2006 FIFA World Cup
If you're a 360 owner (and I assume you are because you're reading this review) and you love a good bout of FIFA chances are good that you tackled Road to the World Cup. The game was definitely less than what we'd expect from a next generation title but to add insult to injury it took its name quite literally. The game was indeed just "the road to the World Cup¯." That's right, you took your team through all the qualifying rounds and all the matches to get to that point only to be dealt the sick reality that yes, if you want to play the World Cup you have to get the new game. The question remains though, was it worth the wait and hassle?
Gameplay:
Like many incarnations of sports titles FIFA 2006 World Cup improves little over what came before it. The game as a whole may be better than the last 360 FIFA game but don't expect many groundbreaking innovations when it comes down to kicking the ball. I do have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of soccer games out there so when it comes down to the technical descriptions of maneuvers and passes I don't bother. Keeping things simple is the best way to describe what's going on in a sports game because many of us are armchair bench warmers.
I suppose it's a good thing then that FIFA World Cup's controls are simplified to the max. In no time you'll be passing, shooting and dribbling down field with ease. One thing you'll notice compared to prior incarnations of the series is that the shooting mechanic has been tinkered with a little bit. Now when you press the B button to fire off at the goal it no longer dictates the power your kicker uses. Instead it judges the height of the shot. Other factors such as distance from goal, defensive pressure and player stamina come into play when determining how strong the kick is. It's a nice little change in pace that is subtle and easy to get into.
The rest of the flow plays out just like you'd expect it to though from what I have played of the FIFA series this one feels a little faster paced. Players are often given room to move as both forces try to set up some type of play whether it is offensive or defensive. This means that players don't really get clustered in the center of the field as everybody comes in for the kill. If you're on defense the game will always put you as close to the ball as possible and if you're on offense you can bet that you'll be the dribbler. This makes the game play a lot smoother and feel more interactive compared to Road to the World Cup.
Let it be said though that unless you have already been initiated into the world of videogame soccer you'll need a lot of playing time to feel comfortable. It's not that the game is too difficult or that the AI will outsmart you at every turn, there is a fine balance. The simple fact is that unless you have played FIFA or even Winning Eleven from Konami before you'll find it hard to assemble any form of strategy. I personally don't have the resilience or patience to sit through and lose match after match after match while I'm still trying to figure things out. There is a practice mode available to help you out but it isn't exactly the most helpful thing in the world either. Whether you are a newbie to the world of videogame soccer or a seasoned veteran once you get acclimated to the flow of gameplay in FIFA World Cup you'll feel right at home and eager to tackle the modes that are available here.
The most prominent mode is the reason that you came here in the first place: the World Cup. Make no mistake about it; this is the meat of EA's latest soccer game. You get to pick your team and dig deep into a variety of options as you take your club through the qualifying rounds and into the finals. From then on it's a straight out conquest of the world as you take to the turf and kick some balls. The World Cup here is very rewarding as you make your way through but aside from multiplayer there is little else offered on the package to distract you.
The online modes are great with a decent pool of opponents and better than average server quality. It has been my experience that EA's servers have always been a little buggy but you take what you can get in most cases. Other than these two features the rest of the stuff in the game feels superfluous compared to previous endeavors. You can take part in some classic conflicts in the Global Challenge mode or play some Penalty Shootout to your heart's content.
As you play through the game you'll also garner points that can be used to buy stuff at the store. With these points you can unlock classic uniforms, special balls and classic players, plus various gameplay features like Perfect Difficulty, No Infringements and Turbo Mode. Having more stuff on the table would have definitely made this game a better package overall, but for the true soccer fan you'll find it more than acceptable.
In the end you have to ask yourself if it's worth picking and playing yet another FIFA 06 title. I guess the answer really depends on how into the sport you are. No doubt if you are craving some digital soccer you were disappointed with Road to the World Cup. This particular release fills the void of that title but to be honest it doesn't feel like a whole game. Yes the gameplay is great once you get accustomed to it and the World Cup is a hoot to play through, but the lack of other modes kind of hurts. Online play is a definite plus but it isn't really a selling point in this case.
Graphics:
FIFA 06: World Cup offers some very impressive visuals to satisfy your soccer craving. Most of the time the camera is panned to far back to really capture the beauty of the animation, but it looks just like a game on TV. Every player moves realistically and some of the more specialized moves are very fluid in execution compared to the motion of the player. Once something cool happens and the game gets up close and personal the graphics impress again with some spot on emotional reaction and attention to detail. If you played the last 360 FIFA game rest assured this one is much better looking.
Audio:
With a catchy soundtrack and great announcers this game keeps the all around atmosphere rolling. From the simple flow of the gameplay with the hum and chants of the crowd to the uproarious celebration of a goal, everything in this game kicks (pun intended). The eclectic soundtrack also does a great job of maintaining the upbeat attitude and fast paced nature of the sport. The Dolby Digital also does its part and adds to the excitement with a great technical presentation.
Conclusion:
If you found yourself with a sour taste in your mouth after playing Road to the World Cup then you'll definitely want to tackle EA's "apology"¯ release. Everything about FIFA 06: World Cup is better though I can't help but feel that instead of two separate releases we should have just received one solid package. That's roughly $120 you'd have spent on what should have been the same game. Not only that, the fact this version is $60 instead of $30 like the other console editions doesn't help matters either. Regardless, if you are a soccer hooligan looking for a game to sink your teeth into this is a semi-flawed but good package. I don't see it winning over a new audience but then the FIFA name speaks for itself.