Fifa 11

[pk500]

Very hard to compare the PC demo to the PES demo, as the FIFA PC demo only provides the Amateur level. The PES demo allows the user to pick any skill level.

But I do agree with the more "organic" feel of FIFA. It seems more unpredictable and much more fluid and intuitive than PES. But that could be because I'm playing on the lowest skill level in FIFA.

Both games are quality. It's going to be a matter of taste and features. Some people are just comfortable with the "FIFA style" or "PES style" of play, and I doubt either of these games are going to create mass amounts of converts.

[GTHobbes]

Finally had a chance to play the demo last night, and came away very impressed. I'm no soccer fan, but I loved the choice in camera angles, the smooth and varied animations, the automatic replays, the audio, the intuitive controls, the ball physics, and the fun factor. The thought that kept going through my mind was, why in the world can't they do this stuff with Madden? The only thing I'd like to see them do is get rid of the cut scenes and replace them with the Real Time Presentation stuff we see in The Show and NBA2k. Otherwise, it's obvious this is a quality game and I'm sure I'll pick it up at the annual Toys R Us 3-for-2 deal, if not before.

[Rodster]

Finally had a chance to play the demo last night, and came away very impressed. I'm no soccer fan, but I loved the choice in camera angles, the smooth and varied animations, the automatic replays, the audio, the intuitive controls, the ball physics, and the fun factor. The thought that kept going through my mind was, why in the world can't they do this stuff with Madden? The only thing I'd like to see them do is get rid of the cut scenes and replace them with the Real Time Presentation stuff we see in The Show and NBA2k. Otherwise, it's obvious this is a quality game and I'm sure I'll pick it up at the annual Toys R Us 3-for-2 deal, if not before.

FIFA is typically a yearly purchase for me. The last several years while the game was good I got bored with it. This time it hits the sweet spot for me. I had no intention of buying it this year but after playing the demo i'll be buying it for sure.

[RobVarak]

Very cool skills video. I'm more likely to play professional football than actually pulling off most of these. The last one where Ronaldo gets Cech to bite on his feint is very, very cool. +1 for K'naan, whom I really dig.

[JRod]

Rob,

As I get older, two things come to mind from the video. I no longer have the dexterity to pull those moves off. And maybe the most important...I no longer have the memory to remember those.

This is about all I can handle these days. Pass-Pass-Shoot.

[GTHobbes]

Rob,

As I get older, two things come to mind from the video. I no longer have the dexterity to pull those moves off. And maybe the most important...I no longer have the memory to remember those.

This is about all I can handle these days. Pass-Pass-Shoot.

Me, too -- my memory isn't good enough anymore, which is why I loved the FIFA 2 button controls when I found 'em on the demo.

[DivotMaker]

Rob,

As I get older, two things come to mind from the video. I no longer have the dexterity to pull those moves off. And maybe the most important...I no longer have the memory to remember those.

This is about all I can handle these days. Pass-Pass-Shoot.

This is why I mostly play Golf games....

[Rodster]

Rob,

As I get older, two things come to mind from the video. I no longer have the dexterity to pull those moves off. And maybe the most important...I no longer have the memory to remember those.

This is about all I can handle these days. Pass-Pass-Shoot.

Me, too -- my memory isn't good enough anymore, which is why I loved the FIFA 2 button controls when I found 'em on the demo.

LOL, I remember playing the first Winning Eleven when it was released in the US and my eyes were bugged out from trying to learn all those button combos.

[FifaInspected]

Rob,

As I get older, two things come to mind from the video. I no longer have the dexterity to pull those moves off. And maybe the most important...I no longer have the memory to remember those.

This is about all I can handle these days. Pass-Pass-Shoot.

Me, too -- my memory isn't good enough anymore, which is why I loved the FIFA 2 button controls when I found 'em on the demo.

LOL, I remember playing the first Winning Eleven when it was released in the US and my eyes were bugged out from trying to learn all those button combos.

Yes! WE8 and it's 72 page manual. I still remember playing that game the first night I bought it.. Soccer gaming Bliss! I jumped out of my chair at 3:35am after scoring my first goal.

[MACTEPsporta]

I finally was able to get a few games in. Here is what I saw.

For the past 3 years I've been begging FIFA to slow the game down, so that you finally have midfield play in the game. With ping pong passing and ridiculous pace, the ball would get out of the middle of the pitch in half a second, and the entire game was played between defense and offense. That's why most online teams constisted of 7 defenders and 3 attackers.

I was very pleased to see that they fixed that. Pressing A and holding the left stick in direction of the opponent's goal doesn't get the ball immediately to forwards anymore. Passes need to become more measured and pulling them off first touch isn't as easy. I do, however, feel they need more tweaking in the passing system, as it lacks constistency. Sometimes, holding the button longer gets the ball to the second furthest teammate, sometimes, it just crashes into the feet of the nearest one.

I also like the fact that a player can't receive the ball at full sprint anymore without having to adjust to it. Likewise, vertical passes will now hit the forward in the back of his foot, instead of magically sticking to his feet as he's blowing by you. As much as I like the realism and sluggishness of first touch control, I forsee it being a problem, though. When moving the ball around the pitch defenders and less skilled midfielders take a long time on the ball, and I am afraid that will be exploited online. I can just see those forwards charge like the Polish cavalry, to take the ball away from poor underrated defenders.

360 degress of physical play means you can tackle the ball away from any angle now. Realistic as it is, it's way to easy for the forwards to take the ball away from the defense. I really dread anying in this game.

Another thing that jumped out at me, as I turned the game on was how much bigger the players are. And how much smaller the pitch is in comparison. That keeps everyone really close together. Realistic, but again, possible source of online frustration.

My biggest gripe with the demo so far is the AI. While the opponent AI has improved drastically, team mates got dumber. They don't make runs, they don't step in front of defenders to receive the ball, and they don't make themselves available for an easy pass. Now, granted, that may be something I need to get used to, and I will experiment further with formations and settings (some of the new passing settings are still a mystery to me) but my first impression is that it was better handled in FIFA 10. Maybe it just seems that way because defensive AI has improved so much.

All in all it seems like a step forward for FIFA, and as always the case with an EA SPORTS game, one set of frustrating glitches has been substituted by another. I look forward to seeing what the clubs will be like this year.

[pk500]

I know the PC demo can be played only on the Amateur level, but the more I play it, the more the organic feel reminds me of my favorite PC team sports game of all time, EA's Rugby 06.

That's a very good thing.

[MizzouRah]

The game definitely feels more like soccer this year.. and I loved FIFA 10.

[Jimmydeicide]

Wow, well bloody hell, what to do what to do.

Had no plans for Fifa as it just doesn't do it for me usually and with pro evo looking so good it was one game only again.
BUT, damned if they haven't pretty much nailed it.
you can actually play this game like you would if you were on the pitch yourself. Finally i can take logical angles to the ball or to cut out a pass and i have the control and with no interference to do so.
The ball bends!!!! who knew.
Animations are incredible.
Goalies look real good.
Control is brilliant, the best passing of any game just got better.
Challenges for headers is better.

If we can slow down the play online and pass it around more i may even be on the squad as a regular

I need a turn off Andy grey button.

Looks like im going to have to get a 3rd job to pay for all these games coming up.

[RobVarak]

I finally was able to get a few games in. Here is what I saw.

For the past 3 years I've been begging FIFA to slow the game down, so that you finally have midfield play in the game. With ping pong passing and ridiculous pace, the ball would get out of the middle of the pitch in half a second, and the entire game was played between defense and offense. That's why most online teams constisted of 7 defenders and 3 attackers.

I was very pleased to see that they fixed that. Pressing A and holding the left stick in direction of the opponent's goal doesn't get the ball immediately to forwards anymore. Passes need to become more measured and pulling them off first touch isn't as easy. I do, however, feel they need more tweaking in the passing system, as it lacks constistency. Sometimes, holding the button longer gets the ball to the second furthest teammate, sometimes, it just crashes into the feet of the nearest one.

I also like the fact that a player can't receive the ball at full sprint anymore without having to adjust to it. Likewise, vertical passes will now hit the forward in the back of his foot, instead of magically sticking to his feet as he's blowing by you. As much as I like the realism and sluggishness of first touch control, I forsee it being a problem, though. When moving the ball around the pitch defenders and less skilled midfielders take a long time on the ball, and I am afraid that will be exploited online. I can just see those forwards charge like the Polish cavalry, to take the ball away from poor underrated defenders.

360 degress of physical play means you can tackle the ball away from any angle now. Realistic as it is, it's way to easy for the forwards to take the ball away from the defense. I really dread anying in this game.

Another thing that jumped out at me, as I turned the game on was how much bigger the players are. And how much smaller the pitch is in comparison. That keeps everyone really close together. Realistic, but again, possible source of online frustration.

My biggest gripe with the demo so far is the AI. While the opponent AI has improved drastically, team mates got dumber. They don't make runs, they don't step in front of defenders to receive the ball, and they don't make themselves available for an easy pass. Now, granted, that may be something I need to get used to, and I will experiment further with formations and settings (some of the new passing settings are still a mystery to me) but my first impression is that it was better handled in FIFA 10. Maybe it just seems that way because defensive AI has improved so much.

All in all it seems like a step forward for FIFA, and as always the case with an EA SPORTS game, one set of frustrating glitches has been substituted by another. I look forward to seeing what the clubs will be like this year.

Trust me, nobody wants you to have to play any.

I made that same point about the problem with defenders being pressured by forwards. There's going to have to be a lot of clearing the ball to touch or long hoofs upfield, I think.

[tjung0831]

Game is good...feels like FIFA to me. I did enjoy the new playing as a goalie feature. I was having quite fun with that last night. That is something that I think I could really get into.

[Zlax45]

Fifa 11 UK Review

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/112/1123409p1.html

[MizzouRah]

Fifa 11 UK Review

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/112/1123409p1.html

Can't wait until tomorrow!

[sportdan30]

Yep, can't wait! My gamefly rental is shipping today.

[10spro]

So I tried to put the online access code only to receive a message that it was a typo. So I thought, darn it I forgot the hyphens again. On my second try I get the message that the code has been used already. WTF? Suggestions?

[RobVarak]

So I tried to put the online access code only to receive a message that it was a typo. So I thought, darn it I forgot the hyphens again. On my second try I get the message that the code has been used already. WTF? Suggestions?

I had the same problem with NHL. It actually worked when I got the "error" message, apparently. Have you tried playing online?

Still waiting for the damn UPS man.

[RobVarak]

10s,

Via Twitter from an EA guy:

Romily Broad
A tip for anyone having issues activating their Online Pass in FIFA 11 on X360. Once entered, relaunch the game from dashboard.

[10spro]

So I tried to put the online access code only to receive a message that it was a typo. So I thought, darn it I forgot the hyphens again. On my second try I get the message that the code has been used already. WTF? Suggestions?

I had the same problem with NHL. It actually worked when I got the "error" message, apparently. Have you tried playing online?

Still waiting for the damn UPS man.

Will try later on, have another long trip late tonight.

Edit: Code worked after rebooting the machine. Weird. Thanks Rob.

[Danimal]

Mine is sitting here on my desk.

I hate work!

[Bill_Abner]

Mine is sitting here on my desk.

I hate work!

It's another really good game from EA this year. Significantly better than FIFA 10 IMO.

This is the best year in the history of the company, for my $.

[JRod]

My early impressions.

+ It's definitely harder than last year.
+ No pattern or route to score.
+ AI does trick moves.
+ Ball is lively.
+ Game feels wide-open and less predictable bounces and positioning.
+CPU will hold onto the ball better and won't push up like they are always playing 1 down in the 90 minute.
+ Manager mode, for the most part seems to a vast improvement. Even if it's barebones it still feels more involved than ML or past MM.
+ In-game scores from around the league.
+ More need to give the ball to the better players.
+ You need to use the offensive and defensive mentality slider.
+ Goals feels as if anything can happen from missing a sitter to hitting a great long-range shot.

- Passing is still too accurate.
- Tackling is still too easy for good teams (playing with Bayern you can easily dominate tackled 2:1)
- AI still seems to be able to score when it wants to turn it on.
- User required skill moves to dribble around defenders. (I hate this because I don't want a Street Fighting FIFA game.) I wish the right stick was used more like NHL instead of requiring combinations.
- The passing meter has a sweet spot, which is stupid. Sometimes I just want to force a hard pass at someone but instead in will be a slow pass that over shoots a player.
- On passes, the ball needs to travel faster.

What worked in FIFA 10 does not work here. Here's the biggest part of the game, the build up to a goal. Sometimes it feels as if they have all 10 men behind the ball and you have to probe, switch sides etc. Other times, get it forward and make a through-pass and you'll have a one on one.

I find scoring very difficult at the moment.