On the ball

The focus on increased realism in FIFA 13 pays huge dividends, with the game offering a football experience so realistic you'd be forgiven for thinking you were tearing up the turf at Wembley yourself. 

One way in which this is achieved is via the optional Match Day online feature, which updates the stats and skills of all players and teams in the game according to their recent real-world performance – an ingenious way to keep things as true to life as possible.

On the pitch, a new first-touch system adds extra depth to each match, ensuring that defenders can capitalise on bad passes and that lofted balls don't always fall where you would like. Dribbling and ground control have also been enhanced, while there are increased options for drawing out the opposition with dummy runs and feints.

What's more, for the first time the action is compatible with the PlayStation Move motion controller, which makes for a thrilling, physical and fun-packed new way to play. It all amounts to a wilder, more unpredictable football experience – just like the real thing. You can even get to grips with the game's controls in a series of skill-based training sessions, so it's easy for FIFA newcomers to get up to speed.

Career Mode has also been strengthened, with the addition of transfer terms and a new emphasis on skills when assigning value to players. Managing a football team has never been more challenging: renege on your promises to new acquisitions and their morale will suffer, weakening performance. Prove a success, however, and you'll be rewarded with a call-up to manage the national squad – and then you'll be laughing all the way to international glory.