#4 of 2009: FIFA 10

by pastapadre
Posted December 28th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

The ranking of games in the best of 2009 list is based primarily on the personal amount of enjoyment had with a particular title. Some other factors include whether advertised features were fully delivered on, post-release support, community interaction and communication, overall gameplay experience, feature set, and online play performance. Again this is a personal take on the games. The analysis is weighted largely towards those which I had the most fun with while considering them as a whole and compared relatively to the others.

One might argue that the true test of how good a sports game is would be whether it’s enjoyed by those who may not have interest in the actual sport. Some games have shown the ability transcend and actually lead to these people becoming fans of the sports they pick up through gaming. That is one side of the argument. Others would say a simulation style game is to be judged on how well it represents the particular sport. Really it is a combination of the two that makes a game special.

In the last couple years the FIFA franchise has provided the rare offerings that have achieved both due to the accessible nature, realistic gameplay, and online offerings. Worldwide FIFA 10 became the fastest selling sports game of all time and sales grew in the US again this year enough for it to chart in the NPD Top 10 for the first time. I had even more reason to enjoy it after getting caught up in the unexpected fever around the Seattle Sounders. However the game also had its share of problems that have been hot topics in the community.

Online play continued to be excellent in both performance and variety of modes. It is hard to believe when compared to some other sports games that one played worldwide could host full Online Team Play matches that were so smooth and consistent that they felt as if they were being played offline. EA released some online data that revealed over three million online games are played daily which is remarkable to consider.

The game released overseas before hitting the US which meant a bunch of problems with the game were discovered early on and a patch was provided relatively quickly to address some of them. Manager Mode seemed to be plagued by the most issues and even to this day is described by many as being broken.

Interestingly for the first time an excuse that “size limitations” has been given that prevent any further patching. The statement was given in reference to the 360 and thus the PS3 won’t receive another patch either. No other game has ever used this explanation for why further support would no longer be given.

The numerous issues with the game are a clear point of discontent within the community. I can’t say I’ve come across many of the cited problems but then again I don’t dig into FIFA like the hardcore fans do. It was worth noting in the article though that the general sentiment from the hardcore crowd has actually been somewhat slanted towards disappointment and frustration. That might be surprising to many who haven’t been following the developments post-release though it could probably said to an extent about every game released this year.

One of the disappointments I had was with Game Face. This feature had been used successfully in previous titles but was an annoying and frustrating process and many issues were had throughout. Hopefully in the future they are able to streamline the process and provide a better final result.

A cool addition this year for those who like tracking data was with the website FIFA Earth. The site provides all sorts of up-to-the-minute information and can be broken down into various categories. At the time of publishing the number of FIFA 10 online games that have been played was nearing 160 million.

Additional content will be added once again this year when FIFA Ultimate Team arrives in February. Unlike Madden 10 though the Ultimate Team won’t be free. It will be 400 MS points on the 360 or the equivalent $5 on the PS3 but compare that to the 1200 MS/$15 they charged with FIFA 09. So this could still be a very good deal in the value it provides if it extends the enjoyment of the game for an individual.

FIFA 10 continued to provide a great deal of enjoyment despite my relative lack of knowledge surrounding the sport. I’ve always especially appreciated the Online Team Play in FIFA because of the stationary responsibilities and the teamwork it requires.I’ve never felt intimidated due to that which is important in establishing new fans. The FIFA series has helped along my budding interest in the sport which is a sign of how good the last few have been.

#4: FIFA 10
#5: The BIGS 2
#6: NBA Live 10
#7: Madden Arcade
#8: NCAA Football 10
#9: NBA 2K10
#10: Fight Night Round 4
The Worst of 2009

Tags: top 10, year in review

KrisK

Great game but definitely does have issues. Still my favorite of the year.
KrisK

Great game but definitely does have issues. Still my favorite of the year.
mark

I though Fifa would be #1 …They will probably go with NFL.. Thats like the only game I haven't played so I can't call it… UFC will be overrated when they list it
mark

I though Fifa would be #1 …They will probably go with NFL.. Thats like the only game I haven't played so I can't call it… UFC will be overrated when they list it
Seahawks need Tebow

Wow Pasta, Madden 2010 is really your #1 game of the year? Cant say im surprised. Game is real good. Plus, you and Ian Cummings are friends.
Seahawks need Tebow

Wow Pasta, Madden 2010 is really your #1 game of the year? Cant say im surprised. Game is real good. Plus, you and Ian Cummings are friends.
juan deleon

good game
juan deleon

good game
DLane

Thought this game was absolutely phenomenal, I am currently into my 5th year at the helm of Watford and am still loving it. The game is not without its flaws obviously, but nonetheless this should be higher than Madden as it delivers a far more solid game in all of its modes.
DLane

Thought this game was absolutely phenomenal, I am currently into my 5th year at the helm of Watford and am still loving it. The game is not without its flaws obviously, but nonetheless this should be higher than Madden as it delivers a far more solid game in all of its modes.
Quilly

Im So High I Can Bite A Star
Quilly

Im So High I Can Bite A Star
Snuggles

Im So High I Can Lick The Moon
Snuggles

Im So High I Can Lick The Moon
http://intensedebate.com/people/Amani Amani

Very good game here. I am surprised this didn't place higher, but perhaps if they continue progress for next year it will grow even higher. I might place this one higher than NHL, but they would be close. Have you joined a club that plays consistently? That adds to the value of the game IMO.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Amani Amani

Very good game here. I am surprised this didn't place higher, but perhaps if they continue progress for next year it will grow even higher. I might place this one higher than NHL, but they would be close. Have you joined a club that plays consistently? That adds to the value of the game IMO.
Optimus prime.

should have been a lil higher but we all know madden 10 is the 1 game of the year.
Optimus prime.

should have been a lil higher but we all know madden 10 is the 1 game of the year.
Jonathon

here's how i see Pasta's list finishing out…not that i agree or disagree with it…

#3 UFC
#2 Madden
#1 MLB: The Show

http://www.facebook.com/jimmie.rutledge Jimmie Rutledge

Sorry but MLB the Show won't be #1, not with its online issues. #1 will probably be NHL, #2 UFC for its online mode, #3 MLB The Show. 2 and 3 can be switched around. Madden won't make top 10.

Jonathon

here's how i see Pasta's list finishing out…not that i agree or disagree with it…

#3 UFC
#2 Madden
#1 MLB: The Show

http://www.facebook.com/jimmie.rutledge Jimmie Rutledge

Sorry but MLB the Show won't be #1, not with its online issues. #1 will probably be NHL, #2 UFC for its online mode, #3 MLB The Show. 2 and 3 can be switched around. Madden won't make top 10.

What

lol pasta on ea's nuts again

lolwat

lol 2K's only good game was NBA 2K10 which isn't top 5 material.

What

lol pasta on ea's nuts again

lolwat

lol 2K's only good game was NBA 2K10 which isn't top 5 material.

http://intensedebate.com/people/4YM3R1C 4YM3R1C

It should've been number 1 or 2.
I think the game sill has a lot to improve, but what I basically like with FIFA, is that they actually deliver from one year to another. They don't come up short like uh… say… Madden.
I just wish they treated better the numerous licences they own. I think there are still too many players on the game that don't look like their real life counterparts. But when you see how some marquee players used to look like on FIFA 08, and given the increasing number of improved players faces each year, we can expect a better FIFA 11 graphic wise.
One other thing I'd like to see improved, is the shooting. It's still difficult to score long distance goals. Sometimes, you can play games where you feel that you can only score three different kinds of goals. But once again, I'm optimistic as FIFA 10 was way better that 09 in that area.
http://intensedebate.com/people/4YM3R1C 4YM3R1C

It should've been number 1 or 2.
I think the game sill has a lot to improve, but what I basically like with FIFA, is that they actually deliver from one year to another. They don't come up short like uh… say… Madden.
I just wish they treated better the numerous licences they own. I think there are still too many players on the game that don't look like their real life counterparts. But when you see how some marquee players used to look like on FIFA 08, and given the increasing number of improved players faces each year, we can expect a better FIFA 11 graphic wise.
One other thing I'd like to see improved, is the shooting. It's still difficult to score long distance goals. Sometimes, you can play games where you feel that you can only score three different kinds of goals. But once again, I'm optimistic as FIFA 10 was way better that 09 in that area.
http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Great game soo fun to play if you are a fan of soccer, especially with or against friends. its a shame we cant get another patch cause of xbox with its small amount of space on its disc's!!!
http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Great game soo fun to play if you are a fan of soccer, especially with or against friends. its a shame we cant get another patch cause of xbox with its small amount of space on its disc's!!!
AAA

Summer has come and passed
The Gooks can never last
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

like my fathers come to pass
seventy years has gone so fast
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

here comes the Gooks again
falling from the stars
drenched in my soy sauce again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

summer has come and passed
the Gooks can never last
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

Gook out the streets again
like we did when Chinese New Year began
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

here comes the Gooks again
falling from the stars
drenched in my soy sauce again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

Summer has come and passed
The Gooks can never last
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

like my father's come to pass
seventy years has gone so fast
wake me up when there's no more Gooks
wake me up when there's no more Gooks
wake me up when there's no more GGGGGGGGGooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkks
AAA

Summer has come and passed
The Gooks can never last
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

like my fathers come to pass
seventy years has gone so fast
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

here comes the Gooks again
falling from the stars
drenched in my soy sauce again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

summer has come and passed
the Gooks can never last
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

Gook out the streets again
like we did when Chinese New Year began
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

here comes the Gooks again
falling from the stars
drenched in my soy sauce again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

Summer has come and passed
The Gooks can never last
wake me up when there's no more Gooks

like my father's come to pass
seventy years has gone so fast
wake me up when there's no more Gooks
wake me up when there's no more Gooks
wake me up when there's no more GGGGGGGGGooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkks
Busty Buffet

I saw 1-3 will be NHL 10, The Show 09, and Madden 10
Busty Buffet

I saw 1-3 will be NHL 10, The Show 09, and Madden 10
jusmegamer

I agree that this is one of those games that people who aren't even fans could get into. I am a prime example of that. This is Pasta's list. I don't agree with it at all but I did agree with most of this article.

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

I use to off soccer games also, til i tired it once and really got into the game itself you will really like it once you figure out all the rules and tactics needed to win.

jusmegamer

I agree that this is one of those games that people who aren't even fans could get into. I am a prime example of that. This is Pasta's list. I don't agree with it at all but I did agree with most of this article.

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

I use to off soccer games also, til i tired it once and really got into the game itself you will really like it once you figure out all the rules and tactics needed to win.

AmenRa

I just dont see how someone can say they had "loads of fun" playing Madden. It's essentially the same game as last year just with new presentation. THEY NEED TO ADD TRUE ONLINE FRANCHISE

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

If Madden 10 is essentially the same game as Madden 09 then I can't see how you could feel any different in terms of other sports games compared to their previous version(s).

Madden 10 was a BIG step up.

AmenRa

I just dont see how someone can say they had "loads of fun" playing Madden. It's essentially the same game as last year just with new presentation. THEY NEED TO ADD TRUE ONLINE FRANCHISE

http://twitter.com/Bgamer90 @Bgamer90

If Madden 10 is essentially the same game as Madden 09 then I can't see how you could feel any different in terms of other sports games compared to their previous version(s).

Madden 10 was a BIG step up.

Tito

I don’t agree with Madden being over some of these games because the bugs and presentation made the game a joke. I know if you put Madden above MLB the Show then we all should know the reasoning behind it and really start looking at you no different than IGN and Gamespot.

I still don’t see how UFC would be over FN4 because the career mode in FN4 makes the UFC career mode like awful and there are a ton of other reasons why the UFC game isn’t above FN4.. it’s still a good game but it needs to be improved on.
Tito

I don’t agree with Madden being over some of these games because the bugs and presentation made the game a joke. I know if you put Madden above MLB the Show then we all should know the reasoning behind it and really start looking at you no different than IGN and Gamespot.

I still don’t see how UFC would be over FN4 because the career mode in FN4 makes the UFC career mode like awful and there are a ton of other reasons why the UFC game isn’t above FN4.. it’s still a good game but it needs to be improved on.
Elton Rifles

Manager Mode was a complete bust for the offline franchise player, and the response to complaints by EA via the official forum are nothing short of a slap in the face to the hardcore fan – in fact, the utter contempt shown by the 'size limitation' excuse given by official channels towards a loyal and sometimes tunnel-visioned customer base reeks of the same complacency shown by the PES hierarchy prior to the demise of that particular title.

Fifa'10 had the chance to be the finest football/soccer title to date, but EA pissed this chance up against the wall as a result of their eagerness to exploit and their unwillingness to address existing issues.

Hunter S Thompson stated that at the end of the day we are either Pimps or Whores – in the context of EA after-sales support for this title, it appears obvious who is wearing the Fur Coat and big fucking Fedora, and who is getting the sore minge for a handful of change.
Elton Rifles

Manager Mode was a complete bust for the offline franchise player, and the response to complaints by EA via the official forum are nothing short of a slap in the face to the hardcore fan – in fact, the utter contempt shown by the 'size limitation' excuse given by official channels towards a loyal and sometimes tunnel-visioned customer base reeks of the same complacency shown by the PES hierarchy prior to the demise of that particular title.

Fifa'10 had the chance to be the finest football/soccer title to date, but EA pissed this chance up against the wall as a result of their eagerness to exploit and their unwillingness to address existing issues.

Hunter S Thompson stated that at the end of the day we are either Pimps or Whores – in the context of EA after-sales support for this title, it appears obvious who is wearing the Fur Coat and big fucking Fedora, and who is getting the sore minge for a handful of change.
Keith.

If this game is good enough to be #4, then why have there only been 22 comments in 3 days (and one of those was the gooks comment, and a few others are about how good/bad Madden is)?
Keith.

If this game is good enough to be #4, then why have there only been 22 comments in 3 days (and one of those was the gooks comment, and a few others are about how good/bad Madden is)?