There you are, sitting at
the bus stop, waiting for your ride to arrive, when suddenly it hits you: the
wait would be so much easier if you had FIFA Soccer 2005, a PlayStation 2, a
13-inch screen, and an exceptionally large power source. What a dream.
The only current
alternative to lugging 100+ pounds of equipment everywhere you go is the Game
Boy Advance, a console that has tons of great games, but lacks in the PS2-to-GBA
port department.
The lack thereof will
never end, but you can end your boredom (and your quest for great soccer
wherever, whenever) with FIFA Soccer 2005 for the Game Boy Advance. It looks
prettier, plays better, and controls with more precision than last year’s
addition.
Off the top of the new
features list is the through ball pass, one-two pass, and goalkeeper charge.
Through ball has been in console soccer games for a while now, so it’s about
time that the Game Boy Advance version has adopted the pass. With it you can
pass the ball to a teammate who may run onto the ball. It won’t stop play, not
even for a second, since the players don’t have to kick it forward before they
can gain control of it.
One-two pass is another
way to change who has control of the ball without interruption. Hold the B
button to play a one-two with a teammate, then direct a pass in his direction.
After doing so you should receive the ball without failure.
FIFA’s career mode has
been reinforced with five straight seasons of domestic and international
matches. What this really means is that you’re getting the same career mode as
before, except that this time it’s longer and has more opponents.
The tiny visuals of FIFA
Soccer 2005 will dazzle most GBA players. Individual faces can’t be seen, nor
can player uniforms or other details you’ve come to expect from console sports
games. I didn’t have any problems telling my players apart though. Their
animations are distinct, changing when necessary with the ball and its
location. From afar FIFA 2005 doesn’t look too spectacular, but get up close to
it and all the hard work the developers put into it begins to reveal itself. It
truly is one of the better-looking sports games for the GBA.
The Challenge mode has
become a staple for Electronic Arts, from NASCAR to Madden to virtually other
sports game they’ve made. Now the Challenge is making its way into FIFA Soccer.
In Comeback, players get
the chance to take on several recent (and a few not-so-recent) matches where the
team you’re playing as is expected to lose. They’re down by at least a couple
of points and don’t have very much time left. In reality, the dying team made a
comeback and won the game – your goal is to keep it that way.
Rout Challenges aren’t
much different. Win the game to keep history consistent with what the record
books say. Lose the game to changes what the books say to something less
favorable.
This feature, although
fun, rarely influences my decision to buy a game. I’m not opposed to facing
sports legends, it’s just not a huge draw for me. With this game you’re not
going to get the same kind of experience that you’d get from the console
version, which is solely due to the 2D graphics. Not being able to see player
faces takes away from the sense that you’re facing someone important.
If this were the Olympics I’d be shouting, "Gooooooooooooal!"
Whether you like the
Challenge mode or not, FIFA Soccer 2005 is the premiere soccer game for the Game
Boy Advance. It’s faster and more intelligent than all of its direct
competitors. The new features don’t necessarily warrant a purchase for every
gamer out there, but they’ll entice you to get the new version anyway. Gamers
who must have every update of their favorite sports series will not be
disappointed. FIFA 2005 takes the next step forward in the evolution of the
genre, breaking slightly new ground for a portable console that’s anything but
new. You’ll see better technological and gameplay innovations from EA when the
Nintendo DS launches. Until then, FIFA 2005 is the soccer game to score with.
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Gameplay: 8
Lengthy and hard
to master, FIFA Soccer 2005 has enough kicking power to knock the teeth right
out of your mouth. The new Challenge mode might not be a draw for me, but EA
keeps adding them to their games, so I’m pretty certain that someone is
requesting them. No matter what the Challenge mode means more entertainment
value. It’s something to do when you’re not battling for victory in the
enhanced Career mode.
Graphics: 7.5
Animation is very
important to a sport game’s success. Great gameplay can win over the hearts of
most gamers in any other genre. But if you make a sports game and the players
don’t move realistically, don’t count on pleasing anyone.
Of course, EA is the king
of great graphics. Do any of their sports games look bad? Technologically,
FIFA 2005 is not what I’d call "advanced," but it’s a definite improvement for
the GBA. Individual player animations mean you’ll never have to squint to see
who’s doing what, or to see who has the ball.
Sound: 7
Mostly
repetitive. GBA sound limitations limit the soundtrack to only a few songs,
none of which sound as clear as the sound in Nintendo and Majesco’s GBA video
cartridges.
Difficulty: Medium
Easy to learn,
not-so-easy to master. FIFA Soccer 2005 is the most polished version yet,
requiring more skill and dedication from the player, making it the perfect game
to sink your cleats into.
Concept: 7
Prepared like
quality fast food (if there is such a thing anymore), FIFA Soccer 2005 was made
just the way you like it, with more of everything and new tastes to satisfy your
appetite.
Multiplayer: 7
Overall: 8
Imagine for a
minute that I am a lawyer. FIFA Soccer 2005 is on trial for being an
entertaining piece of software. You’re the jury, and it’s up to you whether or
not this game gets a favorable verdict. I turn to you and speak. "The evidence
will show that FIFA Soccer 2005 has new features, features that are worthy of
your examination. The evidence will show that FIFA Soccer 2005 is a good and
decent, reliable game. It wouldn’t leave you stranded at the bus stop, unlike
some other games."
The District Attorney
stands up, "Objection!"
The judge sustains his
objection.
I continue. "The
evidence will show that at the time of its release, FIFA Soccer 2005 was
entertaining gamers. The evidence will show that this is the best soccer game
on the market. It’s even better than last year’s addition!"
"Ladies and gentlemen of
the jury, when you go back into that room, ask yourself this question: Do I want
what’s best for my Game Boy Advance? Or should I leave this room and settle for
whatever game falls into my lap?"
