..FIFA Soccer 13..

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In the world of games, no genre gets saddled with the "repetitive" tag more than sports simulations. Franchises that get released yearly are usually pegged as roster updates, with little in the way of tangible improvement. With the rapid increase in DLC over the last few years, where roster changes and little tweaks could be made quite easily, many gamers believe that paying full price for sports games yearly is ridiculous. There is generally one exception to this belief: FIFA. When EA lifted the veil on the latest iteration in their critically acclaimed soccer franchise, the had a few new features to share. Let's take a look at what gamers can expect to see when they hit the pitch next month.

The biggest addition to FIFA Soccer 13 is a complete reworking of the offensive A.I. Sports games typically struggle greatly with the subtle nuances that make high-level athletes great, especially on offense. FIFA is no exception to this, but EA is claiming that their new Attacking Intelligence will bridge the gap between the authentic, real life action and their virtual adaptation. Players will be able to analyze the play much better than in previous versions, opening up passing lanes and breaking down the defense.

Adding to this is a new system that EA is dubbing "FIFA 13 1st Touch Control". Last year, every player received the ball in the same way on passes, allowing lesser talented players to look like stars. The passing itself will also be more difficult, with multiple factors including player skill level and defensive pressure leading to less precision on making and completing passes. The last big gameplay addition is Complete Dribbling, which gives the player full control over their dribbles. Players can now face one way while dribbling in another direction, making it easier to evade tackles and simply hang on to the ball for longer stretches. Crossing the ball into the box and taking shots should be easier now, as the whole process will be quicker, with the ability to face the net while moving in another direction. Free kicks have also been enhanced on both offense and defense, allowing for more options on both sides.

Don't expect much to change on the presentation front, but EA has enhanced their critically acclaimed Player Impact Engine for FIFA Soccer 13. As good as it was last year, glitches with player collisions were prevalent. All reports suggest the engine is much improved, which should make an already beautiful game look even better. EA has also mentioned improvements to the career mode, EA Sports Football Club and their online offerings, but not much is known about these features at this time.

FIFA Soccer 13 is set for release in the fall of 2012. Stay tuned to GD for more as we get closer to the release date.

Adam Sarson   FollowAdam_Sarson A lifelong Nintendo fan and sports junkie, Adam is from Toronto and a proud Canadian. If he's not writing or playing games, you can probably find him on the golf course.

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