FIFA Soccer 2004

"Innovative and impressive."

Introduction:
Another year, another FIFA game, this time round there's heaps of new stuff, and this years FIFA doesn't disappoint, like it's last few installment's have, from the Off The Ball system to the soundtrack, this is the best FIFA ever made.

Storyline:
Sports game translates as no storyline, didn't you know?

Graphics:
Superb in all areas, FIFA's graphics have never been matched by any other football game. The realistic kits, emblems, players and stadiums are all in as usual, except this time round they are more detailed and realistic as we've ever seen them, the player's show emotion, celebrate like they would in real life and get muddy by sliding around, not bad at all. The replays are similar to television in their presentation, and the menu screens are now dominated by the kit and emblem of your favourite team. The final positive is the radar, as good as it gets. Onto the negative side of things. Firstly, the arrows above the players head shove the realism factor down a notch, and the EA Sports Live emblem is very annoying in the bottom corner of your screen. All in all, the graphics are stunning, pretty much unbeatable.

Sound:
This has improved a lot since last years installment, the audio score is full of well-known artists and groups such as Lostprophets and Paul Van Dijk. The commentary is provided by John Motson and Ally McCoist and is no different to last years edition. Finally, the crowd chants are up to date, and the special effects all around are great, the same word sums up this category.

Gameplay:
Whilst it's still got nothing on the Pro Evolution Soccer series, there have been lots of innovative improvements and tweaks to gameplay this year. Firstly, the new Off The Ball system is a good addition, if a little complicated, whereas Football Fusion is also a good addition, but it means forking out more money on another game, a poor game at that, the third new addition is a career mode, quite similar to Pro Evolution Soccer's Master League in my opinion. The controls are very flexible, and are starting to mimic Pro Evolution Soccer more, and there's a great deal of options to make your playing more enjoyable. Finally, online play, one place where FIFA is better than Pro Evolution Soccer, just log on and play against anyone, download content and compete in organised tournaments, however, that alone doesn't make a game, and the gameplay, although good, is inferior to Pro Evolution Soccer.

Lifespan:
Same as always, as long as you make it, there's plenty of stuff to do, and online adds to that tally.

Extras:
Some minor stuff to unlock, not much and it doesn't make a difference to the score, editing is cool though.

Final Recommendation:
This is the best FIFA ever but for best results you need to go online. Out of Pro Evolution Soccer 3, Club Football and this, you should probably get both this and Pro Evolution Soccer 3. If you don't like or don't have access to online play then consider a rental to see if this is the game for you.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/19/03, Updated 10/18/04