FIFA 07 Soccer (DS)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Guy Cocker
• Reviewed on: 10/13/2006
• Updated on: 10/16/2006
• Released on: 10/03/2006
• Originally published on GameSpot: FIFA 07 Soccer (DS) Review

While the home console and PC versions of the FIFA series have been going from strength to strength in recent years, the DS versions have only seen incremental improvements in recent years. While FIFA 07 certainly looks better than last year's game, it hasn't expanded on the hardware potential of the Nintendo DS or offered a long-term challenge in addition to the great quickplay modes. The lack of management features and online play mean that it still feels like a watered-down version of the feature-rich home console versions, especially to those who have been playing FIFA for years--though it still offers an enjoyable game of football overall.

At the beginning of FIFA 07, you can choose your favourite team from a wide selection of 510 teams across 27 leagues. Once you've made your selection, that team's badge will adorn the game's menu screen and it will be your default choice for all the different play modes in the game. As you'd expect from an officially licensed title, all the team and kit data is correct as of the beginning of the 2006/2007 season, but as this was before the end of the transfer window, there are discrepancies. For example, Ashley Cole is still playing for Arsenal when he's actually now at Chelsea. This isn't uncommon in sports games, of course, but it's irritating on this occasion because there's no way to edit player data. The limitation of the DS hardware also means that individual team stadiums haven't been included, although there are still eight generic variations to choose from. You can also mix up the wind conditions, pitch type, and time of day when playing exhibition matches.

The main thrust of FIFA 07 is the career mode, in which you can take control of a team for five years. You will have to meet certain criteria as you play domestic and international fixtures across both leagues and tournaments. Higher-quality teams have bigger demands, so Arsenal expects to finish in the top three of the FA Premier League and take part in the cup final. All teams are evaluated on the number of 'prestige points' that they accrue at the end of the season. These points are awarded or deducted depending on whether you fulfill certain objectives, and as long as you make it through each season with a specified number of points, you will be able to continue your career. Unfortunately, while this mode does put you in the place of a real team manager, the only options available to you are within your existing squad and formation. Player transfers are completely off limit, and while you can alter your training regimen every five weeks, it all feels incredibly limited.

Aside from a management career, the tournament mode lets you choose from 20 cups and tournaments from around the world. There's also a single match mode for quickplay, and once you've won five matches, you can play through a series of challenges. Challenges are a mix of scenarios that pit you against teams with handicaps, such as the opposing team having a two-goal lead, or in situations that require you to win the game by a certain number of goals. There are also a number of rewards that can be unlocked simply by playing through the game, including dribbling and goalkeeper minigames, as well as upgrades to your home stadium. There's even an option to create your own custom team, complete with a modified kit and a logo designed via the touch screen.

As FIFA 07 delivers a similar experience to the other versions of the game, it plays a very enjoyable game of football. The style of play is certainly faster than last year's iteration, with more end-to-end exchanges and goal-mouth scrambles. The only disappointment is that the game still doesn't pose a significant challenge, even when set to world-class difficulty. Without ever needing to use the skill button or the touch-screen tactics, you can usually run through defenders without any trouble, and scoring is just as easy. At least FIFA 07 feels tighter than last year's game, with passes needing to be directed at the receiving player and a generally higher level of accuracy than ever before.

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