FIFA 2004 - My Biased Mini-Review

[hitmanuk2k]

I know Zygalski won't be happy with me making a "repeat" thread, but who cares, this is my forum so I can do what I want

This mini-review is essentially my biased thoughts (being a avid PES3 fan) on FIFA 2004.

To kick things off... I will tell you one thing; Konami want to make sure they don't fuck up like they did this year with the stutter bug next time around, because FIFA 2004 is not a bad game at all.

I must say when I played the game I was not at all very open minded and had previously convinced myself it would be shit. But I must admit, I was wrong. FIFA 2004 is a good game. The gameplay is very very playable. Graphically I personally find it to be a little "glitchy" (on the PS2) and "average" players who do not have there faces in the game look very poor. BUT.... those good players who have their real faces in the game look, quite frankly, fucking unbelieveable. Craig Bellamy and Frank Lampard stand out especially.

Anyway, back on to the gameplay. It now plays much more smoothly than ever before, and the new freedom you have is great. The ball physics are still a couple of years behind Pro Evolution Soccer 3, but other than that its all good. Passing is much crisper than FIFA 2003, and the shooting is much more developed also.

Set Pieces are also fantastic. You have a choice of numerous different types of free kick when close to the goal, including taping to a fellow player to drive it towards goal (Like what Alan Shearer does for Newcastle). Defending corners is also made much easier and heading is about 50000% improved from last years FIFA.

One massive massive massive thing missing from FIFA 2004 is the ability to edit. Although I assume an editing utility will be available for the PC version, this obviously wont be useable on console versions. There is a transfer system, but you can not edit player faces or anything like that. Meaning average players who look terrible or players who are basically wrong (Shay Given is bald!) can not be altered. Kits can also not be edited meaning once this season is out, you will be playing with old kits. This to me is a major flaw in the game.

Audio wise the game is huge. The soundtrack features literally loads of songs from well known artists. In game chanting is also great (thanks to the research for EA Sports by me!) and the commentary is much smoother than ever before, although Ally McCoist really doesn't do it for me.

Of course, the one thing which FIFA always has going for it is the sheer size of the game. This time around there is a Career mode which puts you control of a side of your choice and you are given objectives which you should meet in order to gain extra points. This mode really is so much better than Pro Evolution Soccer 3's Master League. Pretty much every cup you could ever want to play is in the game and the career mode. Playing a season on FIFA 2004 is just like playing a season in real life, with League, Champions League, UEFA Cup and Domestic Cups all running alongside each other.

Well, I think that all pretty much sums up what I have to say about FIFA 2004. Overall it is worth about 85%. With an editing utility this figure could quite easily push into the 90's... and not too far behind PES3 (Which, by the way, is still better than FIFA 2004 incase your wondering... but only just)

It is definatley worth a purchase in my opinion, or at least a place on your christmas list.

 

[Badgerman]

I personally thought the PC denmo was shite, I played 1 match then un-installed it.

As fluid as swimming in a concrete pool.

If I can pick up a PS2 demo, I will, but my hopes are very very ow.

PES still holds the crown since it's first ever appearance.

 

[Giggsy11]

great review hitman!!!

i'm gonna get it!!!
but pes is still better though

 

[hitmanuk2k]

get it from game... that way you can take it back if you dont agree with me and then you cant shout at me or anything

 

[Paul B]

No edit mode?! I can't imagine life without it!

 

[Witon]

hey hitmanuk2k in fifa 04 while doing a coner kick , can you control the ball curl ?

Like say, you want the ball curl to the left - middle of the big box. So one of the player can rush in and do a header.

I couldnt do it in the PC demo, the ball always lands near the small box.

 

[Andersson]

Nice to see that you're able to write about the game that's not your favorite without beeing to biased. I went to the FIFA forums at soccergaming.tv and they bashed PES3 in redicoulous ways, I had a good laugh at how biased and blinded by EA's advertising they were. Very much like that 'lord of the rings' parody actually.

Personally, playing the PC demo of FIFA04 didn't do anything for me but it's possible the console versions are better ofcourse, isn't that usually the case?

 

[Giggsy11]

er apart from the review

we also bash fifa so....

 

[PicturePerfect]

The PC demo was weak. Very weak. That said, it was only a demo, so it's certain you would expect better things from the final version.

I'll definitely give it a go, like I do every year, and reserve my judgement till then.

 

[Giggsy11]

i thought the pc demo was OK.

but i used a keyboard to control it which i am used to .

 

[PicturePerfect]

er apart from the review

we also bash fifa so....

Nowhere near to the extent that some FIFA websites do.
I think we're quite mellow here to be honest.

 

[hitmanuk2k]

i just downloaded the demo for the pc to see what its like and it isnt half as good as the final console version. no idea how the final pc version plays though ?

 

[Giggsy11]

i just downloaded the demo for the pc to see what its like and it isnt half as good as the final console version. no idea how the final pc version plays though ?

the PC version would be great for the edit modes and the patches you can download of soccergaming.

 

[liechtenstein jim]

Great reveiw hitman.
My main gripes with FIFA 2004 is that it is too easy too score from outside the 18yrd box and that the players fatigue takes far too long to recover.

 

[Giggsy11]

do the players on 2004 have long range shots?

cos on 2003 they always shot in the box and scored every time which was crap!

 

[MatPhillips]

i completely agree with Hitman, i was completely blinkered, but ended up really liking Fifa this year, the set pieces are particularly pleasing. although free kicks near goal are far too easy (but i am very good at them on most games so i dont know if thats just me...)

i was winning 4-0, scoring 4 free kicks from 4 attempts in some matches.

penalties are especially good, they have a power bar giving you more control! (ARE YOU LISTENING KONAMI?)

Much improved from 2003, prob buy it next pay check!

but pro Evolution 3 is still superior, although Fifa's Career even pushes the mighty "master league", if Fifa add editing (for kits/ players etc...) then konami could be in trouble next year,
i can some up with a simple sentence

"look out PES 4, FIFA's on its way up"

 

[Witon]

PES also have a power bar while doing a long pass, and shot.

In fact the (PS 2) right analog stick allows you to do more things then pass. By controll it wisely, you can do a fast low shot, lob shot, pass in any direction.

But one thing they are missing is the ability to adjust the power of your long pass from the side to the middle of the box.

 

[MatPhillips]

PES also have a power bar while doing a long pass, and shot.

In fact the (PS 2) right analog stick allows you to do more things then pass. By controll it wisely, you can do a fast low shot, lob shot, pass in any direction.

But one thing they are missing is the ability to adjust the power of your long pass from the side to the middle of the box

i meant there is a power bar on Penalty kicks on Fifa, there isn't one on PES,

you can change your set up so you CAN control power of crosses inside the box, go to button config and toward the bottom there's something about pass types, i have mine on type 5 (it gives you a brief explanation of it on that screen) i basically control everything, no auto crossing at all!! takes some getting used to though

 

[GE]

PES3 Rules!!!

 

[gimp]

The PC version proved to be crap but i was well impressed by the console version. (expecially the new in-depth career mode and the opitunity to play as lower divisions eg/ yeovil, hartlepool ect.). The thing which worries me is if EA Sports keeps on improving so rapidly will it leap-frog konami. Extra thanks to hitmanuk2k for doing a un-biased report which didn't suck plus not dissing pes3 - big respect! Keep the messages coming. EA Sports will need to add a well needed create mode to make greatness - they have made the game smoother and are on a rise! Last year EA Sports won the best selling football game in 2003 but did not really deserve it! This year they have put the effort in and may be looking likely to do it again! If pes3 is going to claim victory its gotta scrap the silly bloody names - for gods sake - roberto bloody larcos! who the hell do we think we are not attempting to get the licensing laws to name the best player in the world (in my opinion) correctly!