Recently at Electronic Arts’ Summer Showcase, I was able to check out two games for Wii U, Mass Effect 3 and FIFA Soccer 13. Unfortunately due to lines and time constraints, I wasn’t able to go hands-on with Mass Effect 3. Instead, I was able to capture a few minutes of others playing. FIFA Soccer 13 was a full hands-on experience however.

Although Madden 13 was announced for Wii U, that particular version was a no-show at this event.

Mass Effect 3

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Fifa Soccer 13

Not being a huge fan of soccer, I was a bit hesitant to play FIFA 13. After all, I’m not familiar with all the rules and have extreme basic knowledge of what the sport involves, namely kicking a ball into a netted goal. Luckily, that didn’t matter all too much when I picked up the Wii U GamePad.

To begin, I was shown the new control option the Wii U brings to the game with shake and shoot. This involves shaking the GamePad, then tapping where you’d like the ball to be kicked. At first, I was launching the ball into the stands due to holding down my finger much too long. Once I adapted, I was finding creative ways to aim the ball in the corners of the goal.

Once I was at least vaguely versed in the ways of shooting, it was onto the full game. Controlling the action was as easy as moving the analog stick. Passing was just as easy with a push of a button and a flick of the thumb. At times it didn’t seem to detect which way I was trying to pass however. Switching players wasn’t too hard and tended to pick ones closer to the ball.

Where this particular version of FIFA shines though is in the GamePad usage. You’ll be able to change the play patterns on the fly, meaning it’s easy to go defensive or offensive with a tap. There’s also quick substitutions by tapping on a player and tapping an alternate in reserve. Players get changed out when using this method whenever play halts.

One of the best features FIFA 13 has to offer is the managerial play. Instead of controlling a player on the pitch, you’ll be looking down at the GamePad, sending players on runs. While this is happening, the CPU will play for your team and attempt to work with your placements. This worked relatively well, but the experience was even better once an actual person hopped in with a Wii U Pro Controller. This allowed for a semi-coordinated effort that allowed our team to score. Entering and exiting this manager mode style of play can be done at any time, keeping in mind that switching will interrupt the game.

For being as clueless as I am about soccer/football, I had much more fun than I anticipated. The controls made it extremely approachable to a beginner such as myself, but gives veterans a new interesting dynamic.

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