Fifa 08 XBox 360 Review - www.impulsegamer.com -

EA once again rewrites the definitive console soccer game in their latest incarnation of the extremely popular soccer series, Fifa. Featuring more control, next generation graphics and a variety of new gameplay features, there's little excuse not to buy this title, even if you're not a soccer fan.

Features

Clinical Finishing - A true next-generation ball-striking engine calculates shot success by combining an almost infinite number of different contexts, including ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, and even air pressure to recreate the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting.
Intelligent - Now featuring AI with a 35-point decision engine which enables players to process 1,000 potential options and reactions every second in real time -- more than 60,000 options every minute -- via a dynamic ‘Threat Map’ system to capture the excitement and realism of.
Be a Pro: Offline Training - Think and react like a real professional player. Play the entire game as a fixed player while getting real time feedback and analysis on the fly. A unique camera angle keeps both player and action in focus, zooming in when you’re on attack.
Pro Skills - A new, organic building-block system enables you to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars or define your own style of play. Animations can be interrupted at any time to transition into a new move, just like real life.
Manual Controls - Dictate the play with new manual controls for through-passing and crossing. Now use the right-stick to quickly switch defenders and choose exactly who you want defending, when you want him.
Online Leagues - Create and organize your own multiplayer Friends Leagues and tournaments with all the tools in-game.
EA SPORTS Interactive Leagues: - Represent your club online against your rivals throughout the season in the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League or Mexican 1st Division. Features weekly in-game pod casts by the development team.
Video Upload: Capture your best goals and highlights in-game and bring them online for the world to see. Upload your highlights to the FIFA 08 website to create the ultimate highlight reel to prove the stories you are telling your friends are all true. Because without the footage, it’s fiction.
Real World News - Receive up-to-the-minute news and podcasts from media outlets, including ESPN Net.
Complete Authenticity - Dramatically more authentic and exhilarating with 620 licensed teams, 30 official leagues, and more than 15,000 players.
Tournament Mode - Play 60 tournaments, including 35 officially licensed ones, or create one of your own.
INTERNET CONNECTION required for online play

Jumping straight down to the graphics, we could not believe just how amazing the graphics look in this latest incarnation of Fifa, especially on a HD TV which is almost a must to really appreciate the title.

The camera angles are also a first class experience and in a normal match, with the camera in its default position, the game looks stunning and would fool non-gamers into thinking they are actually watching a real-life football match.

The game is perhaps the closest the industry has ever got to achieving a photo realistic virtual game of football. The player animations are also amazing, whether it's the player shielding the ball or even the way their faces react to the gameplay, one cannot help but be impressed from start to finish in Fifa 08.

The commentary of Fifa 08 has also been professionally implemented as are the varied and diverse sound effects that the gamer will be treated it. Of course, the title also contains the stock standard EA Sports music which will really draw you into the spirit of soccer and we're talking about real soccer here... not the women's FIFA soccer *grin*

Gameplay has also received a new facelift with the implementation of the new manual mode of control, which is basically playing the game without any assists not only for passing and shooting but also for through balls and crosses. Fortunately the title also contains an assist mode which will allow for newbie gamers to finally kick those winning goals.

The over-the-shoulder perspective of this mode shows off another of the big new features in FIFA 08, the trick system. By pulling on the left trigger and using the analog sticks, you can perform a variety of moves that, with enough practice, have the power to cut swathes through the opposition.

Simple step-overs and flicks can be executed by flicking the right stick in one direction, while more complicated moves can be orchestrated with a series of movements.

The new Be a Pro mode is the most dramatic addition. Here play switches to a single player rather than a whole team which offers an experience not a million miles away from Namco's Libero Grand. Surprisingly it works and works very well indeed.

The well thought out camera is perhaps the biggest contributor to the mode's success, where a Gears of War style roadie run provides extra excitement when closing down on the goal, yet the view opens up for times when defence is on your mind.

The Multiplayer aspect of the title allows for interactive leagues which let you take control of your favourite team and play real-life fixtures as they happen, or you can jump into custom leagues that have been set up for up to 31 other players.

In conclusion, EA have pulled off some big risks with this title in terms of revamped and redefined gameplay but fortunately for this gaming giant, they have successfully pulled off another amazing Fifa title. It's time to start kicking GOAAAALS!!!