Scoring and passing
Match day is where the real changes can be seen and EA have tinkered with player and ball physics to make the gameplay more realistic than any of their previous titles.
The first thing you’ll notice is the magnificent entrance scene, players walk down the tunnel shaking hands, then the camera pans out to a magnificent view of the stadium, focusing on all the fine detail. Then it’s down to what really matters; the action.
Goalscoring
FIFA and Pro Evolution soccer fans have had many a long heated discussion on the two different approaches to goal scoring. In Pro Evolution super goals are rare, and require precision passing and pin point accuracy to create a chance, and when you do score a wonder goal, you’re almost jumping out of your seat. Scoring spectacular goals in FIFA was a frequent occurrence and, whilst some people love this aspect of FIFA titles, the thrill of scoring such a goal just doesn’t exist for me. In FIFA 07, EA have addressed the issue, and I’m yet to play a match where I’ve scored more than 4 goals on Semi-Pro difficulty; now you need to work the ball into position to create that chance.
Click for larger imageThe controls for shooting are far more responsive and the slightest touch too far to the left or right of the thumbstick will see the ball heading swerving away from goal. You can use your RB shoulder with the shoot button to pull off a ‘finesse’ shot which allows you to apply more accuracy to the shot and attempt to place it in the corners of the goal or use the left trigger and shoot to chip the goalie as he comes storming out from the goal-line. Of course you can just rely on pure skill by pressing down the shoot button for the required amount of elevation and power, but the accuracy needed now means that you’ll have to judge your shot to perfection. Overall, this results in an extremely realistic and gratifying experience and when you do score you’ll know it’s purely down to your skill.
Click for larger imageScoring by headers is far more difficult and you need to press the shoot button at exactly the right time and when you do pull it off it feels as though you were in control of every movement of that player. The animations of the players as they dive to head the ball, execute overhead kicks or scissor shots are the best I’ve seen in any soccer game and even the goal scoring celebrations mimic those of the real players; you’ll even see Peter Crouch’s robotic celebration.
The balance between scoring and missing is a fine line indeed and in FIFA 07 you’ll be using the ‘Y’ button frequently in order to move players off the ball on forward runs to create the space needed to get an accurate shot on goal. Defenders are now far more adept at tracking your runs and marking players, so you’ll need to shift your eyes around the pitch in order to spot those spaces.
Click for larger imagePASSING
In order to pass in FIFA 07 you’ll need to be precise with the movement of your left thumbstick; if you don’t move it in the exact direction of a player it won’t land at his feet and you’ll often need to bring a player forward in order to receive the ball before passing and moving towards goal. Quick one-two moves allow you make space and players react as they should, timing runs to perfection and constantly keeping on their toes.
Passing is far smoother and faster than ever before and one thing I didn’t enjoy in previous FIFA games was how a lobbed ball would appear to take far too long to reach its destination or would dip in the air half way along its route, but now you can pull of David Beckham style driven pass with pin point precision (very Pro Evolution).