Reviews

Posted by: jkdmedia

Leave it to EA Sports to help introduce a new gaming system with its own brand of excellent sports titles. The Xbox 360 is here and it’s every bit as good as we imagined it would be and with its launch we’re seeing some EA Sports games that range from Madden NFL to NBA Live. Thankfully soccer fans haven’t been left out and FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup is here to show off the power of Microsoft’s new console. Then again it might just disappoint those fans who think it’s the same experience as FIFA Soccer 06 for the original Xbox only with a visual upgrade.

As the subtitle suggests, however, this version is more an endorsement for the upcoming 2006 World Cup that will be held in Germany. Road to FIFA World Cup features various international teams that all have the chance to qualify for the World Cup and eventually play the games that will lead to the winning of the prestigious prize every soccer-crazed country hopes to win. Oh it’s a glorious path to the World Cup and this version of FIFA Soccer 06 skips straight to the heart of the matter with Road to FIFA World Cup, a game mode that follows your favorite team all the way to the World Cup finals.

Unfortunately, though, concentrating on the road to the World Cup means you’ll have to say goodbye to other game modes like Manager Mode and features like FIFA Lounge or soccer league teams.  What you’re left with is the standard Friendly Match mode, Create a Tournament mode and Road to FIFA World Cup. Together these losses make the game feel like an incomplete version of our favorite soccer franchise but if you’re already turned off by this you’ll be happy to know that all is not bad. When it comes to the actual gameplay, Road to FIFA World Cup isn’t bad at all. There’s even a soccer mini-game during load times (that are quick, by the way) that feature your favorite team. It’s a great idea that should be implemented more often in EA Sports games.

For starters the game feels right at home on the Xbox 360 controller and while that doesn’t say much you’ll be happy to know that the game plays even better on the new system. Long gone are the brief pauses you’ll find in the PS2 version and while the game felt good on the original Xbox its flow is even smoother on the 360. That means the match will only be interrupted by the half-time marker or the end of the match. The control scheme is accessible and performing fake shots or marking players works exquisitely. You’ll even make some great on-the-fly tactics as well as well as taking advantage of stoppages in play to change formations, select a kicker or come up with better tactics with the use of the directional pad. The new shoulder LB and RB buttons are used wonderfully as well and far better than the black and white button of the original Xbox controller. In other words, when it comes to control the news system handles it just as good if not better than the Xbox … it’s also quite fun.

Secondly the opponent AI is great enough that the opposing team doesn’t fall for the same tricks twice nor will they stand idly by as you work your way across the field. They’ll do their best to match your defensive and offensive plays and will even mark your best player according to their performance during a match. Make no changes to your tactics or formation and your opponents will take advantage and dominate you easily. Like the other console’s FIFA Soccer 06, this version will keep you nicely challenged. Even the ref isn’t eager to pass out the red cards like past FIFA Soccer games.

Road to FIFA World Cup features an impressive lineup of international teams and a few outrageous omissions that fans of teams like Bolivia or Canada will certainly have problems with during the team selection. Secondly the lineup is a bit questionable. For example, where is Mexico’s Blanco? These few problems aside, you’ll be leading your teams through qualifying matches that will lead to the nail-biting match for first and second place in the World Cup finals. You’ll have all the powerhouse teams like Argentina, Brazil, France and Italy just to name a few and their skills will certainly add plenty of challenges. You can also create your own tournament with the Create a Tournament mode so you have full control of what teams you’d like in the tournament.

Graphically, Road to FIFA World Cup is not the best example of the amazing Xbox 360 visuals. Its soft lighting and detailed arena look much like the Xbox version and that is quite a disappointment for those looking for real eye candy. Then again the player models look amazingly detailed and their faces during close-ups or replays will not fail to impress. Star players look so astonishingly like the real players that it’s scary.

The game’s sound, much like the other versions of the game, is still just as good. The game’s healthy collection of international music features songs from artists like Linea 77, Oasis, Jamiroquai and Yerba Buena just to name a few. The color and play-by-play commentary by Andy Gray and Martin Tyler is not only on-the-spot but they also make some insightful commentary. The stadium sounds are excellent as well.

FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup for the Xbox 360 might not be as perfect as the other console versions of the game but does manage to be a worthwhile game for fans of the sport. Its lack of variety in the game mode department will turn off those gamers who love the FIFA Soccer series but at least it plays well enough to keep soccer fans busy until next year’s game. Try renting this one before purchasing it.

Gameplay: 8.5
Thankfully the game’s controls are solid enough to keep the action running smoothly and with decent opponent AI the matches are quite challenging. The unfortunate removal of favorite game modes is a great loss. At least the 360 control scheme works beautifully and Road to FIFA World Cup mode is decent game mode.

Graphics: 7.5
It’s not quite the giant leap forward in next generation visuals but the graphical differences between this and the original Xbox are certainly noticeable. The player models, for instance, look sharper and the faces are incredibly detailed but the soft lighting just doesn’t work. The stadium looks great but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before with the original Xbox.

Sound: 8.5
The massive song list from the other console versions of FIFA Soccer 06 is present and accounted for and you’ll still find quite a healthy collection of world tunes. The color and play-by-play commentary are handled beautifully and the stadiums really sound alive with noise.

Difficulty: Medium
The AI is still as sharp as ever so be prepared to keep on your toes and tighten your defense. While not incredible accurate (it’s hard to imagine Peru outshining powerhouses like France), the game does do justice to the amazing playing ability of stars like Brazil’s Ronaldinho or the UK’s Beckham.

Concept: 7.0
With the loss of various different game modes and international teams, this really doesn’t feel like a complete FIFA Soccer game. Even the unlockable extras are dismal and the Create A Team or player creation is gone. The load screen match featuring your favorite team is a brilliant idea and Xbox Live somehow feels a lot better on the Xbox 360.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Online the game moves at a speed that will make you think the second player is sitting right there next to you. You can play a custom match or a match that doesn’t count the win or loss so your rank will not change. Overall, it’s great to see the new console handle Xbox Live the way it was meant to be played.

Overall: 7.5
If you’re looking for a soccer game that shows off the power of the Xbox 360 then FIFA 06 will disappoint. Road to FIFA World Cup does shine in many aspects that still makes this a game to own if you love the game of soccer but with the loss of some favorites you best wait until next year when EA Sports finally does or favorite soccer franchise right.