FIFA Football (PS Vita)

FIFA Vita

Tested and reviewed based on the PS Vita version.
Review by Ben Nacca
(Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BenNacca )
XBL GT: Darkeyes1991 PSN ID: Darkeyes2k11

The FIFA franchise in recent years has just got better and better and with the threat of being too similar, FIFA 12 changed things around, including a new menu and layout but also revamping the tackling system. Now it must have worked as FIFA 12 became the best-selling sports title to be released.

Most likely there will be a Euro 2012 FIFA game and you can bet your mortgage that a FIFA 13 game will make an appearance in September/October this year – EA felt the PS Vita needed some action too and don’t chalk this one off as a shoddy, two bit port.

The PSP and Nintendo DS range have all tried to bring the FIFA experience to the palm of your hands, wherever you are. They haven’t always succeeded though, being less graphical and more finicky versions of their console brethren’s. Well upon starting FIFA Vita, you will hardly notice a difference between the menu systems and FIFA 12 – they are practically identical and anyone familiar will feel right at home. It’s slick, the ram of the Vita clearly helps, which builds the experience but let’s face it, you don’t come here for the menus do you?

Thankfully the transition from console to Vita means that the buttons are the same – two thumbsticks mean everything stays relatively smooth and you feel in control. Moving around, shooting, passing and the tackling system are all implemented and you could be forgiven for thinking this is the same game – some form of Remote Play trickery.

Graphically, FIFA Vita is superb – the player likeness and stadiums are recreated perfectly with the kits and licences being in full strength thanks to EA being the publishers. You can notice some slow down on the frame rate at time when things get busy or happen very fast but it sounds worse than it is. You never get distracted too much that it ruins the game or causes you to miss that 94th minute one on one.

So FIFA 12 brought the new features over and as mentioned above, they are all present, including the impact engine although you still get some funny tangles with players – YouTube it to see some on consoles – but what suffers most is the control you have on and off the ball. You lack the precision dribbling and for those that like to play with possession and do lots of tricks, tight turns and quick passes, the Vita fails to capture that degree of accuracy.

It isn’t a complete knock-off though. Thanks to the touch controls, the Vita mixes it up a bit to varying success. What do I mean? Well the front touchscreen is pointless (something that is becoming a pattern in most games on the Vita) with the ability to pass and move while blocking the screen with your fingers and losing the ball. The rear touchpad? Genius. You can shoot by just tapping your finger – the goal is likened to the touchpad so top right of the console is top corner for instance. For power, you hold it down for a duration. Forget the circle button, this is precision.

FIFA Vita is actually one of the first since I think FIFA 2004 where it is relatively easy, once you get the hang of it, to be hitting 25 yard shots into the back of the net. It is actually the one on ones and inside the box shots that seem to be saved or missed and it adds that realism to the game in a way. I personally always found it odd how the likes of Van Der Vaart, Scholes and Ronaldo always seemed to struggle with the outside the box shots on the console versions… or maybe I just suck?

A side note worth mentioning though; If you don’t like the touchscreen or pad or you are just after solid, pure FIFA then you can switch them off and stick with traditional buttons.

Career mode makes a return with shorter loading times and including player, player/manager and manager modes. Be a Pro and Virtual Pro also features along with online multiplayer which is surprisingly smooth. The occasional lag here and there but EA servers for you really! The absence of Ultimate Team, which has shot up in popularity with FIFA 12 will serve some disappointment but this is a pretty substantial package already.

Visuals 9/10

It is impressive that the graphics on the Vita are this strong already. Player likeness is fantastic and the game generally runs very smooth with the occasional frame rate issues here and there.

Audio 7/10

The commentary is actually fantastic for a handheld, not far off the console versions in terms of depth from what it seems. What has suffered is the track lists to keep you entertained during the menus but it isn’t really what makes or breaks FIFA.

Gameplay 8/10

It looks like FIFA, it feels like FIFA but the addition of touch controls make it different with mixed results. The dribbling has also taken a hit but generally, all good here.

Delivery 10/10

I don’t think it is often I give full marks for delivery at all – the reason why I have in this case is because the content crammed onto the Vita Card is substantial and really good as well. Anyone who sniffs at this because the absence of Ultimate Team is crazy to do so and the menus, loading times and the overall feel is fantastic.

Summary 8.5/10

Well I would call it a success story, others would say a miracle. A port from console to handheld that not only works but feels comfortable and powerful at the same time. Sure, the game has suffered some minor adjustments and loss of a mode or feature here and there but for the main part, FIFA Vita is a testament to what the new console can offer and in all honesty, it is much more enjoyable as a handheld in my opinion.

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