Customer Reviews

FIFA 11

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FIFA 11 for the Wii has thankfully replaced the more frustrating arcade gameplay elements from last year's version, and added a new game mode in which you can create your own player.
Unfortunately, there is still no manager mode that we last saw in FIFA 09, instead simply getting last year's childish (transfer players with magic star tokens instead of money) 'Battle for Glory' again, but this time at least being able to grow players over multiple seasons and play longer half times.
The 'Streets to Stadiums' mode is the highlight, and it's great to see the Wii finally get a version of the 'Virtual Pro' which the PC and HD consoles have had for years. The 'manager moments' that seem so silly in the Battle for Glory find a fitting home here as the 'fame moments' become the means to build your player up the levels of soccer stardom. There are 'game booster' cards here too, though, which are still awkward and should have been replaced with something more substantial or simply removed.
The gameplay is great, with the Streets mode having a unique 5v5 bouncing-off-the-walls indoor style (and the option to play with some creative 'powerups' in exhibition games), and the stadium 11v11 matches returning to a more traditional (though much simplified and streamlined compared to the 360 and PS3) simulation experience. Online works smoothly and can become very addicting! Most of the motion control has been removed to reduce the randomness of shots and set pieces, but I wish they could have found some way to increase precision with the MotionPlus instead. There is of course the option to use the classic controller.
I didn't notice much difference with the graphics, which are highly stylized and decent enough, but could certainly be more refined. While there are several different street venues and stadiums, there are still no nighttime or weather options.
Sound is good, with an exciting stadium atmosphere and even some fan shouts thrown in; commentary could be more varied but no real complaints there. EA has brought back the music 'trax,' also inexplicably missing from last year.

Building on FIFA 10's redesign of the series, FIFA 11 is a great improvement over last year's arcade excesses and limitations, while continuing to deliver a style unique to the Wii gamer. The overall presentation is more polished. Still, EA has not given the Wii version a proper manager mode. They need to look back to FIFA 09 and update that: scrap the childish tokens and boosters!
With its dozens of leagues and hundreds of fully licensed teams, FIFA 11 on the Wii is the right choice for casual gaming soccer fans, but the lack of depth will not be satisfying to more hardcore players.

Pros:
-exciting, accessible gameplay
-street game fun and unique to Wii
-finally a Wii virtual pro
-online works great
-perfect for soccer fans without much time for gaming

Cons:
-lack of proper manager mode
-game boosters are goofy
-motion controls severely restricted
-still missing night/day and weather
-too easy for core gamers