Life is all about compromise.
It’s rare that you get everything you want, exactly the way you want it. The ability to accept that fact lends itself to happier living.
“FIFA 11” is a good example.
Last year’s version raised the bar in terms of presentation, graphics and game play – making it difficult for this year’s edition to measure up.
If you’re expecting a similar quantum leap in “FIFA 11” you’re going to be disappointed. It’s very much like last year’s game, with a few tweaks added in.
But since last year’s game was excellent, I feel this one is as well.
What’s new?
- Personality Plus – Superstar players in the game mimic their real-life counterparts. The digital version of Cristiano Ronaldo standing over a free kick looks very much like the real thing. These are nice little touches from the designers to bring some of the bigger name players to life.
- Be a Goalie – A new twist to the familiar “Be a Pro” feature allows players to stand between the pipes, and as such, allows for online 11 v. 11 matches. I haven’t tried that one. I seriously doubt my Internet connection could handle it.
- Physicality – Remember the days when you could collect the ball in midfield, sprint between the two center halves and get a shot on goal? This year, it’s far more likely that you’ll get knocked off the ball, leaving your striker sitting on the turf waiting for a whistle that isn’t coming.
- Game play improvements – Aside from the one I just mentioned, celebrations are now more interactive. Run at a teammate after a goal, and he celebrates with you. The 360-degree dribbling, introduced last year, has been refined to allow gamers to have even more control. The passing system has been changed to allow players to better control the distance, pace and accuracy of their passes. That’s the idea, anyway. I’m still trying to get the hang of it. The addition of the Russian League was a nice surprise, too.
- Creation Center – Gamers can create their own players, teams and kits and share them online. Very much like the feature EA has for the NCAA Football series.
What’s different?
- Career mode – If you’re looking forward to building up your stadium and training ground, you need to look elsewhere. That part of the old manager mode has been stripped away. Player scouting and team sponsorships are also missing in action. You can still transfer players, but your success or failure as a manager will be determined on how your team performs between the lines.
The verdict
I’m a huge fan of this series, and while the subtractions from the manager mode are a bit of a downer, this game is still tons of fun.
Tactics matter in this game – you have to pass the ball with precision and build an attack to score goals. And there’s enough to do within the Be a Pro and Career Modes to keep this game fresh for a while.
Order FIFA 11 today online via Amazon.
I find it far more difficult than last year’s game, and that is a huge plus in my book. I seem to be stuck in a rut where I either win 1-0, draw 0-0 or lose 0-3 (most common of the three, actually). But its challenging, fun and I know I will devote far too much time to playing. I do miss some of the exclusions from manager mode, but the game on the field has always been the best part of FIFA anyway.
Who wants to start a league?
If you or someone can start an ‘EPLTalk’ league on FIFA 11, let me know and I’ll promote it to the other readers. I’m still living in the stone age with a Wii sans FIFA 11.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I’ll set one up this afternoon for XBOX 360 users and leave the information as a comment on this post.
Hopefully we can get a good representation of the entire league – not just a league full of Chelsea and Manchester United.
If any readers can also set one up for PS3 and the PC under the ‘EPLTalk’ name, please post below in the comments and I’ll get the word out about those also.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
PS – Thanks Gaz.
gaz, id be interested in joining the league. I prefer playing as Newcastle, but would be willing to play as any premier league team. I am pretty terrible at the game, but i refuse to leave the game early no matter how bad the beating is.
FIFA 11 is out for the Wii! I’m getting it this week (hopefully)
I’d be interested in a review of this.
I’ll create “EPLTalk” league tonight on xbox 360, if no one else beats me to it. How should I communicate that to you, if I do it?
Just post it here, no worries.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I have the following gametags:
HotFootMcCook
Jaywyse1983
KAM1KAZE101
ruffn3ckc
I think (but not sure – if anyone knows, fill me in) that you may need to be on my friends list in order to see the league. Anyone else interested, post your gametag here.
I’d be down to play…generally play as CFC for 5-star and a number of 4 and 1/2 star teams and 4 star teams as well…
I suppose we should start getting people to post their gamertags for Xbox LIVE?
GT: HotFootMcCook
Okay – an XBOX 360 league has been setup.
The league is called “EPLTalk”.
Directions:
Select “XBOX Live”
Select “Friends Leagues”
Select “Join a League”
Enter “EPLTalk” in the “League Name” field
OR
Hit “Start Seach” with nothing in the fields and scroll down to the “EPLTalk” league
Lastly, click on the “EPLTalk” league and confirm you want to join.
Start posting your gamertags here. Mine is “Zombie Gaz”.
Gaz, you’re the man!
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Thanks, mate!
Again, league for XBOX 360 is setup. It’s called “EPLTalk”. Directions are above but if you can’t find it, please leave reply to this comment and with your gamertag below. I will then add you to my friends and send you an invite.
I already have:
HotFootMcCook
Jaywyse1983
KAM1KAZE101
ruffn3ckc
i posted this elsewhere, but just in case it gets lost in the shuffle, my gamertag is gotitogo. Thanks gaz
Sign me up. Gamertag: axeltr
Sweet! I’m on Xbox Live as well!
Add me: Unitd Red Devil
*I would play as any team as well. Thanks!
gotitogo
thanks for setting it up gaz.
MADShanks is my gamer tag. I call Liverpool
perry8331
This sounds like fun. Looking forward to it.
I will add this to my leagues when I get home this evening
burn 096 is gamertag
I’m not sure if my earlier post went through. Again im definitely up for this. Xbox 360. Gamertag: Unitd Red Devil
If they’re taken i can play as another team, no biggie!
Thanks guys!
I have xbox 360 and I would be interested in playing in a league.
Overall, I love the game so far. They took out all the fluff and improved the actual game play. The difficulty is still kinda weird though. I can drop 5+ on every team on Pro, but can’t beat anyone on world class. Oh well.
I’d be very interested in a league and have about 3-4 others would as well. hit me up my gamertag is jaywyse1983.
I love 11, I think it’s much more realistic and relys on creativity rather than just running past everyone on magical throughballs.
I’ll join for the PS3 league. PSN Name: Eng9lland
Hey guys, I’d be interested in playing the league on xbox360 [as Arsenal
Send invite.
gamertag: ruffn3ckc
BTW, I can create league named – “EPLTalk” on Xbox 360 tonight. Once that’s done we can move forward with getting everyone in. If someone else creates first, please post back here and we can let The Gaffer know.
hey,
I have fifa on xbox 360 and would be interested in joining a league, i am a west ham so willing to play with lower club
gamertag : kam1kaze101
I’d be down for a PS3 league, playing as Arsenal…username: DoubleJ88
I find the new passing aspect to the game much more difficult. When you press the pass button, the player doesn’t always pass immediately, but takes a second to play the ball. This means that I keep losing possession and am creating far less chances.
I suppose the game designers thought that they would get players to think ahead, but you’ll definitely have to change your game from FIFA 10.
My first FIFA game in years. Played World Cup 201 and really liked it. I’m currently engulfed in my Arsenal Career Mode campaign.
I’m on the PS3, add me username: esomedina. I’ll play as any team in the League but prefer Arsenal. I may just go with Blackpool or Everton if Arsenal is taken. But…how does the League work?
My first FIFA game in years. Played World Cup 2010 and really liked it. I’m currently engulfed in my Arsenal Career Mode campaign.
I’m on the PS3, add me username: esomedina. I’ll play as any team in the League but prefer Arsenal. I may just go with Blackpool or Everton if Arsenal is taken. But…how does the League work?
I’m on ps3 my username is trisfgotp. Although I always play as arsenal, I’ll give newcastle a try.
Well I’ve been playing the game since Sunday Afternoon, and I have to say I’m a little dissapointed. I was a confirmed PES fan until FIFA10 and while this years PES is as bad if not worse than last years dissapointment, I have to say that FIFA11 i’snt a patch on last year’s. The thing about F10 for me was its arcade style playability. Yes the passing wasnt sophisticated, and the goalkeeping was poor, but it had a natural playability and fun that is missing this time around.
The best way I can describe it is, watching your players run through treacle,whilst wearing woolen gloves to move the controler.
Also I U’med & Ahrred about weather or not to buy it on the PS3 Or X-Box and I plumped for the X-Box because that was the console I played F10 on. I Advise anybody who has both consoles to get the ps3 version if you intend to add your own music playlist as, as usual the X-Box’s hard drive is its unfriendly self and it wont let you import mp3s using disk,or drive and I had to burn the tracks first as a regular old fashioned CD and then rip them from the disk to the drive itself.
Ill keep playing it and struggling through, but it seems that while EA, have upped the realism they have done so by decreasing the fun.
In Career Mode (Manager) I find it annoying that when a player gets a straight red card he is only suspended for 1 game instead of 3. Such a simple fact that does not reflect reality. I miss the FIFA 10 version of Manager Mode. PS3 gamer tag = GhostDog312
I have been playing FIFA 11 for a week now and very much not happy with with it’s play. it is a whole lot slower than last year game and very difficult to score and control the game. I expected Fifa 11 to be dull, that is just what EA Sport does. They never put out two great games in session. Next year will be very excellent. I have been playing fifa since 98.
I was a bit let down when I read this article and found out that they ruined the manager mode. I loved picking a MLS side and building them up. Does anybody know if they added any of the real MLS parks. I remember they had the Home Depot center in 08 but removed it in 09. It is a joke when you have to make a stadium for a MLS club and pick a stadium that looks close to the real stadium but the climate of the stadium is wrong. With so many soccer specific stadiums in the MLS now you would think a developer that is in North America would make some of the stadiums on their continent.
@CTBlues,
The game is awesome man! The pace is perfect, IMO and you can create chances – you just have to think like a footballer and work the ball. That said, if you want to “ping-pong,” you can turn on fully assisted and play with friends who play that way.
If you like, you can invite me to a game and I’ll show you some pointers.
Alright, if I set up this PS3 League, who’s willing to play? Would we have enough for an actual 20 team league where everyone picks a different team? If we only have ten, we could pick the top 10 teams in the table or even do a bottom 10 team league. I’m open for anything.
Number of players/teams?
Half length?
Please reply to this post if you’re willing to play in a PS3 and the type of format you’d lie to play.
I’d join. But what does it entail to play a league match? Must I play only when everyone else is on? Must I play daily? Or at specific times?
I’m not entirely sure but I think how it works is that we all agree on a time to get on and play a match. I’m usually free to play during the week 9:00pm to midnight Chicago time.
I’m in for a ps3 league. Format doesn’t really matter to me. I normally play 10 min half length, but that might be too long for some.
I am in for a PS3 league as well. My tag is XxRedDevilxX, send an invite. I obviously am a huge UTD fan but will play with any team.
Alright, I’ll set the league up tonight and send invites to everyone that posts here. I’ll set it up for 20 team limit like the EPL and 10 minute halves. From there we can work out a playing time…
Im in for PS3. PSID: moose9t9. I’ll use Arsenal or dare I say, Liverpool
my psid is trisfgotp. I’d take arsenal, but i feel like demand for them will be high so i’ll use newcastle
There may as well be one writer in this. Kipp9 and Chelsea
I am in for ps3. I think my id name is atom_25. Prefer Newcastle but can play with whoever
Here’s my couple of thoughts…
Firstly, I think the “player personality plus” entails more than simply having C. Ronaldo strike his trademark pose before taking free kicks (this was ALREADY a feature of previous games – eg Beckham, C-Ron, and Lampard all had signature “poses” when preparing to take free kicks).
As far as I understand it, the personality feature is an attempt to immitate actual personality traits. So if you have Ronaldinho on your team, he’s unlikely to track back and tackle when you don’t have the ball. Likewise, Matthew Upson is less likely to initiate a give-n-go.
That aside, my thoughts on the game are this – I’m not going to rush out and buy it, for the simple reason that every new FIFA game seems to have underlying glitches that are not apparent until a while later, and certain obvious improvements (eg improving Manager Mode) never happen. (although the designers seem to have plenty of time to implement superficial changes like interactive celebrations).
For example, I had FIFA 10. I played manager mode for about 6-7 seasons as Hull City, gradually establishing them in the EPL, slowly improving the squad through canny purchases and scouting youngsters, eventually winning the EPL and the Champions League. After that, I decided it was time to try managing AC Milan, who supposedly had $100m in the bank. AFTER I joined them, an apparently common glitch kicked in, and I was left with a $200 BILLION debt. So I couldn’t buy players, couldn’t even hire trainers, and pretty quickly got fired because none of my squad were fit enough to play two consecutive games…went to Celtic and the exact same thing happened.
I heard EA introduced a patch to fix this, but since I’d started my cherished manager mode BEFORE the glitch, it would have no effect for me – I would have to start from scratch if I wanted to play a glitch-free career. So I felt like my 8 seasons leading up to the Champions league success were all a big waste of time.
(ps. I know it’s only a game, and technically it’s ALL a waste of time anyway, but it still grates…)
Alright, for the PS3 League we have the following people signing up and their respective teams. I will set up the league tonight and send friend invites to everyone:
DoubleJ88 – Arsenal
Eng9lland –
esomedina – Tottenham
GhostDog312 –
Kipp9 – Chelsea
moose9t9 – Liverpool
trisfgotp – Newcastle
XxRedDevilxX – Manchester United
if you haven’t selected your team yet, just reply here so no one else picks that team. First come first serve. We will cap it at 20 teams. 10 minute halves.
Any other PS3 people down to join?
This should be fun. Sad I’m not getting to play as my Arsenal, but I guess I’ll play devil’s advocate and pick the Sp*rs lol.
Sign me up. Think my id name is atom_25 (cant remember for sure). If Newcastle is gone, I can take Villa.
I’ll take Sunderland. PSN: Eng9lland
PS3 League has been set up. Name is “EPL Talk”
All friend invites have been sent to the people listed above.
Eng9lland has picked Sunderland. GhostDog312?
To play against each other, you have to navigate to the Standings section of the league. There you highlight a League member and press “X” on the controller to pull up the menu for each League member to challenge/invite to a game. We play each other twice. I guess we can play as we go, but would like to wait for more people to join in so we have a full league. I’d say let’s wait until the weekend to start playing.
Nice. Joined last night. Not around this weekend but look forward to playing some matches soon.
DID IS A WASTE OF MONEY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
herro101 – Dibs on Sheffield Wednesday!!
hi is they any thing on fifa were u can look eat leagues uve played in
Hello,
Can somebody tell me how I can setup a Fifa11 friends league together with the xbox and the PS3 players?
Or is it seperated?
Thanks!
is it to late to join the PS3 league.
my psn: snowman72
I am interested in joining the Xbox 360 league. I have looked it up and it asks me a for a password.
Can some please help me?
My gamertag is: INferN074
i would like to join a league for PS3,would prefer to play with napoli or real madrid but any other teams would be fine too.my gamertag is: krzysiek1999