This heightened realism is only augmented further by Precision Dribbling, which is arguably FIFA 12's greatest addition. Last year's system seems crude by comparison, stifling the flow of matches and suffocating skill. But once you adapt to tactical defending you can't go back. For the curmudgeons out there resistant to change, you can switch back to the 'pressure' system of yesteryear. Games open up, allowing passages of play much closer to the real thing, and as consequence you can be much more creative going forward. And while that might not be as immediately exciting as dancing around defenders with Messi, it does significantly alter the tempo of matches. It rewards you for being more defensively minded, for marking your man, and for maintaining your shape while those around you lose theirs. Tactical defending schools you in the admittedly less glamourous part of the game. So whenever possible, stay on your feet or you'll get brutally punished.

Mistime it fractionally and you'll be left in the wake of a gloating winger as he scampers towards goal. You have to decide expertly when to stick out a leg. Whilst in previous games tackling was an ever-dependable tactic to regain possession speedily, in FIFA 12 tackling is, as it should be, a last defence. It's more engaging, and you actually have more to do than ever before when you're not in possession.

If done correctly you'll be able to restrict the other team's movement, eventually forcing mistakes. Instead of bludgeoning teams with an overwhelming tide of pressure that requires little skill, you use the defensive cornerstones of 'contain' and 'jockey' to marshall the opposition when you lose the ball. Replacing the 'pressurise' defensive system, wherein you could launch fullbacks like Tomahawk missiles, tactical defending is a much more sophisticated approach to defending and ultimately it engenders games with a more authentic rhythm. Since the release of the demo it's been divisive and has more than a few naysayers. First up, tactical defending perhaps poses the biggest challenge to veteran fans of the series.

Fifa 12 pc game cover