What follows is an unwritten rule, one that should be religiously followed each and every year. Following the release of the newest edition of FIFA, EA Sport’s franchise game, all responsibilities shall be momentarily disregarded. Patrons of the now 20 year old franchise shall be allowed to purchase what fans each year presume will be the greatest sports game of all time, and enjoy its new, innovative features .
The extent to which this rule was applied on September 11, FIFA 13’s official release date, can be debated. However, I can assure all readers that men (and the occasional woman) far and wide went out of their way to purchase FIFA 13, the 20th edition of the FIFA football franchise. Whether it involved pre-ordering the game online, or simply shunning their homework to buy it at their local game shop, people were hyped. Following that brief stint of euphoria, the one that accompanies the purchase of a game of FIFA’s caliber, it’s always interesting to see whether something, some fatal flaw or limitation, will prevent it from entering the uppermost echelon of sports games. Firstly, I haven’t explored FIFA 13 to the depths of its abyss. However, what I did find was a game that has made vast improvements, and seems to have developed what FIFA 12 could only introduce to its supporters.
In terms of upgrades, features worth mentioning are the new Skill Games, as well as the improved physics. Skill games allow users to perform drills that will significantly improve your level of play, as opposed to previous training modes wherein set-pieces and scrimmages were your only options. All 24 skill games featured in FIFA 13 are directed towards perfecting shooting, passing, and dribbling, allowing for better performance in the various game modes.
EA has also taken steps towards improving the very physics that define FIFA, the relationship between the players and the ball that either make for a realistic experience or a frustrating one. During the PS2 era, one could never expect changes too significant in this regard, due to lack of technology. During the ongoing PS3 era, physics aspects such as ball control and tackling have found themselves at polar ends of the spectrum, to difficult or too easy to manage. With improved physics, especially in regards to ball and first touch control, FIFA 13 allows for a more realistic, and at times frustrating (in a good way!) experience. You will no longer find yourself marveling at how mediocre players perfectly control a Paul Scholes half-pitch pass. Heck, even some superstars (Ronaldo, Messi etc.) will find themselves losing possession of the ball, due to randomness being incorporated as a factor in first touch success rate. Frustrating at times? Maybe, but I’m always a proponent of realism over unwarranted success.
Furthermore, the role of the AI is improved. Teammates seem to play with more creativity, an ability to create opportunities for themselves, as well as, finally, be able to beat the offside trap. FIFA 13 is not so much a simulation game as it is a forum wherein your creativity and your skill as a player comes into play, allowing for an improvised experience with few limitations.
In FIFA 13, realism finally reigns supreme.
