FIFA 08 (PSP)

For years now it has been accepted that the state of play is that ProEvolution Soccer is the only game that is worth caring about. Look past the iffy licencing, dodgy names, limited leagues and cups and you have a superb footballing engine at the crux of it all.

Something made me think though, should I just accept what is said to be true. I can remember the old isometric days with players highlighted by circles and stars, screaming in 35 yard wondershots, but surely EA must pay attention to what the market demands.

I would say that the gap between FIFA and PES as far as a basic footballing engine is at its smallest yet. Indeed I may even go so far as to say I prefer it. The basic functionality of the game remains the same, pass, shoot, lob, throughball (albeit with pass and shoot buttons differing between the two franchises) but the tactical side of the game feels so much more advanced than last years PES6. Players signalling off the ball runs, overly boysterous shunts drawing free kicks, a player goes down in the box and play is waved on, players with skill performing the odd piece of flair without it looking unnatural or forced into the game to appear flashy. Also the way that players seem to wane, and lose confidence if things go against them as the clock ticks on. Spot on.

Add to this the superb presentation, animations of players appropriately berating each other for defensive slip ups, fluid ball control and shooting motions. Then there is the commentry. This is like walking into a lush wonderland when compared to the near silence of PES6. Also the content of it is on the whole accurate as to what happens on screen. Pre-ambles about tough opening games of seasons, surprise at goals from nowhere as a match heads for a draw, comments on players losing confidence in front of goal. Excellent.

There is a huge wealth of gamplay options available here. Round the world leagues already set up and ready to compete in along with nominated and adjustable rival team for the season (Liverpool v Everton for example), a wealth of cup competitions. This is just scratching the surface. So much is there for the football fan and on such a small machine too, I do like the mentality of "we will give you everything you need" here.

Of course there are downsides, the odd graphical glitch with textures on hair I've seen, and perhaps one or two moments of madness from the keeper/defence when it came to a throw out and clearing their lines. But perhaps this reflects reality and the fact that teams are not all robots.

I'll have to compare this to PES7 when it finally surfaces, but currently this is the top dog of football sims on the machine. Just make sure you don't dismiss this purely because of the 'lore' of PES is god.

old is the new new!!! I am a 9 year old called ted (teddy) and last year I bought FIFA 09 on PSP first of all the games I bought in 2008 and it is really good! yes it's 2 years old but who cares! oh,mabe I do! there may be all this FIFA 09 and FIFA 10 out but if you want a classic football game with great graphics then get this.

please write underneath that this review was helpful :-).

I have written many reviews on amazon and this the first one I am negative about. Considering some other football games I think that the graphics could be greatly improved. I do not understand why the game is so easy. I am not normally an ace on game but this was too easy. I had it sown up within a month and for me that is bad. It faltered a few times and I have to say the lack of international tournaments was utterly atrocious. Normally fifa brings out good games but this was poor. If I were you I wouldn't buy this game unless you are a football worshipper. If I try hard I can concentrate on the game for half an hour before being bored out of my head with this game. It's absolutely lacking a spark of brilliance.