I just played 2 games against the CPU on the Early Release version and what really jumps out is how the A.I actually keeps the shape of your formations this year, maybe even too strictly. More than ever you can tell what each team is playing in just by moving up and down the pitch. I found that pretty fascinating. This may be why some have commented about their being a actually being midfield that's worth a shit (I wouldn't go that far though)
The offensive runs are so smart, not just the forward ones either, guys check back to the ball even after starting to make a long run forward, where in the past if you sent a guy on and one-two run he would just run until he pretty much hit the parking lot. Now if they don't have anything they adjust which is great. CPU scored pretty sneaky goals on me threading the needle and I had some nice chances too in both games that I couldn't put away.
Glad to see they finally tuned the lob and over the top through balls so you can hit really short ones over the top now. I played full manual in FIFA12 and no matter how precise you were with both, I could rarely make those type of passes. The last thing on my list of stuff I hoped was improved that I am really happy about is how the A.I. doesn't pull your players away from 50-50 balls anymore, especially ones in the air to give the CPU an advantage. Used to both me to no end in FIFA12
It's def got a new feel to it, and I really like what I've played so far, looks to be the best FIFA yet by a pretty significant margin. Strongly disagree with those (not on GAF...yet) who say this is only FIFA12.5. Looks and feels like a different, better game now.
