There are some fans that simply don't care if EA's made big changes in the latest instalment, FIFA 12.
They're so engrossed in the series' winning gameplay they're bound to feel the smallest tweaks every year like a boot to the noggin in a fiery half-time team talk. They'll notice every animation, every flake of weight added or removed from the ball, every tweak to Messi's sprint speed. Change the brand of paint used to touch-up the centre spot and they'll sniff the difference in seconds.
Thinking ahead? Read our most-wanted list of FIFA 13 features - and give us your own.
Instead of building on top of FIFA 11 the EA team has taken steps in different directions - in some cases, ones we weren't expecting - to change the overall feel of the franchise.
There's still that incredible fluidity of play, the incredibly detailed level of animation. FIFA still surprises you with goals you've never seen before, it still takes full advantage of exclusive licenses to provide the most authentic football experience bar the real deal.
But when you're off the ball you'll discover a more physical, thoughtful and authentic defensive game that forces even the most veteran FIFA champs to rethink their game plan entirely. EA's been brave, and FIFA 12 is most definitely one of its most significant updates yet...
Good Engine
Aesthetically FIFA 12 doesn't look like it's changed an awful lot. Start up your first game and, apart from an attempt at presentation that resembles a TV broadcast highlight reel, everything looks very similar.
The default camera angle is a little lower in the stands this year, there's a slight improvement as far as lighting is concerned and player likeness has been given the annual increase over last year's effort (for the top players at least).
The idle passer by, then, might give a "More of the same" roll of the eyes, but for the man in the boots the changes that have been made by EA Sports are significant.
The overriding feeling is that FIFA is weightier and heavier and, while a fraction of that is down to slightly slower sprint speeds (although we're not talking FIFA 08 here) the biggest contributor is the clever physics based collision detection.
What it means is that glancing off a defender's shoulder will cause your body to twist, putting you off course. Similarly a sliding tackle might miss the ball but catch your back leg, again messing up your stride. Colliding with a teammate in the box also comes with more detriment as well; you're more likely to hit the deck than simply jog on the spot until they get out of the way.
It means that there's more to think about for both attackers and defenders.
As an attacker, unless you're Kevin Davies or Didier Drogba (yes they are similar), trying to muscle through a cluster of defenders is probably a bad idea. Not only do you have to protect the ball from poking feet as per usual, but you have to think about all the shoulders that are going to knock you about.
Comments
40 comments so far...
dwhlufc on 23 Sep '11 said:
Nice write up but you could of gone into the career mode abit more,anyway I loved FIFA11 but didn't enjoy FIFA12's demo,saying that if I'd read your review without trying the demo EA would be receiving my money but IRS not to be as I'm jumping ship again back to PES.
Reegeee on 23 Sep '11 said:
Yeah, I can't wait for this. I really love the demo, and the more i play the more I find I can do.
I agree they could've done a bit more about the career mode, but what i get from this is 'it's better than last time'. They could've mentioned Ultimate team too, which is in the game from the start this time too, though none of us mentioned it in the comments for what we want to see in the review so I guess that's why it didn't make it (Though surely it should at least get a mention).
KK-Headcharge78 on 23 Sep '11 said:
Could have done with 2 scores CVG, one for newcomers and one for those who have played the last 3 or 4 games. For me I need to know whether it flows like 2010 or stutters like 2011? I liked the demo but didn't see enough to warrant anywhere near this score if taking into account the older versions.
clarkie123 on 23 Sep '11 said:
'Expert'? Aren't the difficulties above Professional 'World Class' and 'Legendary'?
FlimFlam on 23 Sep '11 said:
Stutters like 11? We must have been playing two different games, the on pitch action I have experienced in 11 at time has been an absolute fluid joy to behold... I literally play it every week.
The demo for 12 was good. Pro Evo against a mate is tremendous fun though. Think I'll still go FIFA but I'm not 100% decided yet...
MattyR95 on 23 Sep '11 said:
Sounds really good.
I hope Kevin Davies is still a good bulldozer (He'd beat drogba anyday in that respect) 
I liked the fifa 12 demo, more difficult but I'll get used to it eventually, even if it means starting at amateur again.
Imaduck on 23 Sep '11 said:
12 - also the combined IQ of the two creatures in the feature image
Lance Uppercunt on 24 Sep '11 said:
19.7/10 for all of you 'tards who willingly part with £40 for a slightly updated game. See you all next year. Don't forget your £40. Rumour has it they will slightly update the graphics. It's only a rumour, though. Still, what do you care?
KK-Headcharge78 on 24 Sep '11 said:
Good for you, I preferred 2010 personally but hey ho
DannyIsBatman on 24 Sep '11 said:
Played the Demo?
Have any interest in Football?
Ever bought a sequel/ update to a yearly game?
I'l say no more.
And yes, i will buy this at some point this year. And i'm far from being a retard.
One more thing, hows the view up there from your ivory tower?
wiesniak193 on 24 Sep '11 said:
Here`s what I have to say:
HOW??I MEAN....HOW????How does this game get such a good reviews???Honestly-I think I know why England never wins anything i real football.Simply because you clearly don`t know what it means.And here`s why:
-the real football does not roll like the one in Fifa
-the reall game does not play like FIFA,where the only way s to score are to go 1on1 with goalie or go 2 against 1 and pass the ball to your teammate so he can put it in an empty "onion bag"
-in real football you play the ball wherever you want,not where AI and CPU want
-in real football nets looke like nets when ball hits them(over 10 yrs and FIFA guys still can`t get it right??)
To sum it up-yes,Fifa 12 is still good game but nowhere near as good as reviews say.For God`s sake,at least stpo lying!!If you take the licences away,you will see how good the game is and how loyal FIFA fans are.Give licences to both-FIFA and PES and we will see completely different competition.As for calling Fifa "the best football game ever".....give me a break.Yeas it is good,yes,last year`s PES was pathetic and abbysmal,yes Fifa is at the moment more popular......but only because its only enemy let it`s guard down.This year it`s bound to change.It`s not going to change,bacause England still does not know what real football is.That`s why Spain,Italy,France,Germany win trophies-it`s all about PES in those countries.No offence but it is time to wake up an open your eyes.
dwhlufc on 24 Sep '11 said:
Sorry mate but i'll be buying PES this year but your post is absolute rubbish,FIFA is very good and nitpicking about nets has nothing do with how the well the game portrays ACTUAL football,you say PES is where its at but FIFA probably has more animations than the last two PES games put together,the licences,animations and outstanding gk's in fifa all come together to provide a bloody brilliant package and why can't the game recieve merit for that?EA pay alot of money for those licences and it adds to the experience.
One more thing FIFA had 75% of the market share last year so obviously people in Spain,Italy,Germany etc are playing FIFA aswell and most likely more are playing FIFA thsan PES.
Once again i am buying PES over FIFA this year but my god im sick of reading such drivel on these boards,both games are good this year so please would all real football fans just rejoice that we actually have an option this year.
cnev237930 on 24 Sep '11 said:
wiesniak193 what you're saying is that a national team's success on the pitch is directly related to the football computer games that country's citizens are playing?
Ha ha ha ha
smascherano on 24 Sep '11 said:
HAHAHA you say this but:
If the ball, even when passed a few yards, SOUNDED like the one in Pro evo, the you would think that they are playing football with a medicine ball
If a player ran like they do in Pro Evo, the amount of stick the player would get would be astronomical.
If the ball moved like it does in Pro Evo, every shot even with the side of the foot would look like 90mph screamer
If the player animations for shots, passes, headers, tackles, gk saves, dribbling and ball control were used in real life, then none of the players would be professional and would even struggle to get into my saturday league team. Pes shows little body movement or the technique that would be shown in a pro game and is miles behind FIFA and some of it looks like it belongs on a PS2.
If the Pes shooting mech was used in real life then John Terry could score from 30 yards...I did it with Badstuber, so im sure if he can then so can anyone else.
That 'onion bag' is far ahead of Pes Translucent Ball sack of a net.
There are plenty of ways to score IF you are good enough. You can dribble through 2 or 3 players and put the ball in. you can score the occasional screamer. You can use trickery (which again animation wise and when pulled off looks far better than Pro evo) and then go on yourself or put in a fantastic cross, only for your forward to back heel it on the volley into the net. You can use the Bergkamp flick, which although in the game contextually, still when pulled off can take a couple defenders out of the game and looks fantastic.
I like the lack of realism in Pro Evo like the shooting ect Because it makes it more fun when you can score with anyone from anywhere.Sometimes the player doesnt move his leg back and it just cannons of his foot into the top corner without the player moving. I like the fast, arcady style of play and I think its looking quite strong this year. But when realism is concerned it doesnt stack up to FIFA in any way.
Pro evo is a simpler, arcady Football game that is actually quite fun this year and I will be getting it eventually but FIFA12 comes first.
Lance Uppercunt on 24 Sep '11 said:
Yes.
Yes.
Sequel? Yes. Yearly update? No.
Far?
Surprisingly poor. The commoners keep spoiling the view.
dwhlufc on 24 Sep '11 said:
Trophy list is actually worse than last years somehow,EA never give you a decent trophy set,always boring and rarely tests any gaming skill.
turricantg on 24 Sep '11 said:
Played the demo.
Don't like the new defending system....It don' feel right..
Hate the new English commentator....Horrid voice....E.A need to get John Motson!
Everything else the way the game plays is tweeked FIFA 11.
Very_Silver_Ownz on 24 Sep '11 said:
FIFA 12 demo was alright but Pes demo was better imo. Theres something I just don't like about how FIFA 12 plays.
FlimFlam on 24 Sep '11 said:
On your response to the questions asked following the above...
Clearly the wrong questions were asked. Irrational dislike of FIFA/EA? Compulsion to deride fans dedication to a particular franchise without necessarily having the social skills to articulate such a point in an intelligent manner? What sequels do you intend to purchase this Xmas period?
It's a bit rich insinuating that others are retards, when you have apparently played the FIFA demo and can't tell the difference from last years.
Lance Uppercunt on 24 Sep '11 said:
No. But whatever helps you sleep at night.
Were you under the impression that this part sounded intelligent? No, I do not harbour a compulsion to deride fans for dedication to a particular 'franchise.' And I believe you will find that my social skills are impeccable.
By the way, you missed an apostrophe.
Uncharted 3. Dark Souls. Do you believe that either is a slightly tweaked update of the game that came before? Me neither.
Except that you just made that up and attributed it to me. Please indicate specifically where I stated that I "can't tell the difference from last years."
I will wait here.
rbt2 on 24 Sep '11 said:
I'd say you're more c**t than upper.
Lance.
Lance Uppercunt on 24 Sep '11 said:
You better believe it.
rbt2 on 24 Sep '11 said:
How about this then..
You're more upper than lance.
c**t.
?
sniper789 on 24 Sep '11 said:
Lance Uppercut is still an awesome name, though.
Lance Uppercunt on 24 Sep '11 said:
It just pips Rock Strongo.
sniper789 on 24 Sep '11 said:
Second only to Sniper789
Kezwar on 25 Sep '11 said:
*YAWN* This whole Fifa, Pro argument got borin 3 years ago mate. Most people smelled the coffee by Fifa 10, but some people still can't accept that Pro is sub par. I used to love pro, but the the fact is Fifa has long surpassed it. Every year they tend to say it's the best football game ever, but they tend to have a point. The best Pro game in the series was probably 5, an Fifa 11 is better, so I'm guessin Fifa 12 is too. Oh and by the way your points are clearly ridiculous to anyone who actually play Fifa on a regular basis.
The Bossman on 25 Sep '11 said:
FIFA will always be better than PES because they're prepared to tear up their gameplay system and re-invent it every 2 years or so. PES uses a heavily adapted PS2 engine, with essentially the same crusty animations and subpar dribbling animations each year. Although the PES 2012 demo is better than previous versions, it's still a slightly better polished turd. I still don't agree with a new football game every year, it should be every 2 years with a digital DLC release between each version for the new kits and other tiny changes, for about £20 or £25. That's a lot fairer than the current model.
laminated0 on 25 Sep '11 said:
This review is hardly in depth and hasn't really mentioned anything to do with the game ruining bugs that plagued the past fifa's manager mode among other things. Also I would not classify FIFA 12 as the best football game ever.
Fifa is not as far ahead as you intend to make out, the individuality of the players you're controlling for example is still much better in PES, fifa are ahead in terms of licensing (of course they have a much larger budget to purchase such things), animations, and their GKs are better in some instances. However PES has made great strides forward this year, it's not perfect but it is a largely enjoyable experience.
Fifa is good this year but so is PES, if someone prefers one over the other that doesn't automatically mean that the option they have chosen is the lesser, it means they have chosen the game they enjoy more and feel they will get the most enjoyment and reward from playing.
I believe we have two very good games this year, so it is a great year for football fans to have two viable choices as to which game they want to purchase.
The Bossman on 25 Sep '11 said:
Also forgot to say that I'm glad you can change the defending system, I've played the demo quite a few times and they keep running past me with ease, even using the contain and sprint button they dribble past me like I'm not there. So definitely using the old system, not a fan of the new one. FIFA 11 is the best FIFA so far.
DavidVM on 25 Sep '11 said:
"Hello, I'm a gamer and I feel it's of paramount importance that I share the truth with you. Now, I know we live in a varied world with billions of different people with the own tastes and preferences, but that's all just window dressing compared to my insurmountable knowledge and expertise which therefore qualifies all my opinions as solid facts with no room for divergence. It's just common sense, people, and you should all get with it pronto. And don't go dismissing such statements as simply a symptom of my asparagus syndrome like my therapist does because I am the soothsayer of digital entertainment and you will fear my wrath (please fear my wrath)."
Basically, this is how nearly every post on here reads which is a bit sad don't you reckon?
rbt2 on 25 Sep '11 said:
I'd agree with all of that except for one or maybe 2 things....I don't like asparagus.
And 2...I don't like asparagus.
DavidVM on 26 Sep '11 said:
Oh Christ, not another broccoli fanboy...
Kiraldo on 28 Sep '11 said:
Sick of all the fanboys out there getting their knickers in a knot.
I'm bloody getting both!
FIFAAddictionCOM on 29 Sep '11 said:
Thing about these reviews is they never mention playing 20 games online and clubs and UT mode. What is the point doing a review without a comprehensive feel for the key modes?
Try writing another review in 2 weeks when the servers have crashed a few times, the game is lagging and cheats are modding their pros!
Then we can give it a score out of 100. The issues in FIFA 11 made it around 70/100 for me. Still like the game but EA could do a lot better with their servers and support of the game issues when discovered. Sham eno other competition around for EA really as PES doesn't have licences etc.
dwhlufc on 29 Sep '11 said:
Nope PES only has the biggest and richest tournament in the world but hey its not a licence is it?
mile on 2 Oct '11 said:
OMG... This is the worst Fifa ever....
rmorgan779 on 3 Oct '11 said:
amazing and i generally prefer pes surrprised
ilyasmad on 3 Oct '11 said:
The only thing for me that makes FIFA 12 a better game(gameplay wise) than PES 2012 is the animations. I say "better" because animations are without a doubt one of the most significant in gaming. It handles ball and player physics, it makes the game "look" more realistic, it gives many different animations for many different little situation; it gives the player different touches on the ball, different ways to shoot and pass, more ways to tackle and physically overpower opponents.
That being so significant, is one of the biggest mistakes and flaws Konami did when venturing into the next gen consoles.
I said "only" because for me PES 2012 simply plays a better unpredictable, fluid game; with a whole lot of diversity and depth. For me at least the unpredictability, depth and diversity is what should be for every game; it actually for once does not make it boring and stale in the long run(PS: I still dont know why people like fpses).
Fatehasfans on 5 Oct '11 said:
After we've all stopped sucking the proverbial sperm from EA's proverbial sack, I was wondering if anyone was going to write a decent review. One that actually gives a truthful account of the Game’s game-play mechanics during Online Versus or Co-operative play. Sure the game is great and has made leaps and bounds, yadi-yada... however we've come to expect this from EA, considering the financial weight they have behind them - I think practically every newspaper and website has given FIFA 12 a 9+ rating (that’s some payroll!).
Anyway, why hasn't anyone scrutinized the game play? It needs it - I think the biggest negative point I have read so far has been "...one Player is largely unchanged...". Who are the people reviewing the new releases these days parents of POP stars? Simon Cowell?
Sure EA is pretty, sure its smooth and sure there are some changes to ball control and bla bla ...however, at the end of the day (gotta love that quote) game mechanics are what count.
Let’s talk about my bad points with the game(play). Strictly in 2 player versus mode (or co-operative team play online)
1). Ok, there is a new "Jockey/contain/tackle" system which apparently "adds a new unsurpassed method of tackling" (really!?!). The contain button (when it works) brings your player (when it works) closer toward the opposing player carrying the ball now (when it works) you should get close to him, and on occasion that happens. The downside is that you tend to get close but then stay about 3 feet away and don't actually get close enough to take the ball. So more often than not, in you press and hold the contain button your player will run right up to the opposing and then stay out of tackling range - makes the exercise pointless because you can't actually get the ball. To make a "Pressing tackle" you need to take your finger off the Contain button and then quickly press the same button (which is also Pressing Tackle). Time after time my player runs up then briefly loses position as I quickly re-tap the button. The result, your player stops momentarily and the opposing player gains another 2 yards. Ohh and let me clarify, that’s when it actually works.
2). Then there is 'Bring another player in to help' Button (R2)...I'm already at this point holding down 4 buttons, but why not another, I mean after all I've 10 fingers, ok then 8 - you get my point. So, a player makes a run down the line and you decide you can't catch him so you press the R2 button, but alas! He passes the ball to another team mate, so you have to adapt and press again, but this time the computer assistance has decided that the two players you hope would intervene (still holding that R2 button) have in fact fallen in love and decided to go tell the goalkeeper. Hey, who am I to get in the way of true love? Ok, so that ability has its problems - and that was only one scenario - there are plenty more trust me.
3). Ok, this is my favorite - the inconsistency in game play. You start a versus match with a friend, he picks Barcelona (naturally like most glory hunting robots) but you won't be undone and reach for Real Madrid. So, the game starts and his players zip about the field and you think "hold one a minute! Why are my players moving slower than his?" Ahh but my good friend, this is ancient technology far beyond your comprehension. The game continues and you try to wrestle with the sluggishness of your players, not to mention that no matter how many times when chasing the ball you try to change player so that it selects the one closest to the (opposing) player with the ball you find that your efforts are hampered and the Cursor always seems to land on the player you need 1-2 seconds after you wanted which allows the other player to continue toward your goal - that feeling of helplessness is creeping in so you call for backup and press R2 but those guys want to get married and you realize it’s all down to the keeper, 1-0.
Kickoff resumes and wow your men now feel energized, no longer held back by the restraints of high wages and the glory of having a decent agent. Suddenly those 3 glamour models sitting at home in your Jacuzzi pale in comparison to the sensation of evening the score. Moving with great fervor your team zip the ball about neatly and precisely, perhaps your opponent is having the same problem (sod him this is your moment) and you proceed toward goal as his men clatter into one another through some kind of homogenous fixation, suddenly it’s his keeper who is now the only one in the way, 1-1.
There is an alternative to the latter half of that game which is that from kicking off after the initial 1-0 your men can still play like crap and that form may and often does continue throughout the match.
That ancient technology I was talking about earlier, well that’s just called "Catch-up", it’s a part of AI that has existed for many, many years, initially in Arcade games namely racing games, also known as elastic band physics. To explain briefly, in racing games if your gained pole position and took the lead, that lead would never grow and in fact once you took the lead your car would slow down (not according to the speed-o-meter - those crafty devs), this enabled the drone cars to catch you or "catch-up". It's why my 9 year old son, who can't play games very well, is able to compete with a friend of mine in FIFA 12 even though he's been playing for around 5 years. This technology is embedded in most games so not just unique to FIFA. The method by which employ the "Catch-up" isn't as straightforward and in football games it becomes more of "timed advantage", and this is why for a period of time your players will not respond properly or do rather silly things. Once that period is over (sometimes it doesn't end in a match) the 'advantage' will be handed to the opposing team. I could talk more about this but money talks and I have a coffee to make.
On the whole, I could have gone into greater detail and explained exactly what problems happen and I will happily do that once someone begins to pay me to write reviews. However, given my honesty I'm not sure that’s ever going to happen.
FIFA is a great game no doubt, but there are some serious problems with it. When it's good it’s great but when it’s bad it’s infuriating and not in a nice way, why? Because, for the most part that 4-0 hammering could have been averted had the controls actually responded in the manner that they are supposed to, all of the time.