FIFA 07 (360) Thread

[JRod]

Much of what the IGN review mentions, I've touched on somewhere in the thread, but his description of the shooting, from what I've played, is flat-out wrong (misses inside the six-yard box? Really?), nor have I ever been frustrated by the passing. Still, we're all different - looking forward to seeing what you lot make of it.

You must not have watched today's Arsenal game. It was all misses inside the 6 yard box.

[ScoopBrady]

Well, I Gameflyed this and it shipped today so I should have it by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. I can't wait to play the full version and I'll definitely be interested in checking out the online play once it arrives.

[Macca00]

Hey Guys,

Picked this one up on the way home today and have to say I'm a bit confused. Some things like the physics and player momentum are fantastic but other things - particularly the passing are frustrating. I turned down the passing assist slider and still find quick passing frustrating. Teamate AI is also not as good as the Xbox version - there isn't nearly as good overlapping movement and even on things like a give and go (when you hold the trigger) the inital passer takes a second or two before he starts to go on a run to recieve the pass back.

I agree with IGN about the shoving/tackling as well - particularly in multiplayer. I only played the demo in single player but after around 10 matches online you notice that some players are really good at the shoving you off the ball by using the right analog. It also doesn't help that EVERYONE you play against is either Barca, ManU, Arsenal or Real Madrid....

Of course these are just my initial impressions and most of those are from multiplayer games and I'm still havinf fun with the shooting and variety of goals that can be scored.

EDIT: I also agree with IGN on the commentary - I just won a free kick about 35 yards out and Tyler said it was "on the edge of the box". Now bs like that may be acceptible in Winning Eleven but....

[Leebo33]

I had a chance to play about 4 games last night on the 10 minute time setting and the professional difficulty level. Some random thoughts:

- Each game was enjoyable, exciting, and believable. If you like the demo I think you will like the game, however, if you don't like the demo there's nothing here that will change your mind IMO. I think my scores were 3-1, 1-1, 2-1, and 0-0. It's really nice to have the licenses (especially because I'm just learning the players in soccer and there are nice pictures in the player profiles), although I already miss a few of the leagues that are in the PSP version.

- Very good goal variety from the CPU. Ball physics are almost there. The only thing I don't like is that the ball seems to quickly sometimes loose steam as it approaches going out of play almost as if the grass is longer near the lines....LOL. The most annoying thing so far is the half-second delay when you send a player on a run or do a 1-2 pass.

- Overall, gameplay is still a ways behind WE. I can't think of one area outside of graphics and some licensing that FIFA does better. HOWEVER, it's getting a lot closer. I don't think there is a single area that WE dominates either beside maybe the highly tuned AI. Although I haven't found any "gamekillers", there are problems with the FIFA AI that can't be missed. Read the 1UP review if you get a chance as I agree with that reviewer. Sometimes players will literally run away from where you think they should go to get to a specific spot. It's not *that* bad and it only happens occassionally but if that kind of stuff ruins a game for you then stay far away. It's akin to an AI baserunner in a baseball game not advancing from 2nd to third on a grounder to the right side or tagging up on a deep fly ball. I also think the through pass is too easy and the AI defenders don't react as fast as your player. I did have some pass assist on (about 1/4), but that shouldn't matter as far as AI is concerned. I will try world class to see if it is also a problem at that skill level.

- I am just a casual fan, but my opponents seemed to play different styles and strategies and I could tell a difference between skill levels. I honestly couldn't tell you if those are the styles the real teams exhibit though. There is a definite difference between the skill levels of players.

- There are a lot of stats for both the teams and individuals.

- For the most part, there weren't many "WTF?" moments, although there were a couple of oddities that I wanted to review on instant replay but apparently there is no replay? I think some of the odd moments are caused by missing frames.

- I know EA wants to sell World Cup and other games (hey, more power to them if they can get us to buy them) but to have a soccer game *without* a proper tournament mode for international squads is just criminal. That goes for you too WE9 PSP!

[seanmac31]

I can think of an area where FIFA is clearly better- dribbling. I know that WE has a ton of moves that you can pull off, but I find the FIFA control to be a lot more intuitive and the on-screen results to be more satisfying. You can really break defenders down with the dribble if you pay attention to positioning, and the results can be very satisfying. In one of my games yesterday, I took Henry flying down the sideline, began to break back when a double team raced towards me, then with a flick of the right stick pushed the ball between them and split the double team. Players move much better with the ball at their feet in FIFA at this point.

My general impressions are very, very positive. I really liked the demo and I think the finished product is far superior. My primary issues with the demo was that the control was slightly sluggish and the framerate was poor on replays and set pieces, but both of those problems have been corrected for the final version. The control feels spot on, as player movement is very fluid while still having a feeling of weight to them. The game is simply fun to play. It’s a lot of work building an attack, and scoring is difficult without being impossible. It’s also nice to see the AI be legitimately dangerous, as I’ve been beaten in several games on Pro setting, and they were legitimate losses, with the AI having an edge in both possession and shots. All the old complaints about one team playing just like the next are a thing of history, as there is a tangible difference in play styles, and you can really feel the difference between good sides and poor ones. That also applies to individual players, as studs can really dominate, maintaining possession and slicing through defenses. When you’re controlling Ronaldinho or Messi, you’ll know.

I agree that the shooting doesn’t feel as intuitive as it should (although this is improved by using the finesse shooting option). There also aren’t enough headers when you send in a cross from the wing- it seems like players are more likely to chest the ball down and take a shot than to flick a header, even when they’re in close. But that said, the game is just a lot of fun. It’s impressive to see how far EA has come with their soccer franchise in a relatively short period of time.

[Zeppo]

I can think of an area where FIFA is clearly better- dribbling. I know that WE has a ton of moves that you can pull off, but I find the FIFA control to be a lot more intuitive and the on-screen results to be more satisfying. You can really break defenders down with the dribble if you pay attention to positioning, and the results can be very satisfying.

Really? One of the most glaring differences between the demo and WE, at least for me, is the dribbling, and I find FIFA to be much, much worse.

In WE, I have no trouble beating players one on one if I do it right, but there is a great danger of losing posession if my timing is poor or I make a bad decision. There aren't any canned moves or special 'beat the guy on the dribble' buttons in WE, so it has to be done with timing and ball control, timing the touch. In the FIFA demo, one of the things that keeps me feeling cold is how much less control I have over the ball, how many fewer things can happen in the interaction between the ball and the player. Little things like the step-over moves and such are things I've become very used to, and the FIFA demo makes me feel like I have many fewer options at my fingertips.

I think I may gamefly this game, but Leebos impressions did a good job of calming down my 'it's new, I have to buy it now!' urges. The lack of headers in the box (really, all over the pitch, no?) really turns me off as well.

[seanmac31]

I can think of an area where FIFA is clearly better- dribbling. I know that WE has a ton of moves that you can pull off, but I find the FIFA control to be a lot more intuitive and the on-screen results to be more satisfying. You can really break defenders down with the dribble if you pay attention to positioning, and the results can be very satisfying.

Really? One of the most glaring differences between the demo and WE, at least for me, is the dribbling, and I find FIFA to be much, much worse.

In WE, I have no trouble beating players one on one if I do it right, but there is a great danger of losing posession if my timing is poor or I make a bad decision. There aren't any canned moves or special 'beat the guy on the dribble' buttons in WE, so it has to be done with timing and ball control, timing the touch. In the FIFA demo, one of the things that keeps me feeling cold is how much less control I have over the ball, how many fewer things can happen in the interaction between the ball and the player. Little things like the step-over moves and such are things I've become very used to, and the FIFA demo makes me feel like I have many fewer options at my fingertips.

I think I may gamefly this game, but Leebos impressions did a good job of calming down my 'it's new, I have to buy it now!' urges. The lack of headers in the box (really, all over the pitch, no?) really turns me off as well.

The control is much better in the retail version. The player movement is less sluggish, for starters. Also, the advanced dribbling moves aren't available in the demo.

[Leebo33]

I've headed the ball in the box, volleyed it with my foot into the goal, and also had the chest down to the ground and shot animations. I'm not sure if it's timing or random yet. I've had no trouble heading the ball on demand anywhere on the pitch outside of my opponent's area.

[Blublub]

As I do every year, I started out playing two matches - one with a top side (this time Chelsea) against a scrub side (some bottom-ranked Mexican League side) and the second with two top clubs. Ever since '98 it ends up being essentially the same regardless of opponent. This year is a little different, but still not what I would like. My "test" was on semi-pro.

I went down 0-1 in the first match, at Stamford Bridge, to the scrub Mexicans. I did manage to come back against the run of play to score two more goals and edge out the win.

Against Barca at Camp Nou it felt pretty much the same, but I did end up losing 2-0. I never really felt all that threatened by what should have been a potent Barca attack but I couldn't penetrate their defence at all. Strange.

As for bugs, I found a pretty big one in my first match. Some left back named Rodriguez was awarded MOM with one goal. In actuality he was responsible for Chelsea leveling through an own goal. Yet in the stats and ratings he was awarded the goal as if this was a positive thing.

Sadly, it looks like in their move to copy WE/PES they unfortunately took all the bad of the series, most notably lack of side selection and woeful commentary (the latter applying to PES only).

The selection of sides is absolutely pathetic. I knew it was going to be limited, but I didn't realize it was THIS limited. Geezus, they were too cheap to even pick up an MLS license this year?

IGN is right - it is about the worst commentary I've ever heard in a sports title. It's right up there in badness with the PES series.

I'll leave gameplay comments aside for the time being as it does seem to hold some promise, but it's definitely still no WE. That push off with the right stick does seem to be wayyyy too effective, and I wonder if online games aren't going to turn into rugby matches.

I dunno at this stage, looks like it might still be fun for some multiplayer, but I'm pretty sure I'd skip it if you're single player only. I don't know what the point of playing "Manager Mode" might be with such a limited selection of sides, and no relegation/promotion.

[Leebo33]

My "test" was on semi-pro.

Semi-pro is way too easy IMO.

[ScoopBrady]

For those who have this can you answer this question: Without mentioning Winning Eleven, are you having fun playing FIFA 07?

[Leebo33]

Absolutely.

[seanmac31]

No doubt.

[JackB1]

for those who already have it, is is safe to say that if you like the demo, you will like the game and vice-versa?

[Macca00]

For those who have this can you answer this question: Without mentioning Winning Eleven, are you having fun playing FIFA 07?

Yes.

But mainly in single player and even then I think the current-gen (Xbox) is slightly better (even if it is much easier). In multiplayer the 360 version made me want to put my head through a brick wall last night...until I realized that the more you pass the ball around the more likely you are to lose it (since your AI teamates don't come to the ball - they just stand there, and players only make useful runs if you make them with the left trigger) so you're better off just pickng a team with a fast striker, knocking the ball up and hitting the speedburst.

I like some aspects of the dribbling like the freedom of movement but I hate the fact that there's practically NO shielding of the ball, again this is prominent in multiplayer but if you turn your back to a defender he'll just shove you right off the ball.

[10spro]

...until I realized that the more you pass the ball around the more likely you are to lose it (since your AI teamates don't come to the ball - they just stand there, and players only make useful runs if you make them with the left trigger) so you're better off just pickng a team with a fast striker, knocking the ball up and hitting the speedburst.

Sounds like a lot of unnnecessary interceptions to me then. And if you're constantly trying just to shield the ball from the opponent because your teammates are lazy, then there goes the fun. Poor AI? Any comments on the shooting department? Does it feel real? Or no matter how you press the red button all balls have the same force?

[dougb]

For those who have this can you answer this question: Without mentioning Winning Eleven, are you having fun playing FIFA 07?

Yes.

But mainly in single player and even then I think the current-gen (Xbox) is slightly better (even if it is much easier). In multiplayer the 360 version made me want to put my head through a brick wall last night...until I realized that the more you pass the ball around the more likely you are to lose it (since your AI teamates don't come to the ball - they just stand there, and players only make useful runs if you make them with the left trigger) so you're better off just pickng a team with a fast striker, knocking the ball up and hitting the speedburst.

I like some aspects of the dribbling like the freedom of movement but I hate the fact that there's practically NO shielding of the ball, again this is prominent in multiplayer but if you turn your back to a defender he'll just shove you right off the ball.

How are the ball physics in comparison to the current generation versions? I've got the PC version and while the ball physics are better than the 06 version I still think the ball flight through the area looks slightly odd (ball sales along until gravity grabs it and forces the ball to drop straight down).

The other thing that bothers me on the current version is how often players volley a ball or chest the ball down near the 6 yard box rather than attempt to head it into the net.

All in all, do you think next gen fifa is worth picking up a 360 or would you stick with the current gen?

Best wishes,

Doug

[Leebo33]

All in all, do you think next gen fifa is worth picking up a 360 or would you stick with the current gen?

I have the PSP version, which is supposed to be very similar to the PS2 version. Based on a comparison of the PSP version to the 360 version I would say it isn't worth it to pickup the 360 version if you have current gen. Some of the problems mentioned here are the same between versions and the current gen has WAY more teams. The only reason I have both is because I really like to have a portable soccer game as I find it the best sport to play on the go.

[Macca00]

So far I have a very love-hate relationship with this game. There are moments where the dribbling and ball physics all come together and the game feels and LOOKS amazing. And then there are moments you try and string together a bunch of passes and your pass ends up going towards the wrong guy (or he doesn't come to the ball) and I want to give up and play something else.

I finished playing Liverpool vs. Chelsea in my 360 Manager Mode season (won 2-1) and decied to go back to the Xbox version of FIFA 07 and play the same match. After 24 hours of the 360 version I was struck by just how much more simple (and less frustrating) quick passing is in the current gen version. From the opening kick off I was spraying the ball around, linking with overlapping players and so on.

I'm also sure that the current gen AI is a heck of a lot better than the next gen version because my teamates in the Xbox version were making much better supporting runs.

The 360 version sure does look gorgeous though. Perhaps my expectations were too high for this game. I still think its fun and its definately better than World Cup 2006 but I don't think its as good as the current gen FIFA (and it definately doesn't have nearly as many gameplay modes, though I do like the scenario mode).

Hope that helps doug. Doug, do u have WE10?

Okay, despite my bitching I'm off to go play some more....

[GB_Simo]

I prefer the 360 version to the current gen one. The dribbling, tackling and passing (which, in a move destined to pen me into a very small minority, I prefer on 360) are all different enough, and closer to my preferred gameplay style, to warrant my hanging on to this version over the XBox one.

Leebo, there's an instant replay mode in the PAL version - I used it the other day (to admire something the CPU did against me, upsettingly). I do remember it being in a slightly odd place in the pause menu, but I can't for the life of me remember where. It should be available, though.

[ScoopBrady]

So far I have a very love-hate relationship with this game. There are moments where the dribbling and ball physics all come together and the game feels and LOOKS amazing. And then there are moments you try and string together a bunch of passes and your pass ends up going towards the wrong guy (or he doesn't come to the ball) and I want to give up and play something else.

But isn't that how the sport is played? Should you really be able to string together passes consistently? Aren't bad passes and miscommunication between players a big part of the game? Don't real teams get frustrated at the same exact thing during a match?

I don't know, to me that doesn't sound like a negative, that sounds like a positive. I'm sick of being able to pass at will in a soccer game and only losing the ball off the dribble. I haven't played the game yet (outside of the demo) but if there are moments that feel and look amazing mixed in with plays that are ugly I'd say that's pretty representative of the sport.

[Afrodamus]

For those who have this can you answer this question: Without mentioning Winning Eleven, are you having fun playing FIFA 07?

Absolutely..I echo exactly the same sentiments of Seanmac31..This game is very good...and more importantly ONLINE is beautiful..I played a chap from Belgium and two other blokes from England and the connections were as if theye were sitting in my living room. Fun times

[dougb]

Macca and Leebo,

Thanks for the feedback! I guess I'll probably hold off on a 360 purchase for the time being. I thought that maybe Fifa or Pes would be the game that pushed me towards picking one up but it doesn't appear that this year's versions are enough of an improvement over current generation products to warrant a purchase. The lack of any editor for PES 360, and the likelihood that we won't be benefiting from the master patch makers that have really improved the look and sound of pc versions of winning eleven, is something that really reduces any urge I might have to get the game (and the console).

Lavan, I don't have winning eleven 10 - didn't bother because I wasn't able to get we9le working despite all your help and suggestions. I did get the pc we9 (Korean) working on my PC and have enjoyed that quite a bit. I've also enjoyed the PC version of FIFA in spite of a few problems (and a framerate that's not quite as smooth as I would like).

Best wishes,

Doug

[Macca00]

But isn't that how the sport is played? Should you really be able to string together passes consistently? Aren't bad passes and miscommunication between players a big part of the game? Don't real teams get frustrated at the same exact thing during a match?

I don't know, to me that doesn't sound like a negative, that sounds like a positive. I'm sick of being able to pass at will in a soccer game and only losing the ball off the dribble. I haven't played the game yet (outside of the demo) but if there are moments that feel and look amazing mixed in with plays that are ugly I'd say that's pretty representative of the sport.

I dunno, I think most players (either professional or not) can move towards a pass and I'm not complaining about intricate passing either, I'm taking about making a lateral pass from the wing to an inside midfielder who's 10 yards away and having the ball go towards an empty midfield and be intercepted. Again, I'm not talking about Arsenal-style party-trick passing, but just simple give and go's and lay-offs that seem to be butchered half of the time.

It's also disapointing that you can't hold down the pass button to select between two different teamates in the same line-of-sight but at different distances - for example, if you're bringing the ball out of defense and want to pass the ball directly up to a forward (because he's open) but a midfielder is 'in the way' the ball will always go directly to the nearest player (the midfielder). In WE and the current-gen FIFA if you hold down the pass button it'll bypass the nearest player (the midfielder).

I think, for me anyway, the bottom line is if a game is to be realistic then passing the ball (even with miscommunication and the occasional bad passes) should always trump knocking the ball up to a single player and taking on the defense. In this FIFA (particularly against good online opposition) I don't feel that's the case.

[10spro]

Despite the lukewarm impressions so far, I decided to take the plunge on the 360. Part because I liked the demo, and also because I just love the sport. My initial impressions is that the game is beautiful in a literal sense, but I did find it frustrating trying to hold on to the ball on Pro level.

And I am not talking about your mates not communicating, but at times it just seems that the AI takes the ball away from you too easily even just with a shoulder bump and I am not even trying to dribble or make any fancy move. In fact I am shielding the ball from the CPU. Would turning up the pass assist slider wake up my players maybe? I had the slider all the way down. The gameplay seem to be centered too often in the middle of the field with players continuously running into each other, removing all momentum from the game.

But I really enjoyed the ball physics. Players move naturally and there seems to be a flow never seen before in the fifa series. Once in the scoring area, I did noticed quite a tendency to volley the ball to the net from the CPU, while a header or simple kick would have done enough damage. I played only a couple of games, I will tinker with the passing sliders a bit and see if it takes away some of my frustration in the control and passing department.

Commentary as I feared is just plain boring and in some instances lagging. Overall, a fine effort for EA trying to head the correct direction, I liked the live ball feeling most of all and the Star players play as such indeed. I just need to play a few more games and fix the ball control department.