Every year, EA Sports proudly declares that the latest FIFA is a revolution. The developers promise reworked AI, new physics, improved graphics, and some other groundbreaking feature that will supposedly change the sports simulation genre forever. FIFA 13, of course, was no exception. But if you dig a little deeper, it quickly becomes clear: this is the same FIFA, just with a few new tricks.
One of the headline additions was the "revamped" (it was already there in the previous game) Player Impact Engine. In theory, this meant more realistic collisions, tougher battles for possession, and a more accurate contact model. In practice... it was amusing. Players could still trip over each other in bizarre ways, but compared to FIFA 12, the physics did feel smoother.
Another hyped feature was First Touch Control. The ball no longer stuck to players' boots, and its reception depended on several factors: pass speed, player technique, defensive pressure. This made the game slightly less predictable and added some chaos, especially in tight defensive situations. Finally, even top-tier players could fumble a simple touch and send the ball out of bounds. True realism. Though, funnily enough, this feature seemed to activate mostly when your star player was receiving the ball.
The transfer system also saw some small but interesting tweaks. Now, clubs could not only accept or reject your offers, but players themselves could refuse to sign. It added a touch of realism and emotional weight. You could gather the necessary funds, have the club agree to a deal, and then... the player would just refuse to join. No amount of money or persuasive negotiations could help-leaving you to sadly watch your dream team crumble against the harsh reality of football economics.
FIFA 13 is... well, FIFA. Slightly improved in places, with a couple of interesting mechanics, but nothing groundbreaking. I played it with enjoyment, but without that "wow" factor. As always, for football fans, it was a safe purchase. But for those hoping for meaningful innovation? Skipping a few yearly releases wouldn't hurt. At some point, I did exactly that. EA will surely come up with another "revolution", right?
7/10.
