FIFA Soccer 13 PS Vita Review

One of the unexpected surprises of the PS Vita launch library was FIFA Soccer. Flaunting the capabilities of Sony’s new portable, the title mimicked most of the fundamentals of its console brethren, extending an invigorating game of footie as soon as virtual athletes stepped onto the pitch. Yet, as the absence of any annual indicator signified; this wasn’t a 1:1 port of FIFA Soccer 13. Many of the new innovations found in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation iterations- from Precision Dribbling and Tactical Defending to the EA Sports Football Club mode were left out of the game, presumably in the rush to bring the title to market.

So when players notice that the recent release of FIFA Soccer 13 for the PS Vita contains a yearly designator, they might assume that this new version includes the developments and details which have been integrated into the console version. Regretfully, that isn’t the case. Although the title includes a simplified adaptation of First Touch Control, eliminating much of the magnetic passing which has settled into soccer sims, a majority of recent additions didn’t make the cut.

As such, players hoping to enjoy FIFA Ultimate Team, Match Day functionality and international cup tournaments on the go are likely to be disappointed. And those hoping that they would be able to advance their progress as player, player/manager or team manager trajectories with console cross-play functionality will be particularly disheartened. Although players may initiate new sports vocations in the Vita’s Career Mode, there is no connectivity with PS3 version of the game; FIFA Soccer 13 is its own isolated, truncated experience.

But, if players can overlook those shortcomings, the title’s recreation of soccer is commendable. While a majority of the game’s code seems to be recycled from last year’s game, FIFA Soccer 13 offers the current pinnacle of transportable footie. Its interpretation of an 11-on-11 match captures the tenets of the sport well. From the rush of snaking past defenders before launching a rocket past the corner of the goalmouth to the frustration of being stripped by a precisely-timed slide tackle, FIFA is consistently engaging on the small screen, even if it’s a bit harder to perceive the animation nuances exhibited by the diminutive athletes.

Pleasingly, the game’s framerate seems a bit higher with this iteration with a fluidity maintained during both play and the game’s cinematics. While athlete models lack the detail of their console counterparts, they’re suitable for the OLED screen, demonstrating pleasing animation routines and impressive shadowing. The game’s Be A Pro component even extends an allotment of appearance elements, allowing most males to craft a respectable likeness. The game’s database of spoken surnames adds a bit of narcissistic charm; it’s always flattering to hear your name as you race for the goal.

Like its portable predecessor, FIFA Soccer 13 offers a number of optional input methods which take advantage of the Vita’s tactile capabilities. A touch of the screen can either initiate a pass or shift control to a teammate, while a bowed swipe is able to wrap the ball around players during free kicks. Shooting uses reach touch- with the back of the Vita symbolizing the goalmouth. Unfortunately, the level of precision offered by Touch Screen Shooting spoils the game’s sense of realism, allowing players to score with negligible opposition. After a succession of games where I outscored my opponent by more than twenty goals, tedium prevailed, forcing me to toggle rear touch off. In many ways, pressing a button to shoot worked out better, as wandering fingers would inadvertently prompt players to make an irrational scoring attempt. Favorably, turning off the control option allows gamers to hold their posh portable which a tighter grip and not worry about accidentally dropping the system.

For players who passed on the franchise’s PS Vita inaugural entry, FIFA Soccer 13 provides a proficient recreation of soccer. Although the version may lack many of the bells and whistles which catapult the console iteration to greatness, the title does a commendable job of articulating the excitement of the sport. Whether players prefer to step into the cleats of an emerging star or the oxford’s of a team manager, the game offers a variety of appealing perspectives apt to devour hours of transit time. Unfortunately, players who already own the previous version may not find enough new content to justify FIFA Soccer 13’s $40 price tag.