FIFA 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360, PS3, PC)

[Bahnzo]

Man, I just can't get used to the new defending. I changed the buttons around to make it a bit more comfortable, but I really think EA has swung to far.

What FIFA has now would be great, if your AI teammates played good defense as well. But they don't. They sit back, lay off and loosely contain. There's no tight marking, no defending passes, no tackles, nothing. Because of this the CPU can pass around pretty much at will. I tried even using the "High Pressure" Quick Tactic, and it really changes nothing.

[ZoneBlitz]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keith121212

So basically what you're saying is that based on this demo, for a soccer noob like me that has no real team he follows, doesn't know the leagues or the players really, has no knowledge of any of the intricacies of the sport, FIFA '12 should be my game of choice? I really might just end up getting FIFA '12 for the 360, and PES '12 down the road for the PC. It seems like both games offer good to great things in terms of soccer games.

Yes, both games are good.

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Quote: Originally Posted by uncguy

Did see one neat "little thing" - during the run of play made a tackle on the CPU and the player went down and stayed down. He got up a bit and limped around but then sat back down. The ref stopped play and the player went to the sideline. Play resumed via a dropball and the CPU played a long ball to my keeper to give me possession back. Pretty cool.

Saw that today, too. Cool addition.

[sventheone]

Xbox 360 demo

Couple of things after 2 games.
-The game doesn't seem slower the players feel more heavily weighted if that makes any sense.
-love the new default camera. The pitch looks slightly rounded at the top of the screen that gives more viable are.
-kicking the ball from the top of the screen to the bottom when passing the ball holding down the a button the ball bends to the right or left depending on which foot your player favors.
-when gameplay is moving quickly and the ball goes out of bounds there is a quick restart in most situation. Makes the game seem more realistic.
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Just some initial observations

[CM1847]

Far from a FIFA expert, but I have been playing the FIFA 11 demo for the past few weeks and then tried the new one. The biggest difference in gameplay(aside from the obvious defending changes) is that the CPU will allow you to slowly work the ball in with less pressure, but they have made it much more difficult to take runs up the sideline.

I'm not sure if the speed has changed or if it has to do with the jockey/elbow/grab feature, but it is very difficult to get separation from the defenders if you try to sprint by them with the ball. This seems like a positive addition to me, I don't watch a whole lot of soccer, but it seems more true to life to have to build through solid passing than just sprinting by the defense.

Related, I've found it more difficult to play successful through balls this year.

[ezio]

Quote: Originally Posted by ZoneBlitz

After playing the PES2012 demo, I think I will be switching over to PES. From this (FIFA12) demo, it just doesn't feel like the game really requires you to know soccer to be successful. The AI doesn't seem as challenging. It seems to use more of a brute force approach to scoring. Now, the game is good - no doubt. Graphics are great, for the genre, and I do like the Impact Engine. Plus, gameplay is fun. However, the AI is rather predictable. So, it's a good game. I just will switch to PES for this year.

I agree. I played the Fifa demo and then played the 2nd PES demo both on the ps3 and for me this year PES blows Fifa away. The problem with Fifa for me is that the teams still look go forward as soon as they win the ball. It was a little better on World Class as Barca actually kept some pessesion but they don't look to get the ball in midfield alot and they never ever will pass the ball backwards. Also, as othes have said it still plays too fast even on slow.

[drift687]

I played several games today and i am impressed with it. i know some will disagree, but this is the most realistic i feel the game has been. the look of the pitch and players and how they move, to just the game play aspects i think that so far this year could be a great year for the game. I am very interested to see how all these new game features come into play for Manager mode as this is where i spend most of my time!

The hardest part for me so far has been learning the defensive controls. It's more realistic but still gotta get the hang of it. All i can say to the doubters is wait till you get the full game as i feel that the longer halves and more teams will benefit you.

[lnin0]

I like how smooth the player movement is in FIFA. From the new lighting to the sleek interface the game looks and feels fantastic.

However, every year for the past 3+ years EA has pushed out a game with the same brain dead friendly AI.

Tactical defending is actually a really nice feature but broken by the lack of AI support you get. I like that EA recognized a problem with defending in 11 and that a win-button was not a proper or enjoyable defense. Now they have gone and flipped it on its head. It won't be long before the forums are screaming about how easily it is to roll a defender, run down the wing and cross for a shot. The other option is for the defender to lay back and shadow box the length of the wing - and what is the difference? Nobody can defend on an island. EA needs to fix the AI. That is what is and has always been broken.

Goalies always get slagged in PES but frankly I think they are more realistic in that game. FIFA's goalies are not playing soccer - they are just ball magnets there to prevent the scores from getting ridiculous.

Overall 2012 doesn't feel like a bad game. It has its moments. It just doesn't feel like an exceptional game either...or, much like a proper soccer match now that I think about it.