FIFA Football 2005 (Xbox)
FIFA Football 2005 (Xbox)
Manufacturer: Electronic Arts (Usually dispatched within 24 hours)
From the off, it’s fair to concede that the world’s best-selling action football game, FIFA 2005, hasn’t changed an awful lot in the past twelve months. Those who bought the last version will be entirely familiar with the game’s look and feel, and could rightly argue that once more this new version is an evolution at best. But it’s still quite a good one. The FIFA series has, in recent times, got into the habit of adding one big new feature each year, with middling successes. Last year’s, if you remember, was the impressive-but-tricky off the ball control. This year we get a simpler addition, but a far more effective one. It’s the first touch option, and it genuinely can open the game up, whether you choose to use it for a quick pass or tighter control. And it works because it’s straightforward–there’s no endless messing around with buttons to get it moving.
The rest of the game attracts the usual annual pros and cons. Its presentation is second-to-none, and for a more attacking-focused game, you need look no further. What’s more, the single player mode is substantial, and very long lasting. The downside is the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise which is, and remains, the choice of the hardcore gamer. Yet that doesn’t mean there’s not fun to be had with FIFA 2005. Quite the contrary, in fact. Every year, FIFA can be relied on to provide an entertaining, engrossing and long-lasting football game. Thus, whilst it might be in second place, and this latest release doesn’t change that, it remains a strong and worthwhile runner-up.–Simon Brew
The second best footy game on the xboxIve played nearly all of the Fifa football games and yes alot of them had the same problems of “lack of real movement and AL.”
but tell me can you play as a lowly league side playing in the second division… NO! lets face it at least Fifa has the correct player names which must be always a plus and not some silly name the pro evo usualy use.
Anyway the commentry on Fifa is far better than that of pro evo 4, i know that this is only one small thing but at least you get to hear the excellent Motson who has always been my fav. comentater.
So what to chose Fifa 2005 or pro evo 4
For me it has to be Fifa 2005 because for me it has longer playabilty particually if you buy Total club manager 2005 as they both play together (which i have) and i have been playing Fifa 2005 and Total club manager 2005 for months as it has huge appeal anyway heres a sum-up
Graphics 7/10
Sound 9/10
Playability 8/10
Lastability 10/10
Overall 34/40
FIFA 2005
Having previously owned the FIFA football titles there was no way I was going to miss this one, especially as it is XBox Live enabled. On opening the game, I connected to XBox Live immediately and was very impressed with the wide range of features and options. There are chat rooms (you can create your own), a nice EA messenger facility and various competitions (you can create your own). After each game you can also have your stats emailed to you automatically. The game play online is very good. I played with a Man United fan this morning and we had a good laugh. It was very smooth and there was no sign of any lag. There wasn’t many people online but that will change within a day or two when the game is officially released. Offline play is also very nice. Great graphics, smart tunes. This is the dogs. It’s an improvement on previous formats and I would suggest you buy the game, especially if you are a fan of XBox live. I’ll be trying Pro Evo when that is launched but the official Premier League licence is what makes FIFA 2005 more attractive to me.
tweaked game, distinctly average
as a massive fan of the fifa series after several days of playing the game i’m not that impressed. it is clear from the start that 2005 is only a tweaked version of 2004. Its the same commentary, stadiums etc. as the past 2 years of fifa. The new features include:-
1. the first touch control, this is a very good addition which clearly works well, unlike the retained off the ball controls from 2004 (why keep something that doesn’t work).
2.a progressive career mode, this means you have to start with no reputation at a poor team and spend weeks on the game before you get to any good teams. although i’m sure this adds longevity to the game it is not a feature i like. i prefer to start off with an excellent team and make them better (my club team from the premiership, not some team i know nothing about)
3. a management squad. your results gain you points which you must invest in your management team, e.g. coaches, scouts, medics etc.
4.a daft new transfer system, something that shouldn’t be that hard to get right,
5. various new unlockable kits, stadiums and other football stuff.
6. a few new teams and tournaments, things like that in conclusion, fifa 2005 is a step sideways rather than an advancement from 2004, some aspects have been improved some have got a bit worse. however as the only fully licensed football game i can understand why they have tried to create a really in-depth managerial mode, but it hasn’t been done all that well. despite all this i will be one of the first to pre-order fifa 2006 next year, the fifa series remains a must have for real football fans! even with all its little faults.