 09 be one of the sports game of the years. Defense was bad, there was no board play and GK AI was superhuman. Yet it was fun for many people. I think that's the key for any soccer game. It has to be fun and realistic. Now we can argue for years what that means for every individual. The things you must have are things I can live without.

At the end of the day, will FIFA 10 be fun. For me, I don't play online so my expectations are on a dynamic MM that I can play different teams and have a unique experience each time that I enjoy. I believe for us fellow MM'ers that we'll have that experience this year.

And if FIFA 10 is fun but has some problems I can live with, then I'll be more than happy.