Fifa on the PSP

[macsomjrr]

Has anyone got a copy yet??? Is it any good???

[Murph]

I just read the IGN review. They gave it a 7 out of 10.

http://psp.ign.com/articles/607/607381p1.html

[macsomjrr]

That's a shame. Hopefully MVP won't suffer the same fate

[dbdynsty25]

Well that means that only NBA Street is on my radar as a purchase in the coming month or so. Fifa has been relegated to gamefly now.

[Atxj]

Im not interested in what IGN has to say about Fifa, I have been anxious for this game for a while now and im gonna pick it up tomorrow. It sure beats WTS, not to mention I can play Ad-Hoc Vs Mode against friends while in class.

[dbdynsty25]

It sure would be nice if I could find some gameplay screens at least...I don't expect it to be outstanding...but I still think it's a safer rental at this point. I'll wait to hear from you guys...

[macsomjrr]

Let us know what you think after you play a couple games atxj!

[Parker]

I'd rather soup up my Passat with a tv and xbox/ps2 to play WE portably than experience EA's crappy brand of football on another next gen system.

[sportdan30]

There wasn't much positive feedback in that review. A score of 7 sounds high. After reading the review, it sounded like it should have been scored much lower.

[Spooky]

GOD DAMMIT EA!!!!

I thought this game was a shoe-in for sure. I was figuring that EA had the PSP nailed down after how good Tiger Woods is. Silly me for even thinking that. I will give this game a shot today when I head to EB and play a gutted copy. Perhaps reviewers are being too critical like they were/are with ATV (fingers crossed). If not, I might just have to go back to WTS (which IMO was not that bad, I just figured FIFA would be better).

[Atxj]

Let us know what you think after you play a couple games atxj!

Will do. I finally was able to find a Logitech case yesterday and when I picked that up at Gamestop they didn't have FIFA in yet so im going to try again today. I will definately post impressions tonight if im able to make it to EB after school before they close.

[macsomjrr]

I am eagerly awaiting the first impressions

[Spooky]

TJUNG Impressions from one game played in EB:

Okay…these are going to be brief bullet point type impressions…

-Menu navigation is a bit slow and unresponsive/cumbersome as IGN mentioned.

-Graphics are not any better IMO than WTS.

-There is noticeable slowdown on the playing field at certain points (not sure what exactly was causing it, but for me to notice it, it has to be pretty bad). Saw it a total of maybe 3-4 times in one match. Not a game killer at all, just noticeable.

-Control seems a bit stiffer than WTS.

-Speed and fluidness seem a bit slower than WTS, which might be more realistic/sim-like, but feels a tad sluggish right off the bat to me.

-The use of the D-Pad is interesting. I don’t think it is that bad of a decision. I was used to the transition from the pad to the stick after about 5 minutes of playing. The main problem is that from what I could tell, the instructions don’t say anything specific about what the D-Pad does, it just says ‘D-Pad = Freestyle’. From what I can tell though, it acts not only as the initial touch control from a pass, but also as special moves once the player has the ball. I could see getting used to it, but WTS’s decision to use the left shoulder button + face button combo for special moves might get the overall nod.

-More play modes and a season mode that WTS was lacking.

-Obviously a TON more teams, real names and lots more stadiums.

-I have no comment yet on AI and whether or not anything has changed gameplay style wise from the console versions.

So, after one game I feel as though the overall control is not quite as responsive and fluid as WTS for PSP. The graphics are about equal, and there is more active commentary in FIFA. It feels overall a bit slower but it might play a more realistic game of soccer than WTS. I am not the best one to make that judgment. Bottom line is that the presentation and overall feel/control does not have WTS beat by any means, but the modes and sheer amount of teams, players, stadiums and options does have WTS beat.

[sportdan30]

Finally some early impressions. Thanks Spooky. You reinforced my decision to wait and rent this game.

[ScoopBrady]

Spook,
Thanks for the initial impressions!

Were there a lot of awkward pauses in the game like the IGN review stated?

How do the controls compare to the console versions of FIFA? You said they were more sluggish compared to WTS but I'm curious to see if they are sluggish compared to console FIFA.

Everytime a game gets Tjunged a baby angel dies.

[Spooky]

Spook,
Thanks for the initial impressions!

Were there a lot of awkward pauses in the game like the IGN review stated?

How do the controls compare to the console versions of FIFA? You said they were more sluggish compared to WTS but I'm curious to see if they are sluggish compared to console FIFA.

Everytime a game gets Tjunged a baby angel dies.

LOL!

I really have no FIFA reference point as I have not been a soccer video game player over the last few years. So as far as comparing controls, I cannot say.

Yes, there are definite, very noticable pauses every time the ball goes out of play (just look at the very last/newest FIFA video at IGN, you'll see it). However, I really did not find it very distracting at all. It's there, but it actually just seems to stutter so it can load the out of bounds thrown in or goalie kick sequences. No biggie to me and has not bearing on gameplay.

[macsomjrr]

Thanks spooky!

[Spooky]

Played a bit more at EB and compared it directly to WTS. In comparison, FIFA is a much better looking and playing game. While the controls feel a bit less stiff in WTS, the speed is WAY too fast compared to the more realistic pace of FIFA. The player models are also much better in FIFA. I was actually surprised at how poor the WTS player modles looked after going to it straight from FIFA.

As I got more of the hang of FIFA, I began to find some very nice movement and control, and did not notice much of any slowdown in my second game. My second impressions is definitely better than my first, however, I still held off from a purchase.

[MizzouRah]

Played a bit more at EB and compared it directly to WTS. In comparison, FIFA is a much better looking and playing game. While the controls feel a bit less stiff in WTS, the speed is WAY too fast compared to the more realistic pace of FIFA. The player models are also much better in FIFA. I was actually surprised at how poor the WTS player modles looked after going to it straight from FIFA.

As I got more of the hang of FIFA, I began to find some very nice movement and control, and did not notice much of any slowdown in my second game. My second impressions is definitely better than my first, however, I still held off from a purchase.

You do it time and time again. Thanks for your impressions!!


Todd

[Spooky]

Played a bit more at EB and compared it directly to WTS. In comparison, FIFA is a much better looking and playing game. While the controls feel a bit less stiff in WTS, the speed is WAY too fast compared to the more realistic pace of FIFA. The player models are also much better in FIFA. I was actually surprised at how poor the WTS player modles looked after going to it straight from FIFA.

As I got more of the hang of FIFA, I began to find some very nice movement and control, and did not notice much of any slowdown in my second game. My second impressions is definitely better than my first, however, I still held off from a purchase.

You do it time and time again. Thanks for your impressions!!

Todd

You're very welcome! I hope people can get some insight from my impressions, I just hate to steer anyone wrong.

[Leebo33]

I picked it up. I can't post much now because I am busy, but here are a few initial thoughts:

- It seems like FIFA to me. The same problems with FIFA 2005 Xbox are here too (search for Jared's comments on this year's FIFA as almost all the issues have carried over to the PSP version). There is a serious lack of midfield play. It is usually pretty easy to make your way to the opponents end (I was playing on Professional), but the CPU really sits back so that doesn't mean it is easy to score. The corner system is also crap. Your teammates will be clueless at times and it gets tiresome having to send them on runs all the time. CPU players sometimes have an uncanny ability to intercept my passes, especially by sliding.

- The controls seem just a tad sluggish. I will give it more time, but too many times the passes did not go where I intended them to go (I didn't have this trouble on the Xbox version). The hiccups on some shots and out of bounds plays are annoying, but not a gamekiller. The IGN videos do indeed give you a good idea of what happens. It does make the game feel rushed.

- It doesn't seem scripted and I had fun. I only scored one goal in 3 games though...LOL. I had some really nice chances though. The CPU puts up a pretty good fight and varies the attack. They scored a few on me and a couple were on sweet passes that were realistic. The CPU back passes quite a bit. I actually saw some crosses by both me and the CPU fall to the ground without being headed by anyone because they were so poor.

- Ball physics seem improved but are still way behind WE. The game speed seems OK.

- I didn't see many fouls called.

[macsomjrr]

I just played WE8 for the first time yesterday on the xbox. I hadn't played a soccer game for years prior and I was so impressed. That game is special. Has anyone heard anything about WE possibly making an appearance on the PSP?

It sounds like FIFA is just getting so-so reviews. Nothing special so far. I hope MVP doesn't suffer the same fate with slow downs etc...

Fingers crossed...

[ScoopBrady]

I spent some time with this one last night and here are my thoughts:

By the third game I was barely noticing the pauses as the ball went out of bounds. They're still there but I guess I kind of got used to it. Definitely not a game killer IMO but you have to wonder why EA didn't work on addressing it. Maybe that's why it was delayed and they finally gave up on it.

I tried out Semi-Pro and it seemed too easy so I bumped it up to Professional. The AI seemed much better and aggressive (at least on offense) on the Professional difficulty level. I'd equate the aggressiveness to the 3-star level in WE. I wouldn't say the defense sits back in the midfield as they'll definitely mark you, but I would say that they don't really turn up the heat until you reach their defensive third of the pitch. The CPU offense works the field and if you apply pressure they will pass back and try another avenue of attack.

Controls take some getting used to since the first-touch and juke moves are mapped to the d-pad. I am already used to using the first-touch controls now but am having trouble using the juke moves. I may have to put my fingers on steroids so I can gain an advantage. Everything else is standard fare but after spending so much time with WE:8 I kept pressing the Left trigger to change players and that's mapped to the X button. I didn't really find the controls sluggish and they worked well enough for me.

Graphically FIFA is a mixed bag. During gameplay the game flows well enough and the animations are solid but you can tell there's not as many animations as the console versions. The framerate is definitely not locked in and you will notice a drop at times but it's nothing that hampers the game at all. The cutscenes are on par with what you see on the consoles but there are some tears and seams in the polygons that make you wonder why they didn't just ditch them. Especially when you consider that they're what's causing the little pauses as the ball goes out of bounds. They're nice for atmosphere but they definitely wouldn't be missed.

The pace of the game seems a tad faster than the console versions but it doesn't feel too fast. I would prefer an option to slow it down slightly but there is none that I could find.

The menus can be a bear, especially when you go to the transfers section. It took way too long for me to put Nelsen and Savage on the Rovers and I couldn't imagine trying to get the whole EPL up to date on transfers. The problem is there's a pause between when you press the button to change the team you're looking at and when you finally see that team. You've seen it in CAP modes in some games when you change an outfit and you have to wait for it to load on screen. I'm thinking it's a result of showing the players head (not a picture, a 3-D model) next to their name. Why not just remove that and quicken the pace in the transfer menu?

How are the rosters? Well if you played or own FIFA 2005 on the consoles you already know. I can understand not having all of the transfers if they actually added the 2 new MLS teams to the game but Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake are nowhere to be found. And FC Dallas is still called the Dallas Burn. Come on EA, the MLS season just started and you can't even have their teams up-to-date and to top that off now I have to make transfers to make the EPL or Serie A accurate? On the positive side of things they do have all of the teams, players, and leagues found in the console versions.

The load times aren't too bad. The initial powerup is on par with other titles but when you start a match the load times are better than other titles. Maybe 10-15 seconds before you're on the pitch compared to the standard 30-35 seconds I've seen in other games on the PSP.

One cool feature is the EA Flashback. You can save your game at any time and the next time you play the game will show you the last 5 seconds of the game like a rolling start in a racing game. Very cool and this type of thing should be included on every console sports title released in the future.

Overall I had an enjoyable first date with FIFA on the PSP. The gameplay itself is fun on a portable but the presentation side of things make the title feel rushed.

[Spooky]

I spent some time with this one last night and here are my thoughts:

Controls take some getting used to since the first-touch and juke moves are mapped to the d-pad. I am already used to using the first-touch controls now but am having trouble using the juke moves. I may have to put my fingers on steroids so I can gain an advantage. Everything else is standard fare but after spending so much time with WE:8 I kept pressing the Left trigger to change players and that's mapped to the X button. I didn't really find the controls sluggish and they worked well enough for me.

Good impressions Scoop. I agree with pretty much everything you said. Especailly the part quoted above. I actually really like the frist touch controls mapped to the d-pad and have no problem executing them, however, the special moves definitely should have been handled like WTS with using the left shoulder button and face buttons.

I might end up buying this game today, the more I think about it. The big seller for me was putting it against WTS, one right after the other.

[bdoughty]

Gamespot review is up for anyone that cares.

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/sports/fifa ... eview.html