FIFA 13 for PlayStation 3

Another year, another season, another chance, and of course another Fifa. The Fifa series has made a name for itself by not just releasing one of the best football games but by also making major changes each and every year. And let me tell you, Fifa 13 continues that tradition. One of the biggest changes comes to the football itself. Fifa 13 introduces a new mechanic call “First Touch Control.”

What this does is no longer does the ball magically make it right to the players feet. Instead they must cradle it to slow it down and control it. How well they do this is dependent on many factors including pass direction, speed, and most importantly player skill. Players like Messi will control it instantly, while a newcomer will take longer.

What this does is make the game feel more realistic. You have to settle before you can cross or shoot. It will take you a couple matches to become accustomed to it, but once you do you wouldn’t want to go back to the old style. Also the defense system from Fifa 12 has been toned down, making it easier to properly defend. But there have also been some changes to the game modes including the career mode, which is now even better than normal with the addition of national teams.

As you advance in your career with your club and are seen to have the talent you can now represent your country for the national team either as a manager or a player, and compete in international tournaments. They are not given the proper name because EA doesn’t have the rights, but there are the equivalent to the World Cup, European Championship, and even the Confederation Cup.

This adds so much more to the career and fills you with pride to see your player wearing your country's colors. Also the EAS FC points have been integrated into everything you do, which has you go up in level and earn you points that you can use to buy new stats, kits, celebrations, apparel, and more. There are also training mini-games that not just earn you points but hone your skills with drills focused on crossing, shooting and passing. All this also earns points for your team of choice and sees them advance in the online world.

 One disappointment to me is the elimination of virtual pro. The career mode is nice but I enjoyed playing with the virtual me in all the game modes. But that is a small complaint. Everything in Fifa 13 works together to give you even more incentive to play more Fifa. The series that is known for improving itself does it again, creating a more realistic football while also adding more depth to its career mode, online challenges, and even single match modes. It all comes together to make arguably the most enjoyable Fifa yet.


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