PlayStation

FIFA Soccer 97

FIFA '97 demands attention and respect not only from soccer fans, but from sports gamers in general. You'll be kicking yourself all winter if you let it pass you by.

Anyone who picked up last years FIFA Soccer title will be impressed with EA's efforts this year. Bottom line, one of the best soccer titles available, bar none.

FIFA ´97 är ett grymt bra fotbollsspel, som nu delar topprankingen med Worldwide Soccer ´97.

Overall, FIFA 97 is a superb soccer sim. It combines killer graphics with incredible true-to-life gameplay. EA has delivered a serious soccer game for serious soccer players. For FIFA fans, this is a must buy.

With 42,000 real players and 250 International teams, FIFA Soccer '97 is abundantly long on stats and realism but short in the more important area of gameplay. Control is a little loose and overall game speed is not quite fast enough. Playing in Arcade Mode helps the speed problem a little, but doesn't redeem the game. FIFA is a competent game, but with so many great soccer games out there it's better to be a little better than competent to complete effectively.

The original PlayStation incarnation of FIFA was a relatively disappointing affair. Overly complex gameplay, stilted player movement and surprisingly fuzzy visuals ensured EA’s multi-format chart topper was outsold and outperformed on the park by both Actua Soccer and Adidas Power Soccer.

Fifa '97 will have it's market and will probably appeal to the younger generation. The indoor tournament will produce a bucket full of goals but a thimble full of skillful moves. I must say that I prefer Soccer '97 to this, any day.