Mini-Review: 2006 FIFA World Cup for Xbox
The World Cup is almost here so what better way to get in the mood than 2006 FIFA World Cup from EA Sports.
Sadly, I have to report that my general mood was of frustration with the game. Biggest problem is probably one of their big selling points – realistic stadium shading. Playing an afternoon game cast a huge dark shadow over a large part of the pitch and every time the action moved into it I could barely make out the players on my TV. I quickly grew to prefer evening kick-offs. There is also some choppiness in the game, it doesn’t play smoothly like the other FIFA games I have (’05 and ’06).
I expected it to play like FIFA ’06 but it doesn’t. I found making an attack much more difficult that before, the players didn’t seem to run into position like before. Now this could be because of the new control system but it seems that someone familiar with previous versions shouldn’t have to struggle.
The commentary is pretty good though I do miss the good old days of John Motson and Ally McCoist which I think is the pinnacle of in-game commentary, somehow they managed to capture the genuine humour between the two that existed in real life. You don’t get the same feel from Andy Gray (who I believe is the commentator for this series).
Over all, I am a little disappointed, but the fact that I get to play the current World Cup draw helps make up for that. So, I give it 3.5 out of 5.