FIFA Soccer 08 [X360]

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But EA does score with the new Be A Pro mode in which you select an individual player and use him throughout the course of an entire match. It's addicting to fill up your performance meter with something as simple as a jostle for a header or an on-target pass. Sadly, this mode is really practice for an online 11-on-11 mode next season rather than a full-fledged feature complete with player contracts and a flat in Notting Hill.

Visually FIFA 08 is lovely, with fluid animations and accurate player models. The colors and lighting seem to explode off the set, much more so than its competition from Konami. The broadcast duo of Andy Gray and Martin Tyler provide adequate, if uninspired commentary. The highlight of the audio department is clearly the crowd as authentic team chants ring throughout the stadium. EA is always a winner in the presentation department.

Perhaps the biggest improvement in FIFA 08 -- and all of the EA Sports games this year, for that matter -- come in the online space. Along with traditional online leagues, interactive leagues make their next gen debut, allowing you to play along as your favorite squad against other online players and their favorite sides. The cumulative winner has ultimate online bragging rights. Also included is a nifty video editor for the rare times you do reach the net.

FIFA 08 is a satisfactory update to the franchise, but still has yet to really hit its stride on the next-gen platforms. It took the FIFA team years to get it right on the PS2. Let's hope we don't have to wait quite so long for this FIFA to reach its amazing potential.