I'm shocked at how much attention they've paid to the presentation in the game. It's not 100% perfect, but it's the subtle things that gives it authenticity and a real sense of World Cup fever. Even the qualifiers are authentic. Playing as England in the qualifiers I can choose to follow the realistic path or my own path. I chose the realistic patch and it's brilliant replaying all those qualifying fixtures from all those months ago. You play in the older kits, at Wembley, at night with realistic rainy weather. Then the next fixture was in the daytime away from home. As you progress you get to play in the new kit (as IRL).
I can't stress how much I love the sound in the game. They've nailed the sound effects whether it be the crowd reactions to the play on the pitch to the drumming when playing as or against Brazil, to the sound of the ball hitting the post, net or even adboard. I'm so glad they've improved the cutscenes aswell. It all seems to blend now and it appears there are a lot more in-game rendered reactions.
I think this is pretty spot on. I got the game last night after reading some early reviews and have to say it's frakkin' awesome. I traded in FIFA 10 months ago because it was the worst pile of crap I've ever played. This game is so much better.
A few points... Atmosphere, which ruined FIFA 10 for me, is class. They actually have the USA team chants (the few there are) spot on and even the look and feel of the stadiums they would play in. As posted above, the ball clanging off the post or the ball hitting the net sounds a lot better now.
Gameplay - sure there are still some issues, but I am not joking when I say the gameplay has improved greatly. There are still issues with stamina and pace (like Blanco of Mexico who is slow as molasses sprinting down the field and beating Landon Donovan) but overall it feels better.
So I am playing Mexico and they have a PK. I dive right and the kicker clangs the shot off the left post which then bounces back towards my keeper and hits him in the back and goes in. Classic and have never seen it in a game.
Another piece of build up play and I get into the box and think "I'll just place this in the bottom left" and what happens? A defender makes a last ditch lunge and clears the ball off the line. Not to mention my keeper making crazy double saves, etc.
Oh, did I mention injuries? After my first game I already had one player out 3 weeks after a training injury and another out for 1 week due to a thigh strain.
I was as disgusted with FIFA 10 as anyone around but this game is much better. If they can incorporate the atmosphere, injuries, etc FIFA 11 will be golden. Oh, and fatigue and pace...
