2002 FIFA World Cup
You might be forgiven for believing that recent revelations about England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's private life would hold the key to the nation's success or failure in the greatest football tournament in the universe, whereas we all know that the real deciding factor is whether we can replicate England's 5-1 thrashing of the Germans in EA's latest PC soccer extravaganza. EA has for years dominated the sports end of the PC and console market and so sure are the folks there that this is going to be a mammoth hit, they've released it in no less than five formats (sorry Dreamcast fans - nothing for you, though). But every time they trot out another FIFA footie game, they always have to face the persistent vital questions - what's new from before, how authentic is it and is it fun to play? Well, the first impression you receive from the opening animation sequence is of colour, action and excitement - in other words, the essential elements that make the World Cup such a compulsive viewing experience. Cameras swoop across a packed Japanese stadium filled with flash cards, flash bulbs, streamers, giant flags and giant balloon figures as the players take to the field and the crowd roars on their approval. To add to the sense of occasion, there's an additional bonus section that contains a number of filmed reports that provide some in-depth background to the event. Interviews are included with people from different nations expressing their passion for the game (typical quote: "A Brazilian who doesn't like football isn't a Brazilian") and what it means to be a supporter of their nation's team. Further discussions cover the impact of the tournament on Japan and Korea, a documentary on creating the original score for the game as well as an examination of the varied playing styles of the countries in the finals. A Highlights Reel also provides a whistle-stop tour through the game's graphics and camera angles to give you a flavour of what's in store. The depth of the game is reflected in the large number of settings that can be altered both before and during each match. Match duration can last anything from 2 minutes to 45 and, during that time, bookings, offsides, injuries and fatigue can be switched on or off. Even the strictness of the referee can be controlled (i.e. random or defined) as well as the difficulty, game speed, player names and score display. All 20 stadiums are lovingly recreated, giving you a preview of the breathtaking construction that's gone into making this World Cup a truly memorable experience. Matches can be played under floodlights or normal daytime conditions (although there are no weather variations) and team statistics flash up before the start of play and the usual match facts at the end of each half (corners, fouls, attempts on goal, bookings, possession, etc.).
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