| FIFA 2001 FIFA is reborn on PS2, but is it any better? If you go in to one of your local games stores, you will see a footie game that has Manchester United midfielder, Paul scoles printed on the front of the box, twice, any ideas what I mean?????? Look around and you will see a little square box and a tall flat box, FIFA hits Playstation one and two this year, and I certainly know which one scores the best of the two. With that last paragraph out of the way, how different are these two games? It opens with exactly the same opening sequence of the ps one version, which I thought they would change, but does it matter at the end of the day, you are going to only own one of the two. Presentation is very neat, and has a simple menu to move around, unlike past FIFA games. The game contains loads of different teams and leagues which will please all those enthusiasts, it includes the English Premier League, Americas MLS and even the Japanese league, and a load more besides the mentioned. International matches make a welcome return, with the usual class and rubbish teams. Want to know what it plays like���..? You guessed it, it plays like FIFA, which is no bad thing, when FIFA is on form it plays like a dream, when its off form (FIFA 2000) its about as much fun as playing with a burst ball. The usual controls are back, with the square button creating a long pass and the X button allows for some fast and fluid passing movement, I wont go too deep in to the controls though, I�m sure everyone will find them extremely easy and enjoyable to use. It plays like FIFA but��. It certainly doesn�t look exactly like it, there is so much to talk about the visuals. For starters, the first thing you will notice will be the players which have there real life sponsors printed on there shirts, but sadly not Arsenal, I wonder why, I think it might be something to do with the SEGA logo, but come on why would Sony want to promote its rival. The player kits also have all there badges in place. But it�s the players themselves that have been improved the mostly, some of the big stars look like there real life counterparts, for example take a look at players such as Rio Ferdinand or Roy keane, they look exactly like the real things, totally unbelievable. Let your eyes drift around the new and improved stadiums too, you will see camera men following the balls every move, linesman keeping the game fair, players warming up close to the bench and police officers standing in the crowd, the visuals are real tasty this time, gone with the cartoon look in with the realism. The weather effects also are top class, the sun glints brightly in the sky, and the rain is just gorgeous, the most realistic I have ever seen on a video game. Before I finish about the graphics, time to tell you about the new player facial animations, they smile when they score, and the movement of their faces look very convincing, they approach the referees when decisions go against them with great anger on their faces, they look truly great, and their celebrations when they score also sometimes carries some comedy factors. Page 2 |