FIFA Soccer 2002

"Don't let the name on the box fool you"

My story with FIFA began with FIFA 94 on the Sega Mega Drive; an amazing game that kept me hooked for countless hours. Well, it was a pass-pass-shoot-goal game where matches ended something like 17/16, but at that time when we barely knew what 3D meant, it was so enjoyable.

Years passed, and everything now is 3D, old consoles died, and new ones were born, and FIFA has become a yearly tradition highly anticipated by millions of football (or soccer) fans around the world. But as we proceed to the 21st century, measures are climbing higher and higher, thus EA Sports is supposed to satisfy its loyal supporters with a new installment to the long-living series, presenting FIFA 2002!

The major hullabaloo about this year’s edition is the new passing system, unlike the previous FIFA games where players had “magical boots”, you should now accurately aim the ball at suitable power. This might be hard to get used to at first, but once you master it, it’s fascinating! You can perform cunning passes to the open space in front of your strikers, embarrassing the most solid defense and allowing them to face the poor goalie and score. Lobs and shots work the same way, with a bar to indicate their power, giving you full control over the ball and ensuring a very realistic football experience.

Tackling model is nicely improved in this game, players don’t track their enemies by themselves, you need to precisely direct the tackle. But take into account that referees are more attentive than ever; an aggressive tackle in the back will always mean a free kick, which can be extremely dangerous if well positioned. But on the other hand, you can slide in the right time and place, injure the opposing player, and earn the ball as well. It’s cheap, but I like it!

Everything needed for a heavy football experience is provided. Over 100 clubs can be chosen to compete in the 15 national leagues offered in the game. There are two main tournaments: the EFA Trophy and the European Champion’s Cup, in addition to five locked tournaments to be opened when you reach certain stages in the main ones. You can take part in the World Cup qualifications, but (and a very big “but” here) you can’t play the World Cup itself! Sure, you can fix your “own” World Cup with the creation center, but it won’t just feel the same. Speaking of which, the creation center is there to help you create tournaments, teams, and players, contributing to the very long lifespan of the game.

On the other side of the coin lie some serious bugs that are reborn from FIFA 2000. Stupid defense is the most annoying as your defenders always fall to the long ball tactic; it’s when an enemy player lobs the ball to the usually unmarked striker on the side while your players are staring at him, and until you’re able to switch to the corresponding player, he has already scored!

Moreover, there is the “crazy formations” bug; if you try to adjust your formation, the computer goes mad and alters the positions of your players. For instance, I was playing with five midfielders when I decided to pull one back to defense. I set this up and got into the game to find out that my wings are now strikers, and my presumed strikers are now on the flanks. You’d ask: Why did the strikers move back when I’m pulling a midfielder? I don’t know, but that’s what happened. It can get confusing and can’t be fixed unless you abandon the formation totally.

I noted also that some players are inaccurate in their positions and ratings. Let’s take for example Luis Figo; one of the most famous right wings at the moment, but in FIFA he’s a striker, a spot he has never held in his whole career! This isn’t a big problem really, but it could spoil the realism for those picky fanatics.

Controls are the same as usual; you pass with the S key, the A key lobs, the D key shoots, and the W key sprints. The notable change from the previous FIFA games is the Space Bar; it’s now used to execute a 1-2 pass, which is especially useful for breaking tough defense. Good controls overall, but if you’re new to them, you will face some trouble. However, you can get yourself an analog controller, which works marvelously with the passing system, but if it’s up to me, I’d say don’t buy FIFA 2002 in the first place! Another irritating issue is that you can’t, by no means, score from a long distance, the thing that A.I. players do with ease.

You can play in one of three difficulties. Amateur is a piece of cake waiting to be crushed like a bug once you’re used to the passing system. Professional and World Class are cheap; A.I. players seem to magically extract the ball in an air situation, magically pass through all your startled defenders, and magically earn goals. It’s that simple! EA should know there’s a huge difference between hard and cheap!

Graphics are as good as you’d expect! Players represent their real life counterparts quite well, even the small details that distinguish some of them such as hairstyle can be noticed. Replays are also very well done, with the 8 cameras featured, they clearly illustrate goals, tackles and other memorable moves. In-game cutscenes capture all the joy, pain and tension of a world-class game. The visuals, while in no way perfect, are still one of the game’s distinctive attributes.

Audio - in one word - is gorgeous! Commentary is provided by two legends of the football media: John Motson and Andy Gray, with endless remarks to say, they are sure to keep you in the mood. Background music is magnificent too; inspiring, thrilling and never gets tedious. You hear the crowds cheering when a goal is scored, and booing when a foul is called. Other effects such as crunching tackles are so realistic. Don’t worry, your ears will definitely be delighted!

Sure, FIFA 2002 brings up to the table a brilliant new passing system, endless hours of gameplay, and fabulous sound. However, it’s stuffed with critical flaws that ruin the experience such as: stupid defense, crazy formations, and cheap A.I. So, if you have ISS or even FIFA 2001, don’t bother. But if you’re new to soccer, it might be worth the try. I must admit I was fooled by the word ”FIFA” on the box, but don’t let it fool you.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 10/31/02, Updated 10/31/02