Reviews// FIFA 10

Manager Mode is heavily flawed in some ways and average at best in others. I had to invest millions of pounds in my fitness program before my first team squad could play more than two consecutive matches. Player signing is still a bit naff, and player growth is altogether unhelpful. Your squad, excluding your virtual pro, now gains experience over the course of a season. You can see progress bars of how the squad is getting on, though as with all progress bars, progress is slow. Players level up in three areas: physical, mental and skill. The attributes these affect aren’t displayed, and how they gain experience in those areas isn’t at all evident either.

To level your own Virtual Pro you must achieve accomplishments in several key areas. Scoring free kicks, making a number of successful passing headers, tackling players that have fouled you – all examples of what you’ll be looking to achieve. There are a number of accomplishments that will only be possible after playing a full season or more. It’s nice in some ways, but it inadvertently forces you to change the way your VP plays during 90 minutes of a match, rather than playing the kind of football you want to play.

You can improve your VP to a level 85 player at the cost of around 60 pence. This lasts for five games. £1.50 will get you 20! Bargain, amirite? Yeah, didn’t think so.

There’s also the Live Season, which I have very little interest in, and certainly doesn’t seem to be worth any additional cost. Though credit to EA for at least trying to offer something different here.

Altogether it plays a fantastic game of football, and that’s all I ever really need. Playing multiplayer exhibition matches can keep me going for about six solid months of play, and whilst the Manager Mode in particular feels unfinished, it remains as addictive as ever.

Another solid step forward, and the fact I’ve nitpicked a lot of faults is evidence enough of how it’s progressed. I’m growing a strong passion towards a franchise – or IP – that I’ve hated for a decade.

Conclusion:
FIFA 10 plays a fantastic game of football, closer to the real thing than any previous attempts. There's a flood of features that have been added or amended with diligence and thought. There's a lot to love, but a number of unfinished or scrappy modes that get your back up. Couple that with the cheeky and slightly insulting offering of levelling your Virtual Pro by paying cash, and there's enough there to warrant some of the complaints they're receiving. It has a score to match its level of completion on release.

SPOnG Score: 90%