FIFA 13 Demo Review: 7 Key Features Break-Down

4. Defensive Intelligence

You could be forgiven for presuming that the changes to the Attacking Intelligence, and the added attacking options would spell disaster for the defensive side of the game, but thankfully the FIFA 13 demo suggests that the defensive line actually holds up well against the newly revamped attacking AI. The development of the Contain system, which feels more fluid than last year's version is a great start, and it's not as simple to deal with attackers as it once was, thanks to reduced reaction times, and that heightened attacking intelligence.

EA Sports have also introduced a lateral contain system that more authentically deals with the dreaded one-twos that would shred any defence in FIFA 12 - this time out the player will change his body shape to track his man as well as cutting off the passing option, an option that also allows defenders to try and force players inside or outside, as in the real game, based on the attacker's weaknesses. Defenders will now also actively try and intercept, or at least get a foot to balls that come close to them, rather than simply allowing a clearly winnable ball to pass them by infuriatingly, as happened way too often in FIFA 12.

2. Opposition AI

The most noticable thing about playing against the CPU in FIFA 13 is how much more direct and intelligent the opposition play feels in comparison with last year - the players play with a lot more purpose, and will punish player error or lapses of focus with - at the very least - an attacking opportunity, and at worst a goal. This obviously gives matches greater flow and stops those frustrating moments when the CPU would simply keep control of the ball for the sake of it, without a direct approach to actually trying to score. The opposition also has the same Attacking Intelligence as you, meaning more diverse attacking options are available to them too, and they actually play some impressive stuff with both more dimensions and more directness. At times - and perhaps this is because of the teams available in the demo - the CPU actually feels too good, with a range and pace of passing that can see you chasing shadows, particularly on the hardest difficulty, and though it's nice to have a bit of a challenge, veteran players might feel frustrated that they are being bested on such a fundamental level by the CPU. Obviously we'll need more time and more diverse opponents to really get beneath the skin of the CPU AI, but on this showing, it's a good start.