FIFA 08

The sheer excitement and competitive fun of EA’s leading soccer franchise return in FIFA 08. Featuring some nice upgrades from last year’s entry, FIFA 08 seems to be a step in the right direction from an often stale series. Fewer gimmicks and more meaningful gameplay mechanics turn this game into a must-have for any soccer fan.

However, as is often the case with FIFA games, there are some clear signs of repetition that can make it harder to justify 08’s existence. Thankfully, this year’s entry seems to be an overhaul of the core FIFA mechanics, providing a much-needed refreshment for the series.

A new generation

FIFA 08 is a cross-generation title, being available on both sixth and seventh-generation consoles. It goes without saying that players can expect better graphics and an overall cleaner presentation from seventh-gen consoles, but the changes don’t end there.

New to FIFA 08 are some refinements to online gameplay modes, which now allow cooperative gameplay. Online leagues have also been added, letting players choose a team in a certain league and challenge other real players online.

The PS2 version of the game doesn’t stay behind, including some much-needed reworks to the goalkeeper’s behavior. Now, players will be able to directly control their goalkeepers, saving them the frustration caused by the many times the AI would mess up.

Both versions also feature revamped trick mechanics; while not as spectacular as the ones seen in FIFA Street, they’re leagues better than what we saw in FIFA 07. A new mode, called “Be A Pro Mode,” lets players take control of a single player during an entire match.

Official licenses

If there’s one thing that FIFA games always do better than their competition is acquiring real-life licenses. Unlike games like Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, where some teams had to take “creative liberties” with their players, FIFA 08 has the full rights to use the likeness of more than 15,000 players.

This astonishing roster makes things as realistic as possible, delivering the ultimate football experience. This is especially true for the game’s Manager Mode, where players can manage their favorite teams and players from real life.

Additionally, the soundtrack of the FIFA games is also something worthy of mention. This time, the soundtrack features more Latin-inspired beats, something that seems fitting, seeing as football is essentially a religion in most Latin American countries.

Revamped look and feel

Visually speaking, there’s not much difference between FIFA 07 and 08. Character models seem to have gained a few polygons, but the differences are so small that you’d be hard-pressed to spot them. The stadiums also retain their look, with much of the same lightning as we saw in the previous entry.

However, the same can’t be said about the gameplay. As we mentioned before, tricks are improved here, allowing for more tactical approaches. The overall speed of the game also seems to have changed since the previous entry. FIFA 08 features a slower, more realistic approach to player movement, with characters that feel heavier than FIFA 07’s.

Overall, we’d say that gameplay seems to be vastly improved in comparison with last year’s entry. Although, those looking for a more arcade feel might be disappointed to see the game’s realistic physics in action.

Pros:

• Improved controls
• Tons of licensed players and teams
• Entertaining gameplay modes

Cons:

• Visuals haven’t improved much
• Some content is identical to FIFA 07