Still Some Ways To Go
Presentation: 8.5/10
FIFA 12 has a slick and smooth graphical and sound presentation. First time firing it up is an absolute joy to watch. My complaint here is the detail on the crowds and sense of atmospheres in stadiums. Furthermore opening and end sequences for matches are almost always the exact same every time. Managers should be added as well as real life referees to add to the believability of each game.
Gameplay: 9/10
Gameplay is fantastic, FIFA has done a really good job with adding a tactical defending system as well as a strong emphasis and passing and possession. Unfortunately, the gameplay is marred by various glitches such as players spawning on top of each other after fouls and so on. The classic "Fus Ro Dah" players flying across the screen. The impact engine is a good idea, just needs a heavy amount of polish to make it realistic. They've really made goal scoring and defending extremely satisfying this time around.
Realism: 5.0/10
Here is FIFA's biggest issue. As a high level football player I notice a lot of problems going on. Defenders, such as Vidic, Terry and so on, are found flat footed (standing/very slow responsiveness) to balls that are in the air. Countless times have I seen world class defenders watch as a player jumps to meet a cross, or they will completely leave the player they are marking as soon as the ball is crossed into the box. Artificial Intelligence is completely lacking in the defensive and offensive departments. Players make horrendous runs, (Huge gaps down the centre, chooses to run towards the sideline), throughballs never hit the spaces that are needed as well. Defenders are ball watching almost always. The back line furthermore does not understand the concept of defending crosses as well, always seemingly running away from the ball, not jumping or simply watching the ball get headed by them (might I add Lionel Messi should not be beating Pepe for a header, EVER). Furthermore with the defense, the fullbacks 100% play the whole opposing team onside, rather than realizing that the centrebacks are playing up, and pushing up with them, they stand marking empty space and playing the forwards onside.Defenders scoring ludicrous own goals and literally falling over themselves in the box when there's a mix of players trying to get the ball is extremely annoying to watch. Moving on we see that players touch/control are found wanting. I expect Drogba to be able to make a decent chest control to bring the ball to a stand still, not have it flying off his chest. Lack of communication among players can be extremely frustrating, passes hitting the wrong player, players not getting out of the way, and players watching the ball bounce beside them uncontested and doing nothing to get the ball. Goalkeeping needs a serious face lift as well, I've had games where the goalkeeper is absolutely stunning but fails to get a hand to some of the simplest of shots. Referees are a further annoyance, never calling off the ball fouls (players trying to make runs but are obstructed or knocked down) or calling fouls for the smallest of contacts. Penalties are sometimes awarded for absolutely nothing, and at other times they do not do anything to stone wall fouls in the box.
Options: 10/10
I've only stuck with online game modes and clocked over 100 hours playing the game. Haven't even touched the offline modes!
Commentary: 8/10
Commentary is a major part of any sports game and FIFA does not do a bad job at all here. But I would prefer some more emotion and facts (tid-bits about the stadium, managers, players... etc.) during the game. They do have a few of these facts in here which is extremely nice to here, but hearing just 1 or 2 per game is disappointing. Furthermore, I've just scored a 40 yard screamer in the 90th minute and all you have to say is "Goal, From Improbable Range..." Like mate I'm screaming my head off over here. It is nice to see 2 different sets of commentators, one for tournaments, one for single matches, really adds variety to an otherwise repetitive, and sometimes drab, commentary
Average Score: 8.1
FIFA 12 is a good football simulation, but has a long ways to go until it is a true representation of the beautiful game. An polishing of the player impact engine, revamping player awareness and ability and adding more to the emotional connection of the game are a few things FIFA should sort out in FIFA 13.