Leave it to EA
Sports to help introduce a new gaming system with its own brand of excellent
sports titles. The Xbox 360 is here and it’s every bit as good as we imagined it
would be and with its launch we’re seeing some EA Sports games that range from
Madden NFL to NBA Live. Thankfully soccer fans haven’t been left out and FIFA
06: Road to FIFA World Cup is here to show off the power of Microsoft’s new
console. Then again it might just disappoint those fans who think it’s the same
experience as FIFA Soccer 06 for the original Xbox only with a visual upgrade.
As the subtitle
suggests, however, this version is more an endorsement for the upcoming 2006
World Cup that will be held in Germany. Road to FIFA World Cup features various
international teams that all have the chance to qualify for the World Cup and
eventually play the games that will lead to the winning of the prestigious prize
every soccer-crazed country hopes to win. Oh it’s a glorious path to the World
Cup and this version of FIFA Soccer 06 skips straight to the heart of the matter
with Road to FIFA World Cup, a game mode that follows your favorite team all the
way to the World Cup finals.
Unfortunately,
though, concentrating on the road to the World Cup means you’ll have to say
goodbye to other game modes like Manager Mode and features like FIFA Lounge or
soccer league teams. What you’re left with is the standard Friendly Match mode,
Create a Tournament mode and Road to FIFA World Cup. Together these losses make
the game feel like an incomplete version of our favorite soccer franchise but if
you’re already turned off by this you’ll be happy to know that all is not bad.
When it comes to the actual gameplay, Road to FIFA World Cup isn’t bad at all.
There’s even a soccer mini-game during load times (that are quick, by the way)
that feature your favorite team. It’s a great idea that should be implemented
more often in EA Sports games.
For starters the
game feels right at home on the Xbox 360 controller and while that doesn’t say
much you’ll be happy to know that the game plays even better on the new system.
Long gone are the brief pauses you’ll find in the PS2 version and while the game
felt good on the original Xbox its flow is even smoother on the 360. That means
the match will only be interrupted by the half-time marker or the end of the
match. The control scheme is accessible and performing fake shots or marking
players works exquisitely. You’ll even make some great on-the-fly tactics as
well as well as taking advantage of stoppages in play to change formations,
select a kicker or come up with better tactics with the use of the directional
pad. The new shoulder LB and RB buttons are used wonderfully as well and far
better than the black and white button of the original Xbox controller. In other
words, when it comes to control the news system handles it just as good if not
better than the Xbox … it’s also quite fun.
Secondly the
opponent AI is great enough that the opposing team doesn’t fall for the same
tricks twice nor will they stand idly by as you work your way across the field.
They’ll do their best to match your defensive and offensive plays and will even
mark your best player according to their performance during a match. Make no
changes to your tactics or formation and your opponents will take advantage and
dominate you easily. Like the other console’s FIFA Soccer 06, this version will
keep you nicely challenged. Even the ref isn’t eager to pass out the red cards
like past FIFA Soccer games.
Road to FIFA
World Cup features an impressive lineup of international teams and a few
outrageous omissions that fans of teams like Bolivia or Canada will certainly
have problems with during the team selection. Secondly the lineup is a bit
questionable. For example, where is Mexico’s Blanco? These few problems aside,
you’ll be leading your teams through qualifying matches that will lead to the
nail-biting match for first and second place in the World Cup finals. You’ll
have all the powerhouse teams like Argentina, Brazil, France and Italy just to
name a few and their skills will certainly add plenty of challenges. You can
also create your own tournament with the Create a Tournament mode so you have
full control of what teams you’d like in the tournament.
Graphically,
Road to FIFA World Cup is not the best example of the amazing Xbox 360 visuals.
Its soft lighting and detailed arena look much like the Xbox version and that is
quite a disappointment for those looking for real eye candy. Then again the
player models look amazingly detailed and their faces during close-ups or
replays will not fail to impress. Star players look so astonishingly like the
real players that it’s scary.
The game’s
sound, much like the other versions of the game, is still just as good. The
game’s healthy collection of international music features songs from artists
like Linea 77, Oasis, Jamiroquai and Yerba Buena just to name a few. The color
and play-by-play commentary by Andy Gray and Martin Tyler is not only
on-the-spot but they also make some insightful commentary. The stadium sounds
are excellent as well.
FIFA 06: Road to
FIFA World Cup for the Xbox 360 might not be as perfect as the other console
versions of the game but does manage to be a worthwhile game for fans of the
sport. Its lack of variety in the game mode department will turn off those
gamers who love the FIFA Soccer series but at least it plays well enough to keep
soccer fans busy until next year’s game. Try renting this one before purchasing
it.
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Gameplay: 8.5
Thankfully the
game’s controls are solid enough to keep the action running smoothly and with
decent opponent AI the matches are quite challenging. The unfortunate removal of
favorite game modes is a great loss. At least the 360 control scheme works
beautifully and Road to FIFA World Cup mode is decent game mode.
Graphics: 7.5
It’s not quite
the giant leap forward in next generation visuals but the graphical differences
between this and the original Xbox are certainly noticeable. The player models,
for instance, look sharper and the faces are incredibly detailed but the soft
lighting just doesn’t work. The stadium looks great but it’s nothing we haven’t
seen before with the original Xbox.
Sound: 8.5
The massive
song list from the other console versions of FIFA Soccer 06 is present and
accounted for and you’ll still find quite a healthy collection of world tunes.
The color and play-by-play commentary are handled beautifully and the stadiums
really sound alive with noise.
Difficulty:
Medium
The AI is
still as sharp as ever so be prepared to keep on your toes and tighten your
defense. While not incredible accurate (it’s hard to imagine Peru outshining
powerhouses like France), the game does do justice to the amazing playing
ability of stars like Brazil’s Ronaldinho or the UK’s Beckham.
Concept: 7.0
With the loss
of various different game modes and international teams, this really doesn’t
feel like a complete FIFA Soccer game. Even the unlockable extras are dismal and
the Create A Team or player creation is gone. The load screen match featuring
your favorite team is a brilliant idea and Xbox Live somehow feels a lot better
on the Xbox 360.
Multiplayer:
8.0
Online the
game moves at a speed that will make you think the second player is sitting
right there next to you. You can play a custom match or a match that doesn’t
count the win or loss so your rank will not change. Overall, it’s great to see
the new console handle Xbox Live the way it was meant to be played.
Overall: 7.5
If you’re
looking for a soccer game that shows off the power of the Xbox 360 then FIFA 06
will disappoint. Road to FIFA World Cup does shine in many aspects that still
makes this a game to own if you love the game of soccer but with the loss of
some favorites you best wait until next year when EA Sports finally does or
favorite soccer franchise right.
