First impressions of FIFA Online 3

Having attended the preview event of EA Sports’s FIFA Online 3, Games in Asia had an early chance try out the football fields of the game at the Garena Stadium. So here is the lowdown on what we have seen so far:

Gameplay

FIFA Online 3 is pretty easy to get into especially if you are new to the game or the FIFA Online series. There were clear highlights and instructions to help you find your way around the game and get acquainted with the controls. If you are already a veteran of the FIFA Online series you should be able to skip all the tutorials and jump straight in. FIFA Online 3 offers several game modes, some are similar to FIFA Online 2 and some have been slightly tweaked. Players are now able to play friendly games with friends, players of the same skill level, or just random players.

I played a friendly match against another player and found the game to be pretty enjoyable. The controls were responsive, although playing with a gamepad is definitely preferable to using the keyboard. The game’s transitions were smooth and there was hardly any lag at all.

Graphics

The graphics for FIFA Online 3 are a much needed improvement from FIFA Online 2. The players look better, more realistic, and their movements were more fluid as compared to the previous installment. The UI for the game takes much of its look and feel from sport channels on television and is definitely more aesthetically pleasing and user friendly than its previous incarnations.

Overall, this game is pretty good, and is a must-try especially if you are a football fan. Players in Singapore and Malaysia who wish to try the game in closed beta can redeem your closed beta keys at the Garena FIFA Online 3 site. The closed beta of the game will be officially released on October 10, 2013.