FIFA Soccer 2003

"FIFA is back on track with this great game"

As soon as you start playing it is evident that this is the best football game in the shops. It looks,sounds,plays and overall feels so realistic, you could fool somebody for it being a real match with the way the players move, how the stadiums are created just like they are in real life and the sound of Jon Motson and Ally Mcoist.

Graphics -
Do graphics get much better than this? Every player and stadium is almost exactly how they are in real life, the pitches are how you see them on the tv and the different weather changes are brought to life in a fantastic way that to my knowledge no football game can match.

Gameplay -
Sometimes the worst part of FIFA games is one of the best in this, the players move exactly where you want them to and it is so easy to control. This isnt like other football games where you run from one end of the pitch to the other, take it round the keeper a few times and tap it in the net,several passes are needed to get past players and this has been made incredibly easy to do.Its very fun and easy to weave in and out of a crowd of players,I havent come across gameplay like this in a football game before.

Sound -
Couldnt be better.The crowd sing songs how they are in real life and it really does make you feel like your in the stadium.The music on the menus isnt dull and boring either and on the pitch you can hear the managers shoutings instructions to their players whilst Jon Motson and Ally Mcoist provide excellent,realistic and well put together commentary.When a player hits the ball it isnt the same sound every time, it changes depending on how you hit the ball, giving a loud thump if you whack it and not such a loud noise if its a straight pass.

Difficulty -
If you are generally good at football games you might win your first match 6-0 on amateur but try and get that scoreline on world class.It takes a while to master FIFA 2003 and on higher levels of difficulty the computer is hard competition.The season goes on for a couple of weeks and there are different things to unlock that will keep you coming back for more.

Overall -
FIFA 2003 is all you could want from a football game and more.Its got some of the best graphics on any game on any console and fantastic gameplay.If your Gamecube lacks a football game, get this.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/19/03, Updated 03/19/03