Woohoo! Custom tactics are back! I genuinely think they must have disabled them for FIFA 11 and 12 because they now have some real effect again, much like when they first implemented them in FIFA 10.
I tried setting one team to have maxed out (ie. 100) fast and long build-up play, with high crossing and risky passing values and they very clearly played a long-ball game, with plenty of balls hoofed down the middle, down the flanks, crosses coming in, etc.
I set another team to be the complete opposite (ie. 0) and they played a very short game, and didn't play a single speculative long ball, keeping possession as best as they could. Particularly gratifying is that it was a League 2 team, and it didn't mean they played like Barcelona, with perfect passes and hours ppssession before the lost the ball. They made mistakes, had bad first touches, miscontrolled it, misplaced passes and frequently gave up possession (Professional level).
So far, after a handful of varied matches, my feeling is this is the best FIFA to date. Imo, FIFA 12 was the worst in the current series (since they got good in FIFA 08), and I wasn't expecting much, but it has been a pleasant surprise. The game feels more physical, and the impact engine does indeed feel a little more refined.
They've a lot of good things going on in that engine - shame it's too fast - I wish slow was about 15% slower and they gave 5 speed option, like PES.
And if they can add proper player momentum next year, then they'll have a much better game.
Can you ask him to grow it like in Fifa please
