FIFA Soccer 2004

"So close to football greatness"

Intro
FIFA 2004 is the latest game in a series of football simulations dating back as far as most can remember. While many have tried to rival it FIFA still rules although winning eleven came close.

Graphics 8.5/10
The stadiums and close ups all look fantastic but during gameplay they could have been so much better where as they all run and tackle, shoot and dive realisticaly and fluidly the players from afar look a bit strange to be quite honest with you.

Sound 10/10
This is where FIFA 2004 really shines the sounds make you feel like you are in the stadium watching the game and each team has their own chants which the fans will sing at exactly the right moment. The passing sounds great as well as do the commentators great job EA.

Gameplay 8/10
The controls work quite well with the gamecube controller and the computer A.I. has been heavily improved but there is still that same problem with your men just standing still and waiting for the ball to come to them which is something you will never see in professional football. Today I scored my first goal by a header something I was unable to do in previous FIFA games and the free / corner kick system has been seriously improved but that one problem caused this game a lot of grief and not so good reviews in the magazines. I hope that is improved on in 2005. The modes of play are practice in which you can practice your great skills, career mode which is a five season manager/season mode in which you are supposed to take a horrible team like Millwall to the top and win a championship but some cheapos who like to take real good teams like man united and win a title real cheap like. There is also tournament mode which has all sorts of cups in it and you simply take a team and set out to win them. There is also EA Sports Bio where you are timed and rewarded based on your play time of FIFA and other EA Sports games for the 2004 season.

Replay Value 9/10
As with all sports games this has high replay value it feels good to beat that cocky kid always boasting about how good he is at football at his own game with your fully customized team assembled in career mode. I still love beating that kid.

Rent or Buy
If you don't like football ( which should be nobody )- dont even look at it
If you've never played a football sim before- rent first
If you absoulutely love football sims and love FIFA- Buy

Final Verdict 8/10
FIFA 2004 is a good quality game which exceeds its predecesors in every way now we need to correct that pass problem and put in more game modes and we have ourselves a killer title worth full marks.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/16/03