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2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Preview


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2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - Preview

As the days count down and the excitement to this years world cup reaches a frenzied level, what better to help you prepare for the tournament than a game by the masters of sports video games, about the greatest sporting event in history.

To get a little bit more information Thrungus and I got our mums to make us a packed lunch, put on warm jackets, dark glasses and actually left the office for the afternoon. Our destination was EA headquarters and our prize would be a chance to play the newest offering from EA Sports.

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Details



Released: 30 April 2010
Category: Football
Age: 3 Years and above
Publisher: EA Games
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Road to the World Cup

The game itself, much to our delight, has undergone several changes and will most certainly not just be a cash in with a £40 quid game by EA. This game has got superb depth, numerous new modes and even new tricks, moves, animations and features. As well as a stunningly atmospheric penalty shoot outs with entirely re-vamped gameplay. So first let’s have a look at a couple of the changes and discover what makes this so much more then just a FIFA 10 enhancement, and why this should appeal as much to the newcomer as much as it does to the hardcore fans;

  • One of the games main focus’ is on realism, EA are trying to recreate the atmosphere and passion of a World Cup. Authenticity is key and the game aims to (and looks like it succeeds in) deliver genre leading gameplay that can be enjoyed alone, online or with friends and family as well as a competitive and deep game that will keep you coming back.
  • Improved and far superior to previous games is the Stadiums and the effects and fans within. There are sweeping majestic views of all the stadiums and the fans, with supporters throwing confetti and streamers. There are fireworks and banners and the crowd react in game to there team’s performance again building that emotion and feeling of realism.
  • New lighting effects really bring the players to life and coupled with improved models it looks truly stunning and realistic. The pitch has been given more texture and is better lit, you can almost see the shadow cast by a blade of grass on the pitch it’s so detailed! There are more celebrations and the players display much more emotion adding magnitude to each vital goal.
  • Managers are now seen on the touchline barking orders and interacting with each other.
  • Improved noise and animations from fans with chanting singing and instruments as well as the Vuvuzela (a horn) made popular by in South Africa last year at the Confederations Cup and almost certain to feature again in the World Cup.

"Capturing the Passion"

As you can tell from the above information, realism and capturing the passion of the World Cup seems paramount here and I for one think that is a great idea. The World Cup is all about the passion and drama for me and after playing the game I can safely say this does come through in the game. The gameplay has also undergone a bit of a change too;

  • New 2 button controls (the ‘dad pad’) that allows anyone to pick up and play even with no experience. The buttons are for passing and shooting which are computer assisted and sprinting is automatic when the computer deems it necessary. This allows anyone to play but not to master the game.
  • Penalties have been totally overhauled. There is a practice mode to help you get used to this. You must now keep your composure and shoot using an invisible target using slight twitches to score. A stutter shot has also been introduced so you can change direction at the last second. Goalkeepers can only reach the corners of the goal if they dive early but can also dive late to stop shots when the striker has stuttered.
  • Tactics have been massively improved with home and away performances now vital. especially for weaker teams who will be significantly better playing on home turf than they are playing on the road.
  • Altitude will have a dramatic effect on games played at heights in South America. Your players will tire a lot quicker and the ball will move differently.

"A Hundred more enhancements!"

There have been over a hundred enhancements made to gameplay in total. A few to do with goal scoring are noticeable immediately to veterans of the series;

  • Shooting and the flight of the ball have been made more realistic with most shots curling and bending depending on how you strike the ball and not just flying straight as an arrow every time. It also looks a hell of a lot nicer.
  • Lobbing the keeper has been made tougher with more precision needed from he striker and better intelligence and movement from the keeper .
  • Crosses and heading improved with players reacting and moving to get under the ball and win it and bigger, stronger players having an advantage.
  • You can now chest the ball to other players as a pass and knock the ball down with your chest with more ease and fluidity, not to mention realism.
  • Long balls now move faster allowing you to switch flanks and play a longer ball game with ease and success.
  • A host of new tricks and skills have been introduced to master and embarrass your friends with. They also look stunning.

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The World Cup 'Feel'

The look of the game is nice with the menu’s having a FIFA.com feel to them. Team selection is performed by spinning a globe and selecting the relevant country (it also gives you some statistics about the country both geographical and football related) which is a cool touch. News stories also flash up to give you information and updates about the real World Cup while its being played. In game there are calendar screens to allow you to keep up to date with opposition progress and true to life training grounds to hone your skills in.

You will receive updates whilst playing matches about how other teams are playing that day, so in the group stages you will know from the results of other games if you only need a draw to qualify. this really adds to the excitement and realism as do the ‘Live Draws’ where you will discover who you will face.

Online World Cup Mode

There is an online World Cup mode and it’s been brilliantly thought through. Rather than having to play all the games in one sitting it is done on a ranking system. This means you will be pitted against other players online who are at the same stage of the competition as you. Your progress is persistent so you can continue to play at any time. There is also a Battle of the Nations game which will see gamers representing there country and playing for national pride on a grand scale with leader boards to help you keep track.

Be a Pro Once More!

Be a Pro has also made a return and it seems better than ever. You can import your Pro from FIFA 10 or create a new one. 1–4 people can play at a time and this adds an edge of competitiveness to proceedings as you will compete for captaincy and positions. You will play for the B-team and then in friendlies and if you make the grade you will et into the team for the qualifiers and eventually earn your seat on the plane to South Africa.

Then you will play in the tournament itself for the highest award in football, the World Cup. This game is an ideal one to use with the ‘Dad Pad’ controls as they will have people nearby to lend a hand.

A Wealth of Depth

The game has a wealth of depth which I did not expect but was overjoyed to see. A lovely addition is the Story of Qualifying scenario mode. this mode allows you to take part in 50 games taken from the qualifiers and attempt to change the outcome. An example of this would be Ireland’s game against France, where you can take charge of Ireland after the Thierry Henry ‘goal’ (I use this term loosely here) and try to win the game in extra time despite the obvious cheating of the French.

There are three challenges to accomplish in each scenario such as scoring several goals or preventing your opposition from scoring again. This mode will be expended when the World Cup actually begins with the Story of The Finals mode which will update your game and allow you to replay matches from the tournament from pivotal moments. These will be released 24hours after the games are played.

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Overall then:

I thought that the game looked and played great. With a lot of new features and modes to ensure that A) you get you monies worth and B) this won’t be a flash in the pan but a game you will play and come back to time and time again. The game feels really fluid and somehow faster and more realistic though we were assured the game speed remains the same it’s just the game plays better. The new modes look interesting and this is the perfect way to get in the mood for the greatest tournament on earth. A look at some of the Wii only features is coming very soon.

Release date is currently April 30th 2010 but we’ll try and get you more info and a review before then.