Fifa 2008

Everybody has heard of Fifa, the EA branded game out for over a decade. I can reflect back to the Sega mega drive days with Fifa International soccer with 'Crowd' effects which sounded so realistic! And yet again I find myself muttering the same words as I did back in 1993, 'this game can’t get any more real… can it?'.

For weeks I’ve found myself glued to my TV set playing Fifa 2008 on the Xbox 360 over and over again. This game is a true great football sim, and is a must have over the rather poorly put together rival Pro Evolution 2008.

Fifa has it all, single player cup, league competitions containing over 20 football federations, but what makes this game is its online arsenal.

Fifa online features the classic 1 on 1 matchup's allowing people all over the world to interact with 1,2,3 or even 4 players on each XBox. Also included in the online features are ranked and unranked matches and the new Pro mode, allowing you and up to 5 players total to control 1 team, with each person selecting a position to play on that team. Team captains allocate players requested and set tactics. Then via your Xbox live microphones communicate with your team mates to try and overcome the opposition.
Pro mode is what has kept me coming back for more, the addictive element of online team play will keep the user playing on once bored of the solo stuff.

The actual game play of Fifa is brilliant, with the classic controls of Pass, Shoot, Lob, Sprint and Through Balls, also thrown in is individual skills, which you find yourself practicing as Ronaldinho on the loading screen. Using the right analogue with a combination of trigger buttons your player can do 'tricks' which can fool an opponent in game, allowing you to get past the defender with the slick silky skills you learnt with good old Ronnie.

The graphics are superb, and players are extremely realistic. If I do have one gripe with the game with would be Martin Tylor and Andy Gray commentating. Most of the time its acceptable, but you also find simple things annoying, such as softly hit balls which your keeper catches described as exceptional saves, and the babble they sometimes waffle about stadium’s and teams can get very repetitive.

Overall this game is a must have if your a football fan. Stay clear of this year Pro Evo and grab Fifa instead. This is coming from a PES fan!


Pro mode is what has kept me coming back for more, the addictive element of online team play will keep the user playing on once bored of the solo stuff.

The actual gameplay of Fifa is brilliant, with the classic controls of Pass, Shoot, Lob, Sprint and Through Balls, also thrown in is individual skills, which you find yourself practising as Ronaldinho on the loading screen. Using the right analogue with a combination of trigger buttons your player can do 'tricks' which can fool an opponent in game, allowing you to get past the defender with the slick silky skills you learnt with good old ronnie.

The graphics are superb, and players are extremely realistic. If I do have one gripe with the game with would be Martin Tylor and Andy Gray commentating. Most of the time its acceptable, but you also find simple things annoying, such as softly hit balls which your keeper catches described as exceptional saves, and the babble they sometimes waffle about stadia and teams can get very repetative.

Overall this game is a must have if your a football fan. Stay clear of this years Pro Evo and grab fifa instead. This is coming from a PES fan!