FIFA 07 Soccer

"The ball is at your feet. Kick it."

Here it is. The latest installment in the FIFA series. FIFA 07 goes to last year's versions wonderful success and takes it one step further. The gameplay is advanced, the movement is more reallistic, and we've also gotten a brand new set of features, upgraded statistics and more user-friendly controls and style. The team ratings are also much more sensitive and picky; team chemistries of many teams have dropped down greatly. Go ahead and create your own club, or lead your teams to victory in Manager mode. FIFA 07 is one football/ soccer (whatever you choose to call it) game you will not soon forget!

Graphics
7/10
Players look better? Yes. Field is better? No. EA Sports have decided to mark up the field with lines to make off-side markings easier. Doing this, the field now looks barren and lifeless. This is probably the only thing in this game that has been downgraded from the first. You still have control over the camera well, and the players definitely look more real. So, overall, the graphics are above average.

Gameplay
8/10
The gameplay has advanced a lot. You now have some combo move things to help you out, like pressing Circle and L2 together to change the shooting style. The goalkeepers are also much more intelligent than before (come on, the game was designed for next-gen) and the players also use better tactics. It'll be much harder than before to outsmart these guys, so keep your feet kicking. Using some sweet enhanced features, you'll have to go out there and rule all of those seasons! Whether you're playing against your friend using a multi-tap, or taking your skills online, you're sure to have "football fever!" or "soccer sickness."

Audio
7/10
The audio is great. The game features a set of songs that play during the pause menu and the main menu. The commentary is as good as ever; surprised remarks at own goals, compliments on your "wonderful dribbling ability" and other lines that make you feel like you're watching a real match. And pushing buttons at the same time. And the crowd? They shout out their support to whichever team is more popular. First they shout out "Arsenal!" or "Barca!" or whatever, and then send regards via drum rolls. What a classical way to show support, huh?

Playtime/ Replayability
8/10
This all depends; once you have beaten the game and unlocked everything what do you do? If you choose to throw it into a cupboard and leave it to rot, you really haven't played the game much at all. No, you could play this game for long hours (not too long at a stretch, that'll get you bored) if you gather some friends and get playing. Laugh at your friends when you score, and bite the controller when they score. If you have a small number of pals, go ahead and challenge people all over your country to an online game.

Should I Buy It?
If you're a fan of what's been going on with this game series, definitely yes. It's worth a look, and has good programming and game mechanics. If you're gonna hate the field, sorry. Apart from that, this game's a charm. Now's the time to prove your favourite team is truly the best. Get out there, get this game, and get kicking!

Final Rankings/ Summary
Graphics: 7/10
Story: NA
Gameplay: 8/10
Audio: 7/10
Playtime/ Replayability: 8/10
Should I Buy It?: Yes
Final Score: 8/10.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/03/06