This was speculated to be the best sports game of the year. Did FIFA 08 really live up to the expectations?
Well, surprisingly in FIFA 08 not much has changed. The game play is exactly the same as FIFA 07. Which is pretty good for some people, like me. There are a few minor changes such as 'full control' of the goalkeeper that allows you to move him around the goal area while your opponent is taking a free kick. I really liked this feature. There were a few disappointments in the game play. When you run with the ball, the ball goes 5 feet in front of you! It reminds me of the 2004 version of FIFA on XBOX.
There have been a few new additions of leagues this year. Australian supporters have something to cheer for as the Hyundai A-League makes it in this season!
The graphics for this game are very good. If you have played previous FIFA’s on PSP you will know that the graphics are pretty appalling. These have finally been improved by EA Sports this season. However, the crowd graphics definitely need to be improved for next season. There are great looking graphics on the pitch contrasted by unattractive surroundings of dot like figures. When the view is zoomed out it looks exactly the same as FIFA 08, but upon viewing a close up of the players, there are many changes to the graphics.
The sound this game has to offer is average, however EA could of done a better job in the music department. No doubt it will be appealing to some, being a mixture of many styles. A different song represents each country. The Cat Empire represents Australia.
The commentary for this game is pitiful, and totally inaccurate just like FIFA 07. Eg – when the ball is kicked 5 meters off target of the goal, the commentators response is "Oh, and that’s a wonderful save from the goalkeeper". In fact it could be said that FIFA 07 was more accurate than FIFA 08, and we all know how poor the FIFA 07 commentary was!
Online play of FIFA 08 is nothing different. You still have ranks, lobby, play now similarly to FIFA 07. There is 'Be A Pro' mode that is coming to FIFA 08 as downloadable content very soon. It allows the player to team with 10 other people from all around the world online, each player controlling one team member. It sounds very interesting but it would be interesting to see whether game play is affected by individual connection speeds.
Jerseys have been updated and there are also a few new soccer balls available in the ' FIFA Shop'. Merchandise can be purchased from the shop by playing normal mode or the challenges by unlocking different achievements such as "Clean sheet - 3000 points" and "Entered Play Now mode - 1000 points". Points can be redeemed at the shop. Alternate Jerseys are 3000 points each, new soccer balls are 2000 points each and the extra teams that can be unlocked (World XI and Classic XI) are 5000 points each.
Final thought:
Although the initial reviews indicated that this release was good, it’s only worth 75% of the current recommended retail price. The downfall of this game are the graphics – in fact, save yourself a few dollars and instead purchase FIFA 07!
Monday 8th October-2007
Repopulating NextGEN Gamers
|
