It's been a long time since I've been into a sports game. The last time I played one was 2006 FIFA World Cup on Xbox 360, and the last time I was enthralled with one was FIFA 2004 on the PlayStation 2. It turns out that I've missed quite a lot. The innovations and additions have stacked up so radically in the last few years that it's astounding how far EA has brought their football franchise. For those of you who live the soccer lifestyle, this will be right up your alley, as it exudes the brilliance of the beautiful game from the very outset and this dedication and attention to the world of football is present every step of the way. If you've been holding out on playing FIFA the last few years, stop. Play this game. FIFA 11 is the best sports game I have ever played. I haven't played any of the FIFA titles of the last few years, but I'm not new to the franchise. I started playing FIFA back in 1996 on the Nintendo 64, and went on to play FIFA every consecutive year through 2004.
With that said, FIFA 11 packs an immense and overwhelming amount of content at first sight. But digging in became easy and new features are easily identified. The first thing I did was start up a game to check out how the mechanics have evolved and oh, how things have changed, and for the better. This is what makes FIFA 11 the best sports game I have ever played. The controls are instantly recognizable and when things got started, it felt like riding a bike, it all came back to me. Passing isn't quite what it used to be, it's better. The Pro Passing control first implemented in FIFA 10 make stepping into the role of a midfield maestro all the easier as it instantly becomes second nature when it comes to distributing the ball. Sending a wing on a run down the sideline and putting the ball through a few defenders for the player to run onto is a breeze. Crosses are now more effective and you'll want to send the ball into the box, whether you put it long to the far post or you drive into the near post, EA has increased the variety with which your team responds making it easier and more beneficial to you to incorporate wing play into your plan of attack. Of course, if you want to dribble and pass until you find a clear shot on goal, the Pro Passing system will accommodate your style of play. Be a Pro mode is back. Be a Pro allows you to create your own footballer, edit him in any likeness you desire and assign him to a team of your choosing and build your career from there.
The only downside for FIFA 10 vets is that you cannot import your player from FIFA 10. Don't avoid Be a Pro: Goalkeeper mode either, I enjoyed it. It can be be a bit slow, and not nearly as much action, but EA wisely chose to add a sort of spectator camera angle. By hitting the Back button, the camera shifts from the perspective of the GK to where the action is, and from there you can influence the game. While you're watching, you can command the game from the back line much like a goalkeeper would do in a real game by talking to your players in the form of suggesting passes, crosses and shots. You never have direct control over the players on the pitch, you just have the opportunity to press A, X, Y and B in an attempt to influence the game. Whenever the opposition is on the attack, just hit the Back button again and you're back in the role of the GK. Making saves and covering the goal are a challenge just like they would be in a real game, and spectacular saves are few and far between for the sake of realism. Online FIFA 11 is a complete package that will keep fans coming back again and again until FIFA 12 is on store shelves. All the normal modes are there like head to head quick play, online leagues with your friends and so on.
This feature review continues on the next page, please click below to see our final opinion of FIFA Soccer 11.
