FIFA 07 – The FIFA Evolution

The first time i saw a computer was sometime in the early 90s, at my dads office. By 1994, i was playing Dangerous Dave, Crazy Cars 3, and the two Price of Persia games on his 486. Not that i was any good, mind you. But when i was in eight grade or so, and was slogging my way through all the demos you would get with the CGW mag, one particular CD-exchange with a friend of mine saw me in possession of FIFA 98 – the Road to the World Cup. That was among the first full versions games i played.

FIFA 98 and 99

I still remember part of the gameplay of FIFA 98 – how easy it was to take some Brazilian player and run through the center, while doing nifty tricks with the Ctrl and Alt keys; the sense of euphoria i had after scoring a goal (euphoria used in a very loose sense here); the frustrating offside rule which took me a while to understand; the title song by Blur accompanying the intro video; playing in the indoor stadium; and many other peculiarities. Even when i got my hands on FIFA 99, i still continued playing this.

FIFA 2000

The gameplay had improved considerably atleast in two areas – instead of diving like crazy and missing the ball (like in the prev FIFA games), tackles were much easier to make. It was also much easier to pass the ball, with the red, yellow and green indicators. Sadly, the game had a very arcade feel to it and more often than not, the scorelines were unrealistic. Despite this, it was highly addictive, more so than 98.

FIFA 2002

I was not really aware that FIFA 2001 had released (in those days, it never occured to me to use the internet for anything except mail), and had to shift from FIFA 2000 to 2002 directly. Later, of course i managed to play that game i had missed, and it was one of the first which had somewhat believable physics. Anyway, if i remember right, 2002 was the first time there was a power bar. This was also the first FIFA game on which i played multiplayer – on dialup, with a friend on mine. Given how bad the connection used to be, and how low the probability was of actually finishing a game, we decided to score points based on goals scored. After a total of 50-odd goals scored between us, i managed to win the series by scoring two more than him.

A major, major problem here was the sheer number of scoring sweet-spots (places on the feild such that if you shoot from there, your shots WILL go in) . I think the Z and C keys were used to curl the ball, and there was one such sweet spot right at the half way line! All you had to do was go to the edge of the center circle, hit Z+D or something, and if you have the power right, you would score a goal! Totally ridiculous. I was more than glad when FIFA 2003 was released.

FIFA 2003 to 2005

FIFA 2003 was what i spent most of my FIFA playing time on. I would play this nearly everyday, for a whole year. Etra fluidity was added in this game, and the graphics were much better. Even after the 2004 one came, i continued playing this – one because Off the Ball control was bloody irritating; two, because the manager mode disgusted me; and three, because FIFA 2004 would crawl on the pc i have at home.

By the time FIFA 2005 was released, i was in IIIT. The pc at home wouldnt support it anyway, and obviously, neither would the lab pcs we had in the first year. Ganand had bought himself a pc by then, and i managed to play it. Initially, the game was ridiculously difficult – given i was shifting from 2003 to 2005. Never spent as much time as i would have liked to on this, but still managed to play it till the highest difficulty.

FIFA 2006

The best of the lot in every aspect (before 2007 was released, atleast). The “manager mode ” was actually resembling one, the players were much more realistic, and so were the general ball physics – the ball wouldnt just stick to your feet when you ran. The tricks were pretty neat, but relatively useless in higher difficulty modes. Thankfully, Off the Ball control was also removed. There were two major problems in this game, in the multiplayer mode and the Career mode. The gameplay favoured those who preferred a more physical and direct style of play. So, you could just keep Q-E-D pressed, and the ball will eventually be regained. The number of sweet spots were fewer – five, if i counted right, all at the edge of the area (against World Class) and highly irritating in multiplayer. The goalkeepers were unbeatable, unless you did one of the following -

1. A well controlled lob over his head (which i like scoring, it almost screams “classy shot”)

2. A low hard shot inside the box (which i normally score from)

3. Using one of the four other sweet-spots. (which is, sadly, what most people in multiplayer use)

4. Head the ball in from a cross. (which i TRY the most, and score a few)

5. Somehow manage to hit the post, and hope that the ball goes in.

6. Somehow score a freak goal – rebounds and the like

The problem with the Career mode was that it had near zero depth. Scouted players were rated too high, you could find one with a 93 rating. Some ten years of quick-simming in the career mode, some nifty buys and some good financial decisions later, i had a team of 22 players – two for each position of the pitch – each of them above 90. Everyone in the first team and the subs bench was above 95. Defies logic, doesnt it? And then came …

FIFA 07

A major, MAJOR improvement from FIFA 06. I have played only one PES game, but what struck me the most was the physics – ball control and collisions. In earlier FIFA games, all the collisions looked as if they were some predecided sequences being played out. In FIFA 07, everything is more realistic. When you are counter attacking, it mirrors what happens in real life – opposing players come running back at top speed, and you own players stream forward. The AI is much better, and the goalkeeper is certainly beatable by ANY good shot, even at World Class. Of course, getting a shot away without deflections in World Class is pretty difficult. The Growth Rate in the Career Mode works really well – i had a 63 rated player become 82 in three partly-simmed, partly-played seasons. (on four minutes a match) Next post will be a (relatively) short review of FIFA 07.

In the two multiplayer games i have played, connection was lost each time a goal was scored . I hope what i have played isnt the finished version. I managed to spend some 30+ hours on it over two days, almost done with Professional, and soon will have to shift to World Class . Still cant head the ball properly against professional, though

-> Badrinath. S

P.S.: gg EA

P.P.S. : Dont plan to play FIFA 07 any more for some time now, my fingers pain so bad, i can barely type

Next Post : FIFA 07 – A Review