Cert: 3+
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, PS2, Wii, NDS
Genre: Sports

It's a funny old game. Ten years ago, true aficionados of football games would have scoffed at the claim FIFA would one day be the most comprehensive, better-looking, enjoyable and the most accurate simulation of the beautiful game ever to have been hardcoded to disc. At the time, Pro Evolution Soccer simply couldn't be surpassed. It wasn't just that Pro was that good, it was FIFA, at the time, was that arcady, and so far from the simulated brilliance of it's main competitor, you could understand why the true aficionado would scoff in disgust at even mentioning the two in the same breath.

Ten years on, it's a different story. The last few years have seen a bit of a divide happening. PES loyalists are beginning to take notice of the unmentionable. Where once there was a scoff, there now is a sneaky eye at the screen playing FIFA in the local game store.

FIFA 10 has all the teams and kits as those before it; the option of playing in so many leagues, some you won't even have known had existed in the first place; graphically, its impeccably polished as always, from stadium to menu - which, to be fair, has always been the franchise's sole consistency; you can set up your own leagues with friends online, and fight for bragging rights. And, a neat new option even lets you create your own set-pieces. But all that's what you'd come to expect from an EA Sports game. What will surprise is when the ref blows the whistle, and the game really begins.

This really is football. Players tussle and shuffle each other off the ball, meaning player strength and size actually players a factor, defenders will lunge in front of the ball to block that last minute effort, the ball moves around the pitch in such a realistic way you'll wonder how you ever put up with all the other games that came before it. Everything is just so fluid and seamless, and therefore unbelievably enjoyable.

Aficionados rejoice. Footballing perfection is finally upon us.

Rent/Buy: Buy
Graphics: 5
Gameplay: 5
Overall: 5

Reviewed By: Simon Rubbathan