FIFA and
PlayStation. The two go together like Grand Theft Auto and violence. FIFA has
proved to be the number-one soccer franchise for game consoles, especially on
PlayStation 2.
Things
changed with the release of FIFA 06 for PlayStation Portable. Despite being
made for the most powerful handheld available, the PSP version could not
achieve the success of its predecessors. The players were too small, the
controls were weak, and the single-player modes weren’t that addictive.
This year
the series returns to make things right with greatly improved gameplay, and
superior ball control. The game modes are more involved (and more diverse),
and that special something that makes FIFA the king of soccer is deeply
prevalent.
Kick-Off
FIFA 07
opens up with an updated presentation. The menus are slicker, bolder – more
like the windows you see popping up in next-gen sports titles. Selections move
instantly from one to the next, without any unnecessary loading in between.
Pre-game load times are slightly faster than the average PSP title, another
plus. These are minute details that have little effect on the big picture, but
it just goes to show how much the developers put into the advancement of each
facet.
At first
glance the improvements appear to have ended there. The graphics haven’t
changed much, misleading the player into thinking this is going to be a
rehash. But the controls and feel of the game have not been neglected. Most of
the development time was spent making sure that FIFA 07 is as close as
possible to the current-gen versions.
This fact is
instantly recognized the first time you control your team. Player movement is
tighter and can be influenced more naturally. Shot orchestration is exciting,
rewarding, and most importantly, doable. Passing is close to the PS2 version.
Handling the ball, faking, dodging, and sliding for a steal – these moves are
right where they should be.
FIFA 07’s
Manager Mode is all but a carbon copy of the PS2 version. This was done on
purpose to keep the series consistent across all platforms and to ensure a
smooth transition between the PSP and PS2 versions. Players can jump back and
forth between the two versions without interruption. Start a new Manager Mode
on either console and play a few matches. Those of you who have played a
console version will recognize the layout, statistics, manager selection,
sponsorship opportunities, management options, etc. Most of the options and
features are exactly the same.
Players will
be able to upgrade their scouts and coaches, as well as their management and
medical staff. Upgrades cost a lot of money, the bare minimum being $120,000 –
a large chunk of your budget. However, your starting budget is dependant on
the team you decide to sign with, just as the number of wins and the chosen
sponsor will affect how much money you have later on. Further upgrades can go
up into the millions, preventing a losing team from increasing their position.
Coming home
after a long commute? Connect your PSP to your PS2 using a USB cable. Upload
the save file you’ve created on PSP to your PS2 and you’ll be able to continue
your game on that console. When you have to leave, you can use this system
link feature again to upload your PS2 progress to your PSP. The game can be
shifted back and forth between the consoles as much as necessary.
(Note: While
I am all but certain this feature will work fine in the retail versions of
FIFA 07, it did not work with my debug review builds. Uploading to PSP caused
the PSP to crash; uploading to PS2 caused that system to crash. I attempted to
upload content to both systems numerous times, and with different USB cables.
They crashed every time.)
Mini
Madness
I wasn’t a
big fan of the ball-juggling mini-game introduced in FIFA 06, but it has grown
on me this season. Playing with the PSP turned sideways (to give you a long
vertical view of the action), the goal is to press the proper directional
button just as the ball is about to hit your player’s knee, foot, or head.
You’ll know when to push the button by studying the ball as it drops into the
colored circles. Once lined up, it’s time to push the indicated button. Do
well and you’ll earn points that can be cashed in for new balls, stadiums,
kits, and other bonuses (including a Rooney interview).
Another
quick, handheld-specific mini-game option is Wall Attack. Control the kicker
as you’re served balls and attempt to knock out pieces of the wall. The wall
begins with a 4×4 lineup of blocks. Striking them is not too challenging, with
most being hit just by pressing the X button when the ball approaches. Clear
this stage and the wall becomes more complex, dividing its pieces into smaller
chunks every couple stages.
Knock one
block out and that row drops down. This doesn’t seem like a big deal until the
blocks take on more than one color. Then you realize: this looks a little like
Tetris, doesn’t it? Consecutively eliminate blocks of the same color for extra
points and faster stage advancement.
Colors
aren’t the only thing you have to contend with. You’ll also have to worry
about the various markings pasted onto some of the blocks, which create a
shield that must be hit twice to eliminate.
The ball
aiming physics for this mini-game are great. Use the X button for standard
kicks; press and hold the circle button to reach the highest blocks. Timing is
everything. How long it takes you to hit each block, and the time you spend
charging kicks will determine the length and point total of every game.
Those of you
who purchased FIFA 06 for PSP – I feel for you. But a year has passed now.
It’s time to move onto bigger and better things, namely FIFA 07. This is what
the first game should’ve been, cramming much of the great PS2 gameplay into a
convenient, handheld package.
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Gameplay: 8.1
FIFA 07 is the
closest the series has gotten to providing a console-perfect experience on a
handheld. The controls are silky-smooth, most of the features are the same as
the PS2 version, and passing is accurate and not at all difficult to perform
with the PSP’s pseudo thumbstick. Gameplay is fast and exciting without losing
the series’ simulation status. Anyone who knows the FIFA series on PS2 will be
at home with this game.
Graphics: 6.0
Not a huge
improvement over last year’s game. FIFA 07’s mini-games and non-interactive
close-ups are marginally eye-catching. The game itself is once gain littered
with tiny, low-res, low-polygon character models that don’t have much detail.
They are very well animated, but have no individual meaning. Squint all you
want – you still won’t be able to tell players apart. You can see who has the
ball…I guess that’s something.
Sound: 6.7
The sound quality
is great. Players can import their own tracks and play them through the game,
customizing the listener’s experience. However, the in-game music (mostly
Euro-pop) and sound effects are not that different from the PS2 version. In
fact, there appears to be fewer songs in this version, and definitely
less commentary.
Difficulty: Medium
FIFA 07 steps up
its game, offering more challenges that are worth taking on. The length of
each game ensures some longevity, while the difficulty of select
opponents ensures real longevity.
Concept: 7.9
More than a step
in the right direction. Though Sony has had better luck pushing polygons with
their World Tour Soccer games, it seems EA can’t yet produce a stunning soccer
with a high camera angle. That said, FIFA 07 is much more enjoyable than FIFA
06. The graphics are similar, but the gameplay, controls, functionality,
presentation, mini-games and other offerings are closer to what I wanted from
the start.
Multiplayer: 8.0
Ad hoc and
infrastructure gaming returns. The difference with FIFA 07 is that this time
you’ll want to participate.
Overall: 8.0
Hands down, FIFA
07 is one of the best PSP sports titles of the year. Its content can’t be
beat. The controls are top-notch, bridging the gap between console and
handheld gameplay.
