FIFA Soccer 12

Quite simply, the beautiful game is back with a sports car and twin sister in tow - there, we couldn't resist.

Absolutely reeks of effort, of care, of love for the sport. Blast EA and its peers for the way they run their businesses if you want to, but recognise this: with friends, with practice, with a will to re-think your approach to defence, Fifa is an absolute joy to play.

A remarkable achievement. EA could have easily rested on its laurels, but instead decided to be ballsy and went about overhauling some fundamental gameplay mechanics in a game that was already garnering universal praised.

A landmark sports game. Not only is it the greatest football game we've yet seen, it's a masterclass in how to capture the essence of a sport. From they way it looks to the way it makes you think about how you play the game, FIFA 12 is brilliant, through and through.

FIFA 12 has not only improved upon FIFA 11, this episode is perhaps the one that takes the most risks, and the result is excellent. This redesigned gameplay, the revamped defense and the huge learning curve it offers makes for an impressive FIFA 12 that soccer fans will love.

FIFA Soccer 12 is remarkable. It is addictive. It is fun. It is the closest a videogame has ever come to the real thing and it easily gets my vote for sports game of the year.

Today, the best sports games are more than simulations; they are immersive, customizable and infinitely social. No game has elevated its sport to the level of "platform" better than EA's FIFA Soccer 12.

It's by far the most realistic football title on the market and there are plenty of game modes to keep players entertained. FIFA 12 is a must own title for football fans who will no doubt be playing up until the next instalment.

FIFA 12 takes realism to an all-time high in sports games. The innovative changes in gameplay mechanics, much needed changes to career mode, and additional online modes makes this one of the most complete FIFA packages to date. If you're a true football fan, you'd be remiss to pass up FIFA 12 - even if you own FIFA 11.

Kudos to EA for once again reminding us why their FIFA franchise is the best on the market.

For us gamers in the Middle East, this year's version of the game is extra special. We now have the full menu and commentary in Arabic for the first time ever.

Even if you aren't an avid fan of soccer, you owe it to yourself to check this title out and see just how good a sports game gets.

FIFA 12 is simply the best soccer simulation ever made. Tactical Defending, Precision Dribbling and Impact Engine works perfect together, offering a freedom never experimented before.

FIFA 12 has not innovated simply for the sake of it. The gameplay innovations greatly improve the way FIFA plays. Matches unfold with a more authentic tempo, taking it much closer to the real thing.

Fifa in a whole just never stops being fun, and this game is no exception.

FIFA 12 enhances the exceptional gameplay of the last years and makes a bold change in defense, which forces players to pass through a process of adaptation (although they can turn on the "classic" defense), but shines like the previous games.

Yet another step forward for a great series: the new tactical defense system, the improved campaign mode and the new players collision engine make it an unmissable buy for every soccer fan.

It's hard to imagine what EA can do to improve this series even more for next year's offering.

The team at EA has taken a chance on new features and a rather risky adjustment to the core gameplay that has paid off in nearly every regard. More realistic pacing, in-depth controls both on and off the ball, enhanced online and offline experiences, and the ability to constantly share your passion for all things soccer combine to make FIFA 12 the complete package.

It's a step forward in obtaining what could be the "perfect soccer simulation" of tomorrow. Not just an upgrade in any way, it a fully new experience thanks to entirely reimagined phisics simulation engine.

A more charismatic, tactical FIFA that's finally taking steps in a new direction.

This year's game plays ultra-slick. [Dec 2011, p.104]

All up FIFA 12 is a very addictive and at the top difficulty level very challenging. There are many options to stop you getting bored and constantly tossing up varied challenges. The audio is real life like which recreates the atmosphere of game day. This title is definitely worth consideration if you like your soccer.

FIFA 12 is arguably the best soccer game released by any developer to date. The authenticity of the gameplay, the quality of the presentation and the large selection of modes make for an extremely rich and satisfying experience. What FIFA lacks in new single player modes is easily made up for in the overall quality and satisfaction of the experience on the pitch. The question then comes to you the gamer. Are you a huge soccer fan, who needs your fix every year for the latest and greatest soccer game? If so, don't even hesitate, FIFA 12 is the game for you.

Brilliant! No matter what you call the sport, no matter which side of the pond you reside, it can't be denied that this year FIFA 12 is the best game of football around.

Overall, FIFA 12 improves upon the ground work laid by the previous incarnations of the series. The level of immersion, of escapism, not to mention the level of online support for fans, is beyond impressive.

FIFA's series latest version makes enough enhancements to continue the saga forward march to perfect simulation. With the Impact Engine and Tactical Defending, there too much to learn this time.

A worthy sequel to FIFA 11 and more. Fans of authentic football simulation can't go wrong with this one.

FIFA 12 proves that human beings -- not Autobots -- make videogames, and these particular people are sharp observers of the beautiful game. I think it shows, and I think FIFA 12 is a better game for it.

So, another year, another FIFA. It has become a cornerstone in the gaming market over the years, and with good reason. FIFA 12 is the nearest a football title has ever come to emulating the real life match day experience.

That was the last game I played before I wrote the review but really it's not all that uncommon in the game. FIFA 12 is an amazing game of soccer. There were so many times that I would sit back awe struck at the action on screen. If you have any interest in soccer, do yourself a favor and pick up this game.

A groundbreaking moment for the future of virtual football. [Nov 2011, p.102]

After a quick learning curve, one can experience the true satisfaction of a well-placed shot, and once in tune, FIFA '12 offers plenty of gameplay options to enjoy, including the now built-in Ultimate Team mode. Though it won't change any soccer-haters' minds as to the quality of the game, it will make the faithful very happy and offers a fun experience to the casual crowd.

FIFA Soccer 12 is rich with fathoms of deep features, and the well-designed improvements to both presentation and gameplay make it a worthy upgrade for owners of last year's edition.

FIFA 12 is a good jump in the series and delivers more reasons of satisfaction for the fans.

FIFA 12 is a better game than its predecessor. A modified defense module and control scheme work perfectly and allow to "feel" the game better, and a new physics engine (although not ideal) looks impressive. This new EA Sports game is worth every penny. It's a great investment for long months of gaming, giving the player lots of joy when scoring goals and brewing those great football emotions. It's a next step on a road to perfection.

Bold new defence system, great news to the career mode and just a ton of content makes this a must for football fans.

The best additions this year are bits of the unexpected, something almost never achieved in sports video games. FIFA 12 delivers enough of those flashes of brilliance to feel a little less like a game, and more like a true soccer simulator.

Coming off a disappointing outing last year, the EA Sports FIFA franchise has bounced back in a big way. The amped up presentation, new physics engine, new tactical defending, and other new additions make for a game that is truly better than ever. There is no question FIFA Soccer 12 is the soccer (or football for you Europeans) game to own for FIFA fans and sports fans alike this year.

Last year's foibles have been successfully plastered over with a quite brilliant Career mode and improvements on the defensive side of the ball are nothing short of revolutionary.

FIFA 12 is the definitive football game: challenging, addictive, and with more excellent features than ever before.

When all is said and done, the fundamentals of the sport are extremely well represented, and as of this writing you'd be hard pressed to find a better soccer game.

There may be teething problems in adjusting to its nuances, and there's certainly room for refinement, but FIFA 12 is unquestionably a change for the better. There's still potential for an even more improved game of football then, but this is a huge stride to fulfilling it.

New FIFA made a huge jump in making progress in its own gameplay – we aren't talking about petty changes and gaming-modes propaganda of the previous titles of the series any more. After years of solid gameplay that has been under a deep lethargy nonetheless, here comes a season of dynamic fights for every bit of a football pitch that's going to entertain you, make you excited or nervous – just like your everyday football.

Despite the fact that the new Tactical Defending isn't as good as we expected it to be, FIFA 12 plays like a wonderful soccer game. The new features for the online and career mode are really good, just as the Impact Engine. This is soccer at its best.

The best football game this season, with the new defense system, progress in AI and graphics, hundreds of options and a more sophisticated Manager Mode. FIFA 12 is really great, and EA Sports is bringing good ideas.

The biggest sport in the world. And EA has done it justice with FIFA 12, improving virtually every aspect of last year's game.

FIFA has changed and you, as a player, will do so. FIFA 12 is the most realistic soccer game in this generation and the best one ever made.

Last year's game had a bare career mode and titles before that only produced incremental changes, but FIFA 12 delivers satisfying results in both its gameplay and career mode.

Once again, Fifa redefines what we expect from a football sim. Improved defensive systems and physics, along with expanded game modes, result in an even more beautiful 'beautiful game.'

The risk taken with the new defensive system has paid off and all the changes add up to make this the most realistic football experience to date.

A step forward, and after playing FIFA 12, going back to previous entries in the series seems almost unimaginable. It's another step closer to reality, and this time it's a very welcome one.

I booted up FIFA 11 to gauge just how much has changed and the differences really are quite striking.

When you consider the revised physics engine and fine-tuned player AI, this year's FIFA steps up as one of the best updates in a long time. A goal machine of a game and a compulsive purchase that not even Arsene Wenger could resist.

FIFA 12 delivers the most impressive virtual representation of football to date. The sheer amount of original licences and the quality of the atmosphere inside the virtual stadiums fills every true fan's heart with joy. But nevertheless there are some minor annoyances with the new impact engine producing absurd results and if you turn of the assistances for passing and shooting, you'll experience considerably less precision than in PES 2012. So on the pitch it comes down to a matter of taste between the faster, more organic PES 2012 and the slower, more tactical approach of FIFA 12.

Another flowing, fun, feast of football which most fans will lap up. FIFA 12 is not a great leap over the titles from recent years, but is still one of the very best sports games on the market.

The additions this year make this a worthwhile pick up, but this year more than ever I wish the game wasn't a yearly event. Although nothing new breaks the game, and with practice you'll develop an appreciation and even fondness for the new changes, it's the little flaws which indicate that perhaps EA didn't get enough time to do everything they wanted. If the game was given more time for polish on the new features, this would easily be the best FIFA since 2010.

Some niggling issues and problems aside, FIFA 12 is a fantastic sports game that delivers where it matters - gameplay.

Two main new features – tactical defending and physics engine – are a bit disappointing for me. The direction itself was right but the execution leaves room for improvement in FIFA 13. It's still a great game though with a lot of minor enhancements and additions. [October, p.48]

FIFA 12 should be applauded for its attention to detail. The little things make a huge difference with sports games and there are some minor details that help push this year's title past the rest.

FIFA 12 isn't perfect; the franchise still has some work to do in the AI department and the new physics model, which is a significant leap forward, needs its kinks worked out. However, this is the future of the series and you can see how it's taking shape. Despite its shortcomings it's absolutely worth the upgrade if you are coming in from FIFA 11.

To say that 'this is the best FIFA' yet' has become a cliché, but again it's undeniable. The series' momentum continues and there's no doubt that EA have yet again outdone themselves.

EA once again delivers an excellent football (or... soccer if you prefer) game, even though this edition's new features don't seem to work out as fine as the ones made in previous years.

While the overall improvements aren't too severe, the new tackling and physics systems drastically change how the game is played. FIFA 12 feels like an entirely new game in many ways, the question is whether you're ready to try something new or not.

It's very difficult to adequately score or sum up FIFA 12, simply because it's taken such a risk with an established formula, one that's turned out – eventually – well indeed, but also one that requires a lot of effort to learn and get used to, something a lot of people might not want to do.

Quotation forthcoming.

The passing has been given an overhaul to eliminate the ping-pong passing that plagued online games and made EA sad as it didn't represent a real game of football. But I fancy they've gone too far in the opposite direction.