Why FIFA 12 is a revolution in football games

FIFA 11 was a great game, one of, if not the best sports game of 2010, but it was in many ways just a tweaked version of the previous version, which itself was a refined version of what came before. FIFA 12 is shaping up to be different. After seeing some of the big changes EA Sports is making this year, the publisher might not be far from the truth when it calls FIFA 12 a revolution. Here are the key gameplay changes and additions to this year's game that EA has revealed. For more general impressions head over to our FIFA 12 first-look preview.

Pressing no longer auto tackles

If like us your defending in FIFA over the last few years has relied entirely on holding down the 'press' button - the almost magical button that makes your selected player home in on the opposing player with the ball and tackle them, you're out of luck in FIFA 12. In comes a new containing move, which positions your defender a few metres from the attacker, with you having to determine when you move in for the key tackle. EA promises that it will make things more challenging and opens up slick offensive options for skilled players who can dribble around oncoming defenders.

Better control in tight situations

In previous versions of FIFA and football games in general, trying to dribble with the ball when you're in close proximity to other players or near the edge of the pitch has been nigh-on impossible. You just didn't have the close ball control or slight movements to do what you wanted. This has been changed in FIFA 12. The new game engine uses the current context of your player's situation on the pitch and automatically determines if you require more adept control. This works when trying to move past defenders on the sideline or while knocking the ball about in front the penalty box while trying to get off a shot.