The start of the domestic soccer seasons in Europe has spawned three new versions of the iPhone’s premier association football games, namely: FIFA 11, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 and Real Soccer 2011. All of the new versions are a marked improvement on last season’s offerings, and all offer a decent mobile simulation of the real thing.
I’m a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to soccer games, and have spent the best years of my life locked in my bedroom playing everything from Super Kick Off to Actua Soccer. However, I’m having real difficulty deciding which of these three iOS games I prefer. All of them are fun to play, all of them look pretty good, but all have their own unique flaws.
In terms of the visuals, here’s an idea of how FIFA, PES and Real Soccer square up. Again, I’d say it’s hard to pick an overall winner in the aesthetic stakes. Personally, I love the menus in Pro Evo, but I think the player likenesses are more realistic in FIFA, and the in-game graphics are smoother in Real Soccer. I’d be very interested to hear which you prefer.
Game menus
FIFA 11
PES 2011
Real Soccer 2011
Tactics screens
FIFA 11
PES 2011
Real Soccer 2011
Gameplay
FIFA 11
PES 2011
Real Soccer 2011
Player likenesses
FIFA 11
PES 2011
Real Soccer 2011
Replays
FIFA 11
PES 2011
Real Soccer 2011
Set pieces
FIFA 11
PES 2011