|
Purchase
a licence such as PGA, NBA of NHL and your half way to securing a top selling
sports game. FIFA tops the list as the most recognizable association to the
game of soccer and EA once again hold the exclusive rights to this connection.
FIFA '96 outsold it's nearest PlayStation rival approximately five fold but it
must be said that it was definitely not five times a better game than Actua
Soccer. In fact if truth be known it was probably two times worse. |
|
FIFA
'97 is a soccer game that attempts to put the record straight as the sprite
based characters are substituted by polygon motion captured players and the
wealth of game options even includes the facility for an indoor five-a-side
tournament. |
|
Every
conceivable graphical effect has been blended together to produce a soccer game
that looks the business. David Ginola was used as the model to provide the
motion captured players who look so realistic when they jog out onto the pitch
and take up their positions for the forthcoming attraction. Just look at the
detail of the players features, while their strips include squad numbers on the
back of their shirts, club colors embroidered into the shorts and even the socks
have identifiable colored hoops.
The game can be viewed from any of the
eight available camera positions. Every possible angle is covered -sideline,
cable, goal, stadium, shoulder, tele, ball and tower. However, as in all
sporting sims there are only a couple of them that could be deemed playable. |
|
Desmond
Lynam introduces the proceeding before handing over to match commentator John
Motson, with co-comments provided by Andy Gray. There are a few variations on
the introduction and although far from perfect the general commentary is a vast
improvement over soccer games of old. |
|
If
it's options your after then Fifa '97 has them all, and a few more thrown in for
good measure. Friendly - a single match between two teams of your own choice
from a selection of over 250 clubs, yep that's 250 teams from all areas of the
globe. If you cannot find a team to your liking (boy, are you fussy), then why
not customize your own team from over 4,000 players using the transfer system.
League
- Select a club from one of the eleven official leagues to challenge for the
championship crown or take up to eight teams through an entire league schedule.
Tournament - Play in a domestic or international league tournament, then take
your champions on to a Playoff series. Playoff - Create a playoff tree with up
to 16 teams, then take your favorite on a race for the championship.
The
game length can last from as little as four minutes up to a full length of
ninety. Three modes of play are offered simulation, action or arcade while
fouls, injuries and the offside rule may be switched off or left on. Select the
size of the pitch and the weather conditions you wish to play in, as the wetter
the turf, the more sluggish the ball moves.
Fifa '97 offers three skill
levels from beginner to pro and two control pad options with a complex setting
allowing you to execute advanced skills.
Finally you may select to play
a standard outdoor game or a fast paced match in an indoor stadium where the
touchlines are replaced by Plexiglass topped boards to keep the ball in play.
So
there you go, an option of gameplay that should suit everybody but what matters
the most is how the game actually plays.
When I was a boy I remember
reading a Roy of the Rovers comic book where the hero of Melchester Rovers used
to practice his skills on the training ground wearing boots lined with lead.
The idea was that when Match Day came along Roy would discard the heavy footwear
and replace them with a lightweight pair of shooting boots. Overnight, this
transformed Roy into a twinkle-toed striker that would nimbly dance around
defenders before launching a rocket of a shot that was so powerful it would
blast a hole in the back of a net.
Fifa '97 reminded me of this, but
unfortunately the players have forgotten to replace their lead lined boots
before kick-off and are forced to participate in a slow motion football match
that borders on the painful. Yes, Fifa '97 is another typical example of
graphics over gameplay.
Because every movement has been motion captured
perfectly, the polygon players appear to first get their eye on the ball, then
raise back the leg, a quick glance up to spot a team mate before lowering the
foot through the ball to produce a perfect pass - but the balls gone, you've
been tackled and the opposition is charging at your defenders, well slowly
charging. The players trot around the park as if there is not a care in the
world. There is a sprint button but this seems to boost their speed from very
slow to slow while a goal scored sees a twenty second replay, a ten second
celebration and a thirty second jog back to the half way line before the game
continues. |
|
Look,
if your new to video soccer games then the pace, or lack of it, will probably
suit you. Fifa '97 is probably the most realistic looking sports game on the
PSX, but if your idea of a soccer game is exciting attacking play and fluid
movement then check out the competition first. |
|
MARTIN |
|
|
|
|
GRAPHICS: |
Good |
Fifa
'97 will have it's market and will probably appeal to the younger generation.
The indoor tournament will produce a bucket full of goals but a thimble full of
skillful moves. I must say that I prefer Soccer '97 to this, any day. |
SOUND: |
Good |
PLAYABILITY: |
Poor |
VALUE: |
Average |
OVERALL 5/10 |
|
ADAM |
|
|
|
|
GRAPHICS: |
Good |
A
few months ago I bought this game on the Megadrive and still think that it's the
best soccer game on the 16 bit system. The graphics look better on the
Playstation but it plays much slower and I found it difficult to score. |
SOUND: |
Good |
PLAYABILITY: |
Average |
VALUE: |
Average |
OVERALL 6/10 |
|
|