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> Results: FIFA 08
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Every year I review the new FIFA soccer game, and every year I compare it to the latest Winning Eleven, and say that FIFA comes close but is still second-best. This year is different, and in short I recommend FIFA 08 to any fan of the round-ball football, and doubly so if you're playing on the PS3.
The best new feature this year is "Be A Pro", where you take control of just one player for the duration of the match. It may sound like it could be boring, sitting there doing nothing for much of the game, but in actual fact you must constantly check your performance as your overall score in this mode isn't just reflected in how well you handle the ball; you must also make sure you stay in position, assist teammates, and so on. Even better, EA delivered an update for 360 and PS3 owners that allows them to take the "Be A Pro" mode online with up to 10 human players at once. The traditional modes are still there, from one-off exhibition games to leagues to a simplified management mode that puts you in the director's seat. The gameplay itself has been gradually refined in the FIFA series, and its reputation for "pinball soccer" has not been accurate for a long time. Today's FIFA accurately emulates the pace of a real game, and the difficulty level has been increased - a good move that reduces the likelihood of racking up a hockey-like goal tally. If Winning Eleven does still have an edge, it's that the FIFA still feels a little unresponsive on the PS3 and 360, with your players sometimes running on autopilot, but steps have been taken to address that with FIFA 08's new trick system, allowing you to pull off some custom moves. It's a nice addition, but I still want to see improvement in the feel of the basic running and passing plays next year.  As always, the presentation is superb, with licensed teams and leagues from all over the globe, and a cutting edge soundtrack that's just as international. Visually it's easily the best-looking soccer game out there, with players that are actually recognizable. The innovative audio podcasts from last year are back, and now in a variety of regional flavors. The authentic English commentating team is back, and the only real problem I have with the presentation is that the crowds just do not exhibit an appropriate amount of excitement. With oodles of game modes, a nice-looking engine, and solid online support, FIFA 08 is my soccer game of choice this year. Platforms The Wii version adds the requisite motion controls (including the admirable Family Play control scheme) and party games, but loses the "Be A Pro" mode, so can be considered the worst of the console releases, with the PS3 and 360 sharing top honors (the 360 versions running a little smoother) and the PS2 version having slightly worse artificial intelligence but making up for it with more modes and a more responsive feel. The handhelds both get good games, the DS version adding online play and better presentation to last year's release, as well as stylus control for dead ball situations like penalty kicks. The PSP game is essentially a handheld version of the PS2 game - more responsive feel and all - only suffering from slightly downgraded graphics and an extra bit of load time. PC gamers again have to put up with the last-gen graphics of the PS2 game but unfortunately without that version's advantages. 
As a real sports title, the standard content description applies there is no objectionable content, and playing the videogame version can encourage an interest in getting outside and taking up the real sport. To keep that "E for Everyone" rating, all the music in the game is radio-friendly stuff.
In any game, things change when going online, as despite the best efforts of developers, jerks can still find a way through with obscene nicknames and trashtalk. You're far more likely to run into bad sports who quit as soon as they're behind. Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Browse Amazon.com's selection of "fifa soccer" themed games Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: FIFA 08 |
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