Don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but I need to vent. Today I just threw the game against my wall for the second time in a week (Good thing it's a Blu-Ray).
First, and this is probably the biggest problem, the A.I.
You would think turning the difficulty up would make both the CPU and your teams A.I. that much better, But it almost does the opposite. It makes your teams A.I. absolutely, and I can't stress this enough, ABSOLUTELY FUCKING STUPID. It also makes the CPU's A.I. complete and utter cheaters. How the fuck can Nemanja Vidic 6'2" (ridiculous jump and header stats), who has inside position on CRAIG BELLAMY gets beaten to the ball. He is like a ghost. The ball goes through his head and Bellamy scores. The game is just broken. I'm talking about Top Player here. I have a lot more to say about A.I., but I need to press on.
Secondly, Master League.
I thought ML would be fantastic this year. Using currency, having realistic transfer windows. But it is absolutely awful. Let me just list the ways:
*Inability to make offers to players.
You can only do this after your scout has already made one. WHAT'S THE POINT? We should be able to say: "Alright Andres (Iniesta), here's the deal. 4 years, $60 mil. Take it or leave it."
*Inability to offer trades to teams
Absolute joke. 3 years they've had to make ML great, and they've absolutely shit the bed. We should be able to do something like: Offer: Nani. for: Pedro. Something simple, but effective.
*Fucked up transfers
In one window, Barcelona signed Gigi Buffon AND Alexandre Pato. That is bullshit. I can't even sign Michael Essien or Andres Iniesta in 3 windows, let alone 1. But here's the hilarious thing. My first year, I signed Xavi. The original offer was 3 years, $61 mil. I change it to 4 years, $41mil, and he accepts. Then in the Janurary transfer window, I sign Robinho for $63mil. Next year in the pre season transfer window, I sign Yoann Gourcuff for $71 mil. So what am I getting at? The A.I. gets an unfair advantage, on the pitch and in the clubhouse.
*International call-ups
Another A.I. exploit. You rest your best players because they are tired from being on international duty, but the team you play has their starters out there. Man City had Robinho, Bellamy, SWP, Tevez, Given, and Lescott all starting, playing they just came off a break. Terrible, absolutely awful. Another thing, the game fucks up. The only goalkeep that I can use after IC is Ben Foster. It's awful because VDS is the only keeper that doesn't go on IC. Players like Paul Scholes, VDS, Michael Owen, who aren't on their respective national clubs in the game, go on IC. But players like Patrice Evra and Anderson, who do appear for their respect NC's in the game, don't go.
In closing, the game is horrible. Filled with CPU exploits and more A.I. blunders than Russia has people. Do not buy, don't even think about buying it, unless you are ready for a let down of epic proportions.