Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3324 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Released on: 2007-09-28
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review

The greatest battle of the new football season is not between any real world club but between the virtual giants of FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer. Konami’s game has always been the favourite but last year FIFA closed the gap to such a degree that the title race has never been closer. This year’s FIFA uses a completely new game engine, for the first time built specifically for the next gen consoles. But improved graphics and animation are only the half of it, with just as much focus going on the artificial intelligence thanks to the new "35 point decision engine". What this basically means is that every player on the pitch is fully aware of those around him and constantly thinking about tactics and position when not under your control.

Other changes include better modelled physics for taking a shot on goal, which take into account everything from air pressure to the angle of your foot. You’re also able to create your own special moves to replicate every possible trick from real life. There are also new game modes including Be A Pro which challenges you to play the role of a single player through a whole season or career. On top of this there are revamped online leagues to play a virtual season in the Premier League, Bundesliga, French League or Mexican 1st Division against real opponents. With 620 licensed teams, 30 offline leagues and 15,000 players as well FIFA might just have made enough new signings this year to put it over the top.

Manufacturer's Description
Get closer to the action than ever before by mastering the skills required to play like a real professional soccer player in FIFA 08.

Step into the boots of a professional player through a new mode called “Be A Pro: Co-op Season” that challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real professional soccer player--from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing. Step onto the field with your created player to play an entire game as that footballer, and develop him into an elite player over the course of the season. Never before have you been able to approach the game this way, improving your abilities one skill at a time just as if you were a pro. Play with up to three friends playing all fixed to their players on your favorite club, complete individual challenges to develop your player attributes and win glory for the squad, while competing with your friends to develop the best player by season’s end.

From the moment you step on the pitch, FIFA Soccer 08 challenges you to think and react like a real soccer player by giving you complete control over all of the action. New manual controls enable you to dictate the play with control over through-passing and crossing. Control the goalkeeper in one-on-one situations to deny the striker yourself. Take ultimate control over your defenders with new manual controls that enable you to use the right-stick to quickly switch defenders and choose exactly who you want to control when defending. Plus, now it is more strategic to break down the opposition than ever before with new defensive and positioning logic that ensures players are in the right place at the right time, constantly considering all threats and opportunities.

Intelligently manage your club by preparing for each specific opponent using new custom formations. Design your own unique strategy to create the perfect formation and tactics. Assign roles and move players to the exact position in relation to teammates to undermine the opposition.

FIFA Soccer 08 on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system introduces Online Football Clubs that enable you to form your own group of like-minded soccer fans to take on all challengers online (Internet connection required for online play). Gain status among the online community by helping your Football Club climb the rankings. Win more points based on the importance of the match when playing Interactive Leagues or challenging other Football Clubs to a grudge-match tournament.

Customer Reviews

FIFA 07 + lots more features = an amazing game
FIFA 07 was an absolutely oustanding game and everyone should know that. It's so good to see EA use the "if it's not broken, don't fix it" strategy, and it means that FIFA 08 is also an oustanding game. they have kept all of the wonderful parts of 07 such as the Manager Mode, customization features, challenge mode and all of the unlocks. They have even kept the same menu screen style becasue it's pretty and they work.

So what did EA do all this time??

Well, they have added loads more teams including the Irish and Australian leagues, boosting some already impressive stats on the number of teams and players. They have updated all the transfers, so Liverpool fans have Torres and Man Utd can enjoy having Tevez etc.

But for the me it's the "Be a pro mode" that is truly brilliant. I read a review on another site about this being a "Mickey Mouse" addition to the game, but they couldn't be more wrong. We're all so used to controlling everything in the gameplay, every player, every move etc. But now you are on your own. Create you as a player and control only him. Just as in real life the rest of the team play their game and you play yours. Call for the ball, make your own runs and so on. This is so cool and so much fun it's hard to stop playing. I love this new game mode.

The gameplay also feels much harder now. Even on the easy difficulty levels it is so much harder to get a goal and the keepers are very intelligent. The 'trick stick' technique brought in from SSX is also a great new add to FIFA 08. Use the right-stick to do all the skill moves etc. With Ronaldo, there's no stopping your step-overs!!

It definitely feels as though EA have tried to copy or at least compete more with pro evo. As another reviewer corrdctly states, the button controls have changed to similar controls as pro evo, and the gameplay is very similar, just less arcadey and more realistic in FIFA, which i definitely prefer.

FIFA 07 was awesome and FIFA 08 is even better. There's so much to do, it's so much more fun and more difficult. I love FIFA 08 and I think you will too.

Pro Evo Fans
Myself I am not a fan of Pro Evo so I am probably not the best person to judge which game is better. All I wish is that people who obviously prefer one or the other would not write reviews unless they had something to say other than 'FIFA SUCKS BUY PRO EVO'. With that out the way I can begin my review.

Fifa 08 has given a more realistic touch to football games. I don't know why this is but here are some of the things that I feel must have helped. These are the 35 point system (players actually being aware where they are and what they're supposed to do), the crowd noise (when you are at home and winning the crowd really gets behind you) and the improved shooting system, giving you a feeling of achievement when you score a goal.

Overall Fifa 08 has really improved on its previous editions not only in obvious sections such as graphics and animations but also in game modes. Be a Pro mode is a very fun part of the game. It allows you to take a player (who you can create) through an entire season. This can be done on your own or with some friends who you can compete with. Another improvement is on the manager mode, giving you more to do than just select a team each week and manage the finances.

In short Fifa 08 is a very fun game that has come on leaps and bounds from past versions. It is has turned a video game into a game of football, which can only get better in future years. If you are considering whether to get this game or Pro Evo I would suggest to ignore most of the reviews that are written and to make the decision on your own comparing features of both games. The only true way to decide which game is better is to play both of them and not to just guess because of its name.

pro evo
there are many reasons why people say not to buy fifa games. the first is the graphics. They aren't the best but then again, you can tell they are people, it looks like football does when you watch it on TV so what is the problem. Pro evo buyers seem to make a lot of heckle about fifa, well this is my retort, on fifa you can play premiership teams (with their names :) ) champiosnhip teams, league 1 and league 2. plus the french, spanish, italian, german, korean and american leagues. and there are probably some i am leaving out. One thing that has always bugged me, (and this the reason me and most of my friends dont play pro evo) is the names. With out a map book how am i to know that merseyside red and liverpool, and merseyside blue are everton. Plus i dont support a championship team, so there is no point in buying pro evo anyway. Until pro evo does all the things fifa does alreasy (and better i might add) it is a pilfling excuse for a candidate for comparison.