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To borrow a phrase that's all too often thrown around when describing the sport, it's been a game of two halves for soccer games in this console generation.
Things kicked off to a somewhat shaky start. For PES, the less said about its' early efforts the better, as the franchise seemed to have been horribly unprepared by the console transition. PES 2008 and 2009 were all over the place, with its laggy online, bumbling keepers, and most importantly, the run-and-gun-all-the-time style of play that makes even Kevin Keegan blush.
In the other corner, FIFA, while not regressing like PES did, was too preoccupied with the superficial stuff at the beginning of the era. Sure, FIFA 2008 and 2009 were fun for the first month or so, but after that, the shallowness of the game-- players being on rails, the over-reliance on wingplay-- became so noticeable that you wondered if we'll ever see a soccer game that not only looks realistic, but plays like it too.
Halfway through the era, something changed.
PES realized that to go forward, it first needed to go back to its roots and find out what made it so successful. And FIFA, trying to go for the jugular as PES stumbled, finally clued in on the fact that while glitz and glamour may win accolades from the day-one crowd (and poor soccer reviewers who only get a few days to file their review for a game), the hardcore fans are looking for more than a month's worth of fun, and they need to be challenged by a game that rewards more than holding down the sprint button. And from 2011 and on, both games improved leaps and bounds.
So, as another console generation fades away, here are the top three soccer games of the era.
(Note that the Football Manager series weren't included for this list, as that would be comparing apples with oranges; and also that the judging criteria is fluid-- it's both how much impact the game made during its time, and how well it plays today.)
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3: FIFA 08
I know, I know. All that preamble to set up the fact that the second half of this generation's soccer games were better and we get FIFA 08 at number three?
While technically this wasn't the first FIFA game to be released on the Xbox 360, it was, in many ways, the first "complete" game of the era. It marked the series' debut on the PS3, and it came with the full array of game modes that we're so familiar with by now.
Make no mistake, the game contained its fair share of flaws, especially if you compare it to the FIFA of recent years. But what it did was give us a glimpse of what the series has the potential of becoming-- the stunning visuals, the Be a Pro mode, and the online experience. And in those rare moments when the players unglued themselves from the rails and the action on the pitch came together, matching the polish of everything else off of it, you knew that it had the potential to become something special.
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2: PES 2013
Here's hoping PES has a better transition to the next generation of consoles than they did the last time around.
After those lost years at the beginning, the franchise has had to play catch up for the remainder of it. And because of that, it just couldn't improve everything on its list. As a result, certain elements-- namely, the presentation elements and Master League-- have aged horribly. Instead, the franchise put all its eggs in one basket: gameplay. And in that sense, they got their priorities straight.
In many ways, PES 2013 was the game that many fans of the franchise were hoping for, albeit a year or two too late. Its gameplay experience is arguably deeper than the PES' that came before, the game cleaned up most of the annoying quirks that marred the previous releases (like the butterfinger goalkeepers), and the organic "anything can happen" feeling still remains, stronger than ever. The only problem is that while it did one thing very well, everything else in the game are about five years behind, and the familiar refrain that "gameplay is all that matters" has gotten just as old as the game's graphics.
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1: FIFA 13
First they did away with the ping-pong passing, then the hoaming missile pressure, then they opened up space in the middle of the park. FIFA 13 was the culmination of all that effort that turned the series from a glorified track meet into a realistic soccer experience. It's the boring choice, but for me it's the right one. No other soccer game this generation matches the complete package offered up by FIFA 13.
Yes, defending can still be a chore and the AI still needs a little too much prodding from the user, but if I am to pick a game from this generation that best captures the sport (in both aesthetics and gameplay), I'd take FIFA 13 in a heartbeat. The game took all the innovation that came before it-- the slowed down pace of the game, the 360 movement, precision dribbling, the impact engine, to name a few --and puts a nice coat of polish on top. Most of the elements are slick and refined, and as much as we say it doesn't really matter, it does-- the game also looks and sounds great.
FIFA 13 is far from perfect, but it does so many things so well that overall, it's hard to argue against it being the best game in the generation.
On a related note, a very honorable mention to FIFA 12: I would've included it in this list, as it was ultimately the game that broke most of the new ground, but a list of four would've been awkward, and like PES 2013 to PES 2012, to me I consider FIFA 13 an extension-- a better one, mind you-- of 12 anyway.
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A lot of times these "look back" lists usually have a slightly older game being the number one. I thought about doing that, I really did, but the truth is that I really did have the most fun with both FIFA and PES' latest releases.
Most of the time, that older game makes the top of the list because it was either "more fun", or the AI was smarter, and the later versions ended up sacrificing those factors for something else. That didn't happen to FIFA or PES.
If you think about it, the last few years have been interestingly uninteresting for soccer gaming. There were no dramatic resets (even when Seabass stepped down from PES, the direction of the gameplay was still largely the same), and instead it was just steady improvements, one iteration building upon the last. So as unsurprising as it may be, both FIFA and PES' latest releases were also, in this console generation anyway, the greatest.
Roll on, X720 and PS4.
Sound off, OS, what's your pick for the greatest soccer game in this console generation?
# 2
Sportzfan0290 @ Feb 20
I agree FIFA World Cup reevolutionized the futbol world as a point too show that you can have as many countries in one game. They even had my caribbean Island sure the players were mistaken since I personally know them but it happens. FIFA 08 man that game was brilliant downfall it was so easy too buy top players. FIFA 13 is great but not a whole lot has changed. The only problem I have with the game is that stupid level up system What's the point of it when you level up for starting the game?
# 4
TomZeWolf @ Feb 20
I had the most fun with FIFA 11, haven't been too happy with the latest two installments.
# 5
Hunkerdown @ Feb 20
Played both PES and FIFA 13, FIFA with good sliders is deeper experience. PES 13 is good on pitch and thats it.
# 6
SkillzKillz719 @ Feb 20
For whatever reason I could never get into FIFA 13, and instead stick to my FIFA 12. That has been by far my favorite game of the soccer genre.
# 7
LucianoJJ @ Feb 21
Agreed, FIFA 13 is the culmination of soccer gaming for this gen. My second choice is 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is a great pick for anyone who is curious about getting a soccer game, but doesn't want to learn about all of the major clubs and leagues in Europe. Many people might find it easier to connect to a National Team. They might like the tournament format. EA Canada did a great job transplanting FIFA 10's engine with the excellent presentation and new game modes of 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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