FIFA Soccer 10
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii, DS, PSP
Release date: October 20, 2009 (US)
Official website: fifa.easports.com

Review Summary:
Another year, marks another release in EA Sports' FIFA series. What else can be done to improve this already stellar soccer game? Will gameplay additions deter from the overall experience or amplify its realism? Find out in the our full review below on what EA has done to try to solidify FIFA Soccer 10's reign amongst the competition.

Rating: 5 out of 5
[PLATINUM BITHEAD AWARD] - game of the year contender

Read the full review below.

FIFA Soccer 10 review:

My obsession with the sport of soccer began in the year 2006, around the time of the World Cup. It actually began when a friend loaned me a copy of Pro Evolution Soccer, which taught me the mechanics. As all other "buffs" of the sport who were gamers, I stuck by the Pro Evo line like white on rice. Any person at the time scoffed at the mere mention of the FIFA franchise.

Let us then fast forward to the year 2007, where EA Sports began showing promise on the next gen consoles. At that moment, I could already sense a rapid change in the series. Once 2008 struck, the PES franchise was growing stale, maybe due to chauvinism and not feeling challenged. The PES team was in a definite state of disarray when they started losing fans to the FIFA franchise. What did EA do? They continued to refine the gameplay and AI, and began to dominate the market.

I, for one, will state that hands down FIFA Soccer 10 is one of the best, if not the best soccer game I've played. This coming from a former PES junkie (for those who want to test the legitimacy of my argument). In FIFA Soccer 10, there wasn't much left to improve from the beauty that was FIFA 2009. One of the few things added is actually a grand blessing in disguise. The Xbox 360 control of the analog stick adds a level of depth in the series, which will take a lot to be challenged in the future. At first it may strike gamers who aren't accustomed to it as something that may be difficult. With practice, it will show who plays the game regularly and who doesn't.

This definitely reflects in the game's online modes. The regular ranked matches are a delight to play. You always get properly matched by the EA matchmaking. I will say it gets slightly annoying (not EA's fault) when paired against your usual Chelsea/Barcelona fanboy, since the game has hundreds upon hundreds of teams. There is also your 10 vs. 10 Be A Pro mode, where players use their created player online to build the player's statistics. Be A Pro mode used to be a one vs. one affair, where you would only control one real-life player, so this addition is great.

As I stated before, I am truly impressed with FIFA Soccer 10, with maybe one or two gripes. My main one being a lack of midfield play or too much rushing from end to end. Even on the slow setting this can be somewhat of a letdown but not hampering the game's strategy in anyway. Also, when playing online with the right people this is not an issue. The other thing which slightly bothers me is the micro-transactions that EA has implemented in this game. I don't think I should have to pay 80 credits for the Spaniard commentary audio to be used in this game (via XBL or PSN). Although I'm not sure if too many people would have an issue with the three contained commentary tracks on the disc.

With FIFA Soccer 10, I cannot actually sit there and ever have a bad experience. This game truly puts a smile on my face, from online to local play, the flow is impeccable. This year so far (judging from the PES 10 demo) once again belongs to EA's FIFA franchise. Konami has a lot of work to do if they ever plan on retaking the soccer throne, or at least posing a threat.