After reading the frontpage comments, I actually went back and tried FIFA 07. I dumped FIFA and switched to PES in 2001 because of the poor gameplay (especially defense) in FIFA. I must say FIFA 07 is quite a fun experience so far. The manager mode is particularly interesting, in some ways it gives players a much richer experience than PES. For example, the manager must meet multiple goals in order to succeed, not just making money and winning games. The gameplay also improves a lot, although its defense play is still not very well designed. Man, I love the correct names, commentary names, teams, kits, stadiums and so on.
Another interesting thing is that a lot of FIFA's improvements are probably copied or learned from PES. For example, some controls, such as lobby through balls and double tap for low cross, are really similar to PES.
Here is my conclusion: PES is still a better football game, but FIFA is no longer unacceptable. Future PES games should probably learn from the good aspects of FIFA. For example, a richer master league mode with real money, news, fans reactions, and ticket prices.
Guys,
In the past few days I played more of FIFA 07. I start to find out two problems with it:
1. The graphics do look good from the tele view, but the animations are in fact quite sloppy (Haribo made the same point). If you are used to playing PES, you will always think that the players' head in FIFA are too big. The hair also seems to be glued to their heads. One funny thing is, when the play is stopped due to a foul, the referee often runs around in a circle by himself at super speed.
2. Gameplay: the big flaw is still with defence, just like in FIFA 2001. The problem is the "conservative tackle" button is very ineffective, leaving the defenders not much to do other than following the opponents around. FIFA designers seem to think fans only care about attacking, and defense is not important. This probably shows these guys do not really understand football after all.
Another interesting thing is that a lot of FIFA's improvements are probably copied or learned from PES. For example, some controls, such as lobby through balls and double tap for low cross, are really similar to PES.
Here is my conclusion: PES is still a better football game, but FIFA is no longer unacceptable. Future PES games should probably learn from the good aspects of FIFA. For example, a richer master league mode with real money, news, fans reactions, and ticket prices.
Guys,
In the past few days I played more of FIFA 07. I start to find out two problems with it:
1. The graphics do look good from the tele view, but the animations are in fact quite sloppy (Haribo made the same point). If you are used to playing PES, you will always think that the players' head in FIFA are too big. The hair also seems to be glued to their heads. One funny thing is, when the play is stopped due to a foul, the referee often runs around in a circle by himself at super speed.
2. Gameplay: the big flaw is still with defence, just like in FIFA 2001. The problem is the "conservative tackle" button is very ineffective, leaving the defenders not much to do other than following the opponents around. FIFA designers seem to think fans only care about attacking, and defense is not important. This probably shows these guys do not really understand football after all.