{"id":13315,"date":"2010-05-08T13:41:31","date_gmt":"2010-05-08T17:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballfashion.wordpress.com\/?p=13315"},"modified":"2014-03-31T11:51:10","modified_gmt":"2014-03-31T15:51:10","slug":"review-ea-sports-2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballfashion.org\/wordpress\/2010\/05\/08\/review-ea-sports-2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: EA Sports 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

EA Sports FIFA 10<\/em> is arguably the greatest soccer video game ever made. It shines in terms of presentation, graphics, menus, licenses and most importantly gameplay. \u00a0Many would argue that it has long surpassed archrival series Pro Evolution Soccer. Now in a World Cup year, EA Sports builds on FIFA 10<\/em> with the equally magnificent 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been playing 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa<\/em> on PS3 since its release last week. \u00a0Given that it\u2019s been only six months since the release of FIFA 10<\/em>, I was curious to see what improvements the development team at EA Sports could conjure up to celebrate the world\u2019s greatest sporting event. I was not disappointed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Presentation<\/strong><\/p>\n

While gameplay makes a soccer video game great, presentation essential to its overall experience. The FIFA series has long excelled in this aspect and continues to do so with 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa<\/em>. The overall feel of the game\u2019s navigation via its menu system remains very much like that of FIFA 10 but with a feel that emphasizes the African location of this year\u2019s World Cup. Coupled with a rocking soundtrack featuring anthems such as K\u2019Naan\u2019s Wavin\u2019 Flag (Celebration Mix)<\/em> and Michael Franti and Spearhead\u2019s Say Hey<\/em>, you\u2019ll be pumped for some gaming action shortly after the quick load period of the game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Before playing a game of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa<\/em>, you\u2019ll enjoy some brilliant pregame scenes. All of the stadiums to be used for FIFA World Cup 2010 (including surroundings such as mountains) are in the game in vibrant detail. Throw in prematch fireworks, confetti and abbreviated national anthems, authentic national team chanting and detailed, close-up fan animation and extensive team celebrations and a true FIFA World Cup feel is present.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Game Modes<\/strong><\/p>\n

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa<\/em> offers enough offline and online game modes to keep even the hardcore soccer video gamers busy throughout the summer of 2010. Included are the single player Captain Your Country, the online Battle of Nations and the lovely Story of Qualifying (where you relive keys moments in the World Cup qualifying process). \u00a0My favorite was the core of the game \u2014 the actual FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa in which you could go straight to the tournament as a qualified team or go through the qualification process as any of FIFA\u2019s 199 member nations. The nine division league online in which you could earn promotion or be relegated based on your season results was instantly addictive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Gameplay<\/strong><\/p>\n

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa<\/em> is essentially FIFA 10<\/em> v1.5 in terms of gameplay. It does nothing groundbreaking with the FIFA 10 gameplay engine other than introduce a few welcome tweaks. I found these to be:<\/p>\n