FIFA 2001

The Fifa series has been running for many years now, with the first game being published seven years ago, in 1994. I have closely followed this series as it has proved to be a very good one, improving every year with new features added. The first game was pretty basic (Well, it was on the Mega Drive) but as football games went at the time, it was pretty much above the rest. All you could do though is play International matches, which was then upgraded to club games in the following addition, '95, and then further additions were made before the game changed format onto the PC and Playstation, such as the basic transfer system involved in Fifa '96.

(click the shots to enlarge)

Fifa '97 came out for the Playstation and the immediate thing you noticed about it was the significant improvement in the quality of graphics. I bought this game and also the following games '98 and '99, where some big changes had been made, such as the smoothness of the game and the quality of the commentary. 2000 proved to be the best yet in the series, with things such as different player reactions to refereeing decisions and the results of physical challenges being exploited, such as players colliding in mid-air. So when I was one of the lucky ones to get my hands on the Playstation 2, this latest addition to the series was the first game I bought; Fifa 2001!

The main camera angle of this new game is very much the same as in Fifa 2000, with a sweeping view across the pitch shown. This can of course be changed, but I recommend that you leave it in the default view for best quality of gameplay. In the game, a variety of new features and effects have been added. These include making the players look a lot more lifelike and real, and this is a good effect as it offers more realism to the game with extra details such as cuts on players' faces and facial hair included. The quality of opposition has also improved, as goalies and defenders on the other side no longer stand and watch as you steam from one end to the pitch to the other before planting a shot in the net, as the opposition defenders will close you down better and mark your team mates, and the keepers can now make some smart reflex saves.

A new feature, which I think is completely unique to this game, is the addition of two fully functional linesmen patrolling the touchline. In previous games these are not shown, and it often is left to the referee to make impossible decisions about offsides from the other end of the pitch, which he always gets right!! With this game the decisions look as if they have been a joint decision between referee and assistant, rather than just the referee alone. Another of these features, which is not involved in the on-field gameplay but is a crucial touch nevertheless is the great improvement of the crowd and surroundings. The crowd no longer look as if they are laying on their backs looking at the sky whilst the action unfolds in front of them, but actually look interested in the game now. The sponsor boards also contain real companies instead of ones such as 'Bobs Buns' and 'Jims Cafe' and this also adds a special touch to this game. The above effects coupled with extra things such as television cameras and microphones placed around the pitch and the stadium looking smooth and realistic, and all of these effects combine together to make for a brilliant match atmosphere.

The basic controls of this game are the same as the one in the previous game of the series, which is excellent as after spending your cash and racing home to play it, you can just slide it in and play straight away without having to spend valuable playing time wading through a thick instruction book to find out exactly what button does what! One difference I did notice in the controls is that the amount of time a button is held down for determines the power that is put into the kick. For example, if circle is held down for a long time, more power will be exerted then if you just gave this button a light tap. This gives you as a player full control over how exactly you place your shot, as you have to select how much power is involved as well as which direction it goes in with the D-Pad. This means there are no longer any excuses such as 'It didn't do what I wanted' as if something goes wrong in your pass or shot, it is totally your fault. This is a good thing as it allows you to have almost full control over the proceedings on the pitch.

There is a good feature in the 'Season' mode of the game. Instead of just playing one season before finishing it and having to start a new one, you can now play as many seasons as you like continuously. What is more, clubs also get relegated and promoted to and from your division and there is also the chance to enter other competitions such as the 'Champions Cup' and the 'English Cup', obviously interpretations of the FA Cup and Champions League. This is an excellent feature and offers a bit more purpose to a season than just completing it, winning the league and not receiving and real reward for it. There are many good teams included in leagues from all over the world at Club level, from Manchester United in the English League to Macabi Haifa in the Israeli League! This offers a lot of depth into the game as clubs of different quality with players of different ability are featured from all four corners of the globe.

The same in game options, such as the times a game can run for, are still included in this addition, and one thing that hasn't changed from Fifa 2000 but has been improved, is the effect of the weather upon the match. Instead of just being there to look good, it now has rather a large effect upon the game and players, with the heat causing them to tire quickly and the rain slowing down the ball as it lands. This is a feature that I really like about the game, as the weather has big effects, like in real life. The only thing that I would say I didn't like was the way in which the goalkeepers can sometimes make an easy save look hard. But this does not detract from the quality of the game.

This is probably the best football game out at the moment and it looks as if EA Sports have hit upon another winner with this one. It is certainly the best one I have played and how far things have come in just a few years, from just basic International matches to the great in-depth game we have here. This game is surely a must buy for any one who likes football and any age group will find this enjoyable to play, from the infant to more mature adult. Go and buy this, miss out and you have missed out on a truly amazing game!