Dallas / Fort Worth Sports

Review: An American Idiot Looks At "FIFA 10"

By Phil Stauskas
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―

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"FIFA 10" Official Site

Millions of video game sports fans around the world have been eagerly awaiting the latest football title from EA Sports. But I'm an average American. I can't help it. To me, football will always mean the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL, and that game came out months ago. The new game is "FIFA 10," or soccer for us crazy folks in the States.

This year's addition comes on the heels of an award-winning 2009 version, and like every year, players are treated to a handful of upgraded features. Some are significant, others are barely noticeable, but the EA Sports folks promise that they help "set the benchmark as the most complete simulation of soccer."

And if I understood a thing about soccer, I might be able to detail exactly what is upgraded. Something about ball dribbling. Trapping intelligence. Wall moving. Calling a layoff man.

Make no mistake, "FIFA 10" is a blast to play. The game is serious fun, especially when you get multiple players either locally or online. But for American audiences, it will always be 'the other football' and that makes the game suffer, unfortunately.

I don't understand the rules of soccer. The play-by-play commentators say things that make little sense to me. Even the menu screens are littered with words that could have come from Martian tablets. I am an ignorant American video game fan, not a soccer aficionado.

As a result, I play video game soccer much in the same way 5-year-olds play actual soccer in a city league at the park. Run toward the ball, wherever it may go. Kick at the shins of the guy who has the ball. And when I get the ball, shoot, even if I'm way too far from the goal. (Oddly enough, I was able to pound the Houston Dynamo with this method. I'm just saying.)

The franchise has been this way for years now, and "FIFA 10" does little to enhance the experience for soccer newbies (read Americans), unless you count pretty visuals and a guideless pre-game practice field used to kill time while your match loads.

I would never count 'being soccer' against a soccer simulation game. That's why I still wholly recommend "FIFA 10" for those who are familiar with the sport. The graphics are amazing. The play control is simple and effective, and allows for customization should you find it necessary. It's obvious, even to a stupid American, that this game has seven coats of polish. It's an awesome package for those who know how to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

There just seems to be so few soccer fans in the United States, even with the mega-popularity of British import David Beckham. I'm not sure how many people will be able to enjoy all "FIFA 10" offers. Because for those of us who don't call it 'football,' the game is actually the most complete simulation of drunken soccer.

"FIFA 10" is available now at various prices for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC and mobile phone. The Xbox 360 version was tested for this review.