FIFA Soccer 2004

"FIFA 2004 Finally Bilingual in America!!"

I have been an EA FIFA fan off and on for about 7 years now. And a fútbol (soccer) fan for 3 times as long. About every other year, EA has managed to make substantial improvements to nearly every aspect of the game. They tweaked the graphics, added/dropped leagues, and improved on gameplay depth. Some of these changes have been good, others not so good. On the off years, they just coasted on the momentum created from the previous year. With each change, EA took a chance that gamers would take them in stride and remain loyal. Well, I am one of those fans. FIFA 2004 fits the bill on many levels.

The first improvement that I noticed and that confirmed that FIFA 2004 was an ''on-year'' title to purchase was the addition of teams from the most televised, broadcast, and watched league in the United States of America, the Mexican soccer league. In addition, the new bilingual feature is excellent! For those fútbol gamers that crave a real celebration after a goal, this is the way to play. Although the Spaniard accent – much like the cockney accents in all chants under the English option – can get annoying after a while, the authentic chants and roar of GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! push FIFA 2004 over the top. Unfortunately, EA decided to not include the competitive, premier leagues from Argentina, Chile, or Mexico to compliment this revolutionary change in fútbol gaming. Where I often criticized EA FIFA in the past, FIFA 2004 finally has a solid international feel.

Graphics: 9/10
The graphics are especially great for marquee players. Hopefully the database for other starting players will improve next year.

Stadiums and pitches look really authentic. Fans in the background are cool as well.

Sound: 10/10
Excellent! Real chants, great tracks, and awesome commentary!

Gameplay: 9/10
Really, really deep and a bit tough to adjust to intially. Once you have the idea, with practice, I imagine that all things that you wished you could do in previous versions and couldn’t will become possible. Each time I play, for example, I discover a new move and that adds to the replay value of this game. Off-the-ball control added the final dimension needed to . Movements are real. The ball plays the way it should. This new feature, undoubtedly, will even create new fútbol fans. Especially here in the states, many people unfamiliar with the intricacies of the game will have a much higher appreciation through FIFA 2004! The players look and move with and without the ball more realistically.
Systemplay: 9/10
Good: Career mode, on-line play , practice squad are nice. Player's individual bios are really nice for fans of the sport. Great marketing strategy for FIFA overall to bring the players to the fans. This will create many fans of the sport and keep current fans intrigued.

By not including World Cup features, the game is deeper in season and club tournament modes. Criticism: 1) need to add the Mexican, Argentine, Chilean leagues and maybe drop some others – there is a market here in the Americas. 2) bring back edit/create modes. Prediction: Do this and FIFA 2005 will hit record sales - just in time for PS3 and Xbox upgrades!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/09/03