EA Sports MMA Game Review

When it comes to Mixed Martial Arts THQ's UFC series is leading the way, but with EA Sports deciding to dive into the octagon what can we expect for their first attempt with EA Sports MMA. While EA lack the big-name license, they still manage to provide a great roster of fighters along side solid gameplay and most importantly a game which feels as brutal as the sport itself.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) it's a sport which pits two men against each other much like Boxing, the difference is due to the lack of rules the fight is more of a no-holds-barred affair. Each fighter is placed inside an octagon, or Boxing ring with a pair of gloves (smaller than traditional Boxing gloves) and the action begins. Unlike Boxing the action can take place on the ground as well as the standing game, this allows for different forms of fighting to compete with each other. You will use traditional Boxing techniques alongside Muay Thai, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate and much more to defeat your opponent. The sport is immensely varied and allows players to be whatever type of fighter they want to be. This also helps create very interesting matches between two opposing styles.

(EA Sports MMA Middleweights)

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 Game Review

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 is Konami's latest venture into the Footballing world and with the slogan "Engineered for Freedom" what can we expect this year after the phenomenal success of Konami's rival EA Sports with their Football franchise, FIFA 11.

PES boasts loudly about freedom and that is definitely what it does this year. The passing system feels much more fluent and responsive this time around and when you get that right in a Football game, your job is nearly done. Passing the ball from player to player feels satisfying and more consistent than the previous game allowing for a richer and more realistic gaming experience. Players will also anticipate passes that go too far and make runs in attempt to help the player, always breaking into space to offer multiple options and creating a much more realistic football experience. When defending in the previous game, awkward ping pong possession would become irritating and frustrate the player in his attempts to regain the ball. This has been corrected and feels much more natural in PES 2011.

This is all due to the fact PES 2011 focuses more on the positioning and timing aspects of the gameplay and chances are if you get on the right side of the opposing player you will be able to defend the attack with much more ease. The game is more rewarding when it comes to simple mistakes, however if you give your opponent too much space and he knows what he is doing, then be prepared to be passed into submission. While the defenders are much improved you should still expect to see the same mistakes from the keepers, while less frequent than previously they are still there and happen often. Let's just hope you are playing with a Jabulani ball, then you have an excuse at least.

FIFA 11 Game Review

Game Information

• Developer (EA Sports)
• Publisher (EA Sports)
• Genre (Sports)
• Console (Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PC, Nintendo Wii, DS)

When it comes to Football games there is only 2 options, EA Sport's FIFA franchise or Konami's PES. The two rival company's have been battling for top spot on the league table for many years now and with FIFA's success in 2010 what can we expect from their latest release, FIFA 11.

There is no doubt about it, FIFA 11 is the best Football game to date. The game takes everything we loved about it's predisecore and scraps any of the problems such as inconsistent refereeing, Disgraceful Goalkeeping and much more.

As with any Sports related game the Story always seems to be the least important of the three sections in this review, However with FIFA 11 there has been allot of work put into creating a Career mode worth playing through without any simulations. FIFA 11's Career mode replaces the Manager Mode used in FIFA 10, It allows you to play first as a Player, Then Player Manager, and finally as a Manager. The re-introduction of the Transfer system is welcomed back and improved greatly with the ability to plan ahead with a new calender system introduced to help select what or who you will need in the future. The game now implements a two-stage negotiation process meaning once a bid is accepted you will then have to negotiate with the player offering them wages and perks to join the club. Rather than the previous version where you offered a price and wage in one motion, This means you can have an offer accepted by a club and then rejected by a player.One of my personal favourite new features to FIFA 11 is the introduction of an unlimited simulation process meaning you can simulate as far into a season as you like without having to simulate each individual match which is a long and frustrating process.

The biggest difference from 10 and 11 is the introduction of playable Goalkeepers, quite fitting that we are finally given 11 vs 11 with FIFA 11. Yes, you can now play as a Goal keeper and No it's not exiting in career mode, only online with friends. If you play as a Goalkeeper in career mode expect to stand alone waiting for those 1 or 2 chances during a 90 minute match when you will have the opportunity to dive left or right. However online it's a different story, when surrounded by team mates being controlled as friends and interacting vocally over the headset it can be quite a thrilling experience.The only major change in gameplay other than controlling Goalkeepers is the new Passing System called Passing Personality+. No longer will you have those games that remind you of Ping Pong with the mindlessly constant tap of the A or X button. This new passing system means different players pass in different way's, Some can't pass the same distance or with the same power as other players. Of course the superstars can still provide excellent passes and deliver perfect crossed balls, it's most noticed when you attempt a pass or cross with a lesser known player and expect a Cristiano Ronaldo delivered ball and you end up having to chase your ball longer than you expected. This new passing system changes the gameplay and helps to stop allot of the problems when playing online against other users who like to pass in a pattern. Of course the 360 direction for players is back and works just as well as in FIFA 10. The Goalkeeping has been improved greatly and although there are still some problems and awkward goals it has been reduced dramatically from FIFA 10.

The main problem i had with the Graphics in FIFA 10 was when i played on a HD TV in 1080p colours such as Light Blue, Lime Green, or Yellow would appear almost white because of the lighting and poor colours. Thankfully i can tell you this problem has been fixed and now we can look at Manchester City, Lazio, or Argentina and be blown away by the bold vibrant and beautiful colours this game offers. Player models have also been improved dramatically for the superstars who now have their own unique expressions and emotions.

FIFA 11 is the best Football game ever created some might say, and it is hard to argue that point. The only problem i have when buying a new FIFA game is the feeling that all i am buying is This seasons strips and an up to date team list. This year it feels like you are getting a new experience like with FIFA 10 and it's worth the money.

FIFA 11 is a great Football game but without improving too much on FIFA 10 i give this 8/10