Then there are cool little touches like long-thrower movement, tweaked shooting, defensive reactions to skill moves, delayed yellow and red cards, a new “quick free kick” option and goalies who push up. So evolution rather than revolution is the order of the day but from the (extremely competitive) early hands-on multiplayer matches we reckon EA has yet another hit on their hands.
FIFA 08 is almost identical to last year’s game at first, though the more you play the more you realize how those minute deft touches have had a significant impact upon gameplay. Being able to play precisely through passes and crosses totally revolutionizes the game from a strategic viewpoint, while the intuitive new player switching and goalie control means you won’t feel as irritated if you do concede.
PC gamers will get exclusive features including eight-player LAN, the ability to save replays or even entire games to hard disk and share them through YouTube, plus the same amount of leagues and teams as the 360 in addition to some visual bells and whistles.
Be a Pro
Be a Pro on PS2 is not quite as comprehensive in terms of AI as its next-gen counterpart, though the co-op season sounds amazing. Each participant controls one player, and in addition to team challenges, you’ll also be able to set individual objectives - like getting three shots on target or scoring a goal. Fulfill these aims and you’ll earn XP points to boost your player’s stats - and perhaps even mold him into the world’s best.
Remote ball control
On a day of many surprises, the Wii version of FIFA 08 almost stole the show. Thanks to its up-the-pitch camera and “free motion” controls, it provides a whole new way to play. While regular dribbling and passing are still executed in familiar ways, as you approach the box you’ll take “shots” by flicking the Wii-mote violently at the screen. In a neat touch, you’ll perform tricks by twisting and shaking the nunchuck and take throw-ins by imitating the “hands above head” motion.
Keepers
If you’ve ranted at your AI goalie one too many times, you’ll certainly welcome the new keeper control. By pressing the R3 button you assume control, and you’ve then got access to a selection of saves.
Personality counts
EA desperately wanted to imbue players with some of their real-world attributes, so a lion like Stevie G is now programmed to run all over the pitch at 100mph and shoot whenever he wants a 25-yarder, Willy Sagnol’s throw-ins are enormous, Clarence Seedorf’s one-touch passing is exquisite, while a dirty little cheat like Arjen Robben will also perform exactly like his real-life counterpart. In all, there’ll be nine character traits.
