Hands-On: FIFA Soccer 2005
Can you handle more soccer action? How about online soccer action?
As the road to the next World Cup continues, FIFA Soccer 2005 tweaks and upgrades to prepare.
First Touch
The funny thing about new features in sports games is that you always wonder why it?s taken so long for some developer to have figured it out. In FIFA Soccer 2005, the big focus is on a quality first touch?a skill that separates the greats from the just average. In the past, you receive a pass from a teammate then either shoot, pass, or dribble. The basics of that haven?t changed; the effectiveness of your next move is what?s different. Better players can keep the ball away from the defense and position the ball for a good shot more easily. Used in conjunction with an improved version of last year?s Off the Ball control, you can begin to mount some serious attacks.
The early preview version does indeed reveal a pronounced difference in the animation and skill set of great players. It doesn?t take as much to protect the ball and quick passes are more precise. One aspect that takes getting used to is the way the momentum of the ball and players is handled this year. It looks realistic, but makes the action a trifle harder to control.
Visuals also are closer to real life with character models that edge nearer to their human inspiration.
Online Groove
FIFA was playable online last year for the PlayStation 2, but this year gamers can enjoy this function on both PS2 and Xbox. Online modes were not available to test just yet, but look for info on that once the upcoming reviews see print.
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