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It's hard not to be negative, which is a real shame, as because underneath the thick layer of needless flaws, it plays a decent game of soccer. The "sweet spot" that has plagued most of the 3D incarnations of FIFA is still there, but the game gets around it by making the defensive A.I. good enough to not let you get there without a lot of hard work. Almost to compensate for this, it seems easier to hit the target from range now – sure, the chances of scoring from 30 yards is still very unlikely, but it seems very possible, unlike Pro Evo, where a goal from distance is a borderline miracle. The ball feels looser this time, that makes dribbling more of a challenge and trying to run past a defender will usually end up with the ball being stolen from you with ease.
The attacking play is where the game has a clear edge over Pro Evo. It may lack the depth and the feeling that “the more you put in, the more you'll get out” that Konami's title offers, but perhaps more importantly, it is instant fun. The sensation of getting the ball under control and watching your players start intelligent runs towards the goal, waiting for them to gesture for the ball and then you placing a textbook pass right to their feet is magical. The higher your team chemistry, the better the movement and quality of pass. Barcelona, for instance, will let you rule the park, linking Ronaldinho with Eto'o to score some fantastic goals. Playing as Swindon Town, however, and you will really have to work for a goal. It's believable; it's authentic.
Continuing the positive vibe, the management mode is truly excellent – vastly superior to the Master League mode that most loved in Pro Evo. Being able to run every aspect of your chosen club, down to sponsorship, youth teams and player transfers offers more depth than the Master League has ever offered. Predictably, the authenticity is unparalleled. The challenges are also excellent – by fulfilling certain criteria you earn points to spend on, admittedly pointless, unlockables, such as third kits and more hair for custom characters. A lot of them can be achieved through casual play, multiplayer or otherwise – winning by three goals or scoring a free kick to name a few.
Another thing that EA has got right this year is the online play. Being able to play authentic leagues is a nice touch – when your team plays a fixture on Saturday, you play that fixture online. Xbox live is even, for the first time ever, offering team updates. The first of which is expected to arrive during the January transfer window, which will no doubt be when we discover how much the "microtransaction" will cost. Actually, that is just me being cynical again – the ability to download updated teams is something the fan base has been demanding for years and EA has finally delivered. I'm just assuming such authenticity has a price, as EA itself found out.
FIFA 07 still falls short of the mark as far as being the better soccer game on the market is concerned. It is however, a very solid soccer game in its own right, marred by some silly bugs and developer oversights. If you do find yourself searching for an alternative to Konami's title, EA has delivered a genuine alternative that others may even prefer over Pro Evolution Soccer 6. It's this that makes the problems FIFA has all the more frustrating – they were so close to competing this year – but one thing stands out above all. This is the best FIFA game since the series went into three dimensions and it is improving with every incarnation. Maybe the original King will reclaim his throne next time around?
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