It wasnt easy, but i tried a Fifa game for once....
We all have heard the pathetic proclamations of “best Fifa ever” many-a time, its like a consolation for being retarded. Hey, YOU SUCK! But youre the best suck ever. Its no secret, before the 360 was launched Fifa was just a second rate American-ized football game. Of course, I don’t hate Fifa, I’ve tried and have been burned many times before. Its just not a good game. This one was giving out good vibes though so I decided to find out, who better to review Fifa 08 than a Pro Evo addict, I cant think of anyone else
This is the first time I’ve really got into a Fifa game since 04. The game at its core has remained the same over the years. It has always been the second choice, easy to score, dumbed down flashy football game for the masses. Fifa 08 is the first time in recent memory that EA has tried to shed this image. How does it fare? Read on,
The menus are slick as usual, tons of leagues and teams at your disposal. The graphics are CRAZY, its what a nextgen football game looked like in head in 2005. I cannot praise them enough, it looks so fcking good. The faces are kinda toss-up, some players have great resemblance, others not too much. The kits look amazing, the player models are extremely hi-res. There’s not a jaggy edge in sight. The players animate really well, the close-ups put a smile on your Fifa. Nextgen is sweet and Fifa is a technical masterpiece.
All of this is capped off with the manager mode. Its more engrossing than Pro Evo, I know it sounds like blasphemy, but it really is. The transfer system is robust, the team chemistry rating also works great. Its not a full blown management sim but it does have all the good elements of one which the spreadsheet madness. The contract management and scouting are two features I’d love to have in Pro Evo.
So Fifa08 sounds great so far, lots of teams, pretty to look at etc its got pretty much everything going for it, except (don’t act like you didn’t expect this) the gameplay. A one word review for Fifa08 would be, “FURSTRATING”. You’ll get that particular feeling a lot while trudging through Fifa’s holy mess of gameplay mechanics. The game just doesn’t feel right, it’s impossible to beat players without using the “win” button (the right thumbstick) it almost feels like an amalgamation of multiple minigames rather than a complete experience. The players still move like tanks, the speed of the game is slow but atleast you get used to that over time. What you cant get used to is how stupid your team mates are, a good through pass is like a blue moon here. Although, I must commend the referees, they are perfect here. They make great use of the advantage rule and keep the match flowing.
Its not all bad, the passing system is way better than Pro Evo, which is a promising sign. (you’ll need to turn the assists off) They messed up the crosses though, cant make neither head nor tail of the mechanics. The free kicks system is borrowed whole-sale from Pro Evo.
A typical game goes like this, pass, pass, pass, run, back pass, pass, pass, shot. There’s no room for initiative, there are no crazy goals from 40 yards, the keepers are retarded, the defenders don’t take any chances. One of the best things about Pro Evo is the surprises it springs up every now and them, you would see keepers come up from 90min corners, defenders playing offside traps etc. Fifa is in serious need of some F-U-N.
EA, you’re on the right track, don’t screw up now.
Our Rating for radd reviews a Fifa game..holyomg 8.0 Value/Worth
Great bang for the buck, online multiplayer rocks, lots of leagues and tournaments to play through. 10.0 Graphics
NEXT GEN 8.0 Sound
Commentators get annoying after a while, the realistic crowd and player noises dont. The music is top-notch as always. 7.0 Gameplay
Just doesnt feel right. Its too complicated and laborious. 9.0 Multiplayer
Interactive leagues! OMG. its a dream come true. play the whole season, ONLINE! 8 Overall
Fifa08 is a good game, but its got a long way ot go before it reaches greatness. Some vital gameplay issues bog down an otherwise great experience.
We all have heard the pathetic proclamations of “best Fifa ever” many-a time, its like a consolation for being retarded. Hey, YOU SUCK! But youre the best suck ever. Its no secret, before the 360 was launched Fifa was just a second rate American-ized football game. Of course, I don’t hate Fifa, I’ve tried and have been burned many times before. Its just not a good game. This one was giving out good vibes though so I decided to find out, who better to review Fifa 08 than a Pro Evo addict, I cant think of anyone else
This is the first time I’ve really got into a Fifa game since 04. The game at its core has remained the same over the years. It has always been the second choice, easy to score, dumbed down flashy football game for the masses. Fifa 08 is the first time in recent memory that EA has tried to shed this image. How does it fare? Read on,
This is not a bullshot.
Lets kick off with the menus, OMG! You have to be brain dead not to appreciate the presentation here. Arena is easily the best idea for a menu anyone has ever had. It goes like this, after the intro vids, youre IN the game. Ronaldinho is on the pitch with a goalkeeper in a deserted stadium. You can fool around, score goals, whatever. Arena shows up before every match. Need a menu? Press start. EA has really nailed this one. Get some practice in while the game is loading, why anyone didn’t think of this before is what I wanna know!
The menus are slick as usual, tons of leagues and teams at your disposal. The graphics are CRAZY, its what a nextgen football game looked like in head in 2005. I cannot praise them enough, it looks so fcking good. The faces are kinda toss-up, some players have great resemblance, others not too much. The kits look amazing, the player models are extremely hi-res. There’s not a jaggy edge in sight. The players animate really well, the close-ups put a smile on your Fifa. Nextgen is sweet and Fifa is a technical masterpiece.
Let’s hold hands when the camera looks away
The ambiance is also amazing, the commentators do a great job (though I did turn them off after a couple of days) the crowd reacts realistically to the match. The stadiums also look sharp and are filled to brim with 3d spectators that don’t remind you of a twins convention.
All of this is capped off with the manager mode. Its more engrossing than Pro Evo, I know it sounds like blasphemy, but it really is. The transfer system is robust, the team chemistry rating also works great. Its not a full blown management sim but it does have all the good elements of one which the spreadsheet madness. The contract management and scouting are two features I’d love to have in Pro Evo.
damn, is that a diamond on his boot?
The online is 1000000x times better than Pro Evo (duh.) Japs really need to figure out how online games work, the network code in Pro Evo sucks, the menus are messed up, there are no leagues. Fifa is hands-down a better online game.
So Fifa08 sounds great so far, lots of teams, pretty to look at etc its got pretty much everything going for it, except (don’t act like you didn’t expect this) the gameplay. A one word review for Fifa08 would be, “FURSTRATING”. You’ll get that particular feeling a lot while trudging through Fifa’s holy mess of gameplay mechanics. The game just doesn’t feel right, it’s impossible to beat players without using the “win” button (the right thumbstick) it almost feels like an amalgamation of multiple minigames rather than a complete experience. The players still move like tanks, the speed of the game is slow but atleast you get used to that over time. What you cant get used to is how stupid your team mates are, a good through pass is like a blue moon here. Although, I must commend the referees, they are perfect here. They make great use of the advantage rule and keep the match flowing.
Its not all bad, the passing system is way better than Pro Evo, which is a promising sign. (you’ll need to turn the assists off) They messed up the crosses though, cant make neither head nor tail of the mechanics. The free kicks system is borrowed whole-sale from Pro Evo.
A typical game goes like this, pass, pass, pass, run, back pass, pass, pass, shot. There’s no room for initiative, there are no crazy goals from 40 yards, the keepers are retarded, the defenders don’t take any chances. One of the best things about Pro Evo is the surprises it springs up every now and them, you would see keepers come up from 90min corners, defenders playing offside traps etc. Fifa is in serious need of some F-U-N.
Keep him busy, Skipper. I’ll go steal his lunch!
When all is said and done, Fifa08 is a missed opportunity. It’s a great game on its own, its way better than Pro Evo in most areas but its fails to shine in the most important area. I can’t help but wonder what could have been, please EA, make the goddamn players a bit more responsive. I don’t need to have gimmicks and 10-button combos to pull of a simple sidestep, why not just a little tug on the tumbstick? Why not like Pro Evo? I recommend Fifa08 to everyone, since Konami is stuck in a rut and has forsaken us with promises of a real nextgen Pro Evo twice, I really want Fifa to improve. I want to play Fifa without cringing and the tanks or laughing at its simplistic AI or overly complicated control scheme. Fifa is a competent game, good for a while. You wont be playing for a year like Pro Evo but it’s a worthy alternative.
EA, you’re on the right track, don’t screw up now.
Our Rating for radd reviews a Fifa game..holyomg 8.0 Value/Worth
Great bang for the buck, online multiplayer rocks, lots of leagues and tournaments to play through. 10.0 Graphics
NEXT GEN 8.0 Sound
Commentators get annoying after a while, the realistic crowd and player noises dont. The music is top-notch as always. 7.0 Gameplay
Just doesnt feel right. Its too complicated and laborious. 9.0 Multiplayer
Interactive leagues! OMG. its a dream come true. play the whole season, ONLINE! 8 Overall
Fifa08 is a good game, but its got a long way ot go before it reaches greatness. Some vital gameplay issues bog down an otherwise great experience.
