INTRODUCTION
EA's football sim was met with great enthusiasm when it was released on the consoles and now it's here on the Amiga. But a lot of conversions fall by the wayside and don't seem to have the magic they had when they first hit other formats. Take Kick Off 3, for example. On the console it really was the business but when it hit the Amiga it was nothing more than blatantly average. However, the opposite was true with Aladdin - great on the consoles and it worked just as well on the Amiga. So now FIFA is finally here, but will it have what it takes or will it be just another console cash-in?
SIMULATION
Well, it seems all the players have come complete with jet-lag from their long conversion from the console, as this is far too slow a simulation. The moves all work nicely though, but it all plays at a snail's pace. For those who really like to be in control of the game, planning each little move precisely, then it's quite enjoyable, but the main appeal of football is its excitement and somehow this fails to come across, especially in two-player mode.
It does have its redeeming qualities though. The way throw-ins and corners are taken is unusual but works well. By moving a box over the area you want to direct the ball in you get accurate results easily. Substitutions can also be made accurately as each player has a different rating for each of the attributes, like their shot power or passing skills.
The different options also make for a more realistic game, with a feature for changing the weather and the pitch type or for choosing the simulation or action option.
FLASHBACK
Yes, I'm going to have to cite Goal! and Sensible Soccer once again in a football flashback. They were the greats of their time and most people have played them, so they're the most obvious examples to use.
So where does FIFA stand? Well, it's graphically superior with great crowd details, the sprite size shows all the moves well and the sonics create a good match feel. But it's playability that matters and FIFA simply doesn't kick it against these old veterans.
Two player Goal! was an absolute dream to play and made for a really exciting game, and Sensi Soccer was a new and fresh approach with its miniature sprites and addictive playability.
FIFA isn't a bad game, it just doesn't have that indefinable quality that makes you want to keep coming back for another game, and it doesn't have the excitement either. On the other hand, it has far more options than others and plays a lot better than the awful USA World Cup game and the mediocre Kick Off 3.
Oh, he's football crazy, he's football mad, and the football it has robbed him o' the wee bit sense he had.
Jimmy McGregor, 'Football Crazy', 1960 song.
SOUND
Even some of the best footy sims have been let down by an appalling crowd effect - some sounding more like gurgling drains than anything else! Luckily, FIFA is a pretty reasonable attempt in portraying the excitement of a football match.
There is a good crowd chant and the appropriate roars and boos that run throughout, but unfortunately when a goal is scored there is a big delay between this and the crowd cheering louder - if it gets any louder at all, which it sometimes doesn't! All in all though, it does work well and gives the authenticity of a match.
66%GRAPHICS
Overall, the presentation of the game has been well thought out with clear and colourful information charts which makes setting options and the like easy. The actual stadium is very detailed, with the crowd shown quite closely. EA has opted for a large sprite size which works well in showing all the different moves, and the match is viewed from side-on which gives a more realistic angle. However, when the ball crosses the line in the goal it is difficult to see as it doesn't actually look as if it has gone in making things rather confusing.
The animation of players add a nice touch. For example, when a player scores he runs down the pitch with a celebratory dance and the scoreboard shows an animation of a Mexican wave or hula girl. However, some of these are just adverts and there's no way to skip them which proves irritating.
90%OPINION68%
Firstly, when you load the game up you notice the vast amount of options and the simplicity with which they can be selected. You have many play modes from league, tournaments and exhibition matches. Goalies can either be manual or computer operated and you can also choose whether you have full, intermediate or no fouls at all.
When it comes down to selecting the style of play there are also plenty of options to select. Team coverage allows you to select the movements of your defence, midfield and attack, and you can choose formations and strategy in a very straightforward way.
Graphics convey the ground well and the animations of the sprites add some nice moments to the game. The pre-match commentary is also a good idea and gives a brief background of the teams and a comparison of their skills.
The vast array of moves you can carry out work well. From back passes, headers and overhead kicks, even novices to the game will be able to achieve a satisfying playing style.
However, it's not all wonderful by any means. The game is painfully slow which makes for an incredibly boring match at times. In fact two-player mode becomes rather tedious too quickly. It's not bad if you fancy a change to Goal! and Sensi, but as it's no way near up to the same standard you will find you become rather bored and irritated y it. Not a patch on its console counterpart I'm afraid!