FIFA 08
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 PS3 version:
- Kick-off: is your basic and easiest way to start a match. Select two teams, set player and CPU control, and game on!
- Be a Pro: Offline Training: 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.
- Tournament Mode: allows you to compete in over fifty different real world soccer tournaments.
- Create Tournament: allows you to custom build your own tournament league by specifying participants, elimination style, etc.
- 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 PS3 box. There are three modes, which allow for classic play, random scenarios, and random teams.
- Challenge Mode: has ten different regions to compete in various challenges. Each regional challenge has ten (except region 1, which has fifteen) different levels to play through. Each level is a match with specific objectives and fixed difficulty levels. Both the objectives and difficulty levels get tougher as the levels increase.
- Online Multi-player modes: The PS3 version has some great support for online multiplayer gaming. There are modes for ranked and unranked matches, as well as custom setup matches. There are also three new modes: "Interactive Leagues", play your team as real world leagues are played online, "Online Leagues", compete in online leagues with up to thirty-two players, and "Be A Pro: Online Team Play", have up to ten people compete in a match using the "Be A Pro" control style.
- Other features: In addition to the single- and multi-player modes, FIFA 08 offers online connectivity to get real life soccer news, player statistical information, create custom players, download squad files, unlock new extras (new kits, footballs, arenas, etc.), 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 great visuals and audio. While it is limited to 720p (the PS3 is capable of outputting 1080p), the graphics still look very good. Details are drawn well with character models, field details, menus, etc. The nd result is a clean and crisp look. It is really impressive to see how advanced gaming has gotten. The only real issue I had was the flow of the character models. For the most part they look fluid in motion, but there are occasions when it just looks clumsy. For audio, the game has solid play-by-play commentary.
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.