Yes, it's that time of year again!
EA dust off their previous iteration of FIFA, update the squads and re-release it to the masses with a price tag that enables them to dive into their pools of cash Scrooge McDuck style.

But listen to the EA rumblings and that has all changed with recent FIFA outings. EA have quietly enhanced the series year upon year indulging in internet feedback as to ensure each yearly update is better than the last (just barely enough to squeeze your cash from your wallet).In all honesty it has worked for the PS3 and 360 versions of FIFA moreso than the Wii and DS versions. Although EA continue to focus on both systems (with the DS version always being technically impressive) the Wii version always seems to come out rather, well, flat.

As we stated last year in our FIFA 09 review, FIFA 08 seemed like the pinnacle of the series on Wii as it sported realistic graphics and as a bonus the mini games (and thus the entire cartoon style) were kept separate from the core game. Infact, all that was needed was manager mode and the option to play with classic controls and FIFA 08 would have been a solid mid-table performer. Nicely FIFA 09 added all of the above features but wrecked the core game mechanics, looked as wonky as Steve Bruce's nose and the online play ended up being as reliable as Hulls back 4.

So as you can imagine, we were filled with trepidation when FIFA 10 arrived.The first thing you'll notice is that FIFA 10 has brought the 08/09 cartoon sections into every area of the game meaning there are no more semi-realistic graphics to be found, at all. Recipe for disaster? Surprisingly, no!

We love our football games to be as realistic as the next FIFA player yet to our surprise the style is great and some of the more prolific players look brilliant in their chiselled, stylised versions. The art direction is less a failure than initially thought yet it is a shame that the stadia look terribly blurry which is baffling when you consider the somewhat chunky, colourful style the art monkeys at EA were going for. Blurry textures on stadiums screams corner-cutting yet taken as an overall package FIFA 10 looks unique, working well in the context of the newer direction FIFA 10 has taken.

Yes, EA have taken a new direction on the pitch as well as off it. Taking a few coins from the arcade FIFA 10 leans towards an accessible, cheap-thrills gameplay mechanic. Matrix slow-down effects adorn the game when you shoot in the penalty area and the game slows slightly during free kicks and penalties in an effort to both heighten the drama as well as give a window of opportunity for the opposition. It could have been a massive failure but it works extremely well. Take the following examples:
You stride Didier Drogba into the penalty box with a defender incoming, you shoot for goal and it all slows down as he pulls his leg back. As this happens the other player shakes the remote and the defender slides in stealing the ball from under his boot. Ok, so it's a simple mechanic but when you're in a match it is dramatic, gives each player a chance to play the ball (when in the right position) and actually brings something new to the table.

Free kicks are a different matter though. As the ball is in flight it will sparkle followed by a twinkling sound. As you are in direct control of the keeper you must shake the remote at this 'sound' point. If you don't the keeper won't move which means – if the ball is on target, you will be conceding more free kicks than in any other football game ever created. It works over time, (primarily when you get used to the timing) but seems a pointless addition and a case of motion control not being implemented with any thought. Of course if you play with the classic controller (no Gamecube controller support this year) you won't be having these motion issues. It also plays more traditionally and is arguably better for purists just about equalling PES 09 for sheer fun.

Ignoring all of the little 'extras' EA have put into FIFA 10, general play is fluid, faster than in previous years and is constantly engaging. In short, FIFA 10 definitely plays better than FIFA 09 if only for the constant arcade fun from end to end encounters. Keepers are also much improved and parry the ball, close down attackers and actually behave far better than their clumsy PS3 and 360 cousins.

General ease of play is further enhanced by the now standard FIFA Wii controls – which have hardly changed since FIFA 08. Motion is used for sliding tackles and shooting whilst the nunchuck is used for movement with game 'C' and 'Z' acting as modifiers. A and B are both low and high passes. Various buttons such as minus and the D-Pad act as tricks, team mate runs and one-two's.

Sadly it is here where the on the field antics show their shallowness. Although there are a plethora of different game modifiers on offer, the complexity of some of these as well as the constant effect of playing the ball through the middle means that you will find that using the tricks, one-two's and through balls barely have any benefit as just working the ball through the middle of the park will bring about opportunities galore. Many games we played resulted in 4 goals a game by just playing the ball through the middle. Realism against the AI is poor yet play multiplayer against a Human opponent and you'll have to start using the whole pitch more. At least it is more free-flowing than the PS3 and 360 pinball midfield battles.

Enjoyable as it is in short bursts, outside the main game FIFA 10 has been stripped of mini games. Manager mode makes a return with only a sleek interface being the major update. I tried to get into this mode but found it easier to just play game after game. It didn't seem that any scouting, extra training mechanics or general 'management' of such made one iota of difference. As long as I met the boards wishes at the end of the season seemed to be the main focus. This proved not too hard neither as elements such as fatigue and player age didn't seem to play a large part here. At least it's there but it is hardly realistic.Online returns with the lobbies from FIFA 09 chopped away (was anyone even in there?) and online plays as exactly as it should with games easier to find than in FIFA 09. Hopefully this will continue to be the case as many struggled to connect to FIFA 09.

So FIFA 10 comes out sporting a different kit, losing weight in many areas yet tweaking the important aspects of its game, chiefly on the pitch and online. Although it won't set the world alight, the arcadey gameplay is enjoyable in short bursts yet by this measure FIFA 10 becomes a title you won't be looking to for realism and long-term play.