FIFA 2005

FIFA 2005 will hit theaters next week and will introduce the Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC version of the popular soccer game, with EA Sports' blessing. The FIFA series is all about real-world events, and it's being translated into an exciting, console-friendly form for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.

FIFA 2005 will feature a whole bunch of new, true-to-life transfers and features, including exhibition, league, and career modes.

The development team at EA Sports has already been working on the game with PlayStation 2 producers and members of the PC development team, and FIFA 2005 will feature authentic player ratings and a brand-new game engine that will be used by Sony to bring the game to life.

In terms of new features, the game will support both single-player and multiplayer games via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. According to the developers, the Wi-Fi connection will allow for instant play, and the GameCube will also support up to four players. For instance, the same player can be assigned to one of five teams in a match, and if they have a poor connection, he or she can get stuck with the other team, and he or she may lose his position in a league-style penalty shootout. We were able to see some of the new features on the GameCube, including a gamebreaker button that will make players more likely to fall for another team. One example was a system where certain players would jump into a goalkeeper over the keeper after his or her side had been knocked out of the game. A larger part of this system will be in the shoulder button for defending, as you can pull the back of the defense out and watch them go in for a hit or two.

The visuals in the game are looking sharp. While the game won't have the same level of graphical polish as its PlayStation 2 and Xbox counterparts, the environments in the game are looking a little better than those seen in the other versions of the game. Character models are obviously richer than those seen in the other versions of the game and offer a richer sense of depth. The game's art direction is also going to be coming together quite nicely. The various characters on the PSP look a bit better than their PlayStation 2 and Xbox counterparts, which is to be expected, considering that they're basically the same designs. We'll have to wait and see how all of the game's disparate characters will fare in terms of visual appearances.

The audio in the game is coming together quite well. You'll hear a nice assortment of sound effects throughout the game that complement each other well. You'll hear some of the obligatory rap music from the game, while the assorted music tracks are given the sense of being a proper concertina. The various sound effects in the game, which we're pleased to report sound far more dynamic than those found in the Xbox and PS2 versions of the game. The audio in the game is a refinement of the previously found in the game, offering a richer variety of audio and a touch of dynamism. You'll hear a lot more explosions, for instance. The sound in the game is obviously coming together pretty well and helps set it apart from the competition. The audio in the game is shaping up well, thanks to the new Dolby 5.1 support, which we got to try out during our play session. You'll hear an assortment of dramatic music that suits the action in the game well. You'll hear ambient effects like raindrops hitting the ground, tires screeching as you race, and callouts punctuated by explosions.

The control in the game has been tweaked to offer some control nuances. While the basic scheme is still very familiar, The Collective has beefed up the experience a bit, adding an additional layer of complexity. You'll be able to jump, double-jump, wall-run, duck-and-cover, perform takedowns, and perform a number of moves. You'll also be able to perform a number of different grabs, which are triggered by a variety of actions. For example, if you manage to jack a vehicle, you'll execute an arm-busting takedown, whereas if you hold it down you'll perform a throwing maneuver. In addition to the standard assortment of punches, kicks, and kicks, you'll be able to perform kicks and throws, which are triggered by a modifier that you'll trigger by hitting the B button. The modifier will alter your combo setup, adding an element of strategy to proceedings. For instance, if you manage to perform a grab on an enemy, you'll be able to perform an uppercut to the face, resulting in a more powerful takedown. Once you've maneuvered your way to the enemy's groin, you'll trigger a brief, cinematic sequence that shows you performing a face-stomp to the face. If you manage to land a takedown on the foe, you'll be able to perform a good ol' chin-stomp to the face, resulting in a wicked haymaker.