The numbers are immediately very impressive. There are 127 teams (all with national anthems), 100 individually styled players and 12 official stadiums from the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Some of the options were locked but overall the game felt very finished. From the main menu there are plenty of modes to choose from. The most compelling game mode is the 2006 FIFA World Cup option which lets you play through the FIFA world cup finals. Obviously. As well as this though you can also play in the qualifiers for the World Cup, so it’s even possible to play in the Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The game also includes standard options like the ability to jump straight into a penalty shootout or play a quick game. There is an Xbox Live option which is sure to be a highlight, but unfortunately was feature was locked out in the version we played. Either way if the online component lets you compete in a World Cup tournament the game will be extremely addictive online. If you’re not familiar with the FIFA game play then the practice mode will be something that you’ll be spending a lot of time in.
The stadiums are extremely vast.
The global challenge is a mode that we actually hadn’t heard about but it’s one of the best features of the game. The global challenge mode lets you choose a region and recreate a scenario from that region. For example the Oceania region sees you playing the Soloman Islands. There are forty classic moments from FIFA history and it’s possible to earn rewards to unlock legendary players and classic apparel. Overall we were very impressed with the amount of options in the game. Even if you don’t want to play through a World Cup there are plenty of other game play options, which is a relief.
What is going to come as either a major disappointment or a major relief is the fact that a bit has changed on the field. If you haven’t played a FIFA title in the past then you’re likely to get a bit of a shock when you get on to the field. It’s no longer possible to just run down the centre and shoot from the penalty box and score - you actually need to plan and strategise your attacks, which makes the game feel a lot more realistic. FIFA still isn’t as deep as that other game, Pro Evolution Soccer, but it is still a lot of fun.
Anyone recognise who this is?
The presentation is really what sets this game apart. There are just so many options (unlockable players and apparel) that even if you end up winning the World Cup tournament this is only the beginning of what the game has to offer. The presentation is unprecedented, as you'd expect from EA, and it’s absolutely awe inspiring how pumped up the game manages to make you feel - even if the balloons that are released at the beginning of each match look a little fake…
In game the commentary is generally pretty spot on and the crowd helps to set the atmosphere. The crowd appears to favour the home side which doesn’t make much sense considering you’re always playing in Germany, but this is a small issue. There were a few sound bugs in the game, but these are not major and we expect these to be fixed in time for the game’s release. As usual EA have licensed an incredibly decent soundtrack which includes the likes of the Black Eyed Peas and Depeche Mode. All of the songs are very well suited to the game although it would have been good if Ricky Martin made an appearance... Actually, we’re pleased he didn’t.
2006 FIFA World Cup doesn't look like it is going to reinvent the wheel, but it's a solid game with a lot of content that is likely to please anyone who is a fan of the previous FIFA titles or anyone who just cannot get enough of the World Cup. The major surprise with the game is the fact that it is full of content, so it's likely to last a significant amount of time.
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