2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa by EA – Video Game Review
Deutschland WM 2010 Trikot billiger
FIFA 09, football has a new king.
The king to his throne! No, not a quote that goes back into the Middle Ages, but simply a fact: the FIFA series back to summit overbearing schedule of simulations and the whole football after a decade spent in the background. Already in past editions, FIFA had left a glimpse of the significant steps forward, at least in relation to the questionable quality of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.
This year, just to confirm its good intentions, FIFA 09 debuts with a bunch of content to say the least impressive, filing here and there that defect in recent editions have penalized the direct comparison with the historic rival. Now, while failing to hand Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 demo aside, we can safely say that the new production of EA Sports is the best soccer game currently available on the market for next-generation console. The PC segment, however, deserves a speech to party, addressed to the last page.
The foundations of FIFA 09 were resurrect his predecessor, but especially the chapter on transition, UEFA Euro 2008. The graphical interface, first of all, is exactly the same. The menu does not show substantial changes, as well as numerous game modes. The database is simply impressive in every single aspect, from the major leagues with anonymous Mexican groups. In-class teams, also, you can find up to age 18, each with its own characteristics. The transfer market is updated to the latest changes. In short, not lacking anything.
Game
But the real (and hold) revolution is in the gameplay. Filing where needed, Electronic Arts has managed to significantly increase the quality of his game, focusing his attention on three specific aspects: animation, collisions and physics of the balloon. A practical example is undoubtedly the management of conflicts between two players. Whether air or ground, the duels offer a real feeling of power and fragility. Similarly, all the movements resulting create situations credible and considerable visual impact. Programmers speak well of 250 improvements made to the gameplay, a number of colossal proportions, but at the same time need not to divert from a decidedly beautiful aspect of football: the variables. That's right, every action has a concentration of unexpected factors and constantly changing, which can affect the whole trend of the lots. The FIFA last generation, and a small part also 08, suffered the lack of these variables, almost always turning around to the same type of passes, shots and, most importantly, actions that will make a certain goal. With FIFA 09 – thank God – we will change the registry and the monotony of the series turns into a concentrated challenges dall'animo decidedly more realistic.
Returning to play, there are other small innovations worthy of being mentioned. First, is to reveal the introduction of an automatic control mode, which allows players to a recovery groped desperately for a ball near the line side or bottom. Meravigliatevi not, so if you see them slip to avoid a store or a corner kick. Another significant step forward was made in the pace of the game, now well faster, and in the management of passages, accurate calibrators and finally without being prisoners of animations inconsistent.
Not always perfect
FIFA has 09 in various sleeve to play, but at the same time suffer from some defects rather blatant and irritating. The rule of the benefit is one of them. The referees tend to use it very often in the course of action, but sometimes you totally forget their existence, blocking the potential dangerous actions. Another flaw, not the least, is the response time for players to input. As the gap has been significantly reduced compared to FIFA 08, some shots require a timing exaggerated, almost inhuman. For example, the blows class with the right analog stick are almost useless against the CPU, because its propensity to advances is innate. To skip the enemy, then you should burn on time, but time to move your thumb on the stick and the ball is already over between her feet.
In closing, it is strongly recommended a shift in the menu dedicated to the mentality of the team, because defenses have the bad habit of playing very high, even covering some areas of midfield and attack not their responsibility. This strange tactic default discovers a lot of the defensive zone, creating holes unbridgeable for the joy of attacking opponents, always ready to exploit the counterattack. . From this point of view, Pro Evolution Soccer boasts an enviable balance that even FIFA 09 manages to achieve.
Online with more charisma
There are three items that stand out in the cauldron: Adidas Live Season, Pro and FIFA Club 09. The first is nothing but an online database that updates weekly conditions de players taking account of reality. Ronaldinho scoring in a derby, for example, may receive an increase in some statistics. Currently, EA offers this service free for formula one championship to their choice. Any update of foreign leagues are always accessible, but if you use a credit card.
Pro mode, however, is an incentive not indifferent to the purchase of the game. This mode allows up to 20 players for a new challenge in a single game, everyone in the shoes of an individual player (goalkeepers separately). Finding a game is really easy since EA's servers have been taken literally assault. To ensure that all players choose the strongest, the names were blacked, but are equally visible positions in the field. Sure, all pointing to roles in attack. For the rest, I leave to you the pleasure of discovering the true delirium, a must for all current and future customers for FIFA 09. The third and newest addition is the Club, which allows anyone to create their own dream team by inviting their friends or any other player connected. In this mode, all the formations have the same attributes, so the only difference are the skills of individual components.
Reality? Yes, thanks!
If there is one aspect that FIFA has never been overlooked is that technical. Even when the series annaspava in a ridiculous gameplay, detailed graphics and sound industry have always governed the comparison with PES, posted on several occasions. FIFA 09 is not less but still fails to achieve the maturity that it was lawful to expect after more than two years of the new generation. Compared to FIFA 08, the leap forward is not so marked, with some stages really rich with detail.
As anticipated at the beginning, the PC version of FIFA 09 is not exactly like their counterparts for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Needless to turn around too, the game is ugly, but quite ugly. The graphics engine, although it was slightly improved compared to last year (increase of details, higher resolution, more realistic faces) does not embrace modern technology, suffering excessively comparison with the other versions. We could almost say that I find in front of a PlayStation 2 version rather than an enhanced PlayStation 3 version depotenziata, which is saying. The gameplay does not benefit from changes introduced in the last two years, annaspando between ridiculous and unacceptable. Unfortunately for us, however, the ridiculous almost always has the upper hand. Online, the speech improves slightly, except that the mode Pro 10 versus 10 is simple utopia.
Needless rages further. FIFA 09 on PC, as it is offered, has no reason to exist. but compared to how it has evolved the series on console are we really in another era, prehistoric unfortunately.
from: Cougars Blog
Consolatas Blog
LEEDS – Leeds United secured automatic promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship after a tense final day in League One.
With Norwich already promoted as champions, the permutations for who could join them in winning automatic promotion were vast, with five teams in with a shout. Three points separated second-placed Leeds and sixth-placed Huddersfield before kick-off, with Millwall, Swindon and Charlton the other sides guaranteed at least a play-off place.
Leeds came from behind a man and a goal to beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 and join the Canaries in returning to the Football League’s top tier thanks to second-half strikes from Jonny Howson and Jermaine Beckford.
Millwall beat Swindon 3-2 to finish third and set up a play-off meeting with Huddersfield, who lost 2-1 at Exeter.
The Robins will meet Charlton in the play-offs after the Addicks’ 2-0 win at Oldham secured fourth place.
At the other end of the table, Gillingham joined Stockport, Southend and Wycombe in being relegated to League Two after a 3-0 loss to the Wanderers.
Popularity: unranked
The Championship play-offs kick off this weekend. We'll take a closer look at the matches later in the week.
First of all, Nobes takes a look at the four teams fighting it out for a place in next season's Premier League.
Final top of the table:
………………………..P…..GD…..PTS
1. Newcastle……….46…..55……102
2. West Brom………46…..41…….91
——————————————–
3. Nottm. Forest…..46…..25…….79
4. Cardiff……………46…..19…….76
5. Leicester…………46…..16…….76
6. Blackpool………..46…..16…….70
——————————————–
7. Swansea…………46……3……..69
Nottingham Forest
Story of the season:
After narrowly avoiding the drop last term, Forest have been rejuvenated under the wily Billy Davies.
An expensive summer rebuilding job took time to settle in, but the team went on a 20-match unbeaten run from September to January lifting them right into the automatic promotion mix.
Ultimately, they were unable to last the pace with Newcastle and West Brom, but comfortably took 3rd place.
Manager:
Billy Davies kept up his proud record of never finishing outside the top six in the Championship when in charge for a full season. The 45-year-old is now embarking on his fourth play-off campaign.
He twice lost with Preston, in the 2005 final and 2006 semis, and was promoted with Derby through the play-offs in 2007.
A passionate Scot, he is known for his attention to detail on the training ground and fiery temperament on the touchline. Tactically very shrewd.
Strength:
Forest have turned the City Ground into a fortress. They have lost just three times on home soil and are unbeaten there since September – a run of 19 matches.
They've also conceded just 13 goals at home this season, including keeping clean sheets in nine of their last ten City Ground contests.
The experience of manager Davies in play-off situations must also count in their favour.
Weakness:
Davies's men were the last professional team to be unbeaten away from home this season. However, after going 13 games without defeat on the road, they've failed to win any of their last 11 away matches.
Having finished third, Forest will also have pressure on them – and expectations will be high that they can improve upon their disappointing play-off record and return to the top flight.
Key players:
Forest have conceded just 40 goals in their 46 games, and have an excellent defensive unit – including keeper Lee Camp . His performances this season have led to him being suggested for the England World Cup squad.
He's also taken as captain after a long-term injury to influential midfield man Paul McKenna.
That also increases the importance of winger Paul Anderson. The former Liverpool man has shown glimpses of pure quality this term and his pace can electrify any encounter.
Powerful and pacy striker Dexter Blackstock – who's found the back of the net 14 times this season – could also play an important role.
Play-off history:
Forest have appeared in the play-offs twice – losing in the semi finals both times.
In 2002/3, under Paul Hart, they lost to Sheffield United 5-4 over the two legs in the Championship play-offs.
In 2006/7, Colin Calderwood's Forest team threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 5-2 in the second leg to Yeovil in the League One play-offs.
Top flight pedigree
Unbelievably, promotion to the Premier League would see Forest make their first appearance in the top flight since 1999.
The former English and European Champions were constant members of the top flight during the '80s and most of the '90s.
They have fallen on harder times recently – including a three year spell in League One – but can still legitimately claim to be at home in the Premier League.
Cardiff City
Story of the season:
One of the pre-season favourites for the top six, Cardiff have, for once, lived up to their billing and consistently held down a play-off spot this term.
They missed out on the top six by the narrowest of margins on the final day last season. However, this time they have put off-field financial worries aside and shown greater resilience.
Rarely out of the top six, they have shown the typical attacking flair and quality associated with their play to take 4th.
Manager:
Dave Jones has been in charge in the Welsh capital for five seasons, and has finally taken them into the play-offs.
The Scouser has experience in the end of season lottery – taking Wolverhampton Wanderers into the play-offs twice – winning them the second time around.
At 53, he is the oldest manager in the play-offs, and likes to encourage his team to play good football and entertain.
Strength:
Quite simply, on their day, Cardiff have the ability to score plenty of goals and beat anyone in the division.
They hit Derby and Bristol City for six, and scored four past Sheffield United, Scunthorpe, Watford, Peterborough, and play-off opponents Leicester.
A rich array of attacking quality up-front, in midfield, and out wide makes containing them a difficult prospect.
Weakness:
Even with them making the top six this term, Cardiff have still shown the kind of brittleness associated with previous campaigns.
Throwing away a 4-0 lead at struggling Peterborough was typical of their ability to squander good positions. A willingness to play good football can often lead them to being exposed at the back too.
Key players:
With Cardiff's attacking emphasis, striker Michael Chopra can always be guaranteed good service and plenty of opportunities. He's found the back of the net 19 times.
City's top scorer though is actually midfielder Peter Whittingham . The left winger and dead-ball specialist has notched up an outstanding 23 goals for the Bluebirds this term.
At the back, summer signing from Walsall, Anthony Gerrard, has matured into an excellent centre back whose presence at the back will be important if Cardiff are to prosper.
Play-off history:
This may be Cardiff's first time in the Championship play-offs, but they've appeared twice in the end of season lottery in the lower leagues.
In 1996/7 they lost out to Northampton in the League Two play-offs in the semi finals.
However, they had more success in League One in 2003. After seeing off Severnside rivals Bristol City in the semis, they defeated QPR in the final to seal promotion to the Championship.
Top flight pedigree:
Cardiff have never played in the Premier League. Indeed, it's been 48 years since City appeared in the top flight of English football.
During the '80s and '90s, City struggled along in the lower two tiers before winning promotion to the Championship in 2003.
That's where they have remained ever since – flirting with the play-offs on occasions and holding down a comfortable mid-table position.
Leicester City
Story of the season:
The Foxes were last season's League One winners, and have continued their form this term as they have mounted a second successive promotion campaign.
They've never dropped lower than 10th, and were always in the running for the play offs.
A run of four straight defeats late on threatened their top six position, but City recovered to win their last five games and secure 5th spot.
Manager:
Nigel Pearson has been the architect of Leicester's renaissance after taking charge of the club in 2008.
City walked away with the League One title in his first season at the helm, and the step-up in division hasn't stopped them from continuing the same impressive form.
A talented coach, he has marshalled a team who work very hard and are well organised. His record in the transfer market has also been very good.
Strength:
A side with an excellent work ethic and organisation, who have the ability to play good football, but also deal with the physical side of the game.
Leicester also have a group of players who are used to winning and have developed a great team spirit and unity over the past two years.
Five successive wins also means they come into the play-offs in good form.
Weakness:
Pearson is the only one of the four managers to have never experienced play-off football before. Can he prepare his side for the mental battle ahead in dealing with the pressure?
Given their form, winning mentality, play-off history, and impressive home record, it could be argued too that Leicester are the favourites. Can they handle that title?
Key Players:
Joint top scorer Matty Fryatt is returning from injury and is always a reliable source of goals for the Foxes – particularly in key games where chances may be few and far between.
Midfield man Richie Wellens has been a steadying presence on the ball for City this term and has the vision and guile that may be needed to open up a tight encounter.
Andy King has had another excellent season – getting into double figures in the scoring charts.
Play-off history:
Leicester are looking to make it a hat-trick of promotions via the Championship play-offs.
They've actually made the play-offs five times, losing the 1992 final to Blackburn and the 1993 final to Swindon.
However, they were finally promoted in the 1994 final under Brian Little after beating local rivals Derby County 2-1.
Two years later, and this time under Martin O'Neill, they were 2-1 victors over Crystal Palace at Wembley to gain promotion again.
Top flight pedigree:
After promotion in 1994, Leicester were instantly relegated but bounced back at the first attempt. That heralded the start of six successive seasons in the top flight before relegation in 2002.
They once again bounced back at the first time of asking, but were immediately relegated. Before this season, they've rarely looked like returning to the Premier League, and even suffered relegation to League One in 2008.
Blackpool
Story of the season:
The surprise package of the Championship. Despite having one of the smallest budgets and crowds in the division, the Seasiders have been a revelation.
They made a solid start to the season, without ever looking like top six challengers. However, by Christmas, they were firmly in the play off race.
An inconsistent spell at the start of 2010 left them five points off the play-offs with eight to play.
Six wins from seven saw them edge out Swansea on the penultimate weekend and a last day draw secured them 6th and the final play-off berth.
Manager:
After a disastrous tenure at Leicester, Ian Holloway has rebuilt his reputation with Blackpool.
Tipped to struggle before a ball had been kicked, the popular Bristolian was backed in the transfer market – including the signing of midfielder Charlie Adam for £500,000.
After a reputation for producing effective if dour sides at Plymouth and QPR, Holloway has the Tangerines playing an attractive, adventurous style of play which has won as many plaudits as points.
Strength:
They are massive underdogs. Nobody expected Blackpool to be in the play-offs, and their hopes looked dead and buried a couple of months ago.
They now come into the play-offs in good form and have turned Bloomfield Road into a difficult place for opponents to visit – only faiing to score once at home all season.
They will also be pleased with facing Forest – they are the only side to do the 'double' over the East Midlands side this term.
Weakness:
How much more can they give? Holloway has overachieved getting Pool this far – can they continue their fairytale over two legs in the pressure cooker environment of the play-offs?
They've also lost more games away from home than any other top six side – and must travel for the all-important second leg.
Key players:
The driving force behind Pool's play-off charge has been former Rangers man Charlie Adam . With 17 goals and numerous assists to his name this term, he will be vital to any hope they have of promotion.
Keeper Matt Gilks has taken over as the Number 1 at Bloomfield Road. An excellent shot stopper, he may be called upon regularly in the play-offs.
Veteran striker Brett Ormerod – in his second spell at the club – has been in typically good scoring form with 12 goals over the campaign. His goals could be key again.
Play-off history:
The Seasiders are appearing in the play-offs for the sixth time and have had a mixed bag of results.
They lost the 1991 League Two final to Torquay on penalties, but 12 months later were victorious at the same stage on spot kicks against Scunthorpe.
Their next taste of the play-offs came in 1996, where Sam Allardyce's Blackpool threw away a 2-0 first leg advantage to lose to Bradford 3-2 in the semis.
In 2001, they were promoted from League Two via the play-offs under Steve McMahon after a 4-2 win over Leyton Orient in the final.
Most recently, they gained promotion to the Championship after beating Yeovil 2-0 in the 2007 final to win the League One play-offs under Simon Grayson.
Top flight pedigree:
Promotion to the Premier League would be a first for Blackpool. The Lancashire team haven't played in the top flight of English football since 1971.
Since then, they've tumbled all the way down to the lower reaches of the basement division and, before their 2007 promotion to the Championship, yo-yoed between the bottom two divisions in the Football League.
We'll have an in-depth look at the two Championship play-off ties later in the week. Tuesday, one of the most popular sports videogame series renews with 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Edition (yes there is a “world book” for videogaming) has highlighted some soccer records.
One of the most fascinating aspects of soccer is its formula for declaring a champion. In no other sport (mind you I come from an American sports background) can a match that pits the team at the top of the league versus a middle-of-the-pack team be the game that goes further than any other in determining that season’s champion. Chelsea vs Bolton (left), for all the marbles. Who knew? But that is what makes the EPL and all soccer leagues so enthralling, because such a tepid-looking fixture at the start of the season can prove to be a title-deciding match, creating gripping drama where one expected little.
Warning: American sports will be discussed below!
Here in the U.S., all major sports run a regular season of various lengths in which teams must qualify for a post-season playoff tournament, the winner of which is crowned champion of the sport. So ingrained is the obsession with this so-called “second season” in each sport that to set up a round-robin style system akin to soccer would be tantamount to blasphemy in the American sports landscape. So much so that even our only major soccer league (MLS) utilizes a qualification-for-playoffs format to determine its champion, which is certainly laughed at by the rest of the footballing world.
Certainly, playoff formats yield heart-stopping drama that any sports fan craves, for once in the playoffs your team is one loss away from season over, which sets up pulsating action whether in a one-off format (NFL), or a best-of, series-based format (NBA, NHL, MLB). In fact, most of the greatest sporting contests in American history have been during playoff season, as the tension is at its highest, and where every play and every call are magnified to an absurd degree, creating talking points that can span decades.
As an American, I would never want to witness an attempt to replace our current model for determining champions. Playoff season is a yearly rite of passage, it is a part of who we are: rooting for the underdog, leveling the playing field, and forcing elite teams to earn their stripes by grinding their way through a “second season” to win a title. And, frankly, the NFL playoffs are my favorite time of year.
But soccer’s format, which sets all teams on equal footing throughout the season by having each club play every other club in the league twice (once at home and once away), is the fairest and best system for determining a league’s best team over the course of a season, which is what each sporting league’s champion should unarguably be.
American sports fans have long seen upstart, yet largely inferior, teams run the table and win the championship because of the “crapshoot” nature of the playoff format. Take for example the NFL’s 2007 New York Giants. Here is a team that played inconsistently throughout the season, losing their first two games, then reeling off six wins in a row, then ending their season winning four and losing four. Against teams that qualified for the playoffs, the Giants went a paltry 2 wins, 5 losses. But their season was good enough to get them into the playoff tournament, where they shockingly knocked off the top-seeded Dallas Cowboys and second-seeded Green Bay Packers to reach the Super Bowl. There, they faced arguably the greatest team in NFL history, the New England Patriots. The Patriots had just gone undefeated in the regular season (a perfect 16-0 record), only the second time that had been achieved in league history. The record aside, the Patriots were ruthless, with an offense that could score at will, and a ball-hawking defense that forced timely turnovers. Yet, remarkably, the vastly overachieving Giants pulled off arguably the biggest upset in American sports history, defeating the invincible Patriots 17-14 to become NFL champs.
