Fifa 2008 EGM Game of the Month

 

Madden 2002 / NFL 2K2

Madden 2003 / NFL 2K3

Madden 2004 / ESPN NFL 2K4

Madden 2005 / ESPN NFL 2K5

NBA Live 2003 / NBA 2K3

NBA Live 2004 / NBA 2K4

NBA Live 2005 / NBA 2K5

NHL 2004 / NHL 2K4

MVP 2004 / MLB 2K4

MVP 2005 / MLB 2K5 / MLB 2006

 

 

So I ended up going with FIFA over PES.  Despite enjoying the PES demo very much, it just seemed that there was too much stacked against it, from the sub-standard (for PES) editing options to the less-than-glowing developer interviews (which screamed, PES 2009 will be so much better).

 

So, I am, of course, enjoying the presentation of FIFA (love the commentary, Celtic-specific chants). The challenge mode is also helpful to keeping it fresh, but I really wish it had the practice modes of PES. I was just getting proficient at free kicks in PES, and they seem to be an afterthought in FIFA. I also wish there was an ability to edit some of the faces -- I can't expect EA to get all 10,000 right or even close, but some of them are comically bad and freaky (see Aiden McGeady, for example.)

 

I agree with a lot of the FIFA criticism about the balance of play (AI winning more fouls and headers) -- maybe this is something a practice mode would help?  Maybe if I knew how to properly shield the ball or "jostle" these would go away.  Adam, any tips?

 

I'll try, but I'm half asleep so this probably won't make sense.

I've never once even tried to shield the ball, being the direct attacking dynamo that I am, and my copy is on loan to a workmate until Friday so I can't immediately help out there.  As far as fouling goes, the best way to draw a foul is to knock the ball ahead of you and try to lure the defender into committing to a sliding tackle after the ball has gone - the timing is something you'll pick up with a bit of practice if you haven't already.

 

The jostle button is useful when defending, if you're alongside the man you're tackling, but before you use it make sure you are alongside.  If you're lagging a little bit behind but still close enough to jostle, the instant the AI player goes down he'll win a free kick because you've basically shoved him from behind - that's correct, so I've no complaint about it, but it takes a couple of matches to get used to.  Jostling while slightly behind my man was the biggest reason I gave away free kicks to start with, so if you can get a handle on that you ought to see the foul count drop and the balance improve.

 

For headed passes and clearances, hold the jostle button while moving towards the ball with the left stick, allowing yourself to gain the advantage positionally a second or two before you press the button to play the ball, and you should win more than you lose.  Treat that like you would a real-life high ball - to win it, you've got to have a tussle with the man contesting the header with you.  In game, the jostle button is what allows you to do that, though you might find the end result can vary - sometimes you'll get in front of your opponent, other times you'll climb over him from behind.  In front of goal, I'm afraid I'm hopeless so I can't really help there.  I'd have thought the same practice ought to work, but my crossing isn't particularly good so I don't get a lot of chance to check.

 

Edit: Forgot to mention that if you're in front of and facing the attacker, the jostle button will then put you into a crouched defensive stance, from which you can then steal the ball from the attacker's feet with a well-timed jab of your standing tackle button (it can help to begin moving towards the attacker just before you start the tackle).  Get the timing down and it's the safest way to win possession, though if you manage to miss the ball you'll give a free kick away every time.