FIFA Football 2006

By Corey Brotherson Published 8 August, 2005

Hardly a balled new approach, but certainly entertaining.

Is it that time already? Yes. Electronic Arts is just about set to bring on another FIFA game, looking again to net huge sales when it's released this autumn.

Mind you, the characteristically bullish publisher has been bizarrely quiet with this year's iteration. Up until just now, that is, when a volley of information landed in our collective mitts. While this season's effort may not come as a surprise, the company seems to be adopting Spurs' ten-man midfield approach, with '06 appearing on the expected (deep breath) PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PC, DS, Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360 as well. A shrewd choice, should Microsoft's machine reach European soil for its estimated November 25th launch.

So, as the new football season dawns upon us with excitement from new signings and fresh hopes of glory (or in this Villa-supporting writer's case, a depressing scan of mediocre purchases and preparations of a mid-table battle), we gazed over the latest batch of improvements to see if it's a big man with a fine touch or an Everton transfer target.

It's bigger than that, Ron, it's large

Of course, there's the usual comprehensive line-up of official, licensed leagues from around the world of football [including European Champions Liverpool? - European-Champions-Liverpool-supporting Sub], including European Champions Liverpool [ah!], complete with its vast array of real clubs, kits, stadiums and staff. That's over 21 leagues, 10,000 players and up-to-date 05/06 season information. If anything, there's warm security in FIFA's steady predictability.

Should you want to make minute changes to the set-up, the customisation feature in the higher-end formats (presumably the home consoles and PC) should provide enough variables to keep at least the on-pitch personnel fresh. The Create-A-Player mode returns to allow your own player designs from scratch in typical EA style – appearance, body shape and abilities can all be tailored to recreate anyone from Pele in his prime to that chubby left-footed wonder who's always having a kickabout on your way to work.

Curiously, a revamped Manager mode is also being touted for the consoles and PC versions, letting you control club budgets, manage coaching staff, choose formations and tactics, and participate in a revised transfer market system that claims to be "fully functional". The PSP edition will compensate for the lack of this with a Challenges mode where you can play key matches chosen from the 04/05 season, unlock extras and indulge a new ball-juggling mini-game. The handheld will boast another nice extra in its built-in Pocket Trax player, for watching the music videos to the game soundtrack. It'd be a bit meaningless on a home console, but music videos on the train or bus? Makes sense.

Goodbye wires

'FIFA Football 2006' Screenshot 1

In terms of multiplayer features, PSP FIFA '06 provides a wireless two-player option, but the home console versions will come with the welcome shape of up to eight-player football offline, or two players online.

All of which means absolutely nothing should it all not come together in-game. But after having a demonstration match on the PlayStation 2 build and getting a feel for things, it may come as surprise to sceptics that FIFA '06 seems to be heading in the right direction. The promise of the 2005 version of EA's footballing progeny has proven a good base to keep working from, with elements that proved slightly frustrating already weeded out.

There's a definite sensation of more control over the players, with far fewer instances where the AI appears to have taken over while you take the credit. It certainly becomes more apparent in the penalty area, with a great range of instant responses to attacking crosses, which you perform and, more importantly, you feel you've earned. The button-to-screen mechanics are far more responsive especially when partnered with the nice pace of the game. It results in some wonderfully electric, spontaneous and less 'pre-programmed' football.

Show off

'FIFA Football 2006' Screenshot 2

In '06 you can use the second analogue stick to perform a few tricks. According to EA, there will be a selection of show-off manoeuvres as well as practical feints, ball-shielding and such that will be accessible from this and naturally other controller combinations. The potential is certainly there to at least create some talking points.

Visually it was easy to tell the game was still in development, but still it managed to throw in (sorry) a good show. The teams we played with - Aston Villa [cheers!] and Liverpool [booos!] - already had surprisingly up-to-date players from all the latest transfers, which obviously bodes well for the promise of the freshest statistics being used by the time of release. As usual, some players looked rather... unfamiliar, compared to their real life counterparts, but most of them carried a close enough resemblance to keep fans happy, and the animation was sharp, without too much jarring between frames when chopping and changing moves on the pitch.

The 360 version promises some startling detail; players should have a wider range of expressions and mannerisms, and manager's emotions and reactions should be clearly evident as the match progresses. Whether the stylised camera angles of this May's E3 build will stay or not is conjuncture at the moment, but we're sure the development team knows they're not trying to recreate Shaolin Soccer. At least, we hope.

With any luck, the net result will be a good football game. Right now it's certainly promising, but as with anything we'll have to kick it around for a bit longer before leaping to any conclusions. We'll have plenty more on it closer to kick off in a few months.

Picture of Corey.

About Corey Brotherson

Read more articles from Corey by visiting the Corey Brotherson archive page.

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Comments (70) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Eighthours #1 7 years ago

    You can almost cut and paste these FIFA articles every year (the one in OXM this month is practically identical to last year's and the year before's!). That "controls are more responsive" line is seriously in every FIFA preview I can remember, stretching back to 1999!

    And yet we all know the results. The game will come out, get a few solid 7 or 8 out of 10s, and be completely overshadowed by Pro Evo, yet sell way more copies.

    Cut and paste is the way forward for FIFA previews, less effort required! ;)

  • Zomoniac #2 7 years ago

    In '06 you can use the second analogue stick to perform a few tricks. According to EA, there will be a selection of show-off manoeuvres as well as practical feints, ball-shielding and such that will be accessible from this and naturally other controller combinations. The potential is certainly there to at least create some talking points.

    Right stick tricks and shielding and what-not have been there since 2003, under the subheading of 'EA Sports Freestyle Control (R)'. I don't see them being any different this year, I just hope they ditch that stupid name, which is almost as bad as the legendary 'Memory Card (8MB) for PlayStation 2 (tm)'.

  • lordofdeadside #3 7 years ago

    woo hoo, a villa fan!
    europe for us clarets villans next year!

    "And yet we all know the results. The game will come out, get a few solid 7 or 8 out of 10s, and be completely overshadowed by Pro Evo, yet sell way more copies."

    Cut and paste is the way forward for FIFA comments threads, less effort required! ;)

  • PES_Fanboy #4 7 years ago

    One day Konami will get the latest incarnation of the PES franchise out before the equivalent EA copy-and-paste polished turd yearly update.

    Then maybe it'll beat em, sales wise.

  • killyourtv #5 7 years ago

    small team in birmingham

  • Talha #6 7 years ago

    Guys, PES might be better as a soccer simulation, but FIFA is more accessible just the same. That, coupled with top ntoch presentation and presence of all official (and realistic) players, and better graphics, tilts the balance in FIFA's balance, a little bit. The only hopeless attribute going against it is that it is from EA - I don't hear people complaining about incremental upgrades to PES!

    That is not to say that I won;t be getting BOTH of them when they come out, of course!

  • zErOb_cOOl #7 7 years ago

    Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

  • Celeborn #8 7 years ago

    And indeed, PES updates these days are just as small and insignificant as FIFA updates. Lets face it, for this generation of machines, its gone as far as it can go.

    Untucked shirts and players breath clouds in cold conditions anyone?

    (btw, I AM a fan of PES. It's just not fair to bash FIFA when PES is on the exact same treadmill)

  • PES_Fanboy #9 7 years ago

    So you're saying the only thing that PES does better than FIFA, is simulate a football game? That's kinda the point...

    I couldn't give a hoot about better graphics etc, the thing EA is *really* missing is the GAMEPLAY - the reason to continue playing a game, to get satisfaction, to not score every second 35 yard shot.

    The reason nobody slates PES for yearly updates is the very real, gameplay-related, IMPROVEMENTS to the gaming engine. EA introduce eyelashes and deem it worthy of a release.

    I'm playing Winning Eleven 9 (what will form the basis of PES 5), and I have to say to begin with, the updates never seem very in-depth - yet they show their true class on the 15th, or 50th game you play.

  • #10 7 years ago

    **SIGH**

    And here it begins....

  • PES_Fanboy #11 7 years ago

    Celeborn, the new PES has more than just those graphical amendments - the gameplay has been subtly tweaked enough to make it a worthwhile addition.

    As I mentioned in my previous comment, initially I couldn't see much in the way of changes - but the gameplay changes are fairly major, defences are far harder to break down, shooting works differently, passing is more 'manual' and a whole host of other things have been tweaked.

  • Furbs #12 7 years ago

    I prefer PES, but I think you are ignoring some of the innovations FIFA has introduced. The "first touch" system of FIFA is excellent and something I really miss from PES. Also the ability to make your players go on runs is nice touch. Free kicks are far better imho, in that its less of a guessing game (although PES's variety is better). And dont forget, graphics and presentation to contribute to a game. They give it the atmosphere (especially the commentary which is shocking in PES and I think its unfair noone ever really has a go at Konami for not sorting it out) and can help the game feel better.

  • Talha #13 7 years ago

    Celeborn, way to go, man! Thanks for agreeeing with me. As for PES_Fanboy, mate, your name says it all!!!!

    On a serious note, contrary to popular opinion, FIFA gives you atmosphere, if nothing else. The lights, the noise, the REAL celebrity faces, the excellent commentary. It takes you as close to the match pitch as you can go without leaving your couch. It doesn't exactly get blown to pieces once a match starts.

    It is not as if FIFA does NOT have gameplay. In the last two iterations, it has come seriously close to PES on that front. It is again VERY unfair to say that EA does not make continual improvements to gameplay. I think just because it is EA....

    The gameplay also reduces significantly in, er, significance because I usually play FIFA with another human player, not against the CPU. Coupled with real players available in FIFA, I think differences then reduce to the very technical.
    Edited by 2 at 08/08/05 @ 11:45

  • Scientist #14 7 years ago

    "It takes you as close to the match pitch as you can go without leaving your couch"

    I dunno. I find watching a live football match on my sofa to be more realistic than either PES or FIFA XX.

  • statix101 #15 7 years ago

    Watch out for the sheep....its grazing time...

  • Celeborn #16 7 years ago

    PES_Fanboy; we'll see when the PC PES5 is released on how the gameplay has been changed, however subtle. But what I'm saying is that FIFA has made subtle changes, yet you say thats them polishing a copy pasted a turd. Your for PES they polish it and thats ok by you. Thats double standards m8; both series have refined their game slowly bit by bit for years now... thats how it is. You prefer PES. So do I. Still can't slate FIFA for refining when PES does it.

    I play PES4 soley online really (i run pes4online; the online PC match-up tool); and there really are some inherent weaknesses in how the game plays against another human being (forget lag issues or anything like that). Will this years refinement clear up the fundamental gameplay issues that have been exposed with the game going online last version? I sure hope so

  • Furbs #17 7 years ago

    Awesome tool by the way Celeborn, worked an absolute treat. Thanks alot.

  • Talha #18 7 years ago

    Well, Scientist, you had one up on me here. Lets say if for someone FIFA is a turd, SO IS PES! There is simply so little difference between the two games. As Celeborn put it so well, graphics DO contribute to a game, especially its atmosphere. Taking a thread from there, why haven't Konami fixed the commentary even now? Remember, it is Winning Eleven NINE for heaven's sake!

    Sadly, footy games have gotten as good as they can get on the current gen. We will have to wait for the 360 version where there will be real spit, and some very real shit will fill normal-mapped undies at the stern glare from the coach. And did I mention the real grashopper corpses on the ball itself after it hits the ground?

  • PES_Fanboy #19 7 years ago

    I guess my point was, for people that care about football, PES is simply a different class than FIFA.

    For the average, casual gamer with little or no football passion / knowledge, they do not care for the subtle nuances of gameplay / ball dynamics and realism that PES delivers, preferring the polish of FIFA's presentation.

    A case in point: I don't care about the commentary, and neither do the majority of PES fans that I've ever met, as we turn off the commentary on EVERY football game we play - as the amount I play the games, any commentary gets dull, annoying and repetative.

    I'm currently playing Winning Eleven 9 - which will go on to form PES 5, and indeed a PES 5 beta - so I feel I can somewhat speak about what the essence of the changes to PES 5 will be like.

  • IMO #20 7 years ago

    " For people who care about football" - Thats a pretty foolish statement to make isn't it. What, so only 'real' football fans play PES and only those with a passing interest or those who know nothing play FIFA. Have you ever thought that people just might find FIFA to be more fun to play?

  • Furbs #21 7 years ago

    For the average, casual gamer with little or no football passion / knowledge, they do not care for the subtle nuances of gameplay / ball dynamics and realism that PES delivers, preferring the polish of FIFA's presentation.

    Hmmm, so 25 years of gaming, owning an Xbox, Gamecube, PC and various consoles and computers in the past and supporting Liverpool for about the same amount of time makes me a casual, average gamer hmm??

    Dont make such stupid generalisations you tool. Would Champ Manager/Football Manager be as popular if it had made up names? Appreciating presentation doesnt make you a casual gamer, or one who cares little about an accurate reproduction of the sport. Open your eyes, both games have different things to offer and both can be enjoyable.

  • PES_Fanboy #22 7 years ago

    It's completely a fair comment, as fair as saying that anyone that enjoys playing a FPS would probably enjoy playing Half-Life 2 more than Doom 3.

    I do think some people find FIFA more fun to play - but ultimately, they are not what I would deem as big a football fan - as those that choose PES.

    I don't know what the big problem is here. Do you lot actually follow football, or just trolling?

  • Furbs #23 7 years ago

    OK, explain to me exactly why enjoying FIFA means you cannot be a true football fan? This should be funny.

  • Darren #24 7 years ago

    I'm looking forward to playing FIFA 2006 on the Xbox 360 so I'm not bothering with the Xbox version. The games have shown considerable improvement over the last few years and 2005 was the best version yet and far better than 2004. It's not, by any means, perfect but I find it perfectly playabe.

  • Celeborn #25 7 years ago

    Indeed, I don't get the "true football fan" comment either.

    It's generally accepted that FIFA is easier to get into and playing but has a shorter "mastering" period, wheras PES is harder to get into but has a longer "mastering" period.

    Different people like their games in different ways. That has no bearing on what kind of person they are, or how much they support football or whatever. The only bearing is how people like their games.

    In fact, I'd go as far to say perhaps that "true" football fans would spend far more time out and about going to watch their teams home and away games to care about computer game simulations at all! :p

  • Talha #26 7 years ago

    Way to go, Furbs & Co! Thanks for taking my side. PES Fanboys comments are very patronising. And what do you mean, 'Most of us"? Have you ever tired comparing the sales figures for the two titles? Now, don't go about 'casual gamers' going for sales figures. These two franchises have had almost a decade to establish their fanbase. The fact that FIFA sells loads more might just well be because... it is more fun to play!

    I agree with Furbs. Liking FIFA does NOT make you a casual gamer. A FIFA game is as deep as they come, with trillions of options. There is also nothing wrong with liking the fact that you can control a real David Beckham and have him divorce Victoria... oh, pehaps that will come in the upcoming Sims 2: FIFA!

    The bottom line is, both games have their own strengths. Just preferring FIFA over PES on a day-to-day basis is no longer politically incorrect.

  • therev #27 7 years ago

    I'm a Villa fan.

    And I think that FIFA's not as good as it used to be and PES is better, so I'm in the PES camp these days.

    Best footie game ever is FIFA World Cup 2002 on the Gamecube, or whatever it was called. Now that had a nice system. The ball went where you told it it to go, not to some player chosen for you who was fairly near where you were pointing.

    Honorable mention goes to MLS Extratime on the Xbox, because the American programmers didn't seem to notice that one of the crowd chants they used was "The referee's a wanker" - much amusement from that.

  • PES_Fanboy #28 7 years ago

    You're entitled to your opinions. As am I.

    Perhaps someone who frequents the evo-web forums is more of a football fan than that who buys a game because David Beckham is on the front - perish the thought?

    The game of PES offers a more realistic, and complex, game *of football* than FIFA does. FIFA has snazzier looking graphics, and better commentary.

    Which of the two above statements do you think a committed football fan (which, lets remember, is short for 'fanatic') would buy a game on the strength of?

    Game sales figures mean little - if they did, are we *really* going to suggest that, for example, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is a 'better' game than ICO?

  • Furbs #29 7 years ago

    Very blinkered representation there fanboy.
    Lets try another set of choices though:
    Game A has real names, real competitions, real kits, real stadia, an accurate commentary and brings out a version specially for the Euros and World Cup.
    Game B lacks any major licence, has an abysmal commentary, made up tournaments, players and stadia.

    Now, as a football fanatic (not a gaming fan, just football here), which would you choose?

    Oh and as for "hardcore gamers"? Well, to me, the "hardcore" would get both and judge them on their respective merits. Fanboys, by their very nature, are not "hardcore".
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/05 @ 13:20

  • smelly #30 7 years ago

    id rather hear from a software fanboy than a hardware one any day of the week.

    At least being a fan of games makes sense!

  • PES_Fanboy #31 7 years ago

    I ought to have mentioned, I do buy each instalments of FIFA, in the vain hope of some light at the end of the gameplay tunnel. Each time I'm deeply disappointed.

    I would *love* to have two football games that offer even remotely similar football experiences, but I have to say, short of firing up an 8-bit and playing Sensible Soccer, I haven't found a football game in recent years, other than PES, that is in the least bit appealing to play after the first week.

    I did enjoy the original and World Cup 98 versions of FIFA - but since then, each installment has lacked that spark.

    I can't believe, that on a gaming website, I'm getting grief for championing gameplay over graphics / sound etc!

    Don't be fooled by my (originally supposed to be a joke) tag, as I say I would love nothing more than to have even one other football game that offers anything other than a quick kickabout.
    Edited by 2 at 08/08/05 @ 13:34

  • Furbs #32 7 years ago

    You arent though, as best I can see it, you are basically saying FIFA has no gameplay to it. For all FIFA's faults, PES has just as many. If the CPU cheats in FIFA, its certainly not as obvious as it is in PES. Presentation helps gameplay too dont forget. I usually cant be arsed to play around with team settings in PES, purely because the menus are so crap I cant bear to look at them. In that instance, the graphics/presentation are having a direct impact on the gameplay.

    Maybe people will take you more seriously if you didnt make such stupid generalisations as saying you arent a true football fan, or a hardcore gamer if you get enjoyment out a certain game?

  • Talha #33 7 years ago

    Ooh, here we have another Professor lecturing us about being software fans rather than hardware. In case you didn't notice, we are discussing SOFTWARE here.

    For a PES fan, Furbs is putting up a VERY REASONABLE evaluation. And Mr PES_Fanboy, you did just as I predicted: you took my mention of sales figures and took it in entirely the wrong way. I was justs saying that more people think FIFA is more fun to play, and that does NOT make them any less footy fans.

    ]YES, I like my David BEckham not only on the cover, but INSIDE the game too. DOn't you get it? We like FIFA because we are interested in atmosphere as well. While you ramble on about you being the hardcore fan, how much do you think we play FIFA and PES? FYI, ALL YEAR ROUND.

    By the way, your analogy about POP2 and ICO is completely missing the point, just as I had feared.

  • PES_Fanboy #34 7 years ago

    Perhaps we have different definitions of what constitutes a football fan.

    I never once said that FIFA had no gameplay - I did, however, say that it offered a less realistic football simulation, to which I haven't had an argument against? Surely, a game that emulates the ('real-life') sport it is based on, has better gameplay?

    This debate rages in North America too, over games such as EA's NBA series, and Sega Sports'. For the casual fan, EA is, as you rightly point out in your FIFA argument further up (which I offer no resistance to), instantly more accessible - however, for those that play the game, and are passionate about basketball, the Sega Sports installments are considered more complete, as a basketball sim.

    I still maintain, for the hardcore fan of the sport, Pro Evolution Soccer will provide more enjoyment, over a longer period of time.

    FIFA is great for a quick blast and scoring a 40 yard screamer in your first game, but how rewarding is it, that you can do that every game, from 5 minutes of picking the game up?
    Edited by 2 at 08/08/05 @ 13:49

  • Furbs #35 7 years ago

    "I never once said that FIFA had no gameplay"
    "I couldn't give a hoot about better graphics etc, the thing EA is *really* missing is the GAMEPLAY"
    Maybe I misread it? :p
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/05 @ 13:59

  • binky #36 7 years ago

    This year I shall mostly be staying out of this argument :)

  • #37 7 years ago

    I used to love PES3 when I had a PS2, but since selling that I've been "stuck" with Fifa 05 on my GC. In truth PES is the better game but I have absolutely loved the last year with Fifa and am really looking forward to the new one. It really surprised me, and I honestly feel it's a more realistic game of footie (strange AI aside). I love the little details like how the opposing sides fans keep booing a player of yours when he gets the ball, after he's fouled one of their men.

    Both games have their relative merits, and you are most definitely not more hardcore if you pick PES over Fifa, and it doesn't make you a bigger football fan either. I talk to absolute football maniacs all the time who prefer Fifa to PES. So go figure...

  • Furbs #38 7 years ago

    binky, whys that? Is it a new FIFA 97? :p

  • PES_Fanboy #39 7 years ago

    Furbs, that comment was pasted in without looking at the context.

    I was basing a comparison of IMPROVEMENTS made the two games between instalments - that FIFA lacked the amount of (good) gameplay tweaks of PES year-in, year-out. Again, in my opinion.

    I also made a comment in that post towards the graphics being better within FIFA - does that mean that I regard PES as having NO graphics? Of course not!

    So no, you didn't misread it - but you certainly did miss the point, and the context of the comment.

  • 8bitMofo #40 7 years ago

    We need a new football series!

  • Celeborn #41 7 years ago

    Generic Football Series 2005/2006?

  • Furbs #42 7 years ago

    /shrugs.
    Well even reading the whole post it still seems to me you are suggesting that its lacking. I certainly cant score with every second shot from 35 yards either.

    What was PES's big innovation for its 4th incarnation? I cant really think of anything other than minor tweaks which further made the game better. FIFA on the other hand improved dramatically from FIFA 2004, especially with the introduction of the first touch. So by that example, its EA who are being more innovative. Like it or not, every year they try out a new "gimmick". Not all of them work (off the balls runs for instance - which by the way is more realisitic than PES's AI runs), but when they do they are excellent and add a new element.

  • Feanor #43 7 years ago

    "Game B lacks any major licence, has an abysmal commentary, made up tournaments, players and stadia."

    PEs 4 has almost 30 actual stadia, the FIFPro license so Beckham is Beckham and Ballack is Ballack, and the licenses to the Italian, Spanish and Dutch leagues. Do your homework next time, thanks.

  • Furbs #44 7 years ago

    So three leagues vs FIFA's all encompassing one? I know which one I'd prefer as a football fan. As for the stadia, Lombardi Colosseum eh? Orange Arena? Trad Brick Stadium? Hardly authentic is it?

    Read the post next time, thanks.

  • Feanor #45 7 years ago

    I read the post and you said it lacked any major license. Serie A is not a major license? La Liga is not a major license?

    And the stadia look just like the real thing, they just have made-up names.
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/05 @ 15:37

  • Furbs #46 7 years ago

    I'd say it wasnt as major a licence as the EPL (in my case), or the FIFA/UEFA licence. Those are the big two. And yeah, made up stadia. Thats my whole point. Sure, they look like the real thing, but they arent. If I was a hardcore football fan ahead of being a gaming fan, I'd want maximum authenticity. Thats my point too.

    Personally, I'm both, which is why I use the X-Group mod for PES4 with Wolfs Option file.

  • Feanor #47 7 years ago

    Yeah, but you didn't say Serie A and La Liga weren't as major a license as the Premier League, you said they weren't major licenses at all which is just not true.

    No one's denying FIFA is miles ahead for having authentic everything, but that doesn't mean you have to exaggerate Pro Evo's lack of licenses. I think it's clear that the FIFPro license is the most important license and they do at least have that. Real players with their real names, real appearances and real abilities.
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/05 @ 15:56

  • Furbs #48 7 years ago

    Well, to me, they arent major licences. FIFA/UEFA are since they are more encompassing. But, as I say, thats just my opinion.

  • wolfen #49 7 years ago

    I think that the whole "casuals choose FIFA, hardcores choose PES" is just a load of tosh made up by the laters to feel somewhat superior. "Hardcore" football fans would be far more interested in researching/learning about the game, playing in a sunday footy league, following actively their team or (why not) write their own visions about football to paper than to sit and play a game, which for most of the lot I know, is a hobby inside a hobby.

    If I'm given the chance to choose between spending an afternoon learning and mastering how to do a 1-2 lobbed through pass to the wings, followed by a cross to the far post in PES and watching the european weekend highlights, reading a book about total football (or any other significant tactics or histories about football) or actually _playing_ the sport, the game would be on the bottom of my priorities. Does that make me a lesser footy fan just because I can't be arsed to spend hours on a game?

    PES might be better than FIFA - which quite honestly, will take a lot of time before it becomes an arguable point unless Konami goes sloppy in the next gen, like EA was with the 16 to 32 bit evolution - but FIFA is more accesible for those who don't want to lose hours after hours just to learn to make a more complex play. Hardly a matter of being a "hardcore footy fan", but simply one of time.
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/05 @ 23:07

  • smelly #50 7 years ago

    would everyone just buy the one you like and stop whinging :-)

  • Furbs #51 7 years ago

    Even better, by both! Then you cant be accused of being biased :p
    And you help two small companies get richer cos they both need the funds, bless 'em.

  • Teeth #52 7 years ago

    " would everyone just buy the one you like and stop whinging :-) "

    Personally, I thought this was a very level-headed and adult discussion where nobody was arguing ad hominem or losing their temper and all concerned making valid points and backing up their arguments, which is exactly the use I see these comments threads as being intended for. Bravo to all involved.

  • Nikanoru #53 7 years ago

    lol football

  • matrim83 #54 7 years ago

    Cut and paste is the way forward for FIFA previews, less effort required! ;)
    Why not? The articles just follow the game which are cut and paste of previous versions.

  • ekko #55 7 years ago

    I like the rough edges to Pro Evolution Soccer, what matters is that its got a 'eart of gold.

  • skybluesam86 #56 7 years ago

    or in this Villa-supporting writer's case, a depressing scan of mediocre purchases and preparations of a mid-table battle

    Why? I just don't understand why anyone would choose to support Villa :p
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/05 @ 20:52

  • Talha #57 7 years ago

    So the argument rages. PES_Fanboy must now have realized that his comments are a load of patronizing, holier-than-thou arguments. Give it to FIFA that they always come up with a healthy mixture of changes, some of which they tout and some of which they don't. As discussed before, they try a new 'gimmick' every year. At least they are brave enough to try, something which you would expect from Konami but sadly, it does not materialize.

    As for both games being cut-and-paste of last years, isn't every REAL footy game also a cut and paste? When the ACTUAL game is not evolving (and we all are perfectly happy with that), why do you expect these two already excellent footy sims to make a quantum leap every year? FIFA at least improves readily what CAN be improved, foremost being its unsurpassed presentation. PES, on the other hand, shows its improvements once you are six months in and playing (and losing) the same match for the 39th time. Not worse, just different.

    So, as pointed out, it is a matter of time. You can allege that FIFA has 'sold out' to EA, but I think they know who advances their brand the furthest in the most authentic manner. And let's face it, PES hardly boasts two-and-a-half authentic stadia and teams, so there is no point in exaggerating its lack of official glitz: it just doesn't have any!!!

    Again, I AM GOING TO BUY BOTH, and so should you all. If you have to skimp on your next Need For Speed update for that, do that.

    And Mr Wolfen, stop being such a spoilsport. We all LONG to play footy on the big stadia, but very few of us have the time and resources to do that. Well, maybe the 360 version of FIFA puts you right in the middle of a thundering match!!!!

  • PES_Fanboy #58 7 years ago

    I certainly didn't mean my comments to be patronising, I thought we were having an adult difference of opinion with reasoned arguments over which was the better game.

    As I've mentioned at least three times before, I do (and will do again) buy both games year on year. I just stop playing FIFA after two weeks and play PES throughout the year.

    As for the gameplay advances between PES3 and PES4, it's really hard to describe in words the exact differences (and I imagine that's why I was asked the question), but the game 'feels' so much different, the ball feels heavier, more realistic, crosses and passing is better etc etc.

    Winning Eleven 9 goes further still, with the 'middle shoot' function, Second Top positions and the way the CPU defences react to your style of play etc. Each new press release that comes with PES normally focusses on the graphical updates - visible breath on cold days (!) for example - when the actual differences in the gameplay (as someone else here said) are noticed in the months after playing the first match.

  • Talha #59 7 years ago

    This is sure to be one of the best discussion threads to have run of EG and I complement each and every participant. The tone of the messages and arguments presented are exemplary and should be followed by every forum-poster (ahem.. if I say so myself)

    PES_Fanboy, we just feel that your comments are patronizing (even if unintentionally) because you seem to give intangible qualities in PES undue weightage (foremost amongst which is your preferences!), while totally ignoring the fact that once in a while FIFA also comes up with some gameplay improvements.

    As for gameplay advances, PES_Fanboy says that they are to be 'felt'. I agree, there is a genuine shift in feel. But so there is in FIFA. Perhaps if you do not stop playing FIFA after two weeks (which anyway renders your purchase of it as somewhat lacking in sense) perhaps you will also 'feel' much more differences in that game as well.

    I still do believe that gameplay wise PES is better, but the gap these days is all but invisible. That's my point really, and in all other areas FIFA excels.

  • PES_Fanboy #60 7 years ago

    We'll adultly agree to disagree then :)

    But so there is in FIFA. Perhaps if you do not stop playing FIFA after two weeks (which anyway renders your purchase of it as somewhat lacking in sense)

    I'm not unduely offended by that, but I'd say that statement was probably just as patronizing as my initial (unintentionally offensive, it turned out) comments...

  • wolfen #61 7 years ago

    Talha: with a couple of friends in an empty field with rocks as goals would do just fine. Football is always football, no matter is if it's on the Nou Camp or on the park.

    But yes, I was somewhat pissed with other stuff while writting that.

  • Talha #62 7 years ago

    PES_Fanboy, I did not mean to offend or patronize you. Now that I read my comment it DOES sound a little harsh, actually not at all like the tone I intended. So accept my apologies. Let's keep the high standard of this forum untarnished (oh my Gawd). Happy?

    You are absolutely right Wolfen, that is the true spirit of soccer. But it IS sometimes difficult when you are 28, with an accountant (uuurgh) by profession, with an emerging potbelly (yes), and no like minded friends. You didn't see that coming, didya?

  • Talha #63 7 years ago

    Way to go, redexter. You have broken through the cloying sissy niceness of this forum to speak the truth in unequivocal terms, and I salute you for that. See, these are the same weaknesses I have been trying to convince people still exist in the PES game, after all these years. For us gamers, Japanese publishers have been kind of sacrosanct, but sadly, this is no more. First they come up with underwhelming Gran Turismo 3.2.. oops, 4, and then they keep giving us marginally improved but still-the-same PES every year. Now now, that is not to belittle Japanese game developers in any way....

    I will say this: at least FIFA tries to be a different game every year.
    Edited by 1 at 10/08/05 @ 05:01

  • acegamer #64 7 years ago

    fifa one dimensional play shooting is crap, passing is piss, where are the players necks we are also in the year 2005 why do all players where the same boots. lets talk about gameplay if there is any. anybody that has ever kicked a ball in there life will know that there are hundreads of different ways to play the beautiful game, fifa gives you one and it has always been so. the main point i would like to try and get across is that these items of software such as pro evo, fifa and this is football are all games not adverts or real life they are called games people so i ask you to ask yourself this question would you rather look good and lose such as teams portugal, real madrid or look and see the hidden qualties of teams such as greece and liverpool. it is the same with anything in life take your time and learn and you will be awarded(pro evo) or rush head first for the graphics and and sound and in 6 months when new players arrive new boots hairstyles and so on happen your copy of fifa will not look or play as good as my precious pro evo

  • #65 7 years ago

    PES and FIFA are both shite! Listen why not buy a football for ten quid (£29.99 less then a console game) get some mates (this may be hard for some of you but try) and go down the park , then you can play "real" football FFS ! unless you just like looking at a rendered version of david beckhams bum that is....

  • Furbs #66 7 years ago

    Ummm, just so you know Petay, this is a games website. You often find here that games are discussed. Not all the time, but in this case they are. The trouble is aswell, at 11pm, its often a bit dark to play football, especially without waking people up.
    Kthnxbye

  • G-UNIT #67 7 years ago

    I preferred Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup to the last FIFA.

  • #68 7 years ago

    oh dear.....poor furbs is another one of those polygon perverts i see.

  • Furbs #69 7 years ago

    You're another comments thread prick I'm afraid.
    Having played Sunday League football for the last 13 years (probably only a few years less than you've been on the earth), believe me, nothing beats the real thing. If you are so against the games, why the fuck are you here you silly little troll?

  • Cheapshotz #70 7 years ago

    Just so everyone knows:

    EA nicked a couple of people from the Winning Eleven team to help make the game (and I'm quoting here) "play more like Pro Evo"

    The game is about as good as Pro Evo 1 or possibly 2, don’t forget that there thankfully won’t be a (supershite) Champion’s League game this year but perhaps there will be a World Cup Game?

  • Boydy360 #71 7 years ago

    fifa games suck pro evolution games are far better if only they could get all the licences

  • pro_evo_evolved #72 7 years ago

    pro evo plays the better game i found with fifa 2005 it seemed scripted for example on world class difficulty id take a shot 10 yards from the keeper just off the screen and as the ball left the strikers foot the keeper was alredy half way through his dive so i say pro evo is better theres no fancy trick system just a raw solid relistic easy going game