Electronic Arts' FIFA 08 is the latest in their popular soccer sports genre video game franchise. The 2008 installment has been released across multiple platforms, which include Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Personal Computer. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions feature an all-new next generation gaming engine that give FIFA a new experience in terms of game play and visuals. However, the other version stills offer gamers a solid soccer experience. This review covers the PS2 version. However, the review will include cover a comparison between PS2/PS3 versions and then dive into the PS2 specifics.

There a few differences between the PS2 and the PS3 versions. First, the PS2 graphics are stripped down to its high-definition counterpart. As such, the visual do not look very good and the game play does not appear as smooth or natural. On that note, the PS3 version still has its issues with "gracefulness". While the character models are pretty sharp looking, their movement sometime looks a little stiff. Referring back to the PS2 version; there is some good news about its limited visual capabilities. It has the capability for 480p progressive scan output. The 480p output is sharper, but still nowhere near as good as the PS3 version. Second, the PS3 version has a more support for online gaming. Third, the PS2 version is compatible with the PSP version. You can transfer "Manager Mode" saves to and from.

PS2/PS3 version aside, FIFA 08 has the right level of game play for a soccer game. For the most part, it plays out fluidly with easy to learn controls and an exciting gaming experience for soccer fans. Here is a breakdown of the different modes included for the PS2 version:

• Kick-off: is your basic and easiest way to start a match. There are three quick-play modes. "Classic" is the first and most basic mode. You select two teams, set player and CPU control, and game on! You can also try your feet at "Be A Pro", which is a new mode to the FIFA franchise. After selecting the teams, you can select a single player. You play the entire game with control of only that player and get rated on your performance. The goal, which should not be a surprise, is to be play a solid game and come out on top with your rating meter in the green. You lose rating points for bad tackles, losing the ball, etc. Whereas you get points for scoring goals, successful passes, etc. It is a pretty interesting mode and a nice twist, as it requires you to really think about your positioning and tactics. "Zone Play" is a mode similar to "Be A Pro" in that you are restricted by which players on the field you can control. The selection is set by zones: goalkeeper, defense, midfield, and strikers.
• Be A Pro: Co-Op Season: is like the "Kick Off" mode "Be A Pro", except you can play through an entire season with up to three friends.
• Manager Mode: is the mode where you put on the hat of general manager. You create a manager personality and lead a team (of your pick) through an entire season. You are required to consider team management, player growth, scout for new players, hire your staff (by hiring "upgraded" members), pick a sponsor, appease the fans and the board, and more. It is a fun way to lead your favorite team to the cup! You can also create custom players and "grow" them from inexperienced newcomers to full-fledged veterans.
• FIFA 08 Lounge: is a mode that allows you to play against your friends on the same box. There are three modes, which allow for classic play, random scenarios, and random teams.
• Tournament Mode: allows you to compete in over fifty different real world soccer tournaments. Or you can create your own custom tournament.
• Challenge Mode: has nine different regions to compete in various challenges. Each regional challenge has ten to twelve different challenges to complete. Each challenge is a match with specific objectives and fixed difficulty levels. Both the objectives and difficulty levels get tougher as the levels increase.
• Practice Mode: allows you to select a team and configure different options, such setting up a practice match, corner kicks, free kicks, etc.
• Online Multi-player modes: If your PS2 has the broadband Ethernet adapter and is connected to the Internet, you can play online against people across the globe. The PS2 version has some pretty good support for online multiplayer gaming. There is the option for ranked and unranked matches, as well as custom setup matches. You can also participate in "Interactive Leagues" -- play your team as real world leagues are played online.
• Other features: In addition to the single- and multi-player modes, FIFA 08 offers options to create custom players and teams, download squad files, unlock new extras (new kits, footballs, arenas, etc.), transfer Manager Mode saves to and from the Sony PlayStation Portable, and more.

Overall, FIFA 08 is a solid soccer game. The game play is pretty fluid and has good controls. However, there are a few things about the game that irks me to no end. For example, there are certain parts during the game where the CPU takes full control of your player -- moving them in a certain direction. If the opposing keeper takes control of the ball, players are automatically backed up. Or during a free kick if you try to violate the ten yard distance from the ball, the CPU will momentarily take control of the player. The AI control is also not always the most intelligent. There will be many times when CPU-controlled players near the ball will stand while the ball passes them by. To remedy, you have to act fast and select the right player in time to get them to move their butts! The default auto-player selection is also a little too sensitive. I had to take it down a notch because it kept changing the selected fielder too often.

As for the technical aspects, FIFA 08 has decent visuals and audio. In comparison to its HD-counterpart on the PS3, it is clearly not the best looking game. The players are blocky, the court textures are poorly defined, and the crowds are very generic. Heck, even the menus look fuzzy. I suppose if I had not seen the HD version I wouldn't be as critical, but the graphics of the PS2 version are very limited. The good news is that if you have a progressive scan capability, FIFA 08 can be outputted at 480p. While it is nowhere near as crisp and clean as 720p, it is much sharper than its non-progressive mode. For audio, the game has good play-by-play commentary. However, I enjoyed the PS3 announcers much more. They are much more lively.

Despite the game's few drawbacks in game play, the overall experience, as previously mentioned, is positive. FIFA 08 has a lot of diversity of its game play and offers an addictive, easy to learn experience for soccer fanatics. So, select your favorite team, create a persona in your image (if you like), and lead them to victory.