FIFA 13 Demo Review

Even in gaming, there are people who eat, sleep and breathe football. Players who enjoy a competitive challenge online, defeating a tough computer opponent and having a great time playing in a game with some friends. The perfect combination of the love for the game of football and gaming pleasure can be played in EA Sports’ acclaimed series FIFA. Now that the game is only a few weeks away, EA Sports recently held a chance for gamers in four cities across the UK to preview the gameplay of the latest FIFA.

The demo of the game will be released this Tuesday (11^th September) and I was eager to see what new features had been implemented into the game so I attended the EA Showcase in Glasgow to see what other people thought of the game and to see for myself!

The layout of the homescreen of FIFA is very similar to that of recent FIFAs which will suit many FIFA players who are comfortable with the current layout. Although I only got to play quick matches (due to the game only being the demo) I could see all of the game modes that will be featured in the game. Most are the same as the previous FIFA with Ultimate Team, Career Mode and Pro Clubs but one brilliant new feature is Match Day. As you play through a match, the commentators will be able to say how a certain player has affected the team with how they play throughout the course of the season, how they are performing in real life. From what I experienced in the demo, the players name and a small image of that player will appear in the top left hand corner as the commentators discuss the players form or impact they have on the game. This also applies to the ratings of the players, similar to what we seen in FIFA 11 with Live Season mode but now it seems, this content will be free.

In the demo there are 5 teams to choose from. Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Premier League champions Manchester City. The screens which sees you choosing your team and kit is different to previous FIFAs as there is a clean looking white background and lets the kits, when choosing them, stand out much more.

When waiting on the game to load, FIFA players will know that you usually have to play around in the arena for 20 seconds or so before the game starts. Now though, this is a chance to improve your skills by utilising the skills games which is new for FIFA 13. These seem very fun to play and also pushes you to do better, while still being fun.

Like any new edition of any game, it may take you a few tries to get accustomed with new features and a new style of gameplay. Although FIFA doesn’t deviate too much from what made it successful, there are great new features which makes FIFA 13 even more addictive. A great first touch is what seperates the average player from your Lionel Messi and EA Sports have implemented this into the game. Depending on how you play a pass or how good the players skill level is that is receiving the pass, these factors will influence how the player receiving the ball will act. Whether it is a great first touch into their stride or whether they need a touch or two to control the ball then make their next move. This mainly means that if you are passing the ball to your teammate, you cannot simply hit the ball as hard as you can, this may take a few games to get used to for some players.

The way in which the players make runs seem to be an improvement as well. While chipped through balls have been made slightly harder to achieve, the runs which the players make were very good from what I experienced but the First Touch system again affects this.

Finesse shots have also been made harder to score from and although they are tougher to score from, it makes them even sweeter when you curl a shot past the goalkeeper. I noticed as well that since the change in defensive gameplay last year, when playing in single player, the defence seems to be in great positions to intercept any loose balls. Goalkeepers were a constant nuisance for me yesterday as they are harder to score into. I played someone at the event with Juventus and they went Manchester City. No matter how hard I knocked on the door, Joe Hart was unbelievable. The only way I could score past him was to resort to the most hated FIFA goal with the square pass across the goalkeeper. Soon after this performance though, goals were coming but not as much as my inflated FIFA ego would have liked!

With these changes that have been made to the new FIFA, I believe that it will be a major success, similar to the titles in recent years. Year after year I have bought FIFA titles and even though for many it wasn’t the best football series out there, it seems they have created another fantastic game if the demo is anything to go by. Although, I do remember the demo for FIFA 12 being totally different to the final retail release. I’m sure I will see you on the pitch after 28^th of September!

The demo for FIFA 13 is released Tuesday 11^th September via Xbox Live for Xbox 360 and the Playstation Network for PS3.

@SimonMarshall6