FIFA 08

Oct 16, 2007

To make a sports analogy, the PS2 is like Fenway Park (or, in this case, Wembley Stadium). It's an old, venerable icon of a time gone by. It can't keep up with the new kids on the block in terms of features, appearance and amenities, but it's still relevant, and sometimes even preferable, to the technologically superior consoles of today. Great baseball games are still played at Fenway. And great sports games are still made on the PS2. Case in point: FIFA 08 is, feet-down, this year's best soccer title.

Developed by completely separate dev teams, PS2 FIFA and next-gen FIFA share little aside from their licensed title. Assuming you're reading this because you are either A) disappointed by or B) not interested in the next-gen version, we'll spare you a detailed comparison. Instead, rest easy knowing that the PS2 version plays a smooth, intelligent game on the pitch. Players respond accurately and quickly to controller inputs, tackling is on the mark, AI flows your teammates (and defenders) into open space and the passing system is free of the scripted constraints that once shackled the series.

One major difference between the PS2 and next-gen versions, however, is in the overall sim factor of the game. Moving back and forth across the midline on the PS2 is not a major challenge. Rushes can happen instantly and without careful planning. It "wants" you to create an offense. It wants you to play the "beautiful game" without investing too much thought. It's not the slow grind that soccer often is. Rather think of it like the best parts of soccer strung together.

And it's not like the game is non-sim. It requires a good deal of skill and practice to connect on scoring opportunities. The new manual through ball offers more control than FIFA players have had, and creates the kind of organic scoring chances usually reserved for Konami's much-ballyhooed Pro Evolution Soccer series. You can also call manual cross attacks and just flat-out beat defenders off the dribble. One-on-one play isn't the way to score in FIFA, but individual moments of greatness will happen from time to time.

Speaking of greatness, the one area we might have to pull out the yellow card is the goalies. Holy crap these guys can be tough. You'll buzz their hands, head and every other body part with blistering shots from tough angles only to have 'em tip the ball out for a corner. For a real challenge, wrest keeper control away from the AI by taking over between the posts. A quick click of the right stick puts you in the middle of the action. This is a great house rule when playing friends -- you have to be the keeper. It makes the matches that much more exciting and tense.

Be a Pro mode is EA's new term for career mode. Basically you take an existing footballer or create one and set out with the task of making him the best in the world. During games, you can influence the way your team plays by calling for passes or encouraging teammates to shoot, but control is locked to your pro. You can also play in Be a Pro Co-Op Season, which allows friends into the mix. Each of you will have a task (i.e. take four shots, score on a corner kick, etc.) and an overall team task (win by two goals). After each game your experience points, and attributes, move based on how well these tasks were executed. It's a neat idea, essentially giving players their own "focus" against the big-picture backdrop of the team.

More multiplayer goodness exists online, where leagues and usual matchmaking features offer a veritable cornucopia of football goodness. We experienced little lag and overall solid performance of this title online.

More features, you say? There's PS2-to-PSP connectivity. You can start Manager Mode, basically an exercise in resource/roster management, on either platform and swap it back and forth seamlessly. Signature moves are here for the game's biggest stars. New preseason friendlies are playable, custom team formations and the always-fun crowd chants are all here.

Looks, as they say, aren't everything and FIFA 08 on the PS2 demonstrates this perfectly. Spot-on control, great atmosphere, more features than ever and balanced gameplay should send this one to the back of any soccer fan's net.