Let me preface this by saying that I have only played the demo for one day.
I have to say, I hated it at first, mostly because of the defending (so hard to get at the ball!), but as you get used to it, it kind of grows on you... it seems much more realistic all around. I love the standing tackle option and how the button that was the "magnet" button last year now just keeps you tracking a player from whatever distance you can get to on your own. if you use that to keep inching closer and closer, you really do have a wealth of options once you get up close to the player on the ball: slide tackle, standing tackle, and the push/grab (really starting to like this).
Defending is realistic, but harder. This of course means that, to those who watch a lot of football, the gameplay is pleasing to a certain extent, but also that I AM GOING TO GET BLOODY DESTROYED ONLINE EVEN MORE THAN USUAL because offensive players definitely get more time and space on the ball, and it seems as though the middle of the pitch is once again open for business, as it is much easier to slip tackles, throw on the brakes, change speeds, and precision dribble around people. Also as others have mentioned, easier to muscle through tackles (esp. w/Dzeko). In FIFA11 it seemed that any passes to an open man in center areas would immediately get swallowed up by a defender who would zoom straight to the ball and pick your pocket. FIFA12 seems committed to allowing for more offensive creativity. I for one had a tough time offensively in 11, so I am loving the flow and possibilities of 12 from an offensive standpoint. Fun to play offense, kind of scary to play defense, but fun for the challenge.
It also seems that AI is better, and some of the runs that teammates take are much smarter and more realistic/helpful. It seemed like I had better communication with my teammates (an artificial thing I know, but it seemed thus). Also, it might be my imagination, but shooting seems a touch more accurate.
The graphics keep getting steadily better, and I like the actual photo headshots of the players when it shows the match ratings/etc.
A couple of issues:
- The "call a teammate to help" button is awkwardly placed and hard to integrate. hopefully this will improve with time.
- I have yet to try the "man marking" option on the set up screen where you can actually (it would seem) have a certain defender shadow an opposing player for the duration of the game, but I am excited to get into trying that. Anyone have any feedback on this? I can't wait to sick NDJ on Shrek like a ravenous dog when the full version drops.
- Not sold on the new commentator yet at all. He is hard to hear, kinda blah, and while I am glad to not be getting any more "If YER Doint HIt Ther TARGeit Yer Nevahguna Scoure!" rebukes, I can't see that this is much better, though I hope the actual version will step it up a notch.
- I know this will be fixed in a few days when the full version drops, but for christsake, we couldn't get Nasri onto City for the Demo? Come on.
Overall, I love FIFA, and I'd try my best to wrap my head around whatever new features they added no matter what, because in my experience it's always led to a very enjoyable gaming experience. I just can't do the PES thing, no disrespect to those of you that love it.
Finally, anyone else get the feeling that we are going to see some absolute drubbings online moreso than with 11 because of the lack of the "magnet" and the more open play? I'm gonna be a bit scared to venture off of single player myself...
