FIFA 12 Review

EA Sports have become synonymous with the FIFA franchise. The series is a staple of the company and each year the company spares no expense in bringing us a new version, promising a much more lush experience with every iteration. Thus FIFA 12 was born, distilling what we all love about the beautiful game.

Strapping on our boots for yet another match, we are lead to the pitch. The crowd roaring, the atmosphere ablaze with fans showing off their proud colours and the players set for a match to remember, the game gets underway but feels immensely different. It's funny to think that we need no longer be the players... but can be any -- and essentially all -- aspect's of the game can be handled by the player. Want to be a team?, a manager?, maybe a keeper?. It's your choice.

The biggest change to FIFA 12 has to be the new defence engine that EA Sports have incorporated into the game. The system a far-cry from what even pro FIFA players are used too and the name of the game is now re-learning how to tackle the opposing side, defend the ball and general control of the ball. It's no longer an easy task to take the ball and it's even harder to keep it once it's in possession. Playing tactically will be key to surviving in FIFA 12.

My favourite addition alongside the new defence system is the control given when wanting to steal the ball back from an opposing player. It's now possible to jostle players allowing for shirt tugging or holding one's arm out to hold them off from making passes and shots. This is truly a leap forward and it makes the game feel even closer to the real experience we all see week-in and week-out. It's even more interesting when battling against another player for possession, leading to some exhilarating gameplay.

Animations in FIFA 12 have been vastly improved over the previous year's iteration. It's amazing to see the game have both pre-coded animations through its revamped impact engine, yet also have ragdoll physics at other times. The new animations tie in nicely with the physics engine leading to tackles, ball passing and much more having a weight to them. The end result is realistic looking plays for and against the ball depending on the state of play.

FIFA 12 retains all previous modes from years past but also includes a few new modes to enjoy. Head to Head Seasons and online friendly games encompass the new game modes and are a much welcomed edition to the game. Through the Head to Head Seasons, you'll be lead into an online league where winning games and playing well will lead to you either being ranked up or down. It's an interesting take on the game. Online friendlies are games played with friends online. The premise is to have 10 matches against said friend with each match being tracked to see who is the better player, unlocking trophies in the process.

No matter what you do in FIFA 12, the game tracks your progress and uploads it all to the new EA Sports Football Club. This allows both you and your friends access to a profile that lets everyone see how well you're doing in your chosen game modes. No matter which mode you jump into, there's experience points to be gained throughout your time in the game. The points given go directly to your chosen real-life supported club so make sure to win well for them.

FIFA 12 is an outstanding looking game. From the players to the pitch, you'll truly feel immersed in the game's atmosphere and realistic tone. It often felt like I was no longer playing a game anymore, but watching a game on TV. The ambiance given off is striking and makes this one of the most realistic sports games on the market.

Unfortunately, I found the soundtrack to be lacking in any decent tracks. I didn't find a redeeming track so I actually hit the EA Sports Trax menu and turned them all off. It was a much nicer experience without the music clogging up my experience. The commentary is also sub-par compared to other sports games on the market like NBA 2K12 where the commentators have full conversations throughout play. While both Martin Tyler and Alan Smith try their best with the script, it's still a set of one-liners for both leaving a yearning for more from the commentator system.

No matter which game modes you play, no matter who you play with or against, FIFA 12 continues to be the top game in football excellence. There's hours of fun to be had in creating seasons, tournaments and much more. If you are a football fan, you've probably already got the game and are loving the experience to death.

If you're sitting on the edge or are a casual gamer, there's lots of fun to be had with FIFA 12. If you have friends that play, then it's well worth the purchase just to show them you can stack up against the rest.