from Amazon best prize is $1.09 The first FIFA for the PS3 is an impressive debut, and while it
can be difficult at times, it's a polished and highly playable game.
The Good
Noticeably slower playing style
Challenging opponent AI
Mountain of game modes
Deep online and offline play
Peerless presentation and authenticity.
The Bad
Steep learning curve
Trick system a little too powerful
Slightly confusing menu system.
can be difficult at times, it's a polished and highly playable game.The Good
Noticeably slower playing style
Challenging opponent AI
Mountain of game modes
Deep online and offline play
Peerless presentation and authenticity.
The Bad
Steep learning curve
Trick system a little too powerful
Slightly confusing menu system.
EA Sports has made a lot of claims about FIFA's new game modes and features, and they've been flagged up in the game's menu system so series regulars know where to start. At the top of the list is the new Be-a-Pro mode, which puts you in the studded boots of a single footballer rather than an entire team. The default side-on aerial camera perspective shifts to an over-the-shoulder view, and you're awarded or deducted points based on how well you serve the team. This means keeping the player in position, passing the ball around, and--depending on your position--making tackles or scoring goals. While controlling one player in a team of 11 might seem strange, it's an interesting, compelling new take on gameplay. Although it's tempting to run up the field and shoot at goal regardless of your position, the only way to succeed in this mode is to play your part in the team. There can be long periods where you see little of the ball, particularly if you're a defender in a good team or an attacker in a poor one, but on the whole it's a successful experiment on the part of EA Sports.
The over-the-shoulder perspective of this mode shows off another of the big new features in FIFA 08, the trick system. By pulling on the L2 button and using the analog sticks, you can perform a variety of moves that, with enough practice, have the power to cut swathes through the opposition. Simple step-overs and flicks can be executed by flicking the right stick in one direction, while more complicated moves can be orchestrated with a series of movements. A turn can be pulled off by rotating the stick in a circular motion, while an overhead flick is a complicated three-move combo that's more dependent on timing. Faster and more skilful players can pull this move off better than slower ones, and top-class players such as Ronaldinho can even launch an accurate volley shot off the flick.
In addition to the Be-a-Pro mode, FIFA has a variety of other ways to play a game of football. The kick-off mode is the place for a quick practice match with up to three friends gathered round your TV, though there are online equivalents with both ranked and unranked matches. The long-term challenge of FIFA 08 comes from the numerous tournaments that have been packed into the game's offline and online modes. Pretty much every major competition from the major domestic leagues has been included, plus you can create a custom tournament to make things such as continental or world cups that may happen in future. Predictably, EA's seperate World Cup franchise means that this tournament isn't included in the game, but there's nothing stopping you from setting one up yourself.
In addition to the Be-a-Pro mode, FIFA has a variety of other ways to play a game of football. The kick-off mode is the place for a quick practice match with up to three friends gathered round your TV, though there are online equivalents with both ranked and unranked matches. The long-term challenge of FIFA 08 comes from the numerous tournaments that have been packed into the game's offline and online modes. Pretty much every major competition from the major domestic leagues has been included, plus you can create a custom tournament to make things such as continental or world cups that may happen in future. Predictably, EA's seperate World Cup franchise means that this tournament isn't included in the game, but there's nothing stopping you from setting one up yourself.
Online, the interactive leagues let you take control of your favourite team and play real-life fixtures as they happen, or you can jump into custom leagues that have been set up for up to 31 other players. The final mode is the manager mode. Even though EA Sports has a separate FIFA Manager game, it continues to shoehorn an even simpler management sim into the main FIFA title as well. The main difference in this mode is that you'll be coaching players and ensuring they're given enough time on the pitch for professional development, but it doesn't really add anything to the experience.
It should be no surprise for EA Sports stalwarts to learn that the overall presentation of FIFA 08 is so good that it's actually one of the game's biggest selling points. The game seeps authenticity from every pore, with up-to-date stats on some 14,000 players, official kit and sponsorship details, and English commentary provided by Martin Tyler and Andy Gray. The amount of repetition in the commentary could get annoying if you play with only one team, the natural banter and interplay between these two results in some of the best and most context-relevant commentary in any football game. The soundtrack itself deserves praise, too--with the usual mix of recognisable anthems and upcoming indie/dance numbers, there's not a filler in the entire selection. The overall quality of music means that a visit to the menu screen is something to look forward to. There are some inconsistencies in presentation, though--a referee is introduced in the prematch presentation, but he mysteriously disappears in the game itself. Why we can have AI players that make thousands of decisions a second but no animated referees or assistants is a mystery. On the plus side, FIFA 08 on the PS3 has no frame rate issues to speak of, and runs just as smoothly as its Xbox 360 counterpart.
It should be no surprise for EA Sports stalwarts to learn that the overall presentation of FIFA 08 is so good that it's actually one of the game's biggest selling points. The game seeps authenticity from every pore, with up-to-date stats on some 14,000 players, official kit and sponsorship details, and English commentary provided by Martin Tyler and Andy Gray. The amount of repetition in the commentary could get annoying if you play with only one team, the natural banter and interplay between these two results in some of the best and most context-relevant commentary in any football game. The soundtrack itself deserves praise, too--with the usual mix of recognisable anthems and upcoming indie/dance numbers, there's not a filler in the entire selection. The overall quality of music means that a visit to the menu screen is something to look forward to. There are some inconsistencies in presentation, though--a referee is introduced in the prematch presentation, but he mysteriously disappears in the game itself. Why we can have AI players that make thousands of decisions a second but no animated referees or assistants is a mystery. On the plus side, FIFA 08 on the PS3 has no frame rate issues to speak of, and runs just as smoothly as its Xbox 360 counterpart.
Graphically, FIFA 08 is the best-looking football game on the market by a considerable margin. Not only are players immediately recognisable thanks to the way that they move as well as the way they look from afar, but close up they also feature individual facial details, personalised items of kit, and haircuts. The 30 licensed stadiums boast both scale and detail, with video boards up high displaying feeds from the camera cranes that sit above the goals. There are also some really nice smaller touches, such as the shirt deformation technology and dramatic, low-angle camera shots that would be impossible to achieve with even the best hi-def cameras. However, that's not to say there aren't a few graphical problems. While players boast natural appearances and extremely lifelike movement, it's spoiled by a plastic look that makes their expressions appear forced. We're sure that the intention was to make them look like they're sweating, but the reality is that they look like they've been shrink-wrapped.
EA Sports has taken substantial risks with this year's FIFA, but the resulting game can certainly be considered a successful experiment. It plays a more difficult and more refined game of football than its predecessors, and while it should be emphasised that the game is perhaps too difficult at times, it will reward players who put in the practice. The sheer number of game modes make FIFA the most complete football game on the market, while the authenticity and quality of presentation continue to enhance the package overall. It may fall just short of greatness, but it's a FIFA that's well worth trying out for anyone who's been avoiding the series.
EA Sports has taken substantial risks with this year's FIFA, but the resulting game can certainly be considered a successful experiment. It plays a more difficult and more refined game of football than its predecessors, and while it should be emphasised that the game is perhaps too difficult at times, it will reward players who put in the practice. The sheer number of game modes make FIFA the most complete football game on the market, while the authenticity and quality of presentation continue to enhance the package overall. It may fall just short of greatness, but it's a FIFA that's well worth trying out for anyone who's been avoiding the series.
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