Fancy foot work

GAME OF THE WEEK: FIFA 12, 3 cert, EA, Xbox 360 (also PS3, Wii, PC, PSP, 3DS, PS2) *****

A year ago, Fifa 11threw down the gauntlet to challengers by providing players with a more realistic football sim than ever before. EA hasn't let the momentum fade this year.

Introducing the Player Impact Engine to Fifa 12brings a new level of believability to the game. Jostling for the ball is more realistic, the clashes and collisions can result in serious consequences, and the ref stands a good chance of missing the crucial part and incorrectly punishing players, leaving you hurling abuse at the screen. It's like Saturday afternoon in the pub.

Tackling is a skill you develop over time, and, as in real life, timing is everything. There's also more control over the ball with Precision Dribbling. Moves are performed more tightly, allowing you to pull off some sneaky footwork that would have been impossible in Fifa 11. It might go unnoticed by some players, but it makes a world of difference to gameplay.

Fifa 12also takes more into account regarding players' abilities and skills, with Pro Player Intelligence. Some players will have better vision than others, as in the ability to anticipate another player's moves. Cesc Fabregas, for example, will have a much broader range of vision than others, meaning that he can pull off passes and moves that lesser players would struggle to complete.

Visually, EA has added some finesse to Fifa 12. One of the major changes is in how the game is presented. There's more of a TV feel to the matches, with some new animations making it a slicker intro to each game. The camera angle has changed, making it a more natural way to view play: more angles, with players represented more accurately in size relative to the camera.

The player animations have been improved again, looking more similar to their real-life counterparts. Wayne Rooney even has his new hairline, a change made since the initial previews of the game.

All told, the improvements bring the game that bit closer to real life, and make Fifa 12far more engaging than any others that have gone before.