Featured Books & Games

EA's 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA
Reviewed by Rick Tittle

The Beautiful Game has been tried for decades in video game format with a hit-or-miss history for the most part.  Sometimes we get perennial titles such as the FIFA brand that EA brings out freshly every year, and every two years we get a special edition from this franchise to coincide with either a European Championship or a World Cup.

And since its 2010, you know what is sitting on the shelves of your video game store right now.

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA is available on every system you can find, both hand-held and console alike.  And yes, it is a long title for a video game, we know.  You might think that its nothing but a money-spinner…a re-hashed version of FIFA 2010 albeit with national teams instead of club sides.  In a way you’d be correct, but that broad stroke can’t hide the fact that this is still a good game.  Let’s face it: the World Cup is much more important than the regular domestic league of any country.  The flavor, the culture, the pressure, and the glory don’t come any bigger.  Electronic Arts is no stranger to these facts and thus the presentation in this title is top-notch.

All 199 FIFA countries are represented here, not just the actual 32 participants in the real World Cup.  Every name and national kit is authentic, too.  So for you Swedish, Irish, Moldovan and other fans of nations who missed out, you can now put your favorite team back in!  There is also a new penalty kick set-up which is an improvement over the club title we got last fall.  “Captain Your Country” is back again to see if you have what it takes to put on the armband and skipper your side to success.  Multiplayer also gets a needed addition with a new feature called “Battle of the Nations”, where you can pick a country and stick with it until you get knocked out or win it all.

The gameplay is smooth and legit for the most part, although some people might get annoyed at the crowd cutaways (which are plentiful).  I did find that the A.I. could be a bit lacking at times, however.  Take for example a situation where my opponent broke through my back four, raced into my box unmarked, and then pulled back and passed the ball in the wrong direction.  That would never happen in reality.  But that was a rare occasion.  For the most part this game is a better title than FIFA 2010 and should be picked up if you like soccer video games.  I mean, unlike the regular FIFA games, you’ll have to wait four more years for another chance.

I give this game 8 out 10.

Rick Tittle can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it