FIFA 13 Just like Emile Heskey’s infamous “shot-that-went-out-for-a-throw-in” shot, the FIFA franchise has always been just fractions off the mark when it comes to hitting its ultimate targets (although not in any financial sense…) When the games’ approach was re-envisioned in FIFA 09 and then again later in FIFA 12, it was met with an otherworldly success by fans, critics and neutrals alike. It was a series that rose rapidly through the ranks like a lower-league side backed by the funds of Roman Abramovich, earning itself the esteemed and honourable title of “PES-Killer”. Before 12 was even released I wrote an article entitled “Five Features for FIFA 13” – and while it was mainly written for hilarious titular alliteration purposes, it featured some of (what I considered to be) important and ground-breaking tips that I felt would push the FIFA series further in the right direction. Did EA Canada listen to my advice? No – but at times in this review I shall be referring candidly to those points I made so many goals ago, ultimately assessing whether or not this purchase is really worth shouting about or if it should be left alone like a dirty boot stuck in the mud, preparing to languish in the lashings of rain on a dark Sunday afternoon… Ha-ha wow that got dark!
Like with any current generation title – the main meat and drink of the experience should always be its gameplay, especially seeing as this is now the umpteenth iteration EA have thumped out for the FIFA franchise. There’s no doubting that the FIFA packages of recent years have blazed with charm; charm that far exceeds the unfair reputation given by some critics as just being a bunch of “accurate stats and graphs slapped across a mediocre football game”. They help talented and often unsigned artists make a name for themselves in the games’ prestigious soundtracks, they reinvent the formula of football simulation in Manager and Ultimate Team modes and they even offer ludicrous amounts of player, team and tactical customization in order to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible with your squad before beginning a match. Oh yeah, and there’s a limitless shelf-life. Yet, even with all that said it really saddens me to admit that FIFA 13 is easily the most inorganic entry to the series that I’ve experienced for a long, long time. I’ve always supported their adult approach of swapping childish arcade action for brutal realism (the FIFA 12 impact engine being a glorious example of that change for the better) but I’m sorry EA, the first touch mechanism in this one is a step too far. There is a reason Sunday League football looks like a difficult and awkward clunky mess –with a zoo of chunky boys crashing into one another blindly in an attempt to get a touch on the ball. We know that side of football exists and that’s exactly why fans lose themselves in the Barcelona’s, Manchester United’s and Inter Milan’s of this world, because the majority of top players in those squads can effortlessly control a ball with subtle ease. By making every first touch feel like a heavy and unexpected random lottery then you really do eliminate the skill and class of the top players such as Messi and Ronaldo. It would probably even make sense if they just made the attackers the ones who struggle to control the ball, as they’re usually the ones who are receiving elaborate passes in order to advance forward – but when you find your defenders taking ridiculous touches into areas you don’t intend them to, setting up your opponent in the process, then you really lose any form of fluidity and realism and the whole experience just feels forced and labored.
I repeat, that is a shame – because every other aspect of the game is really bang on the money.
Multiplayer has unequivocally reached the “next level”, with FIFA 13 boasting an unbelievable amount of football deviations in that can be played in variety of different ways, alone or with friends (both on and offline) and with complete and utter customization and social media sharing. Seasons (or as it was known by the masses, the “race to division 1”) is back again with its adrenaline rush of goals, disappointment and anticipation – and to improve on the entire experience, this can now be enjoyed with friends online working as a team to reach FIFA’s most satisfying goal. Ultimate Team also gets a glossy makeover offering a more intuitive and fluid trading experience for gamers. In other words, the package is here and it’s more complete than ever – but sadly no amount of tweaking is remedying the fatal flaw that is the first touch.
Sound has always played a key part in the FIFA series and its back again in abundance. The soundtrack isn’t as distinctive as previous years but it’s definitely the most ambitious in regards to incorporating a variety of genres from a cacophony of exciting, unknown bands. To add further thrill to the games’ pre-match build ups, Kasabian’s Club Foot echoes through the stadium along with the roar of the crowds – setting up a wonderful sporty atmosphere that complements the fantastic commentary that is provided, as always, by the FIFA faithful. Martin Tyler, Alan Smith, Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend are all back again to provide us with some in-depth analysis and background information on players, possession stats and their own footballing careers (although a lot of dialogue is clearly revised from previous games). The more hardcore veterans that live and breathe football may also be interested to know that Geoff Shreeves features this time round as Tyler and Tyldesley’s pitchside reporter – usually commentating on the status of a player’s injury. While this sounds like it adds more authenticity and entertainment to the overall experience, I’m afraid to say it falls flat on its knees and just sounds downright hilarious. My first game as Arsenal had Gervinho taken injured with a fractured wrist and with all of Jeff’s experience in the industry I was chuffed to hear him say “Ooh yeah, no it looks like he’s really hurt himself. I think it’s his arm.” Yeah, nice one Jeff.
When I wrote my “Five Features for FIFA 13” article this time last year, I prayed there would be some more detail in the managers and assistants, a two-player arena option while gamers wait for an online game to load (identical to how 12 was offline) and, somewhat hilariously, for Chris Kamara to provide some narration. A two-player arena seems to have been replaced with the equally as interesting “skill games”, which pit you a series of technique-improving tasks within a certain time limit – this is both helpful and entertaining and effortlessly ticks another box on EA’s checklist of wrapping up any loose ends. Kammy is, as I previously mentioned, passed up in favour of Geoff Shreeves so there’s not too much to report on that front, except for my bitter disappointment. Managers are still unseen and predominantly overlooked, although thanks to the Microsoft Kinect support you can now be treated like one (sort of) as your voice commands and bad language – if you’re so inclined – impact the game heavily, usually for the worse as you’re awarded a caution for mouthing off too much…
On the whole, FIFA 13 is the most complete package to date – and I guess that naturally is to be expected with a game that improves on every annual release. However a lot of the additions arguably seem a little superfluous and do very little to mask the frustrating first-touch mechanism that seems to dominate the majority of the games’ bad points. Whilst the gameplay doesn’t flow as organically as it once did – you can’t deny there’s a fantastic amount of value cemented into FIFA 13 which picks up the strengths of FIFA 12 and runs with it comfortably. Is this the best we’ve seen of FIFA? Perhaps. Is it the best we’ll ever see? Definitely not, and I for one cannot wait for what the future has to hold.
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