FIFA Soccer 08 Review (360)

[Steve_OS]

We have just posted our FIFA Soccer 08 review. Find out what Clay Shaver had to say about it.

"It’s not often that a developer that holds the upper hand in licensing plays the underdog role in a battle for console supremacy. It’s even rarer that EA Sports finds themselves on the short end of any competition. In the world of soccer (or football for the more sophisticated of you) gaming, however, while the FIFA series from EA moves more than their share of merchandise, it’s widely considered the inferior product on the market.

Last season, with the release of FIFA 07, I felt like the competition really started to get interesting. The gameplay in the FIFA series was starting to become a far greater strength than simply the rights the real players and correct kits. Now while the world waits till sometime next year for an effort from the competition, EA has fired another shot on net with the release of FIFA 08. With the significantly improved gameplay, FIFA 08 will now try to go for a deeper and fuller experience. But will it be a return to style over substance?"

[Acid]

Great review, Clay.

Quote:

I’d love to see the mode punish me for not playing within the parameters of the offense or not handling my assignments on defense.

Totally agree with you on that, hopefully they can put that in next year.

[Tomba]

Quote: Originally Posted by Acid

Great review, Clay. Totally agree with you on that, hopefully they can put that in next year.

NO.


EXCELLENT Review. I respect this site even more now...

nuff said, FINALLY someone sees this game for how good it is...

[Acid]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tomba321

NO.

Why wouldn't you want a more realistic 'Be A Pro' experience?

Speaking of 'Be A Pro', I hope they allow you to play as a goalkeeper next year.

[ledzep]

Good review, I agree with the general opinion: FIFA08 is a great game.

Just several considerations:

- this is not an easy game; if you are a PES/Winning Eleven veteran you'll have a hard time to get used to the slower tempo (more realistic, by the way), there is a lot of battle in the midfield, you must take care of the ball until you find a hole or a mismatch

- in Be a Pro, I'd say you get punished in your performance evaluation if you don't respect your assignments on defense, but not sure. I remember however you see red marks indicating players you should defend

- the key that moves FIFA08 from a good game to a great game is the option to play everything manually: short, long and through passes; shots, crosses. The feeling of immersion is incredible. It takes sometime to master it, and in many cases you'll loose chances of scoring just because a cross is slightly too short or too strong, but it makes you feel that you are really creating everything that happens on the field.
I actually play with everything on manual but shoots on semiassisted.
Give it a try and you'll start to see situations that you cannot see when playing with all assists turned on.

[Tomba]

Quote: Originally Posted by Acid

Why wouldn't you want a more realistic 'Be A Pro' experience? Speaking of 'Be A Pro', I hope they allow you to play as a goalkeeper next year.

No the No was for say that it was indeed an excellent review and not just agood one

[Acid]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tomba321

No the No was for say that it was indeed an excellent review and not just agood one

Gotcha, my bad.

[Nivek]

Wow, I have been sleeping on this game. Is the game play really on par with Winning Eleven?