FIFA Soccer 2004

"Off the Ball=Off the Chain"

I've played EA's FIFA series since the Sega CD days and have been a fan of ''the beautiful game'' since then. That said, I am very impressed with their newest effort.

Graphics (9/10): The graphics for this season make me want to jump inside my television and cheer along with the supporters of various teams (well..maybe excluding the Old Firm. That would be dangerous). The uniforms are rendered quite accurately in most cases, as are many of the most well-known players. The addition of the telestrator is unique to this game as very few commentators actually use this tool. The stadia are well-designed and accurate. Highbury in FIFA is piece-by-piece the same as its concrete counterpart in North London. A good idea for 2005 would be the addition of stadia used in past times (Wembley Stadium, for example).

Sound (8/10): I'm not much of an international techno expert, so I'll reserve judgement on the soundtrack itself. The chants are very realistic. So much so that you'll wonder if EA actually recruited the actual supporter's groups to do the chants. The announcers, while using some commentary from 2003, still add some flavor to the experience.

Gameplay/Replay Value (10/10): The introduction of the Off-The-Ball feature may take some adjustment, but once you get the handle of it, it will be your most valuable tool when playing a friend or online opponent. The ability to jockey for position is a brilliant addition and adds to the realism of the game--in other words, 50/50 balls are just that (no more automatic headers) and markers can shaken off for a while. The computer's AI has been ramped up to the point where a direct attack at goal is the worst possible strategy. This game demands a passing instinct and intricate forethought in exchange for victory. The addition of lower divisions in some leagues is major as it allows for a more in-depth career mode. How many of us thought that we could get West Ham back into the Premiership? How many of us wondered what it would be like to guide a third division club up the ladder and into the top flight? With Career mode, each of us get that chance to become managers for a day (or week or year. If only EA were allowed to pay us like the actual managers).

The Career mode alone makes for great replay value, but adding online gamplay (Finally!) just make it a keeper. Just don't choose to play as Rangers when challenging a Celtic fan (the dialogue could get real ugly real fast)!

Overall (9/10): FIFA 2004 is definitely the best effort of the series. While there's always room for improvement, the series is steadily catching up to the real game. If you are an international sports fan but can't afford to travel the globe, then this game should be in your collection to, at least, make you feel like you're doing so.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/24/03