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While soccer remains unpopular as a spectator sport in the United States, video game versions of the sport have always garnered great interest. The sport makes its first appearance on the GameCube in the form of FIFA Soccer 2002, and what a great release it is. The largest improvement is in the game's controls. In previous versions, passing was horribly inaccurate and the idea of working the ball down the field with passes was ludicrous. With the addition of a power gauge along with better directional control, each pass goes where you intend it. Another addition, player runs, aids in ball movement as computer players try to create openings. There are many other little touches that make this one of the deepest control schemes I've played, yet it works beautifully. Defensive controls have also been cleaned up. Before the hard tackle was practically unusable as it would always draw a foul, but now it is much easier to connect with the ball and not the player. While controls are where the greatest improvement occurred, it is also where the greatest weakness lies. The header controls are sloppy giving the computer practically all contested air balls. Most of the time this is minor, but if they get the ball into the penalty area it becomes deadly as it is all but an automatic goal. While control is the most important factor in a sports game, difficulty may be next in determining how valuable the game is. Most sports games feature a ridiculously easy beginner setting (as FIFA does) but most games make an extreme AI jump in the higher levels to make the game practically impossible. It's as if the computer is cheating to get the advantage. Without close competition there will be no appeal and these games quickly become boring or frustrating. FIFA manages to increase the difficulty gradually and simply by making the computer smarter. On the higher difficulty levels they turn the ball over less, play tighter defense, and take advantage of opportunities they may have missed on lower levels. Because it is simply a matter of skill and not luck, they can be countered with a secure defense and an equal offense. By making each game exciting, it is hard to tire of FIFA 2002. The wealth of game modes present also helps to extend the replay. FIFA features sixteen national leagues, club, and international events. Rewards wait for those who complete these modes in the form of even more competitions. Aside from the obvious absence of the actual World Cup, the gameplay has many different settings to it also. Graphically this game is an obvious port as it lacks the clarity of original Gamecube games, but FIFA still looks nice and runs smoothly. The music is excellent with a varied selection featuring actual big group bands like gorrilaz and others. A neat addition to the game is a DVD-special features like section with a tutorial, a very funny outtake clip, and other such bonus gems. As a fan of soccer, I'm glad the effort is finally being taken by EA to make a game that captures the sport's excitement and allows it to be played realistically. I'm still waiting for a combination of this gameplay and the depth of a managerial sim such as Championship Manager, but for now, FIFA 2002 works admirably. OVERALL:8.0/10 |
