Genesis ~ Fifa International Soccer Review

Overview

Fifa International Soccer is the first game that started the long run of highly successful Fifa Soccer titles from EA Sports. I first saw this game way back in 1993 advertised on TV and was indeed marveled by its graphics. A few years later I got to play Fifa 96 on the PC and quite frankly I was disappointed. Not in the graphics, but in the actual gameplay itself. So because of that, I always thought the original Fifa was better. Now that we have come to the 21st century, we'll see about that...

Gameplay

First off, this game is very difficult for a beginner. You can hardly take control of the players in the way you want them to move, then it is even harder to make the ball move the way you want it to go. The game only has one difficulty level, which I think is too hard anyway. Personally, I found it unbelievably difficult to score the simplest of goals. The opposition always seem to have the upper hand of things. This is not because I suck at soccer games. I have played and am reasonably good at the more later Fifa games on PC. Although I can understand how much this game has aged, all I can say is that this game has aged terribly.

4 out of 10

Graphics

Ah, yes. Excellent graphics with realistic looking animations. The crowd look all nice and colourful too. This was obviously best feature of the game at its time. And they still look good today, although the running animations look a bit clumsy.

4.5 out of 5

Sound and Music

Once again as with graphics, excellent sound effects that sound realistic. However, the crowd noise effects aren't even exciting making this game boring as it is with the gameplay itself. As for the music, its OK.

4 out of 5

Playability and Versatility

The controls are straightforward, but maneuvering the players freely the way you want appears to be more difficult than it should be. This is probably because of the big chunky players on the 3D pitch that can only move in 8 directions and the way the players accelerate slowly and never seem to gain good speed. Tactical options include changing formations, field coverages, strategies and starting lineups. Overall, this game is hardly playable to be much fun at all; lacking in flow that makes soccer what it is. Just take a look at Sensible Soccer and you'll see what I mean.

2.5 out of 5

Options

Very much like all the other EA Sports games, there are more than enough play modes to keep you satisfied. Including exhibition, tournament, playoffs, league and the option to continue games with a password. The sad thing is how there are no club teams, just national ones, which renders the league option pretty much worthless. Other options included simulation or arcade, pitch type and weather, but whichever you chose, it doesn't make any significant difference to the game. Now to round it all off, the players aren't even real, even with it's useless Fifa license. Yes, 2 player is available.

3 out of 5

For: excellent graphics and sound, straightforward controls, plenty of play modes, many teams.

Against: difficult to control, boring crowd noises, no real players, no club teams, hardly any fun at all.

Conclusion

This game is all show off in the graphics and sound, with no good gameplay to back it up. Overall, a very disappointing game that was vastly over-rated and doesn't deserve any of the credit it received back when it was first released.