FIFA Soccer 10

We expect the new physics system to be contentious issue. Last year, almost every attack could be nipped in the bud with a simple block tackle, but now there’s no such guaranteed save. When the attacker and defender jostle for the ball, one misplaced touch can send it spinning away form the pair. If your man’s not got the strength to ride out the bumps and challenges during his run he’ll soon end up on his back. Similarly, unless a player’s ready to receive an incoming ball it will careen off his shin and into the path of the opposite. In the final third spells one thing: goals.

Even though shots leave Rooney’s foot as though he’d struck a medicine ball, the back of net bugles much more than last year. Put it down to the keeper Al; they’re much more liable to palm the ball away rather than catch it, and a carefully placed shot can easily wrong-foot the keeper and sneak in. We’d still take PES’s belters that soar in form 40 yards over cumbersome strikes that rely on delayed keeper reactions any day, but whenthe ball’s in the 18-yard box literally anything can happen, and that makes for one hell of exciting game.

Outside the area it’s much more tactical affair. Passes need to be weighted if they’re to find their man, although your team mates now help you out by actively searching forthe ball . Your wingman often point in the direction they want a pass before darting into space, allowing you to cut open defensive lines with ease. And thanks to a greater selection of tactical options on the D-Pad, along with new team management options pre-kick 0ff, it’s possible to plan and enact a variety of unique strategies.