FIFA 12 for iOS: Review
Rating: 8/10
Developer: Electronic Arts Swiss Sarl
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platform: iOS
Device used for review: iPad 2 and iPhone 4S
I usually try to abstain from games on my iPad or iPhone that
are ports of console games. A game that runs on Xbox 360 or
Playstation 3 doesn't has the same feeling when it is stuffed
onto touch screen devices. It is much easier to play a game
with a joystick than with virtual buttons. But EA's FIFA 12
has proved me wrong. Many people think that iOS games need
to compete with their console counterparts. Actually they
don't. They just need to be good games and should provide
hours of gameplay to casual and hardcore gamers. FIFA 12
has succeeded in this aspect.GAMERS, the ultimate iOS
football game has arrived.
Catch me if you can!
FIFA 12 is very comfortable to play with virtual buttons and it has a brand new control
system. The game still includes virtual buttons for shooting, passing, sprinting, sliding
and for tackling. But, EA has integrated numerous intuitive controls like swipe controls
and double tap controls in FIFA 12. Free kicks and penalties can be taken by just
flicking or swiping the ball in the desired direction. During corner kicks and goal kicks,
one could pass the ball to a teammate by just tapping on him. You can select a player
by just touching him or command him to make a run by just swiping him. FIFA 12 also
permits lots of diversity on the pitch. One can easily perform high or low passes,
through passes, fake shots and lobbed shots through simple tap and slide motions. In
addition to that, EA has also provided a way to pair an iPhone or an iPod touch with an
iPad via Bluetooth and use the iPhone or the iPod touch as a controller. Taking the
buttons off the iPad screen and leaving the screen exposed makes the gameplay even
more comfortable and immersive. It also allows two player local gaming. The controls in
FIFA 12 are handled astonishingly well and it is a big improvement from FIFA 11.
Kick-off Time
FIFA 12 has a new menu screen which is quite similar to the one found in Xbox 360.
You can swipe left and right to scroll through the options. EA has also incorporated
'Origin' in FIFA 12 by which you can connect to various gamers around the world,
access the leaderboards and can also play the daily challenge mode. One can also
save instant replays and view them later. The game has five difficulty levels, which are
appropriately placed apart and offer a realistic difficulty curve. The game is suited for all
kinds of gamers. There are also an assortment of camera angles, which all give the
game a different cinematic effect.
Tapping on a player to pass the ball
One of the most popular and most played game mode of any FIFA title is the Manager
mode. The Manager mode was a highly anticipated feature for the FIFA 12 for iOS. EA
has delievered to the people's expectations. FIFA 12 for iOS has a manager mode. A
player can take charge of a team from a vast range of leagues around the world. The
manager mode requires one to not only play the matches, but manage everything from
office stuff like player transfers, contracts, finances, sponsorships and staff to the on-
field stuff like formations, squad and kick takers. You can also train players or sell them
if needed. The manager has to live upto the board's expectations or he could be fired.
Players are given a series of objectives for each season, and if those objectives are
met, the player’s reputation as a manager improves. You also can simulate the games if
you want to focus on the management stuff.There is also an in-game e-mail system for
alerts.It's a basic but a great addition for the iOS. But, just as every rose has its thorn,
the manager mode for FIFA 12 also has some drawbacks. You can't edit the kit number
of any player, you cannot name your manager or customize his appearance and also
there are no situation based decisions which you can make. These all features are
prevalent in the console counterparts of almost all FIFA titles.
Flicking the ball for Free Kicks.
Fernando Torres. Also the blurry spectators
FIFA 12 plays out very well. It is quite good and smooth. The game engine allows
realistic player actions and reactions. Players make pretty clever decsions about how to
play their positions. AI controlled players behave and make moves very much like real
players would. The game plays very much like a real football game would. The graphics
of FIFA 12 is a big improvement from that of FIFA 11. The players look good when
zoomed out. But, when the camera zooms on them or if a clipping occurs then them
look a bit fuzzy. The player's kits also look fuzzy and pixelated. This is a very big
disappointment. Also, some players do not resemble their real life counterparts. The
crowd and the stadiums are nothing but just cardboard cut-outs, which look ugly,
pixelated and blurry. They disappear and pop up with disturbing regularity.There are
also some glitches and bugs in this game. However, the frame rate remains steady and
so the game is fun to play. FIFA 12 for iOS does'nt have great and detailed graphics like
in the PS3, Xbox 360 or the PC title. It is also does'nt have features or game modes like
them. But, the gameplay and graphics in FIFA 12 for iOS are much better than those in
consoles like the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. The graphics and gameplay in FIFA
12 for iOS are equivalent to those of the PSP and PS2 versions.
The game looks great when zoomed out
Numerous clubs and leagues to chose from
FIFA 12 is an enjoyable game. But, the game is massively concentrated on the
European Leagues. There are no Asian or African leagues in this game. Also, there is
only a handful of international teams. Many African and Asian international teams are
not present in FIFA 12 for the iOS. There is also no facility to edit teams, formations and
the player's kit numbers. This is shocking. You have to edit the squad and formations
every time you want to play a match.
Manager Mode. Icing on the cake.
EA has added numerous game modes in FIFA 12. But, it would have been better if we
could see game modes like 'Be a Pro','Cup Mode' or the 'League Mode'. These all game
modes are prevalent in the console counterparts of almost all FIFA titles. Also, it would
have been pleasant if there would have been an online multiplayer mode.
FIFA 12 is quite vivid and immersive when played on iPad. But, I would not recommend
playing the game on the iPhone or iPod Touch, just because of the small screen size
available. Football games are best played when zoomed out so one can get an
impression of the entire field at once. The small screen on the iPhone or the iPod Touch
also makes it difficult to control the players. However, FIFA 12 looks lovely in the
iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and the iPod Touch 4 because of the retina display.
Have a look at those blurry kits and players
FIFA 12 is a bold step forward for EA. It is a big improvement from FIFA 11. FIFA 12 is
a great game and it promises numerous hours of gameplay. The new game modes like
the manager mode are quite addictive. If you ignore a few glitches and flaws in the
graphics and presentation, then it is a must buy. FIFA 12 is truly the best football game
for the iOS. Any football fan would love to play this game.
Goal Machine?
The Good
Manager Mode
Better Graphics
Updated player rosters and authentic stadiums
Good and intuitive controls
Daily Challenge Mode
The Bad
Several glitches and somewhat fuzzy graphics
No online multiplayer
Manager mode could have been better
No 'Be a Pro','Cup mode' or 'League mode' features
Cannot customize squads, formations and kit numbers
No facility for club transfers
Commentary is not upto to the mark