Managed to get an early copy of this from a mate. Now I know that Pro Evo/Winning Eleven is far superior gameplay wise, and it's never more noticable that in the latest incarnation of the fifa franchise.
The squads are there of course and the gameplay is slightly improved and obviously graphically its a little better, actually in truth its a lot better.
Having been at Winning Eleven 9 a lot recently I'd gotten used to no commentary, and I think I'm gonna have to turn off the commentary on Fifa 2006 as well. Andy Gray says the same thing over and over, most of the time it's ridiculous as well : "Get in in, quick and well" and you've already crossed it in a the first available point, so its ridiculous. I'm playing the manager mode (as usual) and the commentary is stupid if you choose to play each match yourself. For the first 10 or so matches it always starts with "This is so early in the season that the result is almost pointless, its a time for the players to test themselves and the manager to..." etc. After 10 games it changes to one of two things, either "blah blah blah injuries at this time of the season" or "blah blah blah but with one key player missing it could make all the difference". That is the biggest problem audio wise, otherwise its fine.
So, gameplay. Unless its my eyes, I've noticed (several times) a visible AWFUL slowdown, but unlike a normal slowdown, not skipping etc. This is more of a picture catching up with picture, very hard to explain but makes my eyes hurt.
It's actually quite good once you get used to what seems like a really hiked difficulty level (even on easy). There is absolutely no consitency however, I beat Chelsea 3-0 and forgot to save, so I reloaded at that point and drew 1-1 despite playing my exact same lineup and style. Beat Wigan 7-0 at home, then away could only muster a 1-0. Frustrating but then football can be that way.
The teams seem really up to date, the only ommisions I personally noticed are that of Fabrice Fernandes to Bolton (from Saints) and Michael Owen not being at Newcastle (unless he was injured or on the subs bench). The kits etc are immaculate despite them having Bolton's 3rd kit as the away kit (obviously didn't get the new away kit design in time). The players look more real than ever which is impressive when you think of just how many players there are in the game.
Musically its the same old mish-mash of genres etc but this time there are "classic" commentaries, for example Cantona, Rooney etc. In fact the first thing you get what it loads up is a choice to play the classic XI which includes Cantona etc, its on semi-pro and I got battered. Other than that my personal playlist includes Oasis "Lyla" Embrace "Ashes" and a Jamiriqoui (sp?) song.
The game itself looks quite "fluffy" and graphically its pleasing on the eye but there's just something about it that isn't raw enough, Pro Evo has this rawness. In Fifa every pitch is immaculate no matter what the weather or how far into the season you get.
Overall it's a good game, it's certainly got me addicted but I've always been a "licensing" whore.
If you don't like Fifa there is absolutely nothing new that will entice you. If you like Fifa there is just enough new to keep you loving the series. I would give anything for a fully licensed Pro Evo, but for now I think I'll stick to this game, the manager mode is excellent and in 2006 there is none of the terribly slow menus.
The AI is at times brilliant but at times incredibly ****ing stupid, just running the ball into touch when no pressure is applied. The sliding tackle button is near enough pointless because the ref is SO over the top unless you time it 100% perfectly, yet some tackles that DO require a red card just get yellow. I've yet to see a straight red.
The only question I personally have is how different the XBOX 360 version will be because I was going to pre-order that but unless it is graphically FAR superior I don't see the point. I'd assume it will be since its also due for PS3, but sometimes with these games they don't do that. I'd also hope its smoother and there are no visual problems.
So in conclusion; nothing much new but enough to keep fans happy.
The squads are there of course and the gameplay is slightly improved and obviously graphically its a little better, actually in truth its a lot better.
Having been at Winning Eleven 9 a lot recently I'd gotten used to no commentary, and I think I'm gonna have to turn off the commentary on Fifa 2006 as well. Andy Gray says the same thing over and over, most of the time it's ridiculous as well : "Get in in, quick and well" and you've already crossed it in a the first available point, so its ridiculous. I'm playing the manager mode (as usual) and the commentary is stupid if you choose to play each match yourself. For the first 10 or so matches it always starts with "This is so early in the season that the result is almost pointless, its a time for the players to test themselves and the manager to..." etc. After 10 games it changes to one of two things, either "blah blah blah injuries at this time of the season" or "blah blah blah but with one key player missing it could make all the difference". That is the biggest problem audio wise, otherwise its fine.
So, gameplay. Unless its my eyes, I've noticed (several times) a visible AWFUL slowdown, but unlike a normal slowdown, not skipping etc. This is more of a picture catching up with picture, very hard to explain but makes my eyes hurt.
It's actually quite good once you get used to what seems like a really hiked difficulty level (even on easy). There is absolutely no consitency however, I beat Chelsea 3-0 and forgot to save, so I reloaded at that point and drew 1-1 despite playing my exact same lineup and style. Beat Wigan 7-0 at home, then away could only muster a 1-0. Frustrating but then football can be that way.
The teams seem really up to date, the only ommisions I personally noticed are that of Fabrice Fernandes to Bolton (from Saints) and Michael Owen not being at Newcastle (unless he was injured or on the subs bench). The kits etc are immaculate despite them having Bolton's 3rd kit as the away kit (obviously didn't get the new away kit design in time). The players look more real than ever which is impressive when you think of just how many players there are in the game.
Musically its the same old mish-mash of genres etc but this time there are "classic" commentaries, for example Cantona, Rooney etc. In fact the first thing you get what it loads up is a choice to play the classic XI which includes Cantona etc, its on semi-pro and I got battered. Other than that my personal playlist includes Oasis "Lyla" Embrace "Ashes" and a Jamiriqoui (sp?) song.
The game itself looks quite "fluffy" and graphically its pleasing on the eye but there's just something about it that isn't raw enough, Pro Evo has this rawness. In Fifa every pitch is immaculate no matter what the weather or how far into the season you get.
Overall it's a good game, it's certainly got me addicted but I've always been a "licensing" whore.
If you don't like Fifa there is absolutely nothing new that will entice you. If you like Fifa there is just enough new to keep you loving the series. I would give anything for a fully licensed Pro Evo, but for now I think I'll stick to this game, the manager mode is excellent and in 2006 there is none of the terribly slow menus.
The AI is at times brilliant but at times incredibly ****ing stupid, just running the ball into touch when no pressure is applied. The sliding tackle button is near enough pointless because the ref is SO over the top unless you time it 100% perfectly, yet some tackles that DO require a red card just get yellow. I've yet to see a straight red.
The only question I personally have is how different the XBOX 360 version will be because I was going to pre-order that but unless it is graphically FAR superior I don't see the point. I'd assume it will be since its also due for PS3, but sometimes with these games they don't do that. I'd also hope its smoother and there are no visual problems.
So in conclusion; nothing much new but enough to keep fans happy.
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