FIFA 2012 UEFA Euro Expansion Pack Review

Crossers that keep it going.

To keep fans interested in FIFA 12, EA decided to add a downloadable content expansion pack which will have the ball rolling for months to come. Well… at least until FIFA 13 is released. The UEFA Euro 2012 expansion pack brings further life to a title that has been touted as one of the best in the series yet. This added feature is just what the descriptions says: It’s an expansion. All working parts are still just FIFA mechanics and the gameplay is the same, in case you were wondering if there were other updates.

It is as if EA forgot to add something or maybe just wanted to recharge the soccer batteries. Don’t worry, FIFA, we haven’t forgotten about you. I know, the NFL draft was this weekend and the NBA playoffs just started, but we all still love soccer. And this up-to-date mode will help ease any fútbol yearnings fans may have. Kicking things off with a fresh look, check out the new fancy menu; there's swanky purple wallpaper all over the place. Stadiums are in the shape of flowers. And there’s still international dance hall-type music.

Inside the thick of UEFA Euro 2012, you have a range of gameplay options to sink your teeth into. “Kickoffs” or friendly matches are available, except with a refined choice of teams. “Challenges” allow ultimate fans to recreate some of their favorite matches from over the years, like Spain in their comeback victory against Czech Republic in a 2012 Euro qualifier. Tournament options have been opened up for single player as well as online, where you can join a league and attempt to beat your friends and community.

Expedition mode is definitely where most of your new expansion time will be occupied. It’s all about being the best in the world, in the game. After you create a fictional team starting with a real footballer such as Wayne Rooney or importing your virtual pro to be captain of your new fictitious squad, you are given players with low stats and must work your way through the competition in order to pick up better players. You might already be getting the idea; there are some copy and paste features a few other EA sports franchises have used. Most recently, FIFA Street with their similar World Tour. Much like World Tour, expedition begins your campaign in smaller regions of countries and will have you work your way to larger stages and countries.

Throughout the entire process of whichever mode you happen to be playing, you gain experience points along the way. These points not only go into your personal banking of experience, which then help raise your achievement level and go into a pot of shared points for whichever club you picked as the one you are “following”. Say you have chosen Real Madrid as the squad you want to follow; any points you earn go to Real Madrid along with other followers' points from around the world. The club with the most points, least points, and everything in between are posted for everyone to see. I’m thinking teams like Arsenal, Manchester, and Barcelona are going to have the best numbers. Really, how many people are going to picks clubs like Chicago Fire?

Diehard enthusiasts of the series are more likely to get a kick out of this DLC to FIFA 12 than just the average fan. 1800 Microsoft points is asking a lot for just a couple of new add-ons, though. Sticking with your standard issue copy is plenty and should hold everyone over until the next one. Of course, it’s still a beautifully made title and still reigns as king in the world of fútbol gaming.