FIFA 2006

Every year recently, it seems, appraisal of EA's FIFA games comes with a massive asterisk against them. That asterisk: Pro Evolution Soccer. And every year, the same things are said. FIFA is getting closer. Pro Evo's control is superior. FIFA has better content. Et cetera. And so it goes. But this year, EA have finally figured out that the mountain will have to come to Mohammed. What am I talking about? Well this time around, you can simulate the PES control scheme very closely indeed. But before you get your dancing shoes on, know this: the control scheme is nothing without having the same level of response and ball physics. And it's on this point that FIFA diverts itself away into familiar territory. Second-place territory.
 

When FIFA 2006 first starts you have the option of selecting "new" or "old" analogue or digital control methods. New is essentially Pro Evo style controls - the kick button is "X", the lob button is "B", holding down "A" allows defenders to auto home in on attackers - the whole box and dice, less special moves, where the two games have different philosophies (see sidebar).

However, the big issue with recent incarnations of FIFA - which, make no mistake has come leaps and bounds since the turgid dark ages of 2000 and thereabouts - remains in the level of responsiveness on offer. Just how quickly the game responds to your control input is a big area of concern. FIFA is like the nerdy guy on the dancefloor. Intense concentration, not really feeling the spirit, just going over the list of correct actions in his mind. When you're watching it, it looks great. Lots of dynamic midfield play, tight marking, and decent adherence to tactical principles. Just like the real thing.

Pick up a controller, and you notice that all this beauty comes at a price. There seems to be a slight delay between control input and it being acted out on screen - something that has plagued past FIFA games. The tight marking you loved watching before becomes a royal pain in the arse. Don't count on the players without the ball to shake their defender, even if you patiently build up from your backs into a strong foundation. The CPU AI is annoyingly good at playing an intelligent coverage, unless you're a plonker who goes for the "Amateur" difficulty level. The upshot: don't expect to be doing any dazzling solo runs down the wing followed by a swift powerblaster into the auld onion bag. There's a heavy emphasis on intelligent passing here (not a bad thing), and it's critical you learn to exploit players who come over to help defence. Master the art of drawing an extra defender then dishing the ball off, and your job is made a lot easier. This is not an easy task, and when playing a human who knows their way around a controller, it's even less likely. Maybe it's the intensity of the midfield action that has lead to the scoring system being so forgiving. That or the fact that I was using phenomenal players. If you get a clear shot and you're inside the penalty area, you're unlikely to be troubled by the 'keeper. This is a fair enough cop, but it would be good for there to be more of an emphasis on correct power and placement. As it stands you can charge in and really spray a thunderbolt in and more often than not it will be exquisitely well placed.

One touch shots are also very forgiving in FIFA 06. The first time you float a long header or cross to an unmarked striker and he fly kicks it in from outside the penalty area, you will go nuts. Then later on you'll realise that it's quite easy to pull off, and the thrill will fade. This is the type of issue that divides videogame football heads. PES fans will tell you that those kind of magic goals should be rare occurrences when skilful play, player position, and timing all conspire to allow it to happen. FIFA fans will, uh, snort and beg to differ, obviously. Me, I can't help that feel that those kind of special game moments get devalued by being too easy to attain. I can count on one hand the goals I've scored via spectacular aerial volleys in five or so years of Pro Evo, but five or so hours of FIFA yielded the same amount. Take note of your preferences and consider.

Presentation, is, as always, flawless. The commentary beats Pro Evo's into a cocked hat, and the pitches, well, there's no comparison. It would be nice to see a little more work done on the crowd in the FIFA games, mainly because it's the one thing preventing this from being a broadcast-quality mimicry of The Real Thing. And it's also one thing PES is really getting it's act together with. The other noticeable edge is the amount of camera angles you can use. Not only are the presets heavily modifiable, even at their default settings there's a number of really useful angles on offer. Practical Pro Evo fans will be envious, knowing they really only have one key view - the 'wide' camera. The use of shadows is also subtly done, and you always know whether it's day or night by their difference, let alone the lighting. Replays are also very dramatic - but this is merely a continuation of last year's high standards.

What could be improved is the occasional hitch when you're playing. While the game's framerate never constantly stutters, FPS levels do vary depending on number of players on screen and camera angle. You will notice it, and it also crops up during some replays.