FIFA Soccer 2003

"FIFA 2003 looks brilliant, but looks can be deceiving."

The FIFA games, published by EA Sports, have always been more popular than the competition. Through a combination of marketing, an official license, great presentation and brilliant graphics, the FIFA games appeal to the casual gamer. The casual gamer is someone who isn't looking for a game in particular, so they buy the game which appeals to them most.

Obviously they will choose the game that looks better, because gameplay can't be judged from reading the back cover. Sadly, EA have exploited this marketing ploy, causing massive sales for a game that isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Graphics: 9.5/10
The visuals in EA's games are always superb, FIFA 2003 being no exception. The individual player models excel as always, each model being an almost exact replica of the players likeness. Textures and lighting have also been pulled out brilliantly, making the most of the PS2's relatively poor hardware, when compared to other popular consoles.

Each stadium is magnificently reproduced with each sign, clock or logo placed perfectly. This really adds to the experience, allowing the player to become immersed in the game. Top work from EA.

The only reason the score has been lowered, is that due to the low performance hardware in the PS2, there is quite often a large amount of slowdown. The framerate is usually smooth, but it is extremely frustrating when you're trying to pull off a perfect shot and the slowdown causes it to fly over the crossbar.

Presentation: 8/10
Menus are fairly bland, but don't appear overdone. Suitable for this type of game, with a number of licensed songs that play while the player is setting up their match. Very easy to navigate, but loading times between each menu can get fairly annoying. Good enough.

Sound: 9/10
The FIFA series has always been known for having great commentary, crowd and sound in general. Commentary as always is excellent, with a number of different lines recorded for each individual situation, so the player doesn't have to deal with the same line every time the ball goes out for a throw in. One bad note about the commentary is that they don't make much use of player names, always using generic terms to describe the lesser-known players.

A number of crowd chants have been included, which do a great job of adding to the overall atmosphere when playing the game. A number of them are score specific, so when you're up 2-0, the crowd will be chanting, "TWO NIL, TWO NIL," in a familiar fashion to football fans. Team-specific chants have also been included for 18 clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United. Great work.

Gameplay: 6/10
This is the most important part of any game, and sadly EA has performed poorly in this aspect. Granted, the usual elements have been pulled off well, such as passing, shooting and set pieces, but nearly all soccer games are quite adequate in this department. The main flaw is that the game just doesn't feel natural. It feels forced, instead of flowing like it should. In a real game defenders try to move the ball up the field using passing, then a long ball or two moves the ball further up the field. All put together flawlessly, and topped with a successful shot or cross resulting in a goal is the way a game should be able to be played. Unfortunately, FIFA 2003 is the opposite.

Usually it is an elating feeling when a brilliant play is finished equally as well, but in FIFA 2003 nearly all your goals will come as a result of luck or sheer AI stupidity. Most of this is caused by very small elements of the game that failed, but the overall result is frustration and a lack of explanation as to what just happened. Whenever a player turns it is slow and forceful, as they automatically tap the ball forward slightly. This sounds like nothing, but if a member of the opposing team is anywhere near you, the ball will automatically go to them when you tap it.

This is more annoying than it sounds, as often the only way to go is towards a player, but there is a feeling of dread as they inevitably gain possession of the ball. Another horrible flaw is the stupidity of the goalkeepers. More than half the time the AI keeper decides to roll or throw the ball, which is fair enough. However, they seem to pay no attention to where a member of the opposing team is. Often they will throw the ball right where you're running to, which leaves the player with an open goal.

Although these matters sound trivial, there is no way to verbally explain how frustrating this makes the game. Coupled with random glitches such as the display completely disappearing, which makes timing a powerful-but-accurate shot impossible due to the lack of a power meter, keepers randomly running towards the opposition goal, and downright idiotic referee decisions, FIFA 2003 just isn't much fun.

Sure, it can be enjoyed for quite a while, but the small glitches eventually turn into gaping holes in the gameplay, leaving the player kicking themselves for buying the game. Still, FIFA can be enjoyed for what it was meant to be played for. An arcade-orientated game of soccer, best played with friends. Great for weekend multiplayer, bad in the long run.

Overall: 7/10
Brilliant graphics, presentation and sound are let down by flawed gameplay, which is where the game should excel. Worth playing with friends, but if you're a hardcore fan or just prefer simulation games in general, stick with something else.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/24/04, Updated 01/11/05