FIFA 13

Review on Murphy's site with pictures and captions

This is the second FIFA title this year, and I felt that the first, FIFA FOOTBALL played a decent game of footy, but should have been better. It was missing a lot of key features from the console versions, such as Ultimate Team and Pro clubs. Since we now have a numbered version, which has a whole host of new features to enjoy, we should have a better version now, right?

I’ll kick this off by letting you know the bad news. If you have come along expecting a closer version to the console edition, as you would perhaps feel a sense of expectation (since this version is numbered, and not simply called “FOOTBALL”) then you will find yourself out of luck. There are no skill moves to be found, nor the impact engine V2, and the complete dribbling and advanced AI portions seem to have taken a wander too.

What you do have though, a few refinements here and there aside is a nigh on identical copy to the previous game. So it’s like an impact engine 0.5 version of FIFA 11, with 2013-2014 rosters and kits. Upon further investigation, the team select screen is slightly different, and when choosing your teams the box at the bottom changes colour in line with the teams main colour. The menu screens react far quicker than before and scrolling through formations no longer feels as much of a chore. This does however give you more time to look at your team in more detail, and highlights crazy errors, such as many players all being two years younger than they really are, at least in the kick off mode. Thankfully this seems to not happen in career mode.

But when you scroll through the options, perhaps looking for the CPU skill customisations seen in FIFA 12 or indeed the tactical defending then you are out of luck. There is nothing new to see here folks. The game modes and online options all remain the same as they were in FIFA FOOTBALL, giving you Kick Off, Create a Tournament, Career Mode and Online.
The title screen and introduction are different, owing no doubt to EA Sports’ new marquee signing, Lionel Messi but any sense of anything else being different very soon begins to evaporate.

That being said, it isn’t always a bad thing and the game still plays a very good game of football, even if it is a couple of generations behind. As introduced in the first Vita version, touch screen controls for passing and shooting are still present and just as useful/annoying (delete on your preference) as they were before. The AI does appear to be a little more evolved in that it makes a few better plays and moves, and the pace equiped players certainly do feel like they move a lot better. The burst of pace is definately there, especially with players like Ronaldo or Walcott.

Career mode is nigh on the same, although the calendar does seem to move faster through the days, but there is no transfer window deadline day feature and you still cannot scout for players, and the international manager feature touted for 13 doesn’t make an appearance. Quelle suprise.
Also missing from the console version are Ultimate Team, Pro Clubs and all the Create a Club options, Head to Head Seasons online and simple things that could easily be achievable on the Vita, like replay saving. Pretty much anything that 13 was said to offer isn’t here. Except for the Saudi Arabian teams. Well more teams is good right?

But all of this doesn’t detract from the fact that it does present a decent representation of the beautiful game, the biggest criticism is that it is too similar to the game that came six months ago. Now, if you didn’t buy the original then quite simply buy this. It’s a cut down version of the consloe experience but is still fun and is a perfect fit for the Vita. But if you did buy it, it probably doesn’t represent enough of an upgrade to be honest, especially at full price.

Published by EA Sports Developed by EA Canada
Released 28th September 2012 Memory Card required
Review copy provided by EA

Review score = 3/5 - GOOD
+ Still plays a good game of Football
+ Career mode runs much quicker
- Pretty much just kits and squads updated
- Missing many features from console version
- Why call it 13 when it clearly isn’t?

I wouldn't say they don't care about the Vita as such, EA still continue to support the PSP to a degree. It's more treating the fanbase with disdain. We don't want this game to flop as such, as it may affect future titles coming to the Vita.

But it is definately lazy. Konami have said that PES will come to the Vita at some point. Sooner rather than later; it's not my thing but just a presence will force EA to up their game.

It is a good game, it's just two years behind already, and will require a serious jump to get on par with the current console generation.

I can deal with no UT, and probably clubs. But it the little things, like match day, replay saving, tactical defending and so on.

If they actually released it on a par with the current engine, I'd wager that we would all be happy with that.

They never actually said anything about it on the Vita. 1/5 is totally your opinion. what would you have given the original? I pumped for 3 because I gave the original 3. From the perspective of someone who has not bought it, it is a 3. For someone who did they have to make their own judgement, and i can totally understand yours. I gave EURO 2012 2/5 for similar reasons.

I doubt they will. They may well take feedback and put it to good use in next year...

PES is exactly what FIFA Vita needs. Ironic really.

There's nothing to report really, it's the same as FIFA FOOTBALL. Not that much lag in my experience so far.

Pretty much, very slight tweaks. If you don't have the first, FIFA 13 is the one to go for if you want the lastest. If the up to date rosters are not important to you, the first is much cheaper.