Product Description

A quality first touch is the key to success in FIFA 2005. With the all-new fluid player kinetic system, your reaction time translates directly into the speed of the world's greatest players.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11281 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Released on: 2004-10-08
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: Xbox
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
From the off, it's fair to concede that the world's best-selling action football game, FIFA 2005, hasn't changed an awful lot in the past twelve months. Those who bought the last version will be entirely familiar with the game's look and feel, and could rightly argue that once more this new version is an evolution at best. But it's still quite a good one. The FIFA series has, in recent times, got into the habit of adding one big new feature each year, with middling successes. Last year's, if you remember, was the impressive-but-tricky off the ball control. This year we get a simpler addition, but a far more effective one. It's the first touch option, and it genuinely can open the game up, whether you choose to use it for a quick pass or tighter control. And it works because it's straightforward--there's no endless messing around with buttons to get it moving.

The rest of the game attracts the usual annual pros and cons. Its presentation is second-to-none, and for a more attacking-focused game, you need look no further. What's more, the single player mode is substantial, and very long lasting. The downside is the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise which is, and remains, the choice of the hardcore gamer. Yet that doesn't mean there's not fun to be had with FIFA 2005. Quite the contrary, in fact. Every year, FIFA can be relied on to provide an entertaining, engrossing and long-lasting football game. Thus, whilst it might be in second place, and this latest release doesn't change that, it remains a strong and worthwhile runner-up.--Simon Brew

Manufacturer's Description
All great players have a great first touch and, thanks to EA Sports’ all-new fluid player kinetic system, the same is now true for FIFA Football 2005 users. This year, a player’s first touch becomes the ultimate gift to those who can think quickly and act fast to outsmart the opposition. A brand new animation system ensures that every button press is directly mirrored on the pitch, accurately reflecting the speed and vision of the world’s greatest players. Featuring more official team and league licenses than any other football game (including lower leagues from the most competitive European countries), an enhanced and extended Career Mode, EA Sports Online play for and an all-new Creation Zone that lets you customise new tournaments or even put yourself into the game, FIFA Football 2005 is the only complete, authentic and intelligent football experience.

Customer Reviews

Fifa finally comes good, kinda.
I'm happy to say that finally with the 2005 edition of Fifa EA have gone some way to making a decent football game. Every aspect of the 2004 experience has been improved as standard but most importantly the new 'first touch' gimmick actually works. No more passing to a player on the wing who almost immediately loses control of the ball and knocks it out, instead with a flick of the right thumb stick your player will turn with the ball not only keeping it but often creating space.

Many of the most overt problems inherent to the Fifa franchise have been addressed such as retarded goal keepers who can save one shot but always fumble the rebound, or the limited player stats that provided a completely inaccurate picture of a players skills. Some of these problems however remain, most notablely the inability of a team to press up on the opposition despite changing every single formation and tactic in the game. The somewhat useless 'off the ball' is still here although it's much easier to use the x button to cross. The players moves are also still very generic rather that the best players having signature moves as in Pro Evo.

This is without doubt the best Fifa since it's debut on the Megadrive in 1995, great graphics, wonderful player models, a ball that doesn't just stick to the players feet and EA's usual slick presentation. Fifa finally feels like your playing football despite some often poor player positioning and the player creation tool offers a interesting addition. The most anticipated feature however has to be Live play which by the way is excellent, the interfaces, options, and actual football all feel right and the Fifa sponsored world cup will attract I suspect a huge portion of the Live community.

The career mode has been vastly improved; featuring 15 seasons from the bottom leagues to the top, a champ man style simulator if you decide your opposition won't provide a challenge and much greater level of managerial options available. So a good Fifa game? In my opinion yes, better than any I've previously played but will it contend with Pro Evo 4 released on Nov 12th? Perhaps not but we'll see, oh and EA where the hell are the Dutch national team?

FIFA 2005
Having previously owned the FIFA football titles there was no way I was going to miss this one, especially as it is XBox Live enabled. On opening the game, I connected to XBox Live immediately and was very impressed with the wide range of features and options. There are chat rooms (you can create your own), a nice EA messenger facility and various competitions (you can create your own). After each game you can also have your stats emailed to you automatically. The game play online is very good. I played with a Man United fan this morning and we had a good laugh. It was very smooth and there was no sign of any lag. There wasn't many people online but that will change within a day or two when the game is officially released. Offline play is also very nice. Great graphics, smart tunes. This is the dogs. It's an improvement on previous formats and I would suggest you buy the game, especially if you are a fan of XBox live. I'll be trying Pro Evo when that is launched but the official Premier League licence is what makes FIFA 2005 more attractive to me.

Fifa 2005 & Pro Evo 4-
Fifa have improved so much on previous attempts, the first touch is the highlight of the game, but also United fans chaniting 'RUUD' when RVN scores a goal. Anyone else notice that? Also a purchaser of Pro Evo, admired the realistic gameplay above all. Its not as licenced as Fifa in autenticity but still at least they bothered to make a real face for Kaka. Fifa make them look like a monkey's. Few of the other key players they missed out on likeness include Fabregas, Edu, Heinze, King, Robben, Luis Garcia, Toure amongst others but yet could make likeness for EVERY South Korean player in the K League. The Carear mode in Fifa is fun, signed Vicente and Ballack to replace the retired players of Giggs and Keane. Dont know why Giggs decided to retire at the age of 32 tho. I prefer the night stadiums such as playing at places like Nou Camp, San Siro, Olimpico, Old Trafford, Santiago Bernabau et al at night gives a atmospheric touch to it. However, you have to earn the right for night stadiums by winning leagues and gaining points. 'Kudos'. Overall, the gameplay has improved beyond comprehension for Fifa and somehow Pro Evo has got better. You decide which one you prefer, Ill go for both, best of both worlds, Give Fifa the thumbs up and 5 stars.