FIFA 2003 Soccer: It
isn't quite perfect, but the latest FIFA game is a refreshing and
compelling step ahead in a series that's known for its quality.
As
we've seen both in 1998 and this year, EA Sports generally tries to
take full advantage of the World Cup, and how much interest it generates
in the sport of soccer, by releasing not one, but two soccer games in a
year. And now, just five months after 2002 FIFA World Cup comes FIFA
Soccer 2003. The latest edition of this decade-old franchise is perhaps
the most intriguing in some time, highlighting the tactical battles of
the real-life sport and at least partially abstaining from the slam-bang
superhuman action of past versions. Make no mistake, the pace can still
be inordinately fast unless you choose to slow it down, but this may
well be the FIFA that hard-core fans have been waiting for.
After each goal, FIFA 2003 superimposes the team logos and current score onto the pitch.
Presumably
since EA Sports has already covered international competition in its
earlier game, 2002 FIFA World Cup, FIFA Soccer 2003 focuses on club
competition. However, its scope is absolutely huge, encompassing 450
teams from around the world and more than 10,000 individual players,
each modeled after real-life counterpart. You can choose from globally
renowned powerhouses such as Real Madrid, North American Major League
Soccer teams such as the San Jose Earthquakes, or somewhat less-renowned
franchises like Korea's Pusan Icons.
The
game also features the complete 40-squad international roster from this
year's World Cup competition, more than two-dozen gorgeous and
purportedly accurate stadiums, and a full allotment of home and away
uniforms (and additional "alternate" kits where applicable) for each and
every team. Play modes include one-off skirmishes, league seasons, and
authentic and custom cup competitions and tournaments. Skilled players
have an opportunity to unlock even more tourneys and stadiums by proving
themselves worthy on the pitch.
This
time around, EA Sports has opted for a deceptively minimalist user
interface that makes it easy for rookies to jump right in without being
assaulted by a barrage of information screens and choices, but the
interface seems poorly designed for veterans who feel the need to tweak
and customize. Furthermore, most menus tend to look comparatively rough,
with little of the flash and high-end options you might expect from an
EA Sports game. Particularly frustrating are the small arrow-shaped
icons used to advance forward and move back; they're difficult to locate
and hard to activate once you do see them. It's not a completely minor
issue either, because these annoying little arrows are used throughout
all of FIFA 2003, even for the in-game menu system.
One
interesting amenity that you won't even find in the game but can
download free of charge is the official "FIFA creation center," a nifty
utility that lets you create new players, customize their physical
attributes and soccer skills, concoct new kits with predesigned or
personalized artwork, modify competitions, and even construct your own
logos and banners. It's certainly great, but it should have been
included in the game right out of the box.
But
FIFA 2003's most important feature is its increased focus on a
realistic playing experience. In that respect, EA has significantly
tweaked a number of gameplay elements to reward those who calculate
their movements in advance, devise pass-based attacks, and use every
single button and button combination at their disposal. It has also
devised a game with substantially fewer offside calls, and that's good
news for everybody.
In
FIFA 2003, you can't always rely on the good old speed-burst option to
pull you through. In fact, speed bursts are nothing like they were
previously. When you hit the jets, your players will take a moment or
two just to get up to speed. They'll also take at least that long to
slow down again at the end of the burst, and they'll also have a lot
less control over the ball while they're in the process of speeding. To
make matters worse, the defender marking your runner will dog him every
step of the way, most often closing ground simply because he doesn't
have to worry about dribbling a soccer ball. Clearly, the speed burst is
much more realistic than it was in previous games.
Scoring
a goal in FIFA 2003 is similarly more challenging. You'll no longer
pull off amazing on-target blasts by simply touching the shoot button
and letting go of your movement key or gamepad. Now, you're forced to
point your striker directly at the net and punch the shoot button in
precisely the right spot or face a string of missed opportunities.
Snapping one wide from even a scant 20 feet out is a distinct
possibility. In addition, goaltenders now stray well off their lines to
cover the entire penalty area, and they sometimes go beyond. It doesn't
help that the game still tends to direct too many shots toward goalposts
just to keep the score close, though in FIFA 2003, you'll get less of a
sense that the game has decided the final score in advance than in
previous games.
With the aid of FIFA's new metering system, Roberto Carlos lines up a potentially dangerous free kick.
FIFA
2003 is certainly a more difficult game to master than its predecessor
was. More players touch the ball via deflections, bump passes, blocks,
and missed passes, and that calls for quicker reactions and better
planning. Even gathering in a high ball on the touchline involves more
precision and skill. Fortunately, EA Sports has included a number of
complex advanced maneuvers and aids designed for those who want to take
the time to master them.
The
most obvious of these new features is FIFA's metering system. Though
it's used for different purposes in different situations, FIFA 2003's
meter works much like the swing meter in a PC golf game; it indicates
the velocity or direction of your upcoming pass or shot and ultimately
gives you more control over the proceedings. Advanced players will also
want to experiment with the game's new freestyle control feature, which,
when used properly, coaxes a variety of unique and often thrilling
signature moves from star performers.
Back
for a return engagement in the announcer's booth is quintessential
soccer broadcaster and FIFA series veteran John Motson. Together with
former Scottish football star and FIFA newcomer Ally McCoist, who serves
a satisfactory first-time stint as color commentator, Motson is
typically brilliant. His verbiage is believable and wide-ranging, and
his delivery is impeccable. In fact, the commentary is so seamless that
you may sometimes wonder if Motson and McCoist have set up shop inside
your computer.
With
FIFA 2003, EA Sports has proven it will finally take a few risks by
varying the formula behind the world's number one soccer game. In so
doing, it has produced a considerably more challenging and complex
affair that should stand the test of time better than its predecessors.
It isn't quite perfect, but the latest FIFA game is a refreshing and
compelling step ahead in a series that's known for its quality.
